Hi all!

I've been browsing the forum and have a question regarding Sonoma.

I'm planning a Napa and Sonoma trip for my husband and myself in January. I adore the Four Sisters Inns and orginally thought we would stay at the Inn at Sonoma. However, after reading all of your praises about Healdsburg, I'm wondering if I should re-think my decision and book a B&B there. Any thoughts or suggestions? I'm not familiar with Sonoma County. We would like to stay in the most desirable location for convenience to the wineries.

Thank you!

Hi wanderlustleo. Yes, Healdsburg is beautiful and is becoming (has become) quite the yuppie mecca for those wanting to become wine cognoscenti. There are some nice B&B's there but most are very high priced - The Honor Mansion is a wonderful place but you will pay as much there as at the Hotel Healdsburg (which I wouldn't recommend as the service is too sporadic) or Madronna Manor (just outside of Healdsburg). There is also the new Hotel le Mars which has beautiful rooms and quite a snobbish attitude. So... having said all that, I'm not trying to sway you but Sonoma is much more down to earth. The Fours Sisters has a nice place almost on the Plaza (about 1/2 mile away if that); The Lodge at Sonoma is a wonderful place; and the Sonoma Mission Inn is generally where we stay. Not trying to discourage you either way but knowing the area and having lived there for some time and also having sent various sets of friends to Wine Country for years, what you're looking for appears to be Sonoma? though I may be wrong. Good luck - hope this helps!

Thank you Perigrinator! I like the idea of a much more down to earth type of place. I'll have to look into the Lodge at Sonoma and sonoma Mission Inn. Thanks for the recs!

Well, you are in luck ! Four Sisters has a inn on the plaza in Healdsburg
http://www.healdsburginn.com/

As a local, I have only visted the rooms
when I had girlfriends staying there-very nice.

You know Four Sisters has 2 inns in Yountville and 1 in Napa downtown as well.

Bring your rain coat.

R5

I find the town of Sonoma charming...the 11-acre Plaza is ringed with historic adobe buildings from the Mexican era now historic hotels, boutiques, museums, etc. Also, the Sonoma Valley is beautiful, and is lined with 18 miles of wineries..the town of Glen Ellen is also charming and the Benziger winery near there gives excellent tours. While Healdsburg is OK and is also built around a smaller plaza, it is next to a freeway and doesn't have the oountry atmosphere. Just my opinion.

Healdsburg Plaza is a good 1/2 mile from the freeway, jt. Certainly it is not ""next to" the freeway. That said,
I enjoy both the town squares of Sonoma and Healdsburg.

R5

Hi wanderl--
If you end up staying at one of the 4 Sisters locations, I just booked with them...they are having a Winter Special "Stay one night, get the 2nd night free". But you have to ask about the special.

I was going to tell you about the 4 sisters "new" inn in Healdsburg on the square. Razzle, the Sonoma expert beat me to it

We did check out the place recently(tour not stay). It is lovely. The rooms are tastefully done. The beauty of the location is you are right on the square and can easily walk to all sorts of fabulous places to dine.

I love it ALL!!! LOL! We stayed at both the Camellia Inn and the Grape Leaf Inn in Healdsburg. Loved them both. Grape Leaf was so warm....the owners are lovely and the breakfast was incredible. The wine hour in both places was a blast. You can walk to all the shops, tasting rooms and restaurants in Healdsburg. Interstate? Only if you're staying at the Best Western or out of the town square. There are more tasting rooms in H'burg. I like the Sonoma square, too, just don't stay at Sonoma Hotel! ewww Both towns are great....why don't you do 2 nights in one place and two in the other? You could cover wineries in both areas better.

You all are awesome! Thank you for your responses! My husband decided last night he wants to spend New Years Eve in Sonoma. LOL! So much for trying to travel after the holidays. However, that means we can take a longer amount of time and maybe stay in both Sonoma and Healdsburg.

So, I guess my next question is:
Does anyone know of any events happening on New Years Eve in Sonoma?

We absolutely loved Sonoma, staying at the Four Sisters Inn at Sonoma. Walking distance to the square, biking to several wineries- it was, for us a better spot than Healdsburg.

I recently spent a few days in Healdsburg and stayed at the Grape Leaf Inn (my husband & I). Had a very nice time. Cute B&B - nice owners. Nice wine cellar w/tastings nightly. Can walk to the plaza from the house - a few blocks away.

Why thank you, Pam !


Here's what I have so far for NYE in Sonoma County:

A late afternoon celebration of the Epiphany will be celebrated in the Spanish tradition of Three kings Day
at Gloria Ferrar Winery near Sonoma town. http://www.gloriaferrar.com

The Sonoma Valley Museum of Art in Sonoma town is having dinner and masked ball-
Bella Norte-not all the info was in their last newsletter, but you can find contact info at http://www.svma.org

Also in Sonoma town, dinner at the Carneros Bistro at the lodge at Sonoma
will be 4 courses, prix fix with seating starting at 6:30P
http://tinyurl/ynglns

Over in Petaluma at McNears Mystic Theatre there's an NYE Bash with the Tommy Castro Band.
http://tinyurl.com/ycjg5r
A taxi ride is definitely advised for this one or stay overnight at the Sheraton.

My favorite is probably the party up at Safari West-Romp with the Animals
http://tinyurl.com/ye86jx
This may be a keeper if you love critters as much as we !

R5

Recently had first visit to Sonoma. Stayed at the Calderwood Inn B&B in Healdsburg. Nice, friendly, helpful in getting winery reservations. Seemed overpriced, but,hey, its California. Thought H'burg was charming.

Razzledazzle, you're the best! Keeper of the priceless Sonoma information! I love the idea of spending the evening with the animals in a "luxury safari tent!" Now that would be a New Years to remember!

We just finished a trip and stayed in Herldsburg at the Four Sisters Inn; and in Sonoma town at The Inn at Sonoma. Herldsburg gives you access to some GREAT wineries in Russian River Valley Alexander Valley. Plus, at the square, you can walk to outstanding restaurants; and several wine tasting rooms.
At the Four Sisters our room overlooked the square - It was noisy, not people roudy noise, just construction in the square and truck, auto traffic. Maybe another room would be quieter.

I will be doing a much belated trip report soon.

Linda

For those going to the Healdsburg area, we got some great deals on priceline for the Santa Rosa area which is just down the street from Healdsburg. Two years got the 4* Hyatt for $75, and this past year the 3* Hilton for $55.

Just some food for thought for those of you like me who would rather spend their money for food & wine than accommodations.

Wow! Those are great prices! Thanks for the info!

We the Sonoma Misson Inn in Sonoma. We have enjoyed 3 stays there now and always look forward to the next time we can spend time in this gorgeous area.

Healdsburg is also a lovely place to visit, the Hotel Healdsburg is very nice. We had a room overlooking the pool and grounds with a 6' soaking tub that was heavenly. We booked under the package that included the tasting dinner at the Dry Creek Kitchen which was amazing. Enjoy the wine country! ***kim***

It's been years since I've been there, but I spent a weekend in Healdsburg while doing the wine tasting thing. Now I know how to get to where I'm going to tell you, but I don't have an address. 1. There is a great, little market on the square in the middle of Sonoma. It's on the square that's caddy corner between from the movie theater and the Sonoma Inn. It's right across from the town center park. Next place is a restaurant called, I think, The Depot. It looks like someone's house and is on the street that the Sonoma Inn is on, across from a public dept. open space. I know I'm not explaining this well, but if you look it up, you'll probably find it. When I was there last, I realized I must have stumbled on to a place locals like as the men in the table next to me were local vintners! Enjoy!