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Travel destinations: Northern California

When you plan a vacation anywhere in the Napa or Sonoma Valley, you will find a marvelous buffet of world class restaurants, restorative spas, and a seemingly endless array of beautiful vistas. You should allocate a few days and nights to frolic in nearby San Francisco as well, as there are few destinations that offer such an incredible combination of a beautiful, bustling city, with a background of such awesome natural beauty.

When you arrive at SFO and limo or taxi into San Francisco, start your top of the line vacation at a boutique Kimpton hotel, such as the Hotel Argonaut. It's theme is nautical, it's location is by the Bay and near restaurants such as the five star Vietnamese restaurant, The Slanted Door. You are within reasonable walking distance of the cable cars, the Aquarium, and an Irish coffee at the Buena Vista. That's just for starters.

You can daytrip on a ferry and picnic on Angel Island, or take one to Sausalito for lunch at Scoma's with a killer view of the San Francisco skyline. You can lunch at Kuletos fabulous Italian restaurant and walk off dessert window shopping in Union Square. Before returning to the Argonaut, you might want to visit the Museum of Modern Art, or walk up to Nob Hill to Grace Cathedral, where you can walk a mystical Labyrinth.

Checking out of the Argonaut, and getting aboard your limosine to Sonoma, you will enjoy a fantastic drive across the Golden Gate Bridge. To better appreciate the beautiful and exciting setting, be sure to ask your driver to stop at the lookout parking lot. The views of the city and of the bridge itself, are marvelous, and offer a great photo opportunity as well.

Once you are on the way north again, it's about a forty minute drive to the Sonoma Hotel, or the El Dorado Hotel in downtown Sonoma. Perhaps you would prefer to sleep in St. Helena at the Harvest Inn, or one of the many charming bed and breakfast inns that nestle alongside the magnificent vineyards. Many of the hotels and restaurants in Sonoma and St. Helena are listed online with the comforting contribution of client reviews. As both small towns make their living by being destinations, you can be certain almost every establishment is there to serve you well. However, you do have a choice between a place in one of the small towns, or set further out amidst the vineyards. Either way, the wineries are within tasting distance.

There are several restaurant superstars in wine country. The French Laundry in Yountville, Cyrus in Healdsburg, Terra


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Travel destinations: Northern California

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