SF-Napa-LA
 

Hi,
I am new to these boards, but in reading all the posts there seems to be great info. On Feb 27 my husband and I are planning to fly from NY-SFO then spend a night in SFO, drive to NAPA to spend 3 nights, and then drive to LA to spend a final night before departing for the second half of our honeymoon in Tahiti. Can you please recommend some nice places to stay in Napa (at least 4*), and some good restaurants as well.

French Laundry, if you can get in.

Congratulations! Napa is beautiful. I've only stayed in B&B's... that were on the more casual side... but there are many 4*** places to stay. I've eaten at Auberge du Soleil and it was beautiful. That might be a nice place to stay. Another place that looks nice is the Carneros Inn. If you go to www.napavalley.com, you'll be able to view information on all the places to stay.

Napa Valley Lodge is the best to me - I love that place !! The staff is great and so is the location !! We are staying there again in October. Forget the French Laundry unless you're will to spend over $500 and leave hungry and the service is the worst - too snooty !!

Terra & La Toque are excellent choises for "splurge" restaurants, in addition to the big splurge (French Laundry - although I don't agree with Jerseysue's comments). Auberge du Soleil, like jennymary suggested, is perhaps the most romantic place to stay and the restaurant there is excellent (have not dined there in many moons, however). The Auberge is in the hills above the valley, with great views.

Harvest Inn in St Helena, and Vintage Inn in Yountville are my two favorites for less $$. Napa Valley Lodge is a little less expensive & another good choice (stayed there often).

If you don't want to splurge as much (as Terra, La Toque, etc) for dining, Martini House in St Helena is a good choice. Tra Vigne in St Helena is quite popular and the atmosphere is great, but I've had some sloppy meals there.

You're going to get a lot of suggestions. If you don't mind the $$$, I would stay at the Auberge and dine there one night, Terra another, and Tra Vigne or Martini house the third night. All these restaurants are a little different.

Stu Dudley

Thanks so much for the info. I actually plan to go to the bookstore tonight and start my reading on Napa! I will certainly look into all these options.