Napa Valley suggestions (among other things)

[bydesign77]

To my respected brethren,

We are planning a trip to San Francisco during Masters Week. Part of that trip, we'd like to hit the wineries in Napa. It's been a while since I've been there and I went there, I just randomly just hit places. This time, I'd like to be a little more informed and would like some advice from the board on the best places to go.

In addition, we'd like to see some redwoods, and I can't even begin to decide where to do that!

Thanks in advance!

 

[Songbird]

Bell Vineyard. http://www.bellwine.com/

His wife's brother is an oil painter who we feature at the gallery. I've promoted his art a lot the last 3-4 months, so a month ago he gave me a bottle of Syrah from 2007. It was bold and fruity, good.

 

[Buck]

If I could afford it, I'd go to The French Laundry.

I cannot afford it.

 

[qtlaw]

Redwoods at Muir Woods in Marin County. Beautiful hikes, easy access. Mondavi tour is pretty good I think.

 

[cranberry]

Have you considered Sonoma? If so, consider this one. It's the oldest family owned winery in California.

Gundlach Bundschu Winery
http://www.gunbun.com/
tel. +1 707.938.5277
2000 Denmark Street
Sonoma, CA 95476

 

[dieditor]

The Napa Valley Wine Train is a hell of a dinner and a great time.

 

[Webster]

We've been to Napa and Sonoma a few times and have a pretty decent sized California red collection.

In Napa, our favorite places were Grgich Hills, Domaine Chandon (probably the prettiest places that I've visited), Stag's Leap (not Stags' Leap), V. Sattui (a fun place that doesn't sell in stores) . Opus One is so over the top, it might be worth it.

 

[LongTimeListener]

As a rule, Napa is over-commercialized and the better tour is in Sonoma.

If you're in Napa, the Ferrari-Carano winery is a nice stop-in (allegedly a mob winery). And the restaurants along St. Helena Highway are very good -- my personal favorite is Brix.

Have also heard great things about the Wine Train, a lunchtime-plus tour if you're just into relaxing and seeing the countryside.

 

[Sea Bass]

If you can, eat at the Culinary Institute of America in Napa.

 

[BTExpress]

In addition, we'd like to see some redwoods, and I can't even begin to decide where to do that!

We're planning to go see the redwoods later this year. Pretty much decided to hit the Avenue of the Giants, a 31-mile drive through Humboldt Redwoods State Park.

 

[Buck]

In addition, we'd like to see some redwoods, and I can't even begin to decide where to do that!

We're planning to go see the redwoods later this year. Pretty much decided to hit the Avenue of the Giants, a 31-mile drive through Humboldt Redwoods State Park.

I haven't been up there yet. We almost went in November, but we went to San Diego instead.
I really want to get up there into Northern California. I have yet to be north of Marin, Larkspur, Tiburon.
I want to go to Redwoods and Lassen Parks.
And the Bigfoot Museum in Willow Creek.

 

[bydesign77]

In addition, we'd like to see some redwoods, and I can't even begin to decide where to do that!

We're planning to go see the redwoods later this year. Pretty much decided to hit the Avenue of the Giants, a 31-mile drive through Humboldt Redwoods State Park.

Only problem, at least for me, with that suggestion is that, according to Google, that's 5 hours north of SF.

I didn't want to take an entire day to do it, but it does look like a good place to go.

 

[bydesign77]

Have you considered Sonoma? If so, consider this one. It's the oldest family owned winery in California.

Gundlach Bundschu Winery
http://www.gunbun.com/
tel. +1 707.938.5277
2000 Denmark Street
Sonoma, CA 95476

I guess when I say Napa, I more meant that region and not Napa specificially ... Looks like a good winery to check out

 

[Buck]

In addition, we'd like to see some redwoods, and I can't even begin to decide where to do that!

We're planning to go see the redwoods later this year. Pretty much decided to hit the Avenue of the Giants, a 31-mile drive through Humboldt Redwoods State Park.

Only problem, at least for me, with that suggestion is that, according to Google, that's 5 hours north of SF.

I didn't want to take an entire day to do it, but it does look like a good place to go.

Redwoods Park is a bit of a drive from Napa.
People often think of the Bay Area as northern California, and Napa, which is east of that area, but it's not really. There's plenty north of it, and it's a haul. As I mentioned, I wanted to go to Lassen and Redwoods, but it's like an eight-nine hour drive from my house. It was only supposed to be a three day-two night trip, and I didn't want to spend 16-18 hours of a 72-hour trip getting there and back. Not my idea of fun.

San Diego's only five hours one way.

Anyway, none of this is really relevant to the conversation.

 

[Evil Bastard (aka Chris_L)]

My suggestion is to forgo any hotels and stay just at B&B's. There are a ton of great Bed and Breakfast's in Napa Valley.

 

[godshammgod]

Take some time to visit the town of Healdsburg. Great restaurants and a few great bakeries. Also, the Alderbrook winery is great. I don't know much about wine, so I really enjoyed their tasting. I learned a little bit, without being overwhelmed. They also have great port.