Which is best?.....Napa, Sonoma, Healdsburg, Yountville. Help me pick.
Oct 17th, 2009, 03:00 PM
#41
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Beachbum, how did you wind up liking the Cottages of Napa Valley when you stayed there in September? They are appealing to me because it sounds like my father could have a bed in one room and I could have a (sofa)bed in a separate room . . . ?
Oct 18th, 2009, 04:53 AM
#42
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If you are looking for different places to stay, and keep it under $200. why not check out vacation rentals by owner? www.vrbo.com/healdsburg They exist in Healdsburg, Sonoma, Russian River etc. You'll have plenty to chose from, and you'll find plenty of porches to sit on and sip wine while enjoying the view.
Oct 18th, 2009, 08:46 PM
#43
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TC,
At the risk of being misinterpreted and criticized and attacked, I will add my two cents to your query re: over the top pricing in Napa/Sonoma (more so Napa so all you hawk eye critics, don't attack yet): the hotels/motels charge this much because they can get it - if nobody showed up or stayed and the places were not booked almost year round, then prices would go down - but, as sf3707 commented, Napa is one of the most visited "tourist" attractions in California and the United States.
The fact is that, even in the down economy, the Napa Valley is still mostly booked - especially in the circa May-October time frame; less so, but still able to charge high prices in November and April; and even in December-March, you won't get a big price break. So, I understand your puzzlement and questioning, but the hotels will charge what they can and what the market will bear. I have not been to France for sometime but I'm assuming you are paying what the market will bear there as well.
Having said that, there are several properties in Napa/Sonoma that might fit the bill: the new Avia Napa, the Westin Verasa Napa, the Napa River Inn are all "moderate" for Napa - NB: I say moderate for Napa - not for somewhere else - meaning you might get a room for around $200 a night if you are lucky and book ahead. And these are my opinions only - nobody else's opinion - mine alone - I caveat this because I'm sure I will be attacked for these choices by some on the forum - this is the first post I have made in some time for fear of offending someone or being attacked for voicing an opinion - so, please take this in the "what it's worth" category.
Good luck - happy to provide other recommendations if you would like. And, I mean this kindly, not in sarcasm - perhaps it would be better to go to France! My significant other and I have certainly cut back on our trips to Napa/Sonoma and are searching other venues. A good friend just rented a beautiful farmhouse in Tuscany - near Lucca - for two weeks for $700 a week - granted, it was only 900 sq. ft. and had two BR's and 2 baths - but it had a small pool, and acreage with olives and grapes! Having said that - they spent quite a bit on food/groceries and airfare. But thanks! You've also given us some Wine Country alternatives!
Perigrinator
At the risk of being misinterpreted and criticized and attacked, I will add my two cents to your query re: over the top pricing in Napa/Sonoma (more so Napa so all you hawk eye critics, don't attack yet): the hotels/motels charge this much because they can get it - if nobody showed up or stayed and the places were not booked almost year round, then prices would go down - but, as sf3707 commented, Napa is one of the most visited "tourist" attractions in California and the United States.
The fact is that, even in the down economy, the Napa Valley is still mostly booked - especially in the circa May-October time frame; less so, but still able to charge high prices in November and April; and even in December-March, you won't get a big price break. So, I understand your puzzlement and questioning, but the hotels will charge what they can and what the market will bear. I have not been to France for sometime but I'm assuming you are paying what the market will bear there as well.
Having said that, there are several properties in Napa/Sonoma that might fit the bill: the new Avia Napa, the Westin Verasa Napa, the Napa River Inn are all "moderate" for Napa - NB: I say moderate for Napa - not for somewhere else - meaning you might get a room for around $200 a night if you are lucky and book ahead. And these are my opinions only - nobody else's opinion - mine alone - I caveat this because I'm sure I will be attacked for these choices by some on the forum - this is the first post I have made in some time for fear of offending someone or being attacked for voicing an opinion - so, please take this in the "what it's worth" category.
Good luck - happy to provide other recommendations if you would like. And, I mean this kindly, not in sarcasm - perhaps it would be better to go to France! My significant other and I have certainly cut back on our trips to Napa/Sonoma and are searching other venues. A good friend just rented a beautiful farmhouse in Tuscany - near Lucca - for two weeks for $700 a week - granted, it was only 900 sq. ft. and had two BR's and 2 baths - but it had a small pool, and acreage with olives and grapes! Having said that - they spent quite a bit on food/groceries and airfare. But thanks! You've also given us some Wine Country alternatives!
Perigrinator
Oct 18th, 2009, 10:47 PM
#44
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Perigrinator-
We live in the Bay Area.
Thanks for saying what we often think.
For us, it's just not worth the money.
I know very few people who live here and vacation "locally" (Napa or Sonoma).
It's far more cost effective to fly some where else!
We live in the Bay Area.
Thanks for saying what we often think.
For us, it's just not worth the money.
I know very few people who live here and vacation "locally" (Napa or Sonoma).
It's far more cost effective to fly some where else!
