Napa valley
 

My husband and I are planning to fly to CONCORD and then explore Napa valley for 4 days starting October 30. We want to see the sights and visit some wineries....one for sure..ROMBAUER. I need tips and suggestions on where to stay and how to best utilize our time there. . Would like it all to be budget friendly regarding restaurants. Any suggestions?thanks

This is prime time in Napa Valley so step on it - but being week days will help a lot. What is your budget for accommodations?

And re restaurants, "budget friendly" could mean anything - so <i>your</i> budget is?

I already have our b& b. Will be there Sunday afternoon till Thursday. I want to hit great wineries...and as far as food...hmmmm..what's my budget. I'm open to great happy hours for food. Maybe 100 bucks for dinner for two...including a glass of wine. We are renting a car...so we are willing to take a drive to a highly recommended place or restaurant

$100 wont get you much in the Napa Valley. Very crowded, very pretentious and very very overpriced on everything!

I disagree w/ Dayle a bit. Yes, there are pretentious and certainly 'over priced' places, but there are some moderately priced places too.

Unfortunately, $100 after tax/service and even a modest wine will only leave you about $25 pp for the food. So not much.

St Helena Bistro will just fit in your budget (if you order judiciously) w/ mains from about $15-$25

http://sthelenabistro.com

Maybe plan you major meals for lunch. That will give you more options.

Ok...since it's my first time there, what wineries are not to be missed? Also..if I up my budget...what restaurants...happy hours..places to eat do u recommend. Any tips on the best way to coordinate our four days?

Very good breakfast place in Calistoga - the name is Sarafornia.

Not to miss. That would have to be based on your preferences. If you were my friends, I would take to to Beringer, Pine Ridge, and Darrell Satui's Castell de Amorosa. But so many to choose from. You cannot go wrong where ever you go.

One day you will want to head north of Calistoga into the Alexander Valley. Then get over to Healdsburg for lunch and do some tasting in The Dry Creek Valley. Loop back around and return to Napa on the Mark Springs Road or Hwy 12 through Sonoma.

A day around Sonoma and up Hwy 12 is also another great day trip.

There are sooo many wineries in Napa and its general vicinity! What kind of wine do you like to drink? That will determine what are not-to-be-missed stops for you.

Btw, I also disagree with Dayle, and more than a bit!

Wine country is not at all pretentious in my experience. It *can be* expensive--depends on where exactly you go and what exactly you do. It is usually crowded in the Napa Valley, but a lot depends on the day and season you're there and which wineries you choose to visit.

Is there a gigantic parking lot with buses parked in it? We avoid those. If you go to wineries that are by appointment only, crowds won't disturb you, but there are also small places, less well known, that won't be packed. Go on weekdays. Make reservations for dinner.

A great way to save money on dining is to eat lunch out, and pick up meats, cheeses, bread and snacks for dinner, or fancy sandwiches. There are several little gourmet grocers in the valley--we're partial to Oakville Grocery--but even bigger chain grocery stores out there have a really nice selection of that kind of thing. Crack open a bottle of wine you acquired along the way, and you're all set.

We do this at least once on every trip to wine country, and it's always a highlight of the trip :-)

Restaurants
Napa
I would not miss Oxbow Public Market, specifically C Casa for tacos; C Moni for a cream puff. A fun place to walk around.
Hamburgers = Gott's Roadside.
Fremont Diner — breakfast; lunch
Boons Fly (mini donuts) — breakfast
Oenotri — Italian -- you can sit at the bar area

Sonoma
Cafe Cicci — small Italian cafe -- reasonably priced (north of town)
VJB Winery — pizza, etc. (nice Chardonnay)

St. Helena
Dean and DeLuca — huge marketplace
Gotts Roadside (again) = hamburgers
Goose and Gander (Happy hour) — downstairs bar area
Archetype (brunch)
V Sattui Winery has an Italian market

Wineries -- Start at the Chambers of Commerce; Napa and St. Helena and get 2 for 1 coupons. Tasting wine can get expensive.

Thanks Jbass!!! You are full of info