Where to stay in wine country
 

We will be visiting the wine country for the first time and are planning on staying a couple of nights in early November. Right now I'm booked at El Pueblo Inn in Sonoma for $110 a night, but I'd like to get a better deal through Priceline. I have bid up to $99 for a 3 star hotel in Napa or Sonoma but my bids have been rejected. The other 2 Priceline zones are Fairfield and Santa Rosa / Rohnert Park / Petaluma. We aren't wine afficianados or anything, we just want to see some pretty scenery and have some decent meals wthout spending a ton of money. I would appreciate any advice. you can give me Thank you.

Early Nov. is still high tourist season around here. You could try motels in Santa Rosa for cheaper prices..i.e. Holiday Inn Express

Try Best Western Garden Inn in Santa Rosa, right near the 101 and convenient to head out touring. Rohnert Park and Petaluma have half-decent Best Westerns, too.

Never had much luck with PL in Wine Country, especially after considering that they add taxes and fees on top of the bid.

Last time we did well using the half-price hotel deal from the Entertainment Book. Got our LOCAL book for the discount coupons. The travel discounts are good all over the country. Ended up with a motel in Napa for $60 a night king room and spent the savings on a nice dinner.

Don't book in Fairfield. It's a schlep to wine country and generally unattractive.