wine country with kids?
 

planning on going to disney land then to wine country in march with husband, mother in law and 2yr old and 3.5 yr old. love wine country but havent been since we've had children. any suggestiions on places that are kid friendly ie.. carneros inn, hotel healdsburg etc...any kids programs or is this a stretch?

I've never seen small children in a winery. Not sure it's even allowed. Is it? Curious.

I don't think Hotel Healdsburg would be that comfortable with little ones. Haven't stayed at Carneros so can't comment on that one.
But someplace like Embassy Suites (Napa) would be very kid friendly. There is an indoor as well as outdoor pool, you'd have good food and service options, the huge complimentary breakfast, and easy access to Highway 29. They have concierge services, so calling them about kid programs would be a good idea. I think they also use Nannies of the Valley.

People go to wine country to get away from their kids so I wouldn't expect the usual places to be terribly kids friendly. I'd stick with a chain hotel.

...is this a stretch? Wow - get real.

Oh, no. I'm dating myself, but the issue of kids at wineries was wildly over-discussed here some time ago. Let's not go there again!

Note that the OP said nothing about taking kids into the wineries, just to wine country. Surely you'll all allow that children are permitted in Sonoma County?? '
rebeca, I'm sorry I have no info for you, and I;m sorry your (perfectly reasonable) question seems to be going south so soon...

I've never taken my children, but my friend swears by this plan ... they pick wineries with picnic areas. They pick up picnic supplies at a deli or grocery store. At each winery, one adult stays outside with the kids. Kids can run around the picnic area and eat. Other adults taste. Rinse, repeat.

Are you driving the whole way? Why not do your tastings around Santa Barbara and Santa Ynez?

I'm not going to comment on the "kids at wineries" issue.

Rebeca. Hopefully this will be of more help than the past few posts. BTW I have been to many wineries when little kids were around and everyone of these kids were quiet and respectful of the enviroment

Have you thought about renting a private home? I would think that it would be perfect in your situation. VRBO has a large amount of listings in Napa and Sonoma.

There are plenty of great things for kids. Exotic Animals, geysers, there is a large amusement park just south of Napa. Here is a helpful site: http://www.travelforkids.com/Funtodo...napavalley.htm

And another good site:http://gocalifornia.about.com/cs/nap...canapakids.htm

Check out Indian SPrings resort in Calistoga. Try and get a duplex(you will have a kitchen). There is a huge heated mineral water pool for hotel guests only. There is also shuffle board,bikes, and a clay tennis court. How old are your kids?

whoops just saw how old(young) your kids are. BUT I have seen lots of folks with tiny tots at the shallow end of that pool. I would not think either Carneros(which is pretty far out of the way and you do have to drive everywhere) or Hotel Healdsburg(which is in town but seemingly very adult oriented) would be comfortable for you with little kids.

NewbE is correct, there is an extensive back & forth, pros & cons of taking kids to wineries.

The Hotel Healdsburg does have an outtdoor pool area, but I think I would go with one of the Best Western places with kids, they are very family-friendly. There is the Stevenson Manor in Calistoga, the Best Western Sonoma Valley Inn in Sonoma and there is a Best Western in Healdsburg, also. If you stay in Sonoma, there is a nice city park around the Plaza, the cheese factory where you can pick up picnic supplies and Train Town. Gundlach-Bundschu in Sonoma would be a nice place for a picnic wtih the kids. ***kim*** ((#))

Hi rebeca, it could possibly be to cold in March for you and your little ones to enjoy an outdoor pool although our weather has been so different from the normal weather pattern you might luck out and get sunny pleasant weather.

the pool @ Indian Springs is bath water warm. We were just there
MLK weekend and loved it. Swam and bobbed and zoned out.

Indian Springs Resort is wonderful, lodging is in little bungalow cottages. You could take the kids to see the Old Faithful Geyser there. There is also Sterling Vineyards in this area with a tram ride that takes you to the top of the tasting room, your kids would love that! ***kim*** ((l))