STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

uesgirl · BCBG

San Fran/Napa/Sonoma questions

zeitgeist4 · Gucci

Well, I can't help all that much because I've never been to the wine country (don't drink the stuff...not that much point in going). But as far as budgeting your time, it helps if you know what you want to do in each place. Do you have any specific things you want to see in SF? Museums, shopping, touristy things?

jettie · Kate Spade

My boyfriend and I did a similar (although much shorter) trip a few months ago. We flew into SF (arrived around 10 am), drove up to Sonoma (stopped at Chrissie Field on the way up since the weather was so nice) and stopped at a bunch of vineyards on the way to our hotel. We were only in Sonoma one night. We were in SF three nights. I really, really liked Sonoma - it was my favorite part of the trip so if I had to do it over again, I may have done 2 nights there and 2 nights in SF or do what you are doing and have a whole week!

I've never been to Napa but supposedly, Sonoma is a lot more laid back, which I liked because I'm a relatively new wine drink.

We stayed at the Vinter's Inn in Santa Rosa...it wasn't a B&B but it wasn't big either. I loved the place but if I had to do it over again, I would stay somewhere a little closer to all the vinyards. This seemed like it was a drive from all the action. Supposedly the Fairmont in Sonoma is beautiful.

travelgirl · Kate Spade

Napa and Sonoma are both great. When my DH and I visit we end up going to both places (they are not that far apart) so really you can stay in either place. If you want more of a small town, village feel-go for Sonoma. But...if you want to stay in a larger hotel versus an inn you may want to try:

Auberge du Soleil (from website):

Twenty years ago this spring, Auberge du Soleil, one of Northern California’s most revered dining establishments, opened the doors of its inn, a handful of maisons scattered across a 33-acre hillside olive grove in Napa Valley. This month, the acclaimed “Inn of the Sun” begins a new chapter in its history, as it unveils a sophisticated renovation, welcomes a new chef and offers new amenities created to elevate the art of relaxation for which the Auberge has become renowned.

“Auberge du Soleil brought a new style of informal elegance, luxury and service to the world of hospitality 20 years ago,” said George Goeggel, Managing Partner. “For many, it embodies the perfect retreat, and we’ve been pleased to see how many guests have returned again and again throughout the years. Few hotels age gracefully. At 20, the Auberge is better than ever.”

The inn completed the dream of noted San Francisco restaurateur Claude Rouas, who envisioned a tribute