Tulips

We're looking for a great hotel to stay a few days, after arriving at San Francisco from Europe in July. We will spend 2 or 3 weeks in California, and just want to relax for a few days and get over jet lag after arriving. We were thinking Napa Valley (if the drive's not too long from the airport). We have three teenagers. Budget up to 750 dollars/night (for two rooms or a two bedroom suite).

Many hotels in Napa Valley seem to be very adult orientated, and while we are definitely not looking for a 'kids paradise', the hotel must have a pool. We like to be near an area with good restaurants, shops.

I'm looking at the Westin Verasa. Has anyone been there? Any other suggestions?

The plan is to spend a few days in the Napa Valley, then San Francisco, LA, and probably Las Vegas.

starrs

Check out the Yountville Inn in Napa -
http://www.yountvilleinn.com/accomodations.html

I love the Hotel Monaco in SF -
http://www.monaco-sf.com/

PamSF

Check out Indian SPrings Resort and Spa in Calistoga. I recommend the house which has 3 bedrooms and a full kitchen. I think it goes for around what you have in mind. The resort itself has a huge mineral water pool. They also have things like shuffle board and other outdoor pastimes for the kids. The town is small but has several places to walk to for food including a good grocery store about 5 minutes walk from the resort. RESERVE early if this is what you want. It fills up fast.

PamSF

The large house is called the Merchant House. You might also be interested in some of the cottages. If you wish to rent some of the "row" rooms, you will be right next door to your kids.

kimamom

We have stayed at both the Yountville Inn and Indian Springs Resort, let me know if you have any specific questions about either of these properties. We also love The Villagio Inn & Spa in Yountville, there is a great pool there and you can walk to fine restaurants and the shopping center there. ***kim***

Tulips

Thank you so much for these tips. I will certainly look into them. We're trying to organise this California trip so the girls will happy (shopping, pool, beach, more shopping) as well as my son (sightseeing, no shopping).

sf7307

Just so you know, from the time you get in your car, the drive will be about 1-1/2 hours to Yountville (from SFO) IF it's midday and there's no traffic (not sure what you consider "not too far from the airport"). You can almost be certain you'll have good weather in July in the Napa Valley, though, so it might be worth the drive. Note that Calistoga is close to 20 miles farther north than Yountville.

starrs

If your first stop is Napa (or wine country) check flights into Oakland.

starrs

Oh, sorry. I just re-read. You are coming in from Europe. Never mind

Kailani

Calistoga is a very charming town, and the downtown is a few short walkable blocks.

Some of the things I like to do nearby are:

Ca'toga http://catoga.com/

Safari West http://safariwest.com/

The Geyser http://www.oldfaithfulgeyser.com/visiting.html

The Petrified Forest http://www.petrifiedforest.org/

Jack London State Park and Wolf House Ruins http://www.parks.sonoma.net/JLPark.html

The Old Bale Mill Park http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=18635

The Culinary Institute at Greystone http://www.ciachef.edu/california/

There are several nice restaurants in Calistoga, but I usually just have breakfast at Sarafornia (website has disappeared?) and lunch at the Calistoga Inn, overlooking the creek. http://www.calistogainn.com/

Calistoga is a very casual place, and has a wild west look to it.

Tulips

1 1/2 hours drive from the airport will be ok. I will look into all these suggestions.

Thank you so much for all your help!