I can't let this one go by without answering. :) I used to live in Napa, was in Sonoma last weekend and now live in SF.

For Sonoma wineries, I recommend checking out this list: http://www.drinkhacker.com/2009/07/26/what-winerie.... Healdsburg is a great stop (as others have suggested). It's great because everything is close together, and you don't need tasting appointments unless you have a big group.

For "off the beaten track" activities, check out this site: http://www.weekendsherpa.com/archives/. They always have good suggestions. If you're up for a drive, you might consider Point Reyes.

I highly recommend (for city activities) a trip to the Ferry Building and spending some time in GG park (great eating options around there, too in the Haight). The Mission is a great neighborhood for eating - lots of hidden gems.

Hope that helps. If you want something more specific, feel free to email me.

Congratulations!

My uncle runs a great little restaurant in Sonoma -- it's a casual place, but really good food (it's going to be on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives on the Food Network soon).

- Schellville Grill: schellvillegrill.com
His name is Matthew Nagan; he'll either be there, or his sister Emily will. If you see either of them, tell them I sent you and you'll probably endure some verbal abuse. ;)

Good place to go for breakfast before you hit the wineries, or lunch/dinner afterward.

- If you go to Healdsburg, check out Toad Hollow vineyards. My other uncle, Joe Nagan, works there (though he works a lot on the distribution side so he's not always actually there). His son, my cousin Jeff, used to run their tasting room.

- On my last trip to S.F., I enjoyed a good meal at Farmer Brown: http://farmerbrownsf.com/

Have fun - what a great trip...

My favorite winery out there is Hanna. It's a little off the beaten track - beyond Healdsburg. It's beautiful though. On the way to Hanna, stop at the Jim's Town deli and pick up a sandwich (and check out the antiques/collectibles next door), and take it to Hanna to enjoy on the deck with a glass of wine.

This is an excellent idea. Having family and business in San Francisco, I typically travel there at least a couple times per year, and subsequently consider it my second home. My wife and I had a terrific long weekend there last November. We stayed at the new Mark Hopkins Hotel Intercontinental in SOMA, and it was outstanding. I've also stayed at the St. Regis a couple blocks away and can HIGHLY recommend that hotel if there is a deal on rooms (it's pricey).

As for eating, over the last year I have consistently enjoyed Salt House (which is actually close to both hotels), Town Hall, and I always try to make a morning trip out to the DeYoung museum followed by lunch at Citizen Cake in Hayes Valley, which is off the beaten path in the city but stocked with killer little shops.

Hope you and your wife have a great anniversary and a wonderful trip.

Check out any of the Joie de Vivre Hospitality properties. Quirky and fun hotels with distinct personalities. Several options in SF proper.

Britt,Cheryl, Molly, Kasey, Mary, Holly: Thanks so much for the thoughtful comments and suggestions. Noting all of these and making plans in the next couple weeks!

@arikhanson

Two of my favorite wineries

1. Silver Oak Cellars in Napa. By far the best American wine I've had - http://www.silveroak.com/main/index

2. Wente Vineyards - About an hour outside of San Fran, but great winery and has some solid food (disclosure: family friends with acquaintance of mine, so I'm biased).

Arik,

This is a perfect opportunity to reach out to PRSA members in the SF and Bay Area to get their recommendations and input. I have done that when I go into a market and rarely am I led astray.

Having said that, I think staying in San Francisco in the SOMA (South of Market) area would be really great. There are wonderful restaurants there, great small hotels and a wide variety of museums and shops. Plus you're very near the cable cars and other more traditional attractions. Bon Appetit magazine normally has listings of new/out of the ordinary restaurants too so check their Web site.

I don't know a lot about Sonoma/Napa that's current but seem to recall there are a couple of PRSA members who work in food/wine in that area. Maybe search the directory for wine in the company name and see who comes up. Heck, you might even get a deal or two.

If you want, I can email you some contacts I have in the area but it's been some time since I actually lived there. Let me know.

Happy Anniversary!

Go north into Sausalito, just north of the Golden Gate I think--it's an artist's town like Carmel, but more authentic. Great cypress woods nearby to roam in, as I recall. You feel a long way from the city. Have fun and happy 10th!

A great trip to celebrate a great occasion!

You may want to connect with Doug Levy – @sfdoug. Doug (and/or some of his Bay-area friends) likely can add several where-to-go and what-to-see-and-do suggestions to your list. Caitlin Fitzsimmons – @niltiac, a recent SF transplant, could be of help, too.

Cheers!@mollyblock
)

Hi Arik!

Firstly, congratulations to you and your wife! In a society wrecked with divorce and marriages gone down the drain, it's great to see people adventuring in love.

Secondly, I may be a SoCal'er as well (as you tweeted to Rachel and Rochelle), but I frequent the Bay Area so often, it's become like a second home! Although I've not yet had the pleasure to experience Sonoma, I have a few good restaurant suggestions in San Francisco.

Crustaceans (http://www.anfamily.com/Restaurants/crustacean_san...) in Nob Hill is a delicious, classy crab restaurant highly known for its DELICIOUS garlic noodles. I've had a lot of seafood in my lifetime, and I have to say that the crab and other foods here (such as the oysters) are above all and don't have that lingering fishy taste you get from many other seafood restaurants. The service is also top-notch, in my opinion.

Gitane restaurant (http://www.gitanerestaurant.com/), also in Nob Hill and just 5 blocks from Union Square, is a hidden treasure I actively searched for during my last visit to San Francisco, literally - it's hidden away in an awesome little alley! The food here is paired so uniquely and tastes delicious. The ambience is vibrant yet dimly lit for a fresh yet romantic time. The room is so small, though, that you have to make reservations in advance, and the tables next to you are scooted closely to yours so there is no real feel of intimacy, but it is a fun place to watch others. The place is decorated so you feel like you're in some beautiful, modern, hidden cavern. Plus, Yelpers seem to love this place for the drinks.

Even if you don't get a chance to check out either one, I wish you the best on your trip. San Francisco is a gorgeous place! Happy Anniversary!

Best wishes,
Cheryl

Let's see, I am far from a Nor Cal pro, but as a native Angelino, I count both areas as some of my very favorites. In the city:
--Ferry Building, eating, browsing, great Farmer’s Market
--Alcatraz, worth the boat ride, great views of the city
--wander Haight-Ashbury
--Irish coffee at Buena Vista
--cable car ride, Powell-Hyde to Fisherman's Wharf
--Foreign Cinema, fun dinner location
--Zazie, great brunch, good neighborhood walking
--wander Golden Gate park, see buffalo, Japanese Tea garden
--Monk’s Kettle, great food & beers on tap
--burrito in the Mission District
--Lefty O’Doul’s – touristy, fun late night, old school piano bar
--Rickhouse for master mixologist libations
--drinks at Top of the Mark, Mark Hopkins Hotel
--great local restaurant resource is marcia gagliardi, the tablehooper: http://www.tablehopper.com/

As far as Sonoma goes, a good friend lives in Healdsburg -- charming, not too touristy town. Wine taste just-down-the-road Dry Creek Valley. Fav wineries there: Preston, Unti (appt only, worth it!), Lambert Bridge, Bella

Have a great trip!