We would like to stay in 2 places (2 nights each) after a late june seminar in San Francisco. We have booked Hotel Healdsburg thanks to your suggestions, and we're considering Carneros Inn b/c it looks more our style than any other places that are in better locations. Anyone know of a hotel of similar luxury and uniqueness (we don't want large chain hotel, e.g.) but in a better location? Or, is Carneros Inn worth the trek to get places? thanks

Hotel Healdsburg is very nice, the Villagio in Yountville is also great. ***kim***

Madrona Manor near healdsburg? and I think it was called Harbor house or inn on the coast south of Mendocino.

Actually, I meant two different places. Earlier post looked confusing.One is Madrona Manor also near healdsburg and the other one is Harbor House. Here is link:

http://www.theharborhouseinn.com/

I have personally seen both of these places and think they look marvelous; would love to stay there someday.

Thanks for the input. Here are my follow up comments/questions.
1. We don't want a 2nd place in Healdsburg b/c already staying at Healdsburg Hotel for 2 nights. Harbor House Inn looks really nice, and cottage rooms are similar price as Carneros, so between those two, is Elk a better location if we don't care about hitting Napa AND Sonoma, but would be happy seeing just one or the other (probably Sonoma based upon Fodorites' input)? Just how long of a drive is it from Carneros to any cute town?

I don't know about Carneros, but harbor house would be a nice contrast because of the ocean view and right on the coast experience.

Thanks. It's definitely between Carneros and Harbor House, and they are similarly priced. Hoping to get more input as far as location, and which place has better food (b/c then it won't matter if it's far from restaurants).

Just to throw in another possibility: the Gaige House Inn, in Glen Ellen (Sonoma). It's a B&B but with an unfussy, slightly Japanese aesthetic. You'd be up higher in the valley, and the town of Glen Ellen has some good restaurants, especially the Fig Cafe.

JenP- thanks- Gaige House looks really amazing. Are you familiar with Carneros and/or Harbor House so that you can suggest which is best, if we are already staying 2 nights in Healdsburg? Seems like we'd be happy at any of the 3, although perhaps I'd put Harbor House last based upon rooms - but it has the ocean- so I am stumped.

I'm afraid I don't know Harbor House, sorry!

The Gaige and The Carneros Inn are quite different so it would depend on your taste. The Gaige is, obviously, much smaller and more intimate. Since you'll be spending time in Healdsburg, Glen Ellen would be an easy drive and would keep you closer to more Sonoma wineries. It's also near the Jack London park---a great place to go for a hike. An extra bonus: from here you could get over to the Matanzas Creek winery and lavender fields; the flowers should be blooming in June. So deliciously aromatic (but watch out for bees)!

Staying at the Carneros Inn would make it a bit easier to zip up into Napa Valley if you wanted to visit places there. The guest quarters are in freestanding cottages---part of a big property, including a residence club. So the rooms themselves are more private than those at the Gaige, but the resort as a whole is larger and less personal.

Hope this helps! Have a great trip.

Safari West is unique!
http://www.safariwest.com/
I havent' stayed there, but I've seen the cabins and they are beautifully with rustic, with hand-hewn furniture.

JenP- your advice has been invaluable, actually. We are going to reserve the Gaige House for our last 2 nights. We like the intimate atmosphere you described rather than larger resort, and the location is better for our flight our from SFO. Thanks again.

You will be very happy at the Gaige House.

Do visit Jack London State Park. This was his "Beauty Ranch". The ruins of his beloved "Wolf House" are still there...it burned just as construction was about finished.

Also, Benziger Winery is in Glen Ellen and they give amazing tram tours of their sustainable vineyards.

Don't forget to visit the historic town of Sonoma, built around a lovely 11-acre Plaza from the Mexican occupation days of the early 1800's. It is ringed with historic adobe buildings, now housing boutiques, restaurants and a hotel.

There are several acclaimed restaurants in Sonoma. The General's Daughter is in the house General Vallejo, the Mexican alcalde before California took over, built for his youngest daughter, Natalia, on her marriage. The Girl and the Fig in the historic Sonoma Hotel and the El Dorado Kitchen in the ditto El Dorado hotel (both on the Plaza). Also Cafe La Haye, and several more whose names escape me.

Glen Ellen has a market with a deli in it for collecting picnic supplies.

I think you have chosen well. The Sonoma Valley is lovely and has over 44 wineries in its 18-mile length.

Enjoy your stay at the Hotel Healdsburg! We stayed there last year and found the staff to be fantastic, we loved the Dry Creek Kitchen - again, great staff; and found the accomodations to be amazing. We absolutely loved it there.

So glad it was helpful, and I hope you'll get a chance to smell that lavendar! Have a wonderful trip.

sorry i haven't checked this in a few days! thanks to all of you- these are great suggestions and we will definitely follow many of them.