Do people celebrate NYE in Embarcadero in San Francisco?

30th birthday...need a fun place to celebrate in San Francisco?

• I want to do something fun that I haven't done before in San Francisco for my 30th. People have mentioned going to see Beach Blanket Babylon, Asia SF...I just want to have a good time with my close friends. Oh and where should we stay? I live nearby in the Napa Valley...

• Answer:

  A trip to Napa, St. Helena, Calistoga, San Francisco Sightseeing trip to San Fransisco Day One Took 92 west over to Half Moon Bay then down Route 1 south. Route 92 was a very twisty, narrow way that we encountered a lot of traffic on. There were lots and lots of pumpkins though. Half Moon Bay being the heart of pumpkin growing country. Route 1 was an amazingly beautiful scenic drive. Lots of places to stop for pictures. Many, many sandy beaches with little or no people on them. We stopped at the Pescadero State Park. It was a smaller beach but lots of cool drift wood all along the beach. It has a small restroom facility and free parking. From there we continued down route 1 and eventually stopped at the Pigeon Point lighthouse. Again amazing views. You can't get into the lighthouse and the parking was a little harder but there was no cost to walk around the grounds. My sis had her heart set on reaching Santa Cruz, so we continued on route 1 until we got to Santa Cruz. Parking was hard due to a Car Show and a Sea Glass show that were in town for the weekend. We drove around for awhile looking for a spot. We ended up at a meter near the boardwalk. It was much more of a tourist trap then I like. It had an amusement park and arcade on the boardwalk. A few surf shops, which is what my sis was looking for, where you could rent boards for the day. The wharf was nice and the area is a marine life preserve so we saw sea lions swimming right off the pier. The wharf had several areas cut out where you could see the sea lions resting on the scaffolding built under the pier. All in all I didn't find the town to be overwhelmed with people so you were able to see any thing you wanted too. Day Two We headed up to Napa valley to drink in the scenery and the wine. Well, Chris drank the wine. We started out at Artesa Winery. It was an amazingly beautiful place. The grounds were breathtaking and the visitor's center was incredible. Not having a taste for wine I'll have to take Chris' word that the wine was good. She got a taste of 5 "classics" for $10.00. There was art and the winery history on the walls in the visitor's center as well as a patio with a view of San Fran on a clear day. So Jim and I enjoyed that while Chris sipped wine. While we were there someone suggested the St. Clement vineyard and that's where we headed next. St Clement's mister center is a cute house nestled on the top of the hill. Lots of outdoor tables to enjoy the day and the drink. Again here you got a taste of 5 wines for $10.00. While we were waiting for Chris, Jim and I ended up talking to a gentleman that ran a tour of wine country. He was in the process of setting out lunch for his tour. It's $75.00 per person. They travel around on a luxury bus and he decides each day where he is going to take his group. Get this, his wife made the potato salad they enjoy for lunch. Sounds like a great day for those people who like wine. It's playtime's tours. Check it out. For there we decide to head for lunch. Chris said she was happy with the vineyards we visited and we could move on. Lunch at the Market was delious! We were eating later in the day so it wasn't too busy. Good prices and good food. Afterwards we walked around downtown St. Helena. Very small town with boutiques on the main street. It didn't take us long to wander and we headed out once again.