Base for Napa/Sonoma visit
 

We will be in Napa/Sonoma for our 5 yr anniversary July 3-7. We've visited Sonoma once before and stayed in Healdsburg, but that trip we were with friends and our then 11 mo daughter, so it was a very different experience. This time we'd like to visit Napa for at least one day. Should we split our trip and stay in Napa 2 nights and Sonoma 2 nights or just pick one base? What town would be best?

Thanks for the advice!

Best get reservations ASAP for 4th of July weekend. You might try to get away from the "hords" on July 3 & 4, and then pick a "central" popular location for 5-7. Heladsburg is always nice, because if you get tired of the wine country after 5 days - you could easily head to the coast - if the weather is nice there.

Does anyone know if what the "minimum stay" nights might be for July 4 weekend??

Stu Dudley

Well, some people are going to tell you to split it and then other people are going to tell you to stay in Healdsburg and do day trips to towns in Napa, and then there are numerous variations on these themes.

I think it comes down to what you want to do while you are here and your style of travel-do you like to settle in and perch in one place and explore from there ? or do you not mind a stop here and a stop there ? Are you interested only
in visiting wineries ? or do you want to take a trip out to
the coast ? kayak on the Russian River ? do some biking
or hiking ?

If you stay in Healdsburg, and want to day trip over in Napa
and eat dinner over there, consider how comfortable you
will be driving back to Healdsburg after a bit of wine with
dinner.

If you decide you don't mind 2 nights here and 2
nights there-then perhaps 2 nights
in Yountville and 2 nights in Healdsburg might be worth exploring.

What feels right to you ?

R5

We live 30 minutes from both and even though we like Napa have found we are gravitating more to Sonoma these days. There is a wonderful newer Hyatt in Santa Rosa just off 101 with a fabulous restaurant onsite. Across the street from them is historic Railroad Square that has many restaurants and bars. Keep in mind most of the time July is HOT in the wine country and that weekend will be crowded in both locations. Get a hotel room with good A/C and hopefully a fridge where you can store water and cold drinks (i.e. champagne!)

One other thing - another wonderful hotel to celebrate an anniversary that is somewhat central to both is the The Lodge at Sonoma Renaissance Resort & Spa. One of the best spas I've ever been too and there is a 4 star restaurant onsite. It's located about a mile outside the town of Sonoma and its old Spanish/western style square with lots of shopping and restaurants. Many wineries are located just off this area and a quick drive into Napa for a day trip.

Consider Yountville or Calistoga as a based for a couple of days in Napa and stick with Healdsburg for the Sonoma County portion. Can't think of a better location for Sonoma County and Southern Mendicino than Healdsburg.

Happening right now just outside Calistoga on Hwy 29 in
Napa County:
"Emergency road closure & Severe traffic alert & <B>Snow</B> on CA-29 Northbound at Tubbs Ln (Calistoga) All lanes closed Consider using alternate routes."

Recall this frosty news on 4th of July weekend 2011
over in Napa county.
:)

R5

<<<Recall this frosty news on 4th of July weekend 2011>>>

Forget 4th of July 2011 -- it was 85 degrees two Sundays ago!!

<<<Forget 4th of July 2011 -- it was 85 degrees two Sundays ago!!>>>

and wouldn't you know we were in Hawaii !
:)

It's only 43 here in Sonoma County right now
A good night for a fire at the R5'S....

R5