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| San Francisco No wonder poets and prophets flock to San Francisco, a city so inspiring it makes dreamers of us all. It's hard not to feel awe racing across the majestic Golden Gate Bridge or alongside vintage cable cars clanging up and down steep hills, affording fleeting glimpses of one colorful Victorian home after another. But look beneath the picture-postcard surface and you'll find this beauty has even more personality. Suggested Driving Tour DAY 1 Vermont Street Hog Island Oyster Company Hayes Valley DAY 2 Russian River Valley
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Vermont Street Though Lombard Street is more hyped, savvy locals say Vermont is the real crookedest street in San Francisco. What's more, no traffic clogs its thrilling turns. Start your journey at the crest of Potrero Hill, the serpentine path sharpening from 20th to 22nd streets. The view is so dramatic that people take their time, wrestling the steering wheel right and left along this crazy street until it regains its sanity at the bottom, on the edge of the Mission District. Famed for its overstuffed burrito joints, the Mission is worth a stop, especially since this gripping ride could work up an appetite. CLICK HERE FOR A MAP 
Hog Island Oyster Company Sure, Fisherman's Wharf looks out on Alcatraz. But instead of taking in that crowded carnival, head to Hog Island Oyster Company, where the beautiful bay-view includes an iced platter of pristine oysters and expert shuckers at work. Open daily, there's also cooked seafood on hand matched by the right wines. To get there from Fisherman's Wharf, head south a mile or so along the Embarcadero. You can't miss the mammoth Ferry Building, which also holds the Ferry Plaza Farmers' Market, amply stocked with artisanal cheeses, dazzling produce, local chocolate and unique kitchen utensils. 1 Ferry Plaza, (415) 391-7117. CLICK HERE FOR A MAP
Hayes Valley The flower-power vibe of The Haight hasn't lost its funky charm. Today's bohemians are more haute couture, their destination of choice—Hayes Valley. Just a few minutes east of Haight-Ashbury, in the shadow of Highway 101, you'll find one-of-a-kind boutiques, art galleries, brasseries and wine bars. Look for a parking space in this vibrant enclave since the neighborhood's creative, independent merchants offer lots of wares worth carting home - everything from fabulous footwear to home furnishings to handmade corsets. Other unique little shops sell Mexican folk art, local ceramics and reconstructed vintage wear. CLICK HERE FOR A MAP
Russian River Valley Grape lovers unite on Napa Valley's roads, so much so that traffic is tangled and the wineries overrun. Bypass this bumper-to-bumper madness and head north on Highway 101 to the Russian River wine country, a picturesque getaway boasting prized Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. About two hours from San Francisco, it makes for a peaceful day trip, with opportunities to roam the vineyards and stock up on undiscovered gems from boutique wineries. The old river road that winds along the Russian River is threaded with charming small towns, farms and orchards. Just five minutes outside of Guerneville is the spectacular Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve, certainly worth a detour. CLICK HERE FOR A MAP
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