Bed and Breakfast in California Wine Country - Hot Spots!
NAPA VALLEY: Hundreds of local vineyards await your tastebuds.
When one thinks of Napa, just a short hour drive from San Francisco, wine springs to mind and perhaps Steinbeck's "Grapes of Wrath." Whatever the image, this much is true, the wines of Napa Valley are some of the world's finest. The French may scoff, but critics around the world agree that the vineyards deserve recognition and so do the Napa Valley B&Bs.
To be fair, the true wine country encompasses Napa and Sonoma counties, as well as a bit of Mendocino county. Within this space is the fertile soil that has encouraged hundreds of wineries to develop and prosper.
Check out these cities for Napa Valley B&Bs and for where to stay in the wine country: Angwin, Calistoga, Geyserville, Guerneville, Healdsburg, Napa, Petaluma, Saint Helena, Santa Rosa, Sonoma and Yountville.
Search for inns in the Napa Valley or browse our selection of Bed and Breakfast in California Wine Country.
Recommended Restaurants
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Napa, where a branch of the famed Culinary Institute of America is located (the main one is in Hyde Park, N.Y.), offers dozens and dozens of restaurant choices. Some innkeepers keep a selection of menus on hand to narrow down the vast array of eateries.
Bistro Don Giovanni's (Napa)
(707) 224-3300
For the best in Italian food, innkeeper tested and approved.
Pilar (as seen on the Food Network, in Bon Apetit
Magazine, and in the New York Times food section).
California-style fare, small restaurant that is a popular choice for local winemakers. Reservations
strongly recommended.
Etoile (Yountville)
(800) 736-2892
Comment: This restaurant is owned by the vineyard, a producer of sparkling wines. Advance reservations recommended.
The French Laundry (Yountville)
(707) 944-2380
Comment: Contemporary American with French.
Try this for a fine, elegant special occasion. Definitely make 60 day advance reservations.
Mustards Grill (Yountville)
(707) 944-2424
Comment: Although a fairly casual place, reservations are highly recommended.
Rutherford Grill (Rutherford)
(707) 963-1792
Comment: American cuisine offering an alternative to formal dining.
Culinary Institute of America at Greystone
(St. Helena)
(707) 967-1010
Comment: The finest local seasonal ingredients define this restaurant. Run by the Culinary Institute of America's Napa Valley campus. Mediterranean cuisine.
Julia's Kitchen (dedicated to Julia Child's
cooking),inside COPIA, the Amercian Center for Food, Wine, and the Arts). An open kitchen fasces the diners. Food is French, with many of the vegetables and herbs grown on property.
Bistro Jeanty- A trip to the French Countryside! Executive Chef/Owner Phillipe Jeanty serves some of his family favorites from back home in France. Michelin starred, advance reservations strongly recommended.
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Balloon Rides
Several companies offer scenic rides over the Napa Valley. Above the West, (800) 627-2759, offers a pre-flight breakfast with coffee and pastries before your trip, which costs $220 per person. At Balloon Aviation of Napa Valley, (800) 367-6272, guests enjoy pre-flight coffee and pastries, the trip itself and a post-flight champagne brunch with a sit-down menu all for $195 per person.
Adventures Aloft, (800) 944-4408, also offers pre-flight goodies, the trip and a post-flight breakfast with sparkling wine for $205 per person.
Copia
(707) 259-1600
Copia expands the definition of museum to new dimensions. A fun, interactive center where you can investigate the cultural intersection of wine, food and the arts. Tastings, classses, festivals, exhibitions and performances await at Copia.
Open Wednesday through Monday (closed Tuesdays) 10 am - 5 pm.
Napa Valley Wine Train (Napa)
(707) 253-2111, (800) 427-4124
Enjoy a relaxing scenic journey throught the heart of Napa Valley's picturesque vineyards while you nosh on a deliciously crafted meal. Select from the a la carte menu or choose a multi-course meal, there's a range of options sure to delight everyone's palate.
Old Faithful Geyser
(707) 942-6463
The geyser is one of only three Old Faithfuls in the world. The constant and predictable eruptions (approximately every 45 minutes) toss a scalding streak of water 60 to upwards of 100 feet in the air. Located 2 miles from Calistoga, come blow off some steam with Old Faithful.
Admission: Adults $8, Children 6-12 yrs. $3,
Children under 6 Free, Adults over 60 $7.
Petrified Forest
(707) 942-6667
Three million years ago volcanic ash covered some of California's most beautiful redwoods. A 15-minute drive to Calistoga will transport you back in time to follow the trail of these petrified redwood giants. Open daily 9 am-6 pm; Winter hours 9 am - 5 pm.
Russian River
(800) 253-8800
Swimming, fishing, canoeing, tubing and boating all are available here.
Wineries
There are dozens of vineyards and wineries here, producing some of the world's finest vintages. Tours and tastings are available at many of these wineries. For information, contact the Napa Valley Conference and Visitors Bureau at (707) 226-7459.
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