OK - we've decided to do 3 nights Carmel, then 4 nights Napa, and end with 2 nights in SF in late July. Given the fog potential - should we stay in Carmel Valley (Bernardus? Qual Lodge?) or Carmel by the sea (Tickle Pink) - or are we better off staying in town?? I can't figure out after pouring through all the posts what the differences are (time-wise) between these 3 areas. Please let me know! We're down to earth people who don't need fancy service and amenities but would love a larger room and a beautiful view. Onto Napa - loved the Wine Country Inn 15 years ago - what else is out there in the same category? Looked into Auberge - -but $1000/night is just a bit too high. What about Meadowwood? Or should we stay in Sonoma? Would appreciate your advice - Thanks!

In Carmel, almost all of the stuff you want to see is along the coast. So, if it's foggy, the vistas won't be as great & it can dampen the spirits a little. If you stay in Carmel Valley, you will still be in the fog during your adventures along the coast - you just won't be sleeping in the fog. However, at night you won't be concerned about the fog. If you plan to relax by the pool a lot, then Carmel Valley might be a good idea. If you want to wander around Carmel, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Pt Lobos, 17 mile drive, Big Sur, then Carmel Valley won't buy you anything. I prefer a downtown Carmel location over a place further away where you have to drive to get to the downtown. It's fun walking along the cliff drive in the early AM or late afternoon like many locals do. I also like walking to restuarants and walking in the residential area south of downtown Carmel. Pastries for breakfast in Carmel is fun.

In Napa, try Vintage Inn in Yountville or Harvest Inn in St Helena. I would split my time in the wine country with 2 days in the Napa valley, and 2 days in Healdsburg. Click on my name & try to find a post I did several weeks ago about a drive "North of SF". I'm not a big fan of the area around the town of Sonoma. The town square is nice, but the immediate surrounding areas are a little ruddy, sompared to Healdsburg & places in the Napa Valley.

Stu Dudley

I've stayed at the Tickle Pink Inn and it was very nice, but the room was not spacious. We had an amazing view from our balcony, tho. The property has many nice amneities: outdoor jacuzzi, wine or champagne and chocolates brought to your room upon arrival, and a very nice wine and cheese reception in the afternoon.

I haven't stayed in Carmel Valley since we like oceanviews from our room while we visit the coast, but I have heard great things about a couple of the places there.

On to Napa: We have stayed at the Yountville Inn and the Harvest Inn. Both were very nice. The Harvest Inn is a very spacious property with beautiful grounds. Koi ponds, little bridges around the property, etc. Our stay there was very pleasant and in the morning a complimentary breakfast buffet is served in a room with french doors opening out to the vineyards.

I agree with Stu about Sonoma (we'll be staying at the Sonoma Mission Inn soon) there are some "seedy" areas, but so many nice restaurants, wine shops, etc. It's still a favorite place but Napa Valley is more upscale.

You might want to post on the Wine Country message boards. www.winecountry.com Go to the bottom of the page and click on message boards. There is a poster there (Russ) who is very informative about the Napa Valley. He's an innkeeper at the Old World Inn in Napa and has very valuable information. Have a wonderful trip! ***kim***

We loved the Gaige House Inn and Glen Ellen in Sonoma County.

I agree completely with Stu. If I could be in Carmel 24/7 I'd be a happy camper, fog and all! I think the charm of the town outweighs all negatives. I love being able to be on foot and enjoy Carmel at a slow pace. I also like staying in Yountville. It's well located with several nice places to choose from for lodging. What a terrific trip you are planning!

I thoroughly enjoy wine country and was just in Sonoma two weeks ago, but 4 nights?? For me personally, that would be too long, given the options to the south (SF and the Moterrey peninsula).

I strongly prefer Sonoma over Napa. Be sure to visit Nicholson Ranch and Ledson -- both are offering excellent vintages right now. Also don't miss Schug if you're a fan of Chardonnays.

I've been to Ledson and loved it. We'll probably stop by there and stock up on some of their Zins and Merlots.

Where is Nicholson Ranch? Any other favorites in this area? We've been to Kunde, Chateau St. Jean, Ledson, Blackstone, Valley of the Moon, Imagery, but would like to try some new places this trip! ***kim***

Kimamom, I mentioned Schug for its award-winning Chardonnays. Also B.R. Cohn. The Domaine Carneros chateau is beautiful (on Hwy 12/121 between Napa & Sonoma). So many great options.

Nicholson Ranch is on Napa Road, www.nicholsonranch.com

Domaine Carneros is a gorgeous building! We will have to stop there this trip. Thanks for the tip! ***kim***

You're welcome. Sonoma is one of my favorite places to spend a day. Enjoy!

