I really need some help finding a place to stay.

My husband and I are going to SF for two nights (Fri and Sat) and Sonoma/Napa for one (Sunday)over Labor Day weekend.

Two weeks ago, my best friend called to tell me that she and her boyfriend bought plane tickets to join us.

We have gotten them a room at the place we were staying in SF. However, Sonoma is turning into a nightmare.

No one wants to rent out for one night over that weekend.

I have tried every vacation home and inn I can think of.

Right now we have a cottage (with two doubles) booked at the Renaissance Lodge.

Is this my best bet? Is the town of Sonoma too far south to do our exploring?

We plan on leaving SF mid morning, going to some wineries Sunday afternoon and then a few on Monday before starting our long drive back.

Are there any other places closer to the wineries that would let us stay one night?

Thanks.

We stayed at the Sonoma Lodge and had a great time in Sonoma. We visited wineries nearby and went as far as Healdsburg. We had a cottage room near the pool and ordered room service which was prompt. We thought the Lodge was really nice.

Keep your reservations at the Lodge. It is in a good location and a nice property. Good restaurant on the property and the Raindance Spa there is supposedly very nice.

I would suggest Cafe La Haye for dinner, the Harmony Club @ the Ledson Hotel is also very, very good and girl and the fig for lunch. The General's Daughter is finally getting some good reviews after a change of chefs there. The Swiss Hotel is also nice for a meal out on their back patio. Cheers! ***kim***

We usually stay at the Sonoma Mission Inn when we're in the area, but some very "finicky" clients just returned from a stay at the Lodge and they were very pleased. Let us know how it goes! ***kim***

Okay, so it sounds like it is okay for us to stay with our reservation at the Lodge.

I'm guessing it is about an hour from San Fran to the hotel.

From the hotel how far are we from wineries? Would it make sense to drive further up towards Healdsburg on Sunday and then do wineries closer to Sonoma (the town) on Monday morning?

We live in LA so we will have a nice long holiday drive back down South that day.

Here's a list of wineries in Sonoma County. Do you yet know which you'd like to visit?

http://www.wineweb.com/scripts/searc...=Sonoma+County

No, I have no idea where we want to go. This was kind of a last minute trip. (I usually take months to plan trips). None of us know a whole lot about wine.

We are all in our mid-twenties. We would just like to find some relaxing and quaint places to go. From what I've heard the northern parts of Sonoma County are the most scenic, which is why I was thinking we should head up that way.

Thanks for the link and all the advice!

I would start out at Sebastiani, right off of the plaza. I would also inform the concierge at the Lodge that you are a newbie to wine tasting and they should provide you with information. Be sure to ask them for comp. passes to some winieries, they usually have several to pass out.

Another place I highly recommend is the Ledson winery. You can't miss the castle-like building. Their wines are pretty exclusive, you can also have them at the Harmony Club @ the Ledson Hotel. (Go and tour this gorgeous hotel.)

If you go to the Healdsburg area, check out the Chateau Souverain winery, in Geyserville. Have lunch at the Alexander Valley Grille there.

I would recommend at least one meal at the girl and fig. Cafe La Haye is also great for dinner. In Kenwood, check out Dolce Lunas for a unique lunch on the quiet patio out back. Cheers! ***kim***

jlh:
My experience of actually staying at the the Lodge at Sonoma was quite pleasant ! The restaurant, Caneros Bistro is VG, as well.
Yet....
I think Healdsburg is a tad more scenic
(I live in Sonoma County, and well, I'm just biased
Have you considered the Dry Creek Inn ?
It is a very nice Best Western-I know that may sound contradictory-lol-but it is a very good value. It's in a good location and you can do just the one night on a holiday weekend. We have stayed there overnight to attend weddings
in Healdsburg. Of course, The Lodge will be fancier-(but did I read that all 4 of you are in one room ?), but if you don't require it....

In Santa Rosa you might check out
the Hyatt Vineyard Creek or the Hilton
on Round Barn Blvd. as well. I have only been in the rooms with visiting friends, yet they had no complaints.

I think that a tour of the West Side road in the Russian River Valley would cover your scenic and quaint request quite nicely.

Roshambo,albeit modern, would be great,Davis Bynum,
Hop Kiln as well.
Then pop up to the Dry Creek area
and visit the fine folks at Armida.
Over in the Alexander Valley-you could relax on Hannah's deck, enjoy zin with the fun folks at Sausal and don't miss Alexander Valley vineyards.

Dinner at Barndiva would be perfect for
20 somethings I think ! Willi's Seafood
is a small plates concept and that would work as well.

You can find very good maps and tripping ideas for healdsburg and surrounding areas at www.wineroad.com

It'll be fairly crowded on the roads around here that weekend so give your self extra travel time.

R5

Forgot to mention that the Dry Creek Kitchen is very nice for dinner in Healdsburg. We were booked in the Hotel Healdsburg under a package that included the tasting dinner for two there. Very nice!

If you want a real treat, try the Farmhouse Inn in Forestville. One of my favorites in the area now. BTW, it's Carneros @ the Lodge. ***kim***

Oh, ***kim*** you are soooooo wrong !
It's Caneros Bistro & Wine Bar @ The Lodge @ Sonoma-give 'em a call

See jlh, this is what happens to people
who just read about a place, but don't actually ever go there.

R5

Hmmmm..... It's a great suggestion, but I'm wondering how ***kim*** would know that the concierge at the Lodge would have a bunch of comp passes for wine tasting newbies. Might it be that she's recently had reason to inquire about them? Hmmm....

CARneros BISTRO & WINE BAR, BTW,
Interesting thought beachbum,how would she know that ?
R5

If it's just a day, you're better off just staying put with the wineries that are around at Sonoma (the town). There are plenty to choose from and indulge yourselves with - Sebastiani, Matanzas Creek, Gundlach Bundshu (sp), and Buena Vista. There are a lot more just 5 minutes south at the Carneros District.

La Salette is a fine Portuguese restaurant in Sonoma (the town) that I would recommend.

Whatever the name of the restaurant at the Lodge we had a great meal there back in May while under some very sad circumstances. #39;(

Great ambiance, service, wine list and one of the best pieces of pork loins I ever had.
It was just what the Doctor ordered.

Good luck in finding a room. We looked for this weekend and finally gave up and will just stay in SF. Most people said they are booked thru and beyond Labor Day.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

We actually looked into the Dry Creek Inn and might just opt for that. I don't see us being in our hotel rooms that much.

Yes, we would be sharing one of the cottages at The Lodge. For the same price we could get two rooms at the Dry Creek Inn.

Being that my best friend and I live on opposite coasts, we only get to see each other every 6 months. None of us are using this trip for a romantic getaway with our significant others - rather a chance to spend as much time as possible with friends.

Barndiva sounds awesome to us. It is just our thing. Thanks!

Chateau St. Jean and Imagery in Sonoma are also worth checking out. Cheers! ***kim***