We're planning a first time wine country trip. Would like to use my Marriott points. Seems only Marriott in Sonoma vicinity is Santa Rosa Courtyard. Any comments concerning Santa Rosa as a base station for about 3 nights? Is too many or not enough?

It's fine. You'll have easy access to the Russian River appellation wineries, west county towns-Graton, Forestville, Guerneville, Sebastopol, Occidental and Bodega Bay and the Sonoma Coast.

The town of Healdsburg and the nearby Dry Creek and Alexander Valleys will be an easy drive as well.

A trip over to Sonoma town or Glen Ellen via Hwy 12 will be 45 mins to an hour, (unless you stop at the wineries along Hwy 12)

FYI -Courtyard is not the only Marriot in Sonoma County - there's
The Lodge at Sonoma in the town of Sonoma as well.

Now as for the 3 nights, depends on how much you want to explore.
Just wineries ? or the coast ?see some redwoods, perhaps a hike or two ? kayaking on the river ? a tour of the wildlife preserve at Safari West ?
strolling and shopping the squares
in Healdsburg or Sonoma ? art galleries ? and, of course, the numerous dining choices !

Of course, I live in Southern Sonoma County and 3 nights would never be enough, LOL !

What time of year is your trip here ?

R5

I agree with Razzledazzle. Its a fine location to see everything you would want to see. Don't miss the Armstrong Woods State park in Guerneville. Its much more centrally located than the Marriott in the town of Sonoma.

We planning mid to late October with a night or 2 in SF.

Which would be the better itinerary:

SFO -> rent car -> 4 nts in Santa Rosa -> SF drop off car 2 nts -> taxi to SFO

or

SFO -> taxi to SF 2 nts -> rent car -> 4 nts in Santa Rosa -> drive to SFO to drop off car

October 2008 ?
Do you have your reservations set ?
I ask because September & October are the THE primo months of the year here. It's the grape harvest, known as the Crush, as well as the best weather of the year, here and in SF.

I think I would get that settled first. Your itinerary may fall in place depending on what dates you can reserve in Santa Rosa.

Good Luck !
R5

It also depends on where you are coming from. If you have had a long flight, you may not want to spend 2 hrs driving from SFO to SR. However, its also peaceful in SR to recover. You should be able to drop off a car, or pick one up, not far from your hotel in SF.

Looks like our trip won't be until late Oct/early Nov. Is the weather still OK?

yes. Weather will be lovely. We don't get our first rains until around Nov. 1st, and they will probably be light. It should be really beautiful in the county at that time of year.