Oct 19th, 2009, 05:32 AM
#45
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Perigrinator: Thank you for your opinion. It is for opinons that I come to the board. While I totally agree with all you have said, I will repeat, for me there is value spending and then there's just spending. As beautiful as Napa, et al are, I'm just not inclined to spend a small fortune to tour wineries and shops. Having traveled a great deal, we have been to the wine areas of many countries - even Napa in years past. I had thought that it might be a nice addition to our business trip to SFO, but we've decided to stay on in the city and just take a car for the weekend to do a drive or two. Thanks to all for the good council.
Oct 21st, 2009, 08:50 AM
#46
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TC: Think that's a great decision - and since you have to be in the Bay area - San Francisco is a great place to explore as well - Stu Dudley's recommendations on this Forum will direct you to just about everything SF has to offer. Sorry you won't get to experience Napa/Sonoma, but as you, and Welch, have said - there doesn't seem to be a lot of value there any longer. Sad, because we love it and it's a beautiful area. But, I agree w/you - you shouldn't have to spend a small fortune just to have a nice time and I echo Welch's sentiments - as someone who has been in the Bay area for 12 years now (on and off - mostly there), Wine Country is just no longer a "staycation" alternative - we recently went to paso Robles (a little less expensive) and in the Spring, went to Bermuda - believe it or not - a six night, seven day trip to Bermuda cost us the same as a four day weekend in Napa would have been - and Bermuda is not cheap! Good luck and let us know if you need any additional musings!
Oct 21st, 2009, 09:58 AM
#47
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Loved The Cottages, tahl, but don't know if they're quite what you're imagining. Ours was, I believe, one of the larger cottages, but only the bathroom was separately walled off from other interior spaces. The kitchen, living room/sitting area and bedroom space all adjoined. I posted some photos and a review here: http://tinyurl.com/ykjy7og.
Oct 21st, 2009, 10:23 AM
#48
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TC,
I read through all of the posts on here and found it quite interesting. I can't help but to put my two cents worth in...ok here goes.
I travel to the Sonoma area quite often and I have been for many years. I am not a wine conisour, and I make no pretense of being one. I was told by a friend that the "best" wine is that one that you like. This attitude works for me.
You can take a day trip to Sonoma with no problem. It is a beautiful drive up there and you already have some great suggestions on where to eat and what not. Sonoma is a cute little town, and if you like cheese check out the Vella Cheese Factory in town (315 2nd St.E Sonoma). If you are so inclined you can grab some bread and cheese and take a nice snack in the park.
Worth taking a drive over to is Glen Ellen, and checking out the Jack London house. There is a great hiking trail (nothing to taxing) that leads down to a house which London was building when it burned. This is very low tech, but it is quite interesting. You are in the heart of the "Valley of the Moon".
The main highway through the wine country is beautiful anyway, but as some sugessted try taking the Silverado Trail. There is a beautiful view of the valley near the Mum Chapagne location on the trail. There are also quite a few wineries in that area that you might be interested in checking out.
I do not have the culinary experience that many of the other folks here do, but I am still a big fan of the Rutherford Grill right on the main highway (29). The service is always outstanding, but on the dressy casual side. My personal favorite is the Prime Rib dip sandwhich......umm I'm getting hungry!!!
All I can say TC is don't miss the chance to take a trip up there, it's worth it and it doesn't have to take you all day to get there. I would suggest you leave on the early side if possible to make the most of your time. Are you folks doing the Monterey/Carmel area at all??
Have fun!!!
Coll
I read through all of the posts on here and found it quite interesting. I can't help but to put my two cents worth in...ok here goes.
I travel to the Sonoma area quite often and I have been for many years. I am not a wine conisour, and I make no pretense of being one. I was told by a friend that the "best" wine is that one that you like. This attitude works for me.
You can take a day trip to Sonoma with no problem. It is a beautiful drive up there and you already have some great suggestions on where to eat and what not. Sonoma is a cute little town, and if you like cheese check out the Vella Cheese Factory in town (315 2nd St.E Sonoma). If you are so inclined you can grab some bread and cheese and take a nice snack in the park.
Worth taking a drive over to is Glen Ellen, and checking out the Jack London house. There is a great hiking trail (nothing to taxing) that leads down to a house which London was building when it burned. This is very low tech, but it is quite interesting. You are in the heart of the "Valley of the Moon".
The main highway through the wine country is beautiful anyway, but as some sugessted try taking the Silverado Trail. There is a beautiful view of the valley near the Mum Chapagne location on the trail. There are also quite a few wineries in that area that you might be interested in checking out.
I do not have the culinary experience that many of the other folks here do, but I am still a big fan of the Rutherford Grill right on the main highway (29). The service is always outstanding, but on the dressy casual side. My personal favorite is the Prime Rib dip sandwhich......umm I'm getting hungry!!!
All I can say TC is don't miss the chance to take a trip up there, it's worth it and it doesn't have to take you all day to get there. I would suggest you leave on the early side if possible to make the most of your time. Are you folks doing the Monterey/Carmel area at all??
Have fun!!!
Coll
Oct 21st, 2009, 11:51 AM
#49
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The Courtyard Marriott in Fairfield is about $100 per night or less and its about 45 minutes to Napa..its a great alternative, especially in September when things are extremely astronomical.
It's fairly new and next to the freeway.
It's fairly new and next to the freeway.