Just don't ask me about "the gates" fiasco, okay? Ha Ha!

>>>I strongly prefer Sonoma over Napa<<<

I wish people would distinguish between Sonoma (the town), and Sonoma County (the region), and also Napa the town and Napa Valley or Napa County the regions. It's a bit confusing for people not familiar with the area.

The OP mentioned Napa (not the valley). I assumed he/she really meant Napa Valley, but I could be completly wrong. If he/she was referring to Napa the town, I think there are better choices of places to stay in towns north of Napa. Same with Sonoma. I would never stay there with the intention of touring the wine country - maybe to visit for a couple of hours or to "veg out" at the Sonoma Mission Inn, but there is more beautiful winegrowing regions elsewhere in Sonoma County.

When people mention Napa Valley, they are almost always referring to the winegrownig region from Napa through Calistoga. There are a few other winegrowing regions in Napa County, but they are pretty small.

Most people I know who live here, talk about the Russian River Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Alexanker Valley, Knights valley, Valley of the Moon, etc when discussing the Sonoma County winegrowing regions.

I think first time visitors would prefer the Napa Valley area because there are more big name wineries there. They conduct very thorough tours. There are also lots if "extras" like the Coppola museum, Dean & Deluca, the gondola up to Sterling, the Rhine house, an "outlet" complex, etc.

Like Gekko, I prefer the Sonoma area - Dry Creek Valley, Alexander Valley in particular. I like it because there are not the "extras". Slower pace, less crowded, not as much commercialism, etc.

I also prefer Healdsburg over Sonoma (the town), and St Helena.

Stu Dudley

Nibos,

I would recomend staying in Carmel proper and then based on the amount of fog choose your activites around that. If it clears, or is a clear day, then have lunch or a sunset dinner at the Highlands Inn - which is right next to Tickle Pink and should satisfy your cravings for views! There is the Amazing Pacific's Edge Restuarant and also the Cafe with outdoor deck seating and what views!!! We always at least have a drink in the bar connected to the Pacific's Edge
Staying in town gives you a lot more opportunity if the weather doesn't cooperate. Carmel Valley is a great getaway for an afternoon or half day trip since it is usually warmer, plus if the fog is heavy it will clear much sooner there...Have fun

Virgina publishes a great wine country map. Is there a wine country map published by the state or industry for each of Napa, Sonoma, Alexander Valley etc. areas.

Fairhope:
For Monterey
http://www.montereywines.org/
For Sonoma - RRV/Dry Creek/Anderson
http://www.wineroad.com/
For Sonoma Valley
http://www.sonomavalleywine.com/
For Napa
http://www.napavintners.com/wineries/wineryfinder.html

montyw, the cafe you were referring to is the California Market @ the Highland's Inn. It is excellent for breakfast and lunch. (I love their fish tacos!)

We did dine there for dinner one evening when our car wouldn't start. (We had reservations at Bouchee.) I wasn't very impressed with the dinner there. (Maybe just disappointed that we missed Bouchee....) I would highly recommend Pacific's Edge. We had a very nice anniversary dinner there a couple of years ago.

nibos, I hope you're able to try some of those great pasteries at the downtown bakery in Carmel. ***kim***

Suggest staying in the heart of Carmel where you can walk to galleries,shops, restaurants, beach. It is one of the most charming villages anywhere. We've been there with fog 90% of the time and didn't care--still beautiful. A great country classic B&B is Vagabonds House, perfect location in town.
ps Incredibly romantic restaurant with outstanding food is Casanova (2 blks from Vagabonds)

Wow everybody - 10 responses in 6 hours! I guess you're all Fodors-addicted like I am! Thanks so much. Now - more specificially, if people are recommending Carmel proper - where would you suggest we stay? In terms of Napa - I meant the general region, and we have been there (15 yrs ago), but would like to return, relax, eat, tour more boutiquey wineries etc. Do the rest of you agree that we should spend 4 nights in carmel and 3 in napa/sonoma region? Can someone tell me the distance between Carmel Valley and Carmel - the cute town? And Kim . . . you pop up everywhere! If I have specific questions about all your travels, would you mind if I emailed you? You can send me your address at: [email protected]. Thanks again everyone.

4 nights in Carmel and 3 in napa sounds great to me - someone else may say just the opposite. We happen to like Yountville in the Napa area, but we have only been there a couple of times and don't know nearly as much as some other posters. Type in Napa in the search box and you'll get tons of info.