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Destination: Napa and Sonoma Wine Country Destination: Napa and Sonoma Wine Country RSS

By Kirstin Jackson-Ellis, Contributor

Not far from the city's bright lights and gridlock traffic exists a land of rolling hills, world-class dining, and--believe it or not--great deals and non-pretentious wine guzzling. Whether you prefer formal tastings at pedigreed Napa wineries or experiencing a piece of quiet wine country off Highway 29 and away from the crowds, there are gems to be discovered and vineyards that deserve marveling at. Be prepared to embrace off-season discounts and revisit the classics spots offering a bit more for the wine lover.
On This Page: Where to Stay, Where to Eat, What to Do

Where to Stay

Where to Stay
These hip hotels and cool cottages offer everything from hot design to retro chic.

  1. Hotel Healdsburg

    25 Matheson St, Healdsburg, CA
    A modern hotel in the heart of Sonoma, Hotel Healdsburg is a sleek yet comfortable establishment offering coveted luxuries such as Chef Charlie Palmer's Dry Creek Kitchen restaurant.

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  2. Cottage Grove Inn

    1711 Lincoln Ave, Calistoga, CA
    Submit to pampering in this friendly, charming inn, which has fireplaces and jacuzzi tubs in every private cottage and in-house masseuse appointments available.

  3. El Bonita Motel

    195 Main St, St Helena, CA
    Bringing it back to the basics, El Bonita keeps it simple with streamlined rooms and low prices.

  4. Poetry Inn

    1473 Yountville Cross Rd, Yountville, CA
    Located on a hillside overlooking Cliff Lede's vineyards, this elite inn rewards whoever calls to inquire about prices (not listed on their website) with romantic luxuries and almost total seclusion.

  5. Silverado Resort

    1600 Atlas Peak Rd, Napa, CA
    A place to visit in the off-season, when their rooms aren't occupied by the resort's devoted golf following and their deal-of-a-century wine tasting packages are offered with a night's stay.

  6. The Lodge at Sonoma

    1325 Broadway, Sonoma, CA
    An unusually cute offspring of the Marriott chain, the lodge offers creature comforts at a reasonable price.

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Where to Eat

Where to Eat
Great tastes from both counties, from Yountville's perfectly French Bistro Jeanty to Calistoga's tasty, laid-back Wappo Bar and Bistro.

  1. Bouchon

    6534 Washington St, Yountville, CA
    When the French Laundry's maitre d' doesn't owe you a favor but you still want to experience a piece of the Thomas Keller Empire's edible perfection, Bouchon is where to go.

  2. Bounty Hunter Wine Bar & Bistro

    975 First Street, Napa, CA
    Reasonably priced wine flights from Napa and around the world, beer can chicken, and a relaxed atmosphere make this a favorite to locals and tourists alike.

  3. Tra Vigne

    1050 Charter Oak Ave, Saint Helena, CA
    An old classic that delivers the basics right and celebrates the bounty of the region, Tra Vigne is a Wine Country no-brainer.

  4. Taylor's Refresher

    933 Main St, St Helena, CA
    Because sometimes you just need a parchment-wrapped, juicy burger or deep-fried fish taco before hitting your third winery.

  5. Cyrus Restaurant

    29 North St, Healdsburg, CA
    If you haven’t been wowed enough by the countryside, prepare to be deliciously dined and pampered at this culinary Mecca.

  6. Martini House

    1245 Spring St, Saint Helena, CA
    The name conjures up visions of Frank Sinatra, but you’ll find more than classic plates here; Himalayan truffles and mushroom tasting menus served in style await your arrival.

  7. Dry Creek Kitchen

    317 Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg, CA
    A sophisticated eatery dedicated to local produce in the heart of the Wine Country.

  8. The French Laundry

    6640 Washington St, Yountville, CA
    Wine Country's most famous restaurant elevates fine dining to an art.

  9. Wappo Bar and Bistro

    1226 Washington St, Calistoga, CA
    The flower-decked outdoor patio of this charming eatery is a locals' favorite for eclectic global cuisine.

  10. Ubuntu

    1140 Main St, Napa, CA
    This holistic restaurant has garnered national recognition--unheard of for a vegetarian restuarant--and now ranks only behind French Laundry in the Napa heirarchy.

  11. Estate Restaurant

    400 West Spain St, Sonoma, CA
    Artistic Italian fare is enhanced by Sonoma's culinary bounty at this countryside manor.

  12. Diavola Pizzeria and Salumeria

    2102 Geyserville Ave, Geyserville, CA
    A gourmet pizzeria topping pies with clams, prosciutto and pecorino finds a home in sleepy Geyserville.

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What to Do

What to Do
Get some art and culture as you travel through Napa and Sonoma, then relax in a marvelous mud bath.

  1. Indian Springs

    1712 Lincoln Ave, Calistoga, CA
    Pleasantly tranquil and hip simultaneously, this resort-spa seals the deal with a geyser-heated pool and comforting yet modern-retro architecture

  2. Preston of Dry Creek

    9206 W Dry Creek Rd, Healdsburg, CA
    You’ll have to drive a little farther, but when the friendly winery dog shows up to greet you and the olive trees start to sway in the breeze, all else will fade away.

  3. Nickel & Nickel Single Vineyard Winery

    8164 Saint Helena Hwy, Oakville, CA
    This single-vineyard winery is one of the best in the area, and their appointment-only tour is as educational and eye-opening as it is romantic.

  4. Martin Ray Winery

    2191 Laguna Rd, Santa Rosa, CA
    Old-time pinot noir fanatics can’t pass this stop up; Martin Ray was the granddaddy of the grape in California long before "Sideways" decided that Merlot was a faux paux.

  5. di Rosa Preserve

    5200 Sonoma Hwy, Napa, CA
    An intriguing collection on display in three galleries and a huge outdoor sculpture garden.

  6. Hess Collection Winery

    4411 Redwood Rd, Napa, CA
    Wine-making meets modern art in one of the most spectacular corners of Napa Valley.

  7. Sterling Vineyards

    1111 Dunaweal Lane, Calistoga, CA
    A Mediterranean-style winery with breathtaking views and a collection of wine-related art and artifacts.

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