Napa/Sonoma Honeymoon Itinerary...how does it look?
 

Hi! We are going on our honeymoon to Napa and Sonoma in March. Neither of us have ever been to the area. I've put this "itinerary" together. Some of it is set it stone, some not, some not yet planned (especially Sonoma wineries). Any thoughts are appreciated from the experts (you!) Thanks in advance!

Sunday - Arrive in San Francisco, stay the night at The W Hotel..

Monday - Rent car, drive to Napa, check in at the Villagio, get massages at Villagio spa, dinner at Bistro Jeanty.

Tuesday - Reservations for tours at Cakebread Winery, Mondavi Winery, and Del Detto Winery. Eating suggestions around Yountville or Napa..nothing too $$$.

Wednesday - Reservation for tour
at Jarvis. Visit Copia. Check out of Villagio and drive to Sonoma, check in at The Lodge at Sonoma, dinner at Carneros.

Thursday - Mud treatments at Spa on Sonoma Plaza. Sonoma wineries...do I need reservations? ..have heard it is more laid back than Sonoma..which Sonoma wineries to see? Dinner in Sonoma, maybe Italian??

Friday - Check out : ( See Jelly Belly Factory on way back to San Fran, and fly back to Georgia!

It sounds perfect! Congratualtions! You have made some very fine decisions. Della Santina comes highly recommended, tho I have not tried it yet.

Other favorites are:The Girl & The Fig, The Swiss Hotel and the General's Daughter for dinners in Sonoma. Cafe La Haye and La Poste also have been recommended here.

In Napa, you should at least have lunch out on the patio at Auberge du Soleil in Rutherford. Beautiful views and great food.

Tra Vigne in St. Helena, is very nice and not too pricey. Terra is also very good but a bit more $$$ and formal. It sounds wonderful, enjoy every minute of this great area! ***kim***

We ate at Tra Vigne, big hype "foodie" restaurant, we were VERY unhappy. Lackluster food, presentation, and Service. I would skip it.
Girl and the Fig is a wonderful place.

Best casual food we had was Mustard's.

Best "fine" dining was French Laundry. But alas the FL is presently closed while T. Keller gets Per Se running here in NYC.
Visit the Arrowwood tasting room
Congrats on the wedding

Sounds like a great plan. I enjoy visiting Matanzas Creek Winery in Sonoma (the lavender gardens are nice). Even if the French Laundry in Napa was open, you may want to save it for an anniversary trip. Dinner for two is $400 minimum; but fabulous. Best wishes!

Speaking of Per Se, I just read on another board that they had to close because of an electical fire. That's too bad!! ***kim***

Overall I think your itinerary looks great. I do have one question: Why are you staying the night in SF. I'd just drive straight to Napa as soon as you arrive. If you are arriving late, you might consider staying at an airport hotel and driving up to Napa the next morning.

Since you'll be visiting Copia, make reservations for lunch at Julia's Kitchen--THE Julia (it's the only restaurant she's allowed to use her name). We had the best meal there outside of France. If the weather's nice, ask to be seated next to the extensive gardens, which grow all kinds of vegetables, herbs, and flowers.

Had lunch last week at Cindy's Backstreet in St. Helena. Cindy Palcwyn, who was in the restaurant that day, also owns Mustard's Grill. The food was wonderful. Cafe La Haye in Sonoma is also very good.