Sonoma Weekend - Is a rental car necessary?
 

Hello Fodors Friends,

We're heading to Sonoma for a Memorial Day weekend wedding. We're staying in Geyserville at the wedding venue, are on a group shuttle for a wine tour on Saturday, and at wedding festivities Sunday evening. Do you think it's necessary to rent a car? Having trouble figuring out the cost of a taxi from the airport to Geyserville. Cost of a rental car is about $40 per day.

Thanks a million,
Melissa

Where are you flying into?

Flying into Sonoma Airport.

Do you mean STS , Santa Rosa, CA airport ?

R5

Yes, sorry! Flying into STS - Santa Rosa Airport.

Flying in on Friday ?
Leaving Monday ?
Don't want to visit any wineries or prowl around Healdsburg ?
Just hang around the hotel during downtime ?
Where are you eating your meals ?
I live in Sonoma COunty and just trying to get an idea
of your real time here.

R5

Called around a bit-it'll cost you about $65 + tip
to take a cab from STS to Geyserville.

R5

Wow, THANKS R5. If that's the cost of the cab, then a rental car is a no-brainer. We fly in Friday evening and leave late Monday afternoon. We have Saturday night free for dinner (any recommendations? We are foodies but probably can't break the bank on this trip). We also have part of Sunday and part of Monday free. Any ideas for must sees? Maybe some brunch/lunch spots? Would love food recommendations!

Thanks so much!

You are quite welcome, MM !
Here's a few of our favorite places to dine in the area
(many are more locally known, a few are loudly advertised)

Non-break the bank,Healdsburg area
Willi's Seafood & Raw Bar
http://www.starkrestaurants.com/willis_seafood.html
Scopa
http://www.scopahealdsburg.com/
I'll squeeze in a great little secret here-
Affronti
http://www.affrontihealdsburg.com/index.htm
Bistro Ralph
http://www.bistroralph.com/
Cena Luna
http://www.cenaluna.com/

Great for lunch ! Just 10 mins. southeast of Geyserville
in the beautiful Alexander Valley, Carrie Brown's
country store with gourmet food-
The Jimtown Store
http://www.jimtown.com/cafe_monthlymenu.aspx

A bit of a drive, but <I>soooooo,</I> worth it!:
In Sebastopol-35 mins. south of Geyserville:
Peter Lowell's
http://www.peterlowells.com/
Northwest of Santa Rosa proper-30 mins. south of Geyserville:
Zazu
http://www.zazurestaurant.com/
Just a tad north of Santa Rosa proper, one of our favorites !
20 mins south of Geyserville:
Willi's Wine Bar
http://www.starkrestaurants.com/willis_winebar.html

A few to Break the Bank:
Madronna Manor
http://www.madronamanor.com/
Serious bank breaking:
Cyrus
http://www.cyrusrestaurant.com/

Writing this is making me hungry !
:)
Enjoy !

R5

At least one Fodorite, native New Yorker centralparkgirl, says Cyrus was one of the best meals she's ever had in her life. But pricey.

Very Pricey, sf7307 ! I know Melissa said she wanted restaurants that would <I>not</I> break the bank, but I thought she ought to at least take a tempting look.
:)

R5

YUMMMMY! Thanks razzledazzle - I will be saving this for the next time I get up there!!

Oh wow and YUM! Thanks so much R5!! Will definitely make some reservations. I can't wait!

SUPER BIG THANK YOU TO R5! Had a truly delicious, memorable meal at Willi's Wine Bar. Oh yum! Also had a scrumptious brunch at Bistro Ralph (Chilequiles for me and Chicken Paillard for BF). Also squeezed in a meandering drive on 128, with a stop for coffee/snack at the Jimtown store, where I also picked up a copy of the Jimtown cookbook. Ran into Carrie Brown before we left and she signed the cookbook. Great weather, great wedding, and great food, thanks to R5. Thanks again!

You are most welcome, MM !
Delighted that you had a grand time and good eats-
Added bonus for meeting Carrie Brown, The Jimtown
store is just so unique !

R5

Hey R5,

I'm headed back up your way next weekend and hoping for some more of your advice! This time, I'm staying with a friend and her family in San Rafael on Friday and then hoping to do a girls-only Saturday wine tasting and a night in Healdsburg or some such lovely part of town. Ideally, we'd find a place to stay that has double beds (tough, I know) within walking distance of restaurants, etc. I realize its also last minute, but worth a try! Do you have any thoughts?

Thanks so much!!!

Hi MM,
I think you find it difficult because alot of them will want a 2 night minimum.
I did a quick check at the Hotel Healdsburg, Healdsburg Inn on the Plaza and the Best Western Dry Creek Inn-I found nada.

I did find one in Santa Rosa at the Vineyard Creek Hyatt
http://www.vineyardcreek.hyatt.com/h...equestid=37560
You could walk to the restaurants in Railroad Square
such as Jackson's Bar & Oven or Syrah Bistro
http://www.jacksonsbarandoven.com/

Other than that, I'd keep calling until you find a cancellation.

Good Luck !
R5

Thanks so much R5! I really appreciate all your extra effort to help out! The Hyatt looks good! Do you recommend Jackson's Bar & Oven or Syrah Bistro? I know you know food!