LeavingLondon

Hi. I picked your brains a while back about fun weekend trips with kids but now I'm looking for inspiration for weekends away without kids (yippee). We looked at Vegas but the flights Friday - Sunday were really expensive so are now looking at road trips - 2-3 hrs max from San Jose where we can spend the weekend eating, drinking and being merry (without having a designated driver whilst there to ferry us around).

Have you been anywhere fun that you'd recommend (places and/hotels)? We're going with another couple. Looking so far at Napa, Tahoe, Sonoma, Carmel/Monterey etc. Thank you!

Hotscot

Those are good places.
I'd also add north to the Russian River, Point Reyes, Bodega Bay.
(However if you do go to Bodega Bay, be careful around the wildlife. Be very careful.)

N1cky

As it's adults only I'd do Napa, all the others are fun as family trips, wine country is great without the kids. We've used Platypus Tours a couple of times while there, and they've been fantastic.

ubernathan

Staying in Sonoma and then visiting Russian River and the like is very pleasant. A simple drive from San Jose up the 1 & over the Golden Gate Bridge (be aware there's a toll southbound that you need an internet account to pay). Sonoma's main square has nice restaurants for evening meal.

Alternatively go down to Santa Cruz on the 17 and then take the 1 south to Monterey and San Luis Obispo. That's a bit more of a drive though.

Hotscot

Cambria and Hearst Castle make a good day/overnight.

LeavingLondon

Thanks everyone for your suggestions so far. Have also been recommended Reno and Fort Bragg! Time to google!

N1cky

Reno is the worst place I've ever been in my life, you couldn't pay me to go back there

cluedweasel

I do like Lake Tahoe though and Virginia City is pretty interesting.

LeavingLondon

Really? Why? Is it really scummy?

N1cky

YES. It's basically one road of run down hotels/casinos. The clientele all look like hookers who have dressed at the cheapest clothes store you can imagine, or are on oxygen tanks. There is nothing to do there, it's not like Vegas (which I'm not a huge fan of anyway), where you have stunning hotels with things to see, or great shows or exhibits...

Cape Blue

I have to go there periodically for work - I think you have nailed it quite well.

Sad, fat, pallid, smoking & gambling addicted people.

N1cky

You have my sympathies

Cape Blue

I would consider Santa Cruz, Big Sur, Yosemite and obviously San Francisco.

If you are considering Fort Bragg or Lake Tahoe, you could also consider Santa Barbara - about the same 4 hr drive.

N1cky

Yosemite is possibly my favorite place in the world. However, I think it's a wonderful place to take kids, I know my daughter would be very put out, if we visited without her.

Psyman

Mendocino (near Fort Bragg) and the Redwoods to the north of there. Slow, windy roads, but very scenic.