Napa vs Sonoma - Need Advice
 

Next October will be our first trip to northern California. We are considering one night on the coast north of SF, five nights in Napa or Sonoma followed by three nights in SF. Is five nights in wine country too many? We are thinking of the Mission Sonoma Inn or the Harvest Inn. Is it crazy to stay two nights in one and three in the other. I like the idea of staying put for five nights in one place. If you stay in one place, are all the other areas accessible for day trips or is it too much driving? Also, can someone suggest a quaint, pretty town for one night north of SF on the way to Napa/Sonoma?
Thanks so much for any advice!

Personally, I'd pick one place and use it as your base of operations. I like Healdsburg. Its about 1 hr. north of the Golden Gate Bridge on Hwy #101. From there you can easily tour the remainder of the wine country. To drive to Napa, you could go through the Alexander Valley to Calistoga, down through Napa Valley to the town of Napa, and then West through the town of Sonoma and back to Hbg. That's an all day drive. But to do a round trip Hbg-Napa on one day, and a Hbg-Sonoma town on another is easy. You might also want to visit the Armstrong Woods State Park in Guerneville. Beautiful Redwood trees, with few tourists. Then there is the drive to the Pacific Ocean, and Bodega bay and the Russian River...Check out www.sonomacountyvacations.com for some interesting places to stay.

You don't really need an additional place to stay between SF and Napa as it is less than an hour's drive. But if you want to do something different, you could stay in Sausalito and enjoy an incredible view of the Bay and the City. Petaluma is also a charming town. But, if I were you I'd enjoy those places during the day on my way to Napa or Sonoma.

I've never seen the Redwoods - sounds perfect. Is one hotel that I've suggested better situated than the other? We're flying from NY, so I thought one night in a pretty place to just relax would be nice after the long first travel day.
How far is Yountville from Healdsburg?

I'm partial to Sonoma & since you have sufficient time I'll suggest what we typically do. We stay on the coast, usually in or around Jenner & hit the wineries from there...Napa has become a bit too pretentious (& pricey), when most tastings in Sonoma are free. Occidental is a cool little town & the Osmosis Spa is nearby as well.

We prefer Sonoma Co also. Our favorite town there is Healdsburg - by far. I would not stay in the Sonoma Mission Inn - unless you plan to spend a lot of time using their spa facilities. The area immediatly outside the hotel is a little gritty & run down - you really won't want to take walks in the neighborhood. You can't walk to the Sonoma Square from the hotel. Stay in the Healdsburg Hotel instead. In my opinion, and in the opinion of the local food critics and the Michelin people, there are better restaurants in Healdsburg than in Sonoma.

keroux gave you an excellent driving itinerary.

Stu Dudley

PS

5 nights in Napa or Sonoma is a little too much, IMO. I would do 5 nights in SF, 3 in Healdsburg, and 1 on the Coast.

A while back I posted a scenic driving itinerary for the route up the coast, over to hHealdsburg, then Napa valley, etc. Do a search on "Stu Dudley" on the USA forum to try to find it. If you can't, post here again & I'll re-post it to this thread.

Stu Dudley

Stu - I already have your itinerary printed and on my desk - looks great. I first came across your suggestions when doing research on Italy (we were there in Sept). In fact, your drive through southern Tuscany sounds so wonderful that we will follow it the next time we're back there (only got as far south as Siena this time). It was funny to see your name again and learn where you're from when doing research for this trip.
About the # of nights in each place, we're from NYC and although I've never been to SF, I so appreciate getting out of the city and seeing beautiful countryside. I thought we could also see the Redwoods and the Petrified Forest. What do you think?

Five days is still a lot of time to spend in the wine country. Drive up the coast as far as Mendicino & spend a day there & 1 less in the Wine country.

SF & a bit different from NYC.

Stu Dudley

"Is five nights in wine country too many? We are thinking of the Mission Sonoma Inn or the Harvest Inn. Is it crazy to stay two nights in one and three in the other."

Five nights is not too long if you are seriously interested in wine and food. If you have a more casual interest, it may be too much. For outstanding scenery, the coast might be a better option especially in October.

Both the Sonoma Mission Inn and the Harvest Inn are excellent places to stay. The Harvest Inn is in a wonderful location just south of St. Helena. There are a number of excellent restaurants nearby and you are right in the center of the finest wine region in the US.

The Sonoma Mission Inn is a great place if you are into Spa treatments and/or golf. If you are more interested in wine and food, then Healdsburg (as others have stated) may be a better choice.

Other towns to consider staying in include Calistoga and Yountville. Yountville has many fine eateries that you can walk to from your inn and Calistoga has a great small town ambiance to it along with lively restaurants and nightlife.

Are you saying that you can walk to restaurants in Yountville from the Harvest Inn?

you can for sure walk to most restaurants in Healdsburg from most of the hotels, B&B's and motels....

"Are you saying that you can walk to restaurants in Yountville from the Harvest Inn?"

No. What I said is if you stay in Yountville (for example: Villagio), you can walk to the restaurants. St. Helena is 7 or 8 miles away.

Stu Dudley and I are usually on the same track. Have you considered Mendocino? We've been 4 times and cannot go 18 months without scheduling a couple days there. Amazing place. Incredible scenery, people, sights, hiking, food...just all good. We've used www.luxurylink to book 2 weekday stays. Please look at www.tripadvisor and read my golist about Mendocino. I think it says "Mendocino for a second, third honeymoon".

We have stayed at the Sonoma Mission Inn 3 times now and love the place! It is very nice with an amazing spa and only a 5 minute drive to the plaza. :)

This past March we really enjoyed the Villagio in Yountville, walking distance to Ad Hoc, REDD and Bistro Jeanty.

We have also stayed at the Harvest Inn in St. Helena and the Hotel Healdsburg, let me know if you further questions on these places, both were wonderful. ***kim*** ((*))

Another vote for Healdsburg as a base! We would visit for 5 nights each Spring. Feel their town square is charming, less touristy but with good restaurants and winetasting opportunities. Stop into Oakville Grocery for great deli lunch, Rosenblum tasting room almost next door for great red zins, Seghesio is down the street! Accomodations include beautiful B & B's, high end Hotel Healdsburg on the square, moderate Best Western off 101. This area easily connects so well to all the routes to Napa, Sonoma, Calistoga, Dry Creek and Alexander Valley wineries which we would visit. Using Healdsburg as a base, we would also explore Bodega Bay and Mendocino too. I think Wine Spectator featured Healdsburg area recently.

The Wine Spectator issue that featured Healdsburg and referred to it as the 'New Sonoma' was June 15, 2007.

Healdsburg as the new SONOMA ?
It's already IN Sonoma.
:)

R5
Yowzur Here come the tourisits !

I think they were referring to the county - not the city.

Stu Dudley

I think I got that, Stu.

R5