We are spending just one night in this area. Never been to either Napa or Sonoma. We are mid 50s and will have my parents with us. We would probably visit one winery and wander through town and have dinner. So for this purpose to get a taste - would Sonoma or Napa be better? We would probably stay in town to be able to walk around a bit.

Thanks!

Healdsburg would be good for what you want to do.

HTtY

I agree with Healdsburg., but I'm curious as the where you're coming from/ going to from there. Others places might be convenient for just one night.

Agree with Healdsburg- like Sonoma much better than Napa

In Sonoma we had dinner at The Girl and the Fig- enjoyed very much

We are from Indy, Indyhiker!

We are visiting family in Sacramento for a few days and then to San Francisco for a few days. We just want to go to Napa Valley area.

Either the towns of Sonoma, St. Helena or Healdsburg.

Hi, fellow Hoosier! I love Healdsburg, but the town of Sonoma might be more convenient given the amount you'll be driving and the length of your stay.

Yes, Healdsburg, while lovely and near some excellent wineries in Dry Creek, is much farther north than Sonoma. We actually found the Girl and the Fig mediocre at best, though, so I don't have any dining ideas for Sonoma (town). One of the towns in the Napa Valley might be a better choice.

A one night stay might be difficult on a weekend. We stayed at the Jack London Lodge because of it and loved the small hotel and the tiny town of Glen Ellen. Very walkable and several restaurants to choose from. You may enjoy a quick visit to the JL state park too.

What time of year and what days of the week? That makes a difference if you can even find a place for only one night.

For a one night stop between Sacramento and SF (and not on a weekend) Sonoma might be better - simply because of the shorter drive time. Depending on where in the Sacramento area you are leaving from and assuming not during the morning or afternoon commutes - Sonoma is just a bit over an hour.

Otherwise, Healdsburg . . . which is about 2 hours.

Thanks for your input! This is actually for about 10 days from now. Sunday night June 8.

I am leaning towards Sonoma town location and there are rooms available-believe it or not!

Sounds like a plan! Have fun! My husband and I just got back from a whirlwind 10 nights in SF, Mendocino County and Healdsburg. Each part of the trip was fantastic.

Try to head over to Sonoma before 3 on Sunday afternoon to avoid traffic heading back to the Bay Area. W have stayed at the ?Best Western just a bock off the main square. Not fancy, but nice and handy for walking.

Sunday night isn't considered a 'weekend' - That would be Friday Saturday nights. Sunday night makes it much easier for a one-nighter. Bu MichelleY is right re the traffic. Sunday afternoons can be as bad or worse than a weekday morning commute so try to be on the road by noon-ish . . . . Which you'd probably want got do anyway since you'll have so little time in Sonoma.

I live near I-80 and avoid the freeway completely every Sunday afternoon.

We really liked the Gaige House, in Glen Ellen--stayed there a couple of weeks ago, as a matter of fact! But it's not within walking distance to the plaza.