Brad & Connie
Things To Do
Napa Valley
If you have not experienced northern California wine country we highly recommend it! There are a lot of wineries to choose from so do your research. We would highly recommend hiring a car service to drive you around during the day. This will allow you to enjoy the day tasting as much wine as you'd like without worrying about driving.
Russian River Vineyards
This particular winery/vineyard is in the Sonoma area of wine country. This is one of our absolute favorites and has a beautiful, rustic outdoor area with great food, and wine. There is plenty of seating, shade, and cornhole! The tastings are very reasonable, in a laid back atmosphere.
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Monterey is about two hours south of San Francisco, but offers great views of the Pacific Ocean and if you're lucky, sea otters! We can recommend a family owned Mexican restaurant in the area too. The famous Monterey Bay Aquarium is located right on Cannery Row and has fun activities for the kids. Cannery Row has a brewery or two for the adults ;)
Fisherman's Wharf
If you are planning to see San Francisco, Fisherman's Wharf is a place you must visit. There are tons of seafood restaurants, both fancy and casual. There is an aquarium at the wharf, or you can just stare at & smell the sea lions that sleep on the pier. You can walk the Embarcadero as well, down to the Ferry Building, for more food and drink, with a view of the Bay Bridge.
Golden Gate Bridge
The iconic Golden Gate Bridge is located on the west side of San Francisco and connects to Marin County. Rent some bicycles in the city and ride across into Sausalito to watch the boats sailing in the bay. Be prepared for a workout as the bridge itself is approximately 2 miles long.
Alcatraz Island
The famous Alcatraz Island or "The Rock", is in the San Francisco Bay just off the coast. There are numerous tours daily, but they can fill up fast, so book in advance. They have self-guided audio tours and you can spend as much or as little time as as you'd like. The history of the island is quite amazing and the boat ride over can be eventful. There are sometimes whale sightings, and in recent years a great white shark was caught on camera attacking a seal right off the Alcatraz dock! We would highly recommend you wear layers of clothing as the weather can change at any time in San Francisco, especially out in the bay.
Old Sacramento Historic District
For those of you wanting to explore Sacramento, an area known as Old Sacramento has dining and shopping, along with river boat tours. You can also see the iconic Tower Bridge from this area.
Reno
Reno, Nevada, "The Biggest Little City in the World" is an approximate two hour drive from the wedding site. While Reno doesn't have all of the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas, it has all of the same gambling options, with a lower price tag.
Lake Tahoe
Whether you choose north or south Lake Tahoe, or the California or Nevada side, they are approximately two hours away by car. The lake offers amazing views, and the weather at this time of year will be perfect, especially for those of you coming from the desert.
Millennium
For our vegan friends who will be spending time before or after the wedding in the Bay Area, we would highly recommend Millennium. They offer lunch and dinner, with brunch served on Sundays. Everything on the menu is amazing, we have tried all of it! Reservations are recommended as they can be quite busy. They are located in a suburb of Oakland called Rockridge and a BART station is within walking distance. College Avenue also offers lots of small shops and bars.
Lagunitas Brewing Company
Located in Petaluma, the Lagunitas Brewery is great for a relaxing day outside sipping on a frosty beer. They have a great menu and offer beers on tap you can't find in the stores or bars. There is also a short tour offered for free and you can drink while on tour. The town of Petaluma also offers antique shopping and more dining options.
Muir Woods National Monument
Muir Woods National Monument, named for naturalist John Muir, allows you to walk through the old growth redwood trees. Numerous trails run through this park and your hike can be as leisurely or strenuous as you'd like. Bring water and appropriate shoes as the bride and groom will not be held liable for any blisters or dehydration :)
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is a three hour drive from Sacramento and is home to some of the more iconic views in the country. El Capitan and Half Dome are two of the most popular formations to see.