50th birthday girls trip

Question

Thanks in advance for reading through this ridiculousness, 4 of us are coming to celebrate our friend’s 50th. We would like wineries, spas, hiking, beaches, forests. However, spending most of the day in the car doesn’t appeal to us. Someone recommended to me to stay skip Napa but go to Sonoma, St. Helena, Calistoga, and Mendocino. My first thought was to drive from SFO to Mendocino and work our way back - but I was vetoed due to length in car. So, how about working our way up to Mendocino after going to the aforementioned towns and then driving back? I would love recommendations. We have a week in late July. Thank you in advance,

Answer

For a 50th birthday girls’ trip in late July with a mix of wineries, spas, hiking, beaches, and forests, your approach of minimizing long stretches in the car is smart. Northern California offers plenty of scenic towns and experiences without needing to spend all day driving. Focusing on Sonoma, St. Helena, Calistoga, and Mendocino can provide a well-rounded week-long itinerary.

Suggested strategy:

Base yourselves in 1–2 central locations rather than moving every night. For example, you could spend the first 3 nights in the Sonoma/Napa area (Sonoma or St. Helena) for wineries, spas, and easy hikes.
Then spend 2–3 nights further north, perhaps in Mendocino or Fort Bragg, to access beaches, forests, and coastal trails without long daily drives.
This avoids a single long drive from SFO to Mendocino at the start, which your group doesn’t prefer.

Activity suggestions by area:

Sonoma Valley & Napa: Wine tastings in Sonoma Plaza, spa treatments at Calistoga (like Indian Springs or Calistoga Spa Hot Springs), and short hikes in Sugarloaf Ridge or Hood Mountain.
St. Helena & Calistoga: Explore boutique wineries, enjoy farm-to-table dining, and maybe take a hot air balloon ride. Calistoga’s mud baths are iconic for relaxation.
Mendocino Coast: Stunning coastal cliffs, beaches, and forested state parks. Try Mendocino Headlands State Park for short hikes and photos, Russian Gulch State Park for waterfall trails, and Glass Beach in Fort Bragg.
Optional day trips: If staying in Sonoma or Napa, consider a half-day drive to Bodega Bay for a coastal experience without committing to the full Mendocino stretch on the first day.

Driving tips:

Keep daily drives under 2–3 hours where possible. The route from Sonoma/Napa to Mendocino is about 3–4 hours, so plan to leave mid-morning for a relaxed arrival.
Use Highway 1 along the coast north of Bodega Bay to enjoy scenic stops and photo ops without rushing.
Consider splitting the group’s interests: one day of wine tasting vs. one day of coastal hiking to keep energy levels balanced.

With this approach, you’ll enjoy a mix of wine country relaxation, spa indulgence, hiking, and coastal scenery without spending most of your week in the car. Lodging can be chosen in Sonoma for the first half of the trip and Mendocino or nearby coastal towns for the second half to maximize experiences and minimize driving stress.

50th birthday girls trip

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