Getaway to San Francisco

I did some research on hotels before booking my vacation and had read several great reviews about this place. It was a great hotel, and we had a fabulous view of the Golden Gate Bridge from our room. It was nice to wake up and be able to enjoy a complimentary breakfast while looking out over the city. The hotel was very comfortable and the staff was courteous. It was very close to bus lines and about a 10-minute walk to Fisherman's Wharf (a must-see tourist area with great food and shops). Take a Super Shuttle to the hotel from the airport, which is much less expensive than a taxi.

Very historical, very old, and totally interesting! You might want to rent "Escape from Alcatraz" before you go, as you might enjoy it all the more. You tour the actual cell blocks, kitchen, library, etc. You even get to see which cells some infamous criminals inhabited, such as Al Capone. Make sure to wear a sweatshirt or jacket, as it is quite cool and windy out on the bay.

I visited the Sebastiani and Kenwood wineries in Sonoma County, about 45 minutes north of San Francisco. The wine tasting was fabulous, and I have a new favorite wine now that I wouldn't ordinarily have tried (Kenwood Sauvignon Blanc).