San Francisco To Napa From SFO........

[Littleman]

If your flight landed at SFO @ 11:00 AM and you were headed to Napa Valley for 4 nights before returning to SF for 3 nights would you stop in Sausalito for lunch to view the sights or drive straight on to St. Helena for lunch near our hotel. I don't think my wife will be able to wait that long. Thanks.

[Senor Popusa]

A perfect option for you is brunch/lunch at Murray Circle, the restaurant at the new Cavallo Point resort. It is directly across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco. Technically in Sausalito, it is in Fort Baker, a former military installation.

Cavallo Point is the first exit once you cross the bridge, before you get to Sausalito, and there are drop dead views of the city and the bridge from the resort.

I had a great waffle for brunch, as well as got to try the burger which was delicious.

Brunch menu here: http://www.cavallopoint.com/files/sam...

Then you can continue on to Napa and enjoy your Sunday afternoon without hunger pangs.

The chef there is Joe Humphrey, who earned two Michelin stars at Meadowood last year. They also currently have a pea gazpacho which is "worth a detour."

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Murray Circle
601 Murray Circle, Sausalito, CA 94965

[mr_morcilla]

If you take the Bay Bridge/East Bay route, exit at University Ave in Berkeley and go to Cafe Rouge on 4th Street.

[ML8000]

If you want some really SF, I'd stop at Burma Superstar on the way to the GG. Clement St is right off Hwy 1 going to the GG Bridge. On a full stomach, Marin and the trip will be much nicer.

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Burma Superstar Restaurant
309 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94118

[maria lorraine]

My guess is that taking the Bay Bridge would be much faster than the Golden Gate bridge, but it isn't as pretty.

[Sarah]

OK, here it is. Go over the GG Bridge, take the Sausalito/Marin City turnoff. Make a left and drive onto Gate 6 Rd, two more lefts take you to Bayside Cafe (across from Mike's Bikes). Order up breakfast or lunch (great BLT's), read a left-behind Chron or IJ to acclimate, refresh yourselves in the large bathrooms. When you leave the lot, a half block and a right gets you back on 101 N -- to Napa (via 37). Have a great time!
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&...

[rworange]

What else do you like at Bayside Cafe besides the BLT? Anything to avoid?

This Marin blogger who I really like and find reliable has some pictures of the food and Bayside Cafe
http://mtkilimonjaro.blogspot.com/2008/04/keeping-close-to-home.html
http://mtkilimonjaro.blogspot.com/2007/06/dockside-hang-out.html

She also just did a report of Fish with pics. Never knew they made their own pasta.
http://mtkilimonjaro.blogspot.com/200...

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Bayside Cafe
1 Gate 6 Rd, A Sausalito, CA

[Sarah]

We're usually there for breakfast -- egg items are reliably good, hash browns (ask for crispy), but have never ordered their omelets; good soups (ask for sample, tho, sometimes salty), great blt, club sandwiches big enough to share. I love the fried chicken (I love practically ANY FC), but sub mashed potatoes if it's on the menu that day or rice/beans. Bottomless coffee... It's just plain ole 'merican chow ...nothing fancy or innovative. Nice folks too.

[rworange]

Waaay too long a ride after a long flight from SFO.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Fish in Sausalito
http://www.331fish.com/
http://www.chow.com/places/7621

Easy on/off of the freeway (use Google maps). Lots of easy parking. Beautiful location on the water. Top of the line ... fish.

Bring cash though

[maria lorraine]

OK, trying to help to help you decide. I'm going to guess that you'll have a 2-3 hour time difference from your home when you arrive in the West Coast. Which means it will, by the time you land, already be past your lunchtime. You may be hungry when you land, incredibly hungry by the time you hit San Fran, and hypoglycemic by the time you reach St. Helena. So, definitely stop to dine before you make the trek north to Napa Valley.

I'm going to guess that on a Sunday it will take you at least 2 hours to get from SFO to St. Helena. That's what it takes me on a weekday with no traffic. I figure more like 3 to 3-1/2 hours. Be sure you have exact directions.

I like the suggestion of Hong Kong Flower Lounge in Millbrae. That's very close to the airport, and I think it would be fun. Otherwise, grab some sushi in the SFO International Terminal, just enough to tide you over. I like Poggio in Sausalito too, but think that stop may absorb too much time getting off the highway, and driving down into Sausalito. But that's just my guess.

[wolfe]

There's always that old standby the In and Out Burger off the highway just after the Richardson Bay Bridge for a quick bite.

[maria lorraine]

I thought of that too. Actually, it's not a bad option if you take the Golden Gate Bridge. Our OPs will have plenty of lovely food in Napa Valley -- a little upscale fast food might be fine.

(And that would be the Richardson Bay Bridge, wouldn't it, wolfe? [inside joke])

[bobpantzer]

If you're really interested in stopping in Sausalito, try Poggio. It's right on Bridgeway and has some streetside seating which would be fun for people watching on a Sunday.
If you're really hungry, I wouldn't wait until you get to St. Helena--on a Sunday the drive up highway 29 from Napa can be longer than usual.

[napawinegirl]

If you are getting bags and then renting a car - I would stop in SF at the Stevenson Street Yank Sing for dimsum - great food and very quick - then get a move on to Napa.
Should take you about an hour 25 from SF

[Robert Lauriston]

Which day of the week?

[Littleman]

Sunday. Thanks.

[Robert Lauriston]

Perfect timing to visit one of our top dim sum places:

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Koi Palace Restaurant
365 Gellert Blvd, Daly City, CA 94015

Hong Kong Flower Lounge
51 Millbrae Ave, Millbrae, CA 94030

[ML8000]

I'd scout Koi Palace carefully on the timing. Unless you get there right when they open, you could do some waiting. By 12 noon on Sunday it could be very, very crowded, a 2 hour wait. HK Flower Lounge might be less of a wait.