cofarmer

My wife and I are taking a quick (3 nights) trip to napa/sonoma wine country in March 2007. This will be our first trip without the kids. We are looking at staying at the Euro Spa & Inn in Calistoga. Is this a good choice? Also looked at the Foothill House B&B, but was a little more than we wanted to spend. Any other suggestions? Here is a basic itinerary for our trip please critique.
Day 1 - Fly into San Fran(morning), Check in hotel, drive to redwoods, drive along coast, picnic at sunset, wine tasting rooms in Calistoga?????
Day 2 - Sonoma Wineries - Ravenswood, Buena Vista, Lunch???, Unti, Locals tasting room, Dinner????
Day 3 - Jelly Belly in Fairfield(souveneirs for kids), Napa Wineries - Stags Leap or Silver Oak, Lunch at Wappo's, Von Strasser, Sterling(tram ride), Zahtila, Dinner at Greystone in St. Helena.
Day 4 - depart San Fran.
Not sure if all this is possible but its a start. This may be the only trip we get to take alone for another 5 years so I want to make it both romantic and memorable. Your help is greatly appreciated.

MichelleY

Dear cofarmer:

Since this is your first trip w/o your kids, I would skip the Jelly Belly Factory. This trip is about the two of you. You can buy Jelly Belly's anywhere or other interesting gifts for your kids. Save the JB Factory for when the kids are with you.

I can't give any info on the Euro Spa or Foothill House. You may want to do the redwoods and coast drive on your way to Calistoga. Sunset picnic will depend on weather.

Good luck on your planning. Hopefully others will jump in here.

MY

kleroux

If you plan on driving along the coast, why not stay in Healdsburg, instead of driving over to Calistoga? You could also visit the redwoods at Armstrong Woods (instead of Muir woods) since if you are coming East from Bodega Bay you will pass right in front of Armstrong woods park in Guerneville. There are lots of charming B&B's in Healdsburg, also check out www.Healdsburgrentals.com for some interesting places to stay. There are great restaurants in Hbg..Cyrus, Dry Creek Kitchen being only two of them... Wonderful shopping and wine tasting around the main town square, and lots of wineries close by town. Healdsburg is more compact and easier to visit than Napa..but you could still drive "over the hill" to Napa should you want to.

MichelleY

topping for cofarmer

LLindaC

I agree about Healdsburg. However, we stayed at the Foothill House last year and totally loved it. The glowing reviews on www.tripadvisor.com are completely correct. I had a similar experience at the Grape Leaf Inn in Healdsburg- lovely owners, great food, warm touch. The Foothill House has special winter rates so may not be nearly as much as you think. We got a very good deal traveling off season. Zahtila winery is great! But instead of going to Stag's Leap, I would steer you to William Harrison. There are many wineries that bottle a Stag's Leap appellation Cabernet which is every bit as good as theirs at less. Also, you want to enjoy small wineries as well as the big crowded ones.

don512

Last year while in San Francisco, we did the wine train out of Napa and really enjoyed it. Very good gourmet lunch while traveling through the vineyards. Plus a wine-tasting train car with someone there explaining the different wines. We think it made for a very memorable afternoon.

Suki

You can certainly have dinner at one of the nice restaurants in Healdsburg the afternoon that you plan to visit Unti since that winery is north of Healdsburg. They do have a sign out that says that they require reservations for tasting but I have it on good authority that it is meant to keep the crowds down - they don't turn folks away.

rncheryl

Stayed in Healdsburg a couple of months ago at the Calderwood B&B. Nice, friendly, comfy. Wonderful meal at Dry Creek Kitchen (couldn't get in to Cyrus),

Most memorable winery: Ferrari-Carano. Next Raffaneli

cofarmer

Thanks for all your great advise. I thought we were all set to stay in calistoga, but have been doing a little more looking aroung for other options in sonoma county and have found some great places with great prices. What do you think of Sonoma creek Inn and the Windrose Romantic Cottages in Windsor? I did check the foothill house again and did find some good specials. Will get a more complete iteneray up after we decide where to stay. Again, thanks for all the help.

kleroux

I haven't visted or heard anything about the Sonoma Creek inn or Windrose. I still suggest you check www.healdsburgrentals.com and see what they have to offer. But that being said, if you are located in Hbg. or Windsor, you are in the right area for visiting the wine country. Do check out Preston Winery in Dry Creek. Its a lovely little winery with some great wines.........

TTess

We've stayed at the http://www.fairmont.com/sonoma/. The hotel is located on beautiful grounds with an amazing spa. Check their website for specials.

montysc

We have stayed at the Sonoma Creek Inn - and would return. We really liked the simple comfortable feel of the place. I am not sure if it is on the romantic side, but it is a great place in a decent location.

The hotel itself is in a residential area just down the street from the Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa. We went over on one of the nights to have a drink and relax at the fire...There isn't much else close by - so if you want more dining choices or shopping stick with Calistoga, Healdsburg or downtown Sonoma.