Where should I stay in California Wine Country?

We live in Southern California and would like to take a weekend trip up to wine country. Where is the best place to visit? The best place to stay? Sonoma, Napa, any others? I want to stay in a nice hotel but not spend a fortune. The goal of the weekend is going to be to drink a lot of wine, eat a lot of good food, tour a winery or two, and that's about it

Responses:

You may find better hotel prices in the Sebastopol area, where it's just a short drive over to Napa / Sonoma
Yahoo travel suggests top 10 popular attractions in Napa Valley: 1. Artesa Winery 2. Andretti Winery 3. Balloons Above the Valley 4 Napa Valley Wine Train 5. Skyline Wilderness Park 6. Hess Collection Winery 7. St. Supery Vineyards & Winery 8. Mumm Napa 9. Cakebread Cellars 10. Napa River Adventures
napa. there should be some best westerns or holiday inns
Emb y Suites in Napa. They have a full buffet, pond, and a restaurant on the premises in the atrium called Rings. They have got the whole thing, heated pool, hot tub, herb gardens, it's gorgeous. It's right at 29, 1st Street, and California Blvd. on the entrance to Napa if you're coming from the south. It's right off the highway. For food, there's also Tres Hermanos downtown, Allegria, Sushi Mambo, Cole's Chop House, Fazzeratti's, Don Giovanni. Upvalley there's Mustard's and Brix. For wine tasting, hit the downtown visitor's ociation and you can get a card for $20 that allows tastings at the several tasting rooms downtown for a "dime". Most tasting rooms waive that. That way you can try out a variety of wines and decide where to go for your tours. But you can not miss Mumms on Silverado Trail. Excellent sparkling wine, beautiful views of the valley, and Ansel Adams photos if you're into that. If you're on you're way up on 29 towards Oakville, you have to stop at the Oakville Grocery and get a sandwich and browse. I have more, email me if you like!
In my judgement and from 40 years in the wine business : stay clear of Napa. Even Sonoma is getting too uppity and snobby. I suggest that today, for just simple wine country pleasure, the Russian River Valley, Alexander Valley and Mendocino appellation areas are best. Motels are cheaper, too. If you are flying and renting a car, have you thought about avoiding the Bay Area congestion altogether and going instead to Portland, and wine - countrying it around the Willamette Valley?
Sonoma County is not as bad as the others in the area. I'd suggest the Double Tree Inn, it's a nice hotel situated in Rohnet Park and it's within walking distance of Fresh Choice, Chili's, Outback Steakhouse, Red Lobster, Olive Garden, and some fast food too for when you're on the run. If you'd rather stay somewhere a little less hotel and a little more homie, for about $30 more you can hit the Fountangrove Inn; not a bad place to stay and they have a great buffet - The only downside is that it's not within walking distance of any major restaraunts other than Carrows, Applebees, and a Taqueria

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