Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
For most innkeepers, high “summer” rates start in April and last through
October. Prices are almost always higher on the weekends, when city folk pour in.
So if you only plan to go for a few days, make them weekdays—you'll not only
pay less for lodging, but you'll also contend with far fewer drivers.
WHERE TO STAY
In Napa County, you could feasibly stay anywhere I mention and be within reach
of most of the county's wineries. In Sonoma County, because of the forested
Russian River area to the west, proximity is less clear-cut because it's possible to
sleep deep in the trees, which would put you about 30 minutes (on a day with
minimal traffic) from the bulk of the wineries. That means that a few places in
Sonoma County will not be ideal for intense winery-going unless you don't mind
braving dark and windy forest roads after dark.
I think the best place to stay, for a balance of geographic convenience and
price, is around Sonoma town, because from there, you can drive into Napa in
about 35 minutes over a pretty road. It's a lovely, historic location with plenty of
cute restaurants, and it's easy to stroll around. You'll also find ample budget
accommodation in Napa town, and for that, the commute is reversed: 35 minutes
or more to Sonoma's attractions. However, Napa town is much more populous
and consequently much more urban, diminishing its small-town appeal. There is
no one place to stay that will not require about 35 to 45 minutes' drive to
some-
where
if you intend to tour both counties. Do you want to stay in one county for
a few days and another for the balance of your vacation? It's not a bad idea for a
week's stay in the region, but for a few nights, you might as well just stay in one
spot and not shuffle your stuff around.. I have done research in Napa County
many times while I was staying in Sonoma, and vice versa.
Although there are many hotels I think are worthwhile and in which I would
gladly stay, renting a home or apartment is my favorite way to see the region. It's
a hugely popular method for visitors here. Probably because there are plenty of
affluent Bay Area residents who bought second homes here but rarely come to
stay, leaving them to rent them out to make some money back, there's a large
inventory on hand. Unfortunately, given the popularity of Wine Country, they
can charge—and get—high rates. Many owners rely on agencies, listed below, to
take care of the reservations for them. Prices are best if you agree to stay longer
(they seem to hit a sweet spot around 6 nights), so use that as a bargaining chip.
And having a kitchen to use transforms a Wine Country experience, where
food is such a huge component of the draw. You'll be tempted all day long to buy
good fresh food, and if you don't have somewhere to prepare it, you'll have wasted
your money—not to mention the fact that almost every restaurant around is
hideously expensive, and those $90 bills add up quickly unless you do something
to mitigate them. Rentals also usually include a living room in which to pop open
a bottle and unwind—it's just not as fun to sit on the edge of a hotel bed and sip
your wine. Unless otherwise specified, also expect perks in your rental that include
cable TV and phone. Generally the standard of decor and amenities in these units
remains high across the board.
A few reservations services exist, but be warned that most of their inventory leans
strongly toward the expensive. When you call any reservations agency with multiple
offerings, you'll always want to stress that you're looking for something affordable. To
