Wine Country
Apr 11th, 2007, 06:43 AM
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Wine Country
I am planning a trip to Wine Country in August for my first wedding anniversary and need some help! I have never visited before, so I am unsure of what to do and where to stay. I am thinking about spending 5 days in the area. We will most likely fly into San Francisco and rent a car to drive to Sonoma Valley or Napa Valley - who knows, maybe both! I am by no means a wine connoisseur, but am wanting to go out there for the experience. Any helpful travel hints or suggestions?? Thanks a lot!
Apr 11th, 2007, 07:54 AM
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We spent two day in Napa Valley last month, stayed at the Villagio Inn which was wonderful. It is in Yountville, right across the street from Bistro Jeanty, Ad Hoc and Redd. 
In Sonoma, we love the Sonoma Mission Inn for lodging. Very pretty resort with an excellent spa, the service here is also great. Have fun! ***kim***
In Sonoma, we love the Sonoma Mission Inn for lodging. Very pretty resort with an excellent spa, the service here is also great. Have fun! ***kim***
Apr 11th, 2007, 01:55 PM
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Search the forums; there are tons of posts like yours with lots of advice on the wine country.
Personally, I'd recommend Sonoma County over Napa. It's less touristy, closer to SF, and just plain nicer.
Sonoma town is very nice and has some great lodging options. The Cottage Inn is nice and close to the square. Sonoma Mission Inn and the Lodge are both good.
I like Healdsburg even better. Plus there are lots of great wineries in the Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley, and Russian River areas.
But search the forums!
Personally, I'd recommend Sonoma County over Napa. It's less touristy, closer to SF, and just plain nicer.
Sonoma town is very nice and has some great lodging options. The Cottage Inn is nice and close to the square. Sonoma Mission Inn and the Lodge are both good.
I like Healdsburg even better. Plus there are lots of great wineries in the Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley, and Russian River areas.
But search the forums!
Apr 11th, 2007, 01:57 PM
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BTW, for 5 days, you might want to consider renting a vacation cottage. There are lots of them.
We got married at this place, and they have 2 nice houses and a cottage: Healdsburg Country Gardens http://www.hcountrygardens.com . But there are lots of other ones.
We got married at this place, and they have 2 nice houses and a cottage: Healdsburg Country Gardens http://www.hcountrygardens.com . But there are lots of other ones.
Apr 11th, 2007, 03:29 PM
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Hi ebennet !
Did you know you can fly here to the Wine Country ? From LAX or Seattle via
Alaska/Horizon Air into Santa Rosa-STS. May be worth checking out.
I think Healdsburg would be a great place to be for your 5 days. There is of couse all the winetasting and fabulous dining there, yet the location allows you to explore our region.
In Healdsburg diner at Cyrus is excellent for a $$$$ experience. Barndiva is very cool. My favorites are Willi's, Ravenous, Zin & Manzanita.
Head up in to the Dry Creek Valley and tour wineries along the Westside Rd. that will bring you back in to the Russian River valley. You might want to plot your trip using www.wineroad.com
and tailor it to your wine preferences.
The wineroad site has many ideas for lodging as well.
When you want to get out and explore-Head west out to the coast at Jenner and dine at Rivers End-check for seasonal hours-www.ilovesunsets.com. Head south 10 minutes to Portuguese Beach and take a stroll. Another 5 min will put you in to the town of Bodega Bay-the Seaweed Cafe is the place to eat here.
For another adventure from Healdsburg via Guerneville, head out on the Bohemina Hwy for a very scenic drive
to Occidental. Have a family style Italian meal at the Union Hotel
or for a taste of Provence head to
Bistro Des Copains.
For a wonderful spa experience, continue a few minutes from Occidental
in to Freestone to the Osmosis Spa
www.osmosis.com
Down the road from the Bistro is the
tiny burg of Graton which boasts 2
very good restaurants-the Underwood Bistro, and across the street, the WillowWood Market.
Further east, plan a few hours in the Alexander Valley-make a special stop for gourmet sandwhiches at the Jimtown Store www.jimtown.com
You could certainly hop over to
Napa Valley and visit Calistoga for a spavisit and perhaps lunch in the creekside patio at the Calisotga Inn.
Lots of good winery stops up near Calistoga on the Silverado Trail.
So, take a look at some of those websites
and come back with questions-I certainly would consider booking a reservation SOON-
R5
Did you know you can fly here to the Wine Country ? From LAX or Seattle via
Alaska/Horizon Air into Santa Rosa-STS. May be worth checking out.
I think Healdsburg would be a great place to be for your 5 days. There is of couse all the winetasting and fabulous dining there, yet the location allows you to explore our region.
In Healdsburg diner at Cyrus is excellent for a $$$$ experience. Barndiva is very cool. My favorites are Willi's, Ravenous, Zin & Manzanita.
Head up in to the Dry Creek Valley and tour wineries along the Westside Rd. that will bring you back in to the Russian River valley. You might want to plot your trip using www.wineroad.com
and tailor it to your wine preferences.
The wineroad site has many ideas for lodging as well.
When you want to get out and explore-Head west out to the coast at Jenner and dine at Rivers End-check for seasonal hours-www.ilovesunsets.com. Head south 10 minutes to Portuguese Beach and take a stroll. Another 5 min will put you in to the town of Bodega Bay-the Seaweed Cafe is the place to eat here.
For another adventure from Healdsburg via Guerneville, head out on the Bohemina Hwy for a very scenic drive
to Occidental. Have a family style Italian meal at the Union Hotel
or for a taste of Provence head to
Bistro Des Copains.
For a wonderful spa experience, continue a few minutes from Occidental
in to Freestone to the Osmosis Spa
www.osmosis.com
Down the road from the Bistro is the
tiny burg of Graton which boasts 2
very good restaurants-the Underwood Bistro, and across the street, the WillowWood Market.
Further east, plan a few hours in the Alexander Valley-make a special stop for gourmet sandwhiches at the Jimtown Store www.jimtown.com
You could certainly hop over to
Napa Valley and visit Calistoga for a spavisit and perhaps lunch in the creekside patio at the Calisotga Inn.
Lots of good winery stops up near Calistoga on the Silverado Trail.
So, take a look at some of those websites
and come back with questions-I certainly would consider booking a reservation SOON-
R5
Apr 11th, 2007, 04:30 PM
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I was also going to suggest the Healdsburg area. It is just beautiful, and more wineries than you could ever visit. I was just down there a few weeks ago for Barrel Tasting and we never got far from Healdsburg and hit about 18 wineries in the space of two days. There are some great places right in Healdsburg..Rosenblum and Lake Sonoma. Also, Sapphire Hill, and Christie..great wines. I, personally, like to get wine that is not widely destributed everywhere. There are just a zillion places along Dry Creek Rd., I mean they are everywhere. You can get wine road maps and get a general idea of whats around the area. Healdsburg is a really pretty town, interesting shops, and good eats. I much prefer that area to Napa.
Apr 22nd, 2007, 10:31 AM
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Great post, razzledazzle! My wife and I are planning a similar trip in late June and are looking at Healdsburg area. The wineroad.com link was very helpful. We are thinking weekend in San Fran followed by 4 days in Healdsburg (thinking availability would be better in Healdsburg during the week) - does this make sense or should we reverse our plans?
Apr 22nd, 2007, 11:40 AM
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No, don't reverse your plans! The best time to visit wineries is during the week. Weekends are more crowded everywhere. I also love Healdsburg and am actively planning a trip for November. Stayed there 3 times. It's a great central location to everything.
Apr 22nd, 2007, 08:07 PM
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You are most welcome, jeffpo !
make your rezzies SOON if you're thinking this June
(gawd, that rhymes, lol !)
As most traveled Wine Country expert LLindaC
suggests, the experience is less crowded
and much more pleasant
here during the week, especially June-October. If you were to be visiting me
here during those months, I may very well give you the car keys and a map and wish you safe travels.
R5
make your rezzies SOON if you're thinking this June
(gawd, that rhymes, lol !)
As most traveled Wine Country expert LLindaC
suggests, the experience is less crowded
and much more pleasant
here during the week, especially June-October. If you were to be visiting me
here during those months, I may very well give you the car keys and a map and wish you safe travels.
R5
