Don’t go to San Francisco without visiting Napa Valley for the day or better still a night or two.
It’s only 1½ hours north-east from the city yet is exquisitely different. With its own microclimate it can be several degrees warmer and you’ll literally be surrounded with grapes and vines. The valley is about 50 km long with several towns dotted along the way but I think the pick of the bunch is St. Helena.
Pre-organise a tasting at Raymond vineyard and enjoy sitting under the trees then go onto V. Sattui for a picnic lunch. Their deli shop will leave you watering at the mouth with indecision. There’s everything you need there for a gourmet picnic including wine!
And if you can think of something worthy to celebrate, stay at Meadowood. It’s pricy but you’ll never forget it.
