Wine Country Classic, at Infineon Raceway in CA
 

Has anyone been to this event? My husband likes vintage car racing and I thought this event in June would make a nice Xmas gift (plus I would get a trip to the wine country out of it). Can you recommend any hotels near the racetrack?

Marriott Courtyard in Novato,

I ordered tkts for this event, and hopefully they will arrive before Christmast. The CY Novato is booked; I made reservations at the CY Vallejo. Is anyone familiar with that property? Or can you recommend anything else?

The Sheraton in Petaluma is very close
(you can also meet me for a toddy, lol!)
If you stay here, I can tell you the
"back way" and keep you out of the horrendous Hwy 37/101 traffic that is the norm on race days.

Any hotel in the town of Sonoma-
The Lodge at Sonoma is a Marriot Renaissance, and very nice BTW.

R5

Hi orangetravelcat, I am sorry to say this but please, do not make reservations to stay in Vallejo!!

Ditto to LoveItaly's No on Vallejo accomodations. Go with Petaluma (and use the back roads) or Sonoma. Either way, if they offer a package with transportation to/from the track use it! I've spent up to three hours just leaving the parking lot! Maven

I'm checking into Petaluma, or maybe Sonoma, but out of curiosity, what's wrong with Vallejo?

Vallejo isn't a "destination", it is a snag in the traffic between the central valley and the SF Bay area. For one night as just a stop over w/ no expectations - fine. But not for a race meeting. The traffic between Valley-joe and infineon willl be hooorrrrrrible.

Yes to "no" on Vallejo. Mainly because
you use Hwy 37 (mostly a 2 lane roadway from Sears Pt. into Vallejo-it widens at Mare Island)to/from Infineon and that is your ONLY option, unless you
take Hwy 29 through American Canyon to Napa and come over on 121/12 through the southern out skirts of Sonoma town.
A 3 hr tie-up is not at all unusual.

There's just no major freeway access directly to Sears Pt.-you have to exit 101 or 80 and there the back-up begins.

Get a good road map of the area and you can see for yourself.

If your intention is one day at the race and then other days visiting wine country then stay somewhere in Sonoma
County. Even Santa Rosa, say at the Vineyard Hyatt, the Courtyard or the Hilton if you'll only be making the haul to Sears Pt. for one day.

R5

Thanks, everyone. We will be attending the vintage car races both Sat and Sun. That will give us Friday to spend doing other wine country stuff, and of course, dinners at night. We will leave Monday to return to PHX. You have me convinced Vallejo is not a good option so I am investigating others.,

Have a wonderful time orangetravelcat. And not staying in Vallejo is a good decision traffic wise, lack of good restaurants etc.

What about Napa, American Canyon, or Fairfield? Are those good alternatives? I made a reservation at the Hyatt in Santa Rosa just so I have something, but I am still looking (hoping to find a better rate than the Hyatt offers)

There is a Courtyard in Santa Rosa next door to the Hyatt. Just across the street from Railroad Square (shops & restos). If you'd like a B&B experience, try Hotel La Rose also in Santa Rosa and a few blocks from the above mentioned hotels.

When I went to this event a few years ago you could pay extra to get into this wine/cheese area where you could taste wine and eat great appetizers while watching the race. It was right on the end of the track and you could see everything and it was well worth the money.

Fairfield & American Canyon are about equal to staying in Vallejo. Nowhere to eat and you'll be needing to head out EARLY to beat the trek to Sears Point.

Napa (in the vicinity of the town of)is a possibility, the further up valley you go, the tougher the traffic will be on Hwy 29.

Try these first:
El Pueblo Inn in Sonoma-shows a $208
Average for June 1-4 ($210 Fri, $260 Sat
$155 Sun)
www.elpuebloinn.com

Other chains in the area still showing availability:

Double Tree in Rohnert Park-
$179

Courtyard in Santa Rosa-which is nearly next to the Hyatt near Railroad Square
shows an AAA rate of $161 for your dates.

Holiday Inn Express in Sebastopol-
(about 5 miles west of the Hyatt location) shows $164 for a King room your dates.

I tried a few others, and they are sold out for those dates.

Just for fun, I checked the Sheraton in Petaluma as well as Motel 6 and they are sold out as well-probably due to the Infineon event.

Good Luck !
R5

Thanks, everyone. I will check out your hotel suggestions tomorrow. I appreciate all your help.

I was able to book the Sheraton in Petaluma for my dates for $169 - much less than the asking price at the Hyatt. Thanks.