More Wine les Whine in Napa
 

Hello Fodorites. This year we have decided to take our family vacation in Northen California.
We will fly into San Francisco and then drive north from there. Initially the idea was to spend a week in Humboldt county seeing Avenue of the Giants and the surrounding national park and beach areas near Ferndale with our two teenagers, 13 and 15, but the adults decided it would make more people happy( hubby and me) if we took longer heading up and stopped in Napa which we have never had a chance to visit. French Laundry, Redd, and Ad Hoc were calling to us. Yum

Having said that, we now need somewhere to stay for a family of four. I have looked at several hotels in Yountville and Calistoga, but the bang for the buck is minimal when you have four. This is where the whining starts. Even pricey hotels ($400 range) don't seem to be getting very consistently good reviews on other websites, making it hard to choose something. We like very, very clean, quiet, friendly, and updated. Since we've never been, I have no first hand experience and would appreciate yours. I've looked at North Block and Hotel Yountville, also Mount View and Pink Mansion in Calistoga, but for the price, I'm not sure they're worth it or I want it to be a really great stay for the price. If we can save more on hotel , we have more with which to drink and eat. You see my dilemma?
Thanks in advance for any insight you can provide.
Oh also traveling at the very end of July if that helps.

With a family I would suggest checking out vacation rentals by owner. www.vrbo.com Plug in Napa or Sonoma County and you will get a much more interesting place to stay. Be aware that some of the cities don't allow vacation rental within city limits (Healdsburg) but there are plenty just in the surrounding areas. I know you said Napa, but the town of Sonoma has an interesting old California Mission which might interest your boys, and then there is the Jack London home and farm nearby for those who read his books. Its in the "Valley of the Moon" on the way to Santa Rosa. Fabulous state park and interesting slice of history.

The French Laundry is closed for renovations, and you need a long, long time for reservations in any event. Try the Napa Valley Lodge for good family lodgings and reasonable (for the area) prices.

Kleroux- thanks for the information regarding the mission. I hadn't come across that in my research. We will definitely add that to a day. I'll have to look at the map again to see if it works best on the way from SF to Napa or from Yountville ( we booked at Hotel Yountville) to Mendocino which is our next stop.

Underhill- that would explain ,maybe, why I couldn't get a reservation at French Laundry even bright and early exactly two months out as requested by the website. We ended up with a reservation at Auberge Du Soleil for just my husband and I. Our kids think good food is anything that doesn't require fine linen and/or a knife and fork. They are excited about Gotts Roadside. Is that a good casual choice or is there something more delicious and casual?

Any suggestions for lunch and breakfast would be welcome as well?

We went to Gott's during a visit for my Mom's 50th Birthday (3 20somethings and fun-loving 50). We loved it. It's pretty informal -- think Burger shack -- but the food is elevated. I don't know that it's a great place for a long family meal (although it could be a good break from activities during the day), but the food is great (especially the Ahi Tuna Burger!) And do have a milkshake! Enjoy! :)

I think there is also a great salmon burger,right? My husband is looking forward to that one.

Can't vouch for the Salmon Burger, but everything I tried was wonderful. Just make sure to save room for some tasty ice cream for dessert!