I know I'm never around here anymore, but what's your hotel budget? If you respond soon I will try to offer some suggestions (I get on a boat to Antarctica tomorrow!).
Restaurants: in the Napa area, try to get Ad Lib if possible (I'm not sure how long it will be open), or go to Ad Hoc. Bouchon is popular. Redd's and Bottega are the other two must-eat-at places for me (Yountville so halfway between Napa and Calistoga). In Sonoma, Girl and the Fig is a must, and I also like Cafe La Haye and Harvest Moon Cafe. Make all dinner reservations weeks in advance.
Wineries: in the Napa Valley area I like: Peju (really good reds - I love their Provence blend), Cakebread (reservations needed), Del Dotto (their barrel tasting is supposed to be awesome), Domaine Carneros (sparkling), Domaine Chandon (sparkling), Duckhorn (just flat delicious wine), Alpha Omega, Opus One... you really can't go wrong. I saw V. Sattui mentioned above - it's a bigger winery with a nice deli for lunch, though my preference is to always gorge on Gott's Roadside burgers, fries, and shakes to have a nice base to soak up all the alcohol. There's also a super cool olive oil shop in St. Helena where you can sample all the different olive oils. They're delicious. In Sonoma, my favorite winery is Gloria Ferrer (sparkling, incredible terrace), Ravenswood (reds), Sebastiani (just an easy one to go to), Ledson (has beautiful grounds), Chateau St. Jean (again, gorgeous grounds). If you do Sonoma they are usually cheaper and less snooty.
Thanks! The three of us would likely want to share a room so I would say something like $250-350 a night would be doable for my budget. I personally would rather spend money on the food and wine.
Post by toratoratori on Jan 29, 2015 0:23:54 GMT -5
My mom FINALLY got back to me with recommendations. Here's what she had to say:
I'm assuming your friends will have a car so they can go to some of these places.
Hotels: Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa- a Fairmont Hotel McArthur Place The Lodge at Sonoma Best Western (not high end but well located)
Wineries: there are way too many to mention but here are some of our favorites: Sebastiani there are also multiple tasting rooms in town Mayo Reserve room in Kenwood - great for a wine and food pairing (reservations required) Cline Jacuzzi (also have olive oils) Ravenswood Kenwood BR Cohn Ledson (fancy mansion but a little pretentious) Chateau St. Jean has nice grounds
If they go to the visitors center in town they can get either free tasting passes or discounts
Eating: have not really had a bad meal yet....
Saddles steak house The Girl and the Fig in town The Swiss Hotel (more locals) The El Dorado Hotel The Red Grape (more casual) La Salette (Portugese)
The Fig Cafe in Glen Ellen Glen Ellen Inn
Activities: Bicycle riding is great (you can rent a bike in town) Spa day at Sonoma Mission Inn or McArthur Place Walk around town square and shop is always a hit There are multiple places that have music on the weekend evenings Hike - Jack London State Park
I wanted to go with my friend in Maryland and my friend here. But my fiend in Maryland is paying out of pocket for a breast reduction next month and can't afford it this year. Maybe I'll convince her this fall.