I'm planning trip to this area and I am trying to decide which is more desireable area. I've been told Bodega Bay is nice. Any thoughts?

Napa is pretty much overrun with tourists - basically "sold out" and commercialized. Sonoma is much less so. Bodega Bay is indeed delightful.

Second vote for Sonoma. It's a much prettier valley- smaller and more intimate feeling. The Gaige House is a beautiful Inn in the town of Glen Ellen. Bodega Bay on the coast is very pretty but there's not much there.

I disagree with other posts, Napa is beautiful! We stayed there first, at the Napa Valley Inn/Lodge. You must at least have lunch at the Auberge de Soleil (sp) it is a hotel with restaurant that has the best views in the valley. Then we drove to Sonoma, and stayed at a great place called MacArthur Park. We then drove from Sonoma along the coast, into San Francisco and on to Carmel. We did this over 4 days I believe. I would definately plan on going to both Napa and Sonoma if you are there, they are very close.

I agree with nospam
Sonoma and Napa are so close and really not that big, you could explore each in a full day and then decide for yourself. If you based yourself in Sonoma. You would be closer to the coast and Bodega Bay which could be another day trip.

David,
In Sonoma Country, a drive out to Bodega Bay could be combined with a trip to the Russian River wine region. The coast between Bodega Bay and Jenner (where the Russian River flows into the Pacific) is very scenic. One of my favorite spots is Goat Rock Beach near Jenner. You could drive from Bodega Bay to Jenner, turn inland, and check out some wineries or hike at Armstrong Redwoods. By the way, don't get confused by the fact that there is a town called Bodega and another called Bodega Bay. The first is a tiny place near Occidental, the second is a larger town on the coast.

As far as Napa goes, I tend to avoid the Silverado Trail and more popular spots. If you get off the beaten track, however, and particularly on a weekday, you'll get the opportunity to view some absolutely gorgeous countryside and visit some lesser-known wineries. Napa County has a slightly different look from Sonoma in that it has fewer redwoods and the Mayacmas Mountains are starker than the coastal range. I was out driving on Route 121 just a few days ago and was astounded by all the wildflowers in bloom right now.

I agree with Lizbeth. I live in Sonoma County, 20 mins from Old Sonoma and 30 mins from Bodega Bay. Sonoma is more historic and picturesque than Napa. The road from Sonoma Square to Santa Rosa, through the Valley of the Moon, is beautiful, as is the Russian River area down to the coast. A lot of the Sonoma wineries remind me of Napa 15 to 20 years ago - smaller, friendlier and often don't charge for tasting. There are some great Reds to be found throughout the region.
Enjoy

Just got back yesterday from a week in Napa/Sonoma. Ate lunch at Auberge which cost 100 bucks for two. (Read my review on Rants and Raves)The whole time, you could hear traffic. In fact, it was like that everywhere in Napa except very far off the path. I'm trying to get trip report together- but in a nutshell, we won't go back to Napa. Even at this low time, the traffic was bad. Sonoma has more tranquility and charm.We got personal service from the wineries. You had a chance to enjoy the scenery without traffic or crowds.We stayed in Healdsburg at Camellia Inn 2 nights- that is a wonderful town! We walked only a few blocks to shopping and wonderful restaurants.Highly recommend staying in Healdsburg.

I find bigger snobs in Sonoma than Napa.
The traffic is horrible through both areas, especially on the weekends during high season. If you could go to Oregon or Washington, they are what Sonoma and Napa used to be and the wines are just as good.

People usually perceive others by the way they treat them and are treated in return, IMHO.I read so many posts about unfriendly people, etc etc- but then I see weary travelers treating others rudely. I thought the people of Sonoma were the nicest I've ever met. We had personal tours by many.These people are doing what they love and they were always happy!

I'm confused. Are you saying that that the people in Napa aren't as friendly and don't like what they are doing or are you saying that the tourists are friendlier in Sonoma so making the workers in Sonoma friendlier?

To answer the original question--I don't think you want to base in Bodega Bay and visit either wine valley. It's beautiful there, but on the coast and not in the wine area. The ride from Bodega Bay to the wine country would be a pain to do on a regular basis. Healdsburg and Sonoma are good towns to stay in to visit Sonoma. Yountville and St. Helena for Napa. If you're a first time visitor and want the wineries to be close with lots of tours, you'd probably like Napa. The wineries in Sonoma are more spread out--there are actually several different growing areas--but the countryside is prettier and things are less crowded. If you wanted to do a big loop you can drive north on 29 through the Napa Valley and then over 128 after Calistoga to Geyserville. Then turn south to Healdsburg and cut over on 12 at Santa Rosa to Sonoma. From Sonoma take 121 back to 29 at Napa. see www.napavalley.com, www.sonomavalley.com, www.gocalif.ca.gov Good luck.