jujugirl

we are coming to california on april 4-9 for our honeymoon and planning on staying in sonoma valley. so far we are booked at the grape leaf inn for monday april 4th and tuesday april 5th, it sounds perfect for us.
question for all of you: where should we go next? someone suggested mendocino, any suggestions as to where we should stay there? what about any other fun beautiful towns?
much thanks!!!

razzledazzle

Actually you are not in Sonoma Valley at the Grape Leaf Inn-you are in the Russian River/Northern Sonoma County town of Healdsburg.
Only one night in Healdsburg ?-think I might add one more. If you think hip and youngish Barndiva is the place to hang at night. Willi's Wine Bar is another.

Next you could go over to Elk, if you want to see the Coast. Stay at the Greenwood Pier Inn choose either the North or South Tower room. Have a fabulous breakfast at Queenies.Up and back on Hwy 128 is very pretty, lots of wineries. Mendocino is
mostly art galleries and shops. A day would be enough.

Now if you want to go in the other direction from Healdsburg, head South on Hwy 101 and take the Mark West Springs Road over to Calistoga and the Napa Valley.
On the way, there is the coolest place
called Safari West, where yes, you can
climb aboard a Landrover type jeep and
take a safari-Very, very Fun-not at all like a disney-theme park place.

Calistoga is worth a night or two-
honeymooners might like the Mt.View
Hotel and it's restaurant Stomp.
2nd choice would be Indian Springs.
You can get mud baths and massages at both, then swim in the warm mineral pool and hang out in the jacuzzi's

Then you could travel down either Hwy 29 or the Silverado Trail to see more
wineries. In Napa, A visit to Copia
is interesting. Now head back over to the Sonoma Valley and town of Sonoma
on Hwy 12/121 East-be sure to stop at
Nicholson Ranch on the way into Sonoma.
Congratulations, BTW!
R5

jujugirl

so many cool choices. we are staying in healsburg for 2 nights and then we have 3 more unscheduled. i don't know if fiance will want to change hotels 3 times. hmmm...should we just stay at the eldorado the rest of the time and then sightsee from there?

razzledazzle

jujugirl:
That's a good plan. Staying in the town of Sonoma on the square will be fun.
You will also be close enough to Napa
for day trips.
R5

jujugirl

have you heard anything about hotel eldorado?

kimamom

I haven't stayed there, but have admired the property when we would have lunch at girl and the fig. (It's right across the street.)

It is in an excellent location. Walking distance to shops, restaurants, etc. I hope you get to try Cafe La Haye! We used to enjoy the General's Daughter, but I've heard it's gone downhill a bit the past couple of years. It is in a beautiful Victorian mansion. ***kim***

razzledazzle

The El Dorado is located in/over
Piatti's Restaurant. There is a good
chance your balcony may be over their
outdoor seating area. If the weather is
anywhere near decent they will be seating outside as they have those patio heaters. Perhaps noisy? and not to mention kitchen noises and smells-
-good if you like Italian.

Otherwise, the location is good.
Why did you choose this paticular
hotel?

About 2 blocks off the Plaza in Sonoma
town is a private vacation rental
that some friends stayed at while attending a wedding here. Might be fun
and private for your honeymoon!
www.sonomloft.com
R5
R5

PamSF

Here's some more ideas. From Healdsburg head out 128(going West). You will pass through the Anderson Valley, home to many great wineries. You can do some tasting along the way. You can stop at the General Store in Philo and pick up some very good sanwiches. My particular favorite places to stop and taste are Lazy Creek, Roederer and Esterlina(I'm a big Zin, Pinot Noir and champagne fan). Roederer has some great bubbly for the tasting. You might pick up a bottle for your next stop.Since it's your honeymoon, at least taste L'Hermitage and see what you think. If you want to taste at Esterlina, call ahead and make a reservation. They have a tasting deck that looks out over the beautiful Anderson Valley.

I would take any opportunity to stop at Queenie's. They also serve a great lunch. You could eat a late breakfast at the Grape Leaf and head on out 128 to taste stopping at Queenie's for lunch.

You might consider going further up the coast to Alegria. (Check out their website). You will be in closer proximity to Mendocino. Our friends at Esterlina really like Alegria. We have not stayed there as yet but thought it looked great and hope to some day soon.

You will get a whole other feel of California by dividing your stay between Healdsburg and Mendocino. There are many very good places to eat up in those parts.

The drive back to SF from Mendocino will take about 3-31/2 hours. Do not travel the coastal route the whole time but do take a peek.

kimamom

juju girl, if you do go to Healdsburg, try to have a meal at the Dry Creek Kitchen, located at the Hotel Healdsburg. We had an excellent dinner that that was included with our stay at the hotel. www.hotelhealdsburg.com Have fun! ***kim***

montyw

Our favorite wine country towns are Sonoma Proper, Healdsburg, and Calistoga. So the ideas of others here pretty much follow that. We really liked Healdsburg the last time we were there in Jan and are planning a trip back in March for the weekend.
Another interesting area you might consider is Glen Ellen at a B&B or home, very quiet with some good food and wineries nearby...Have fun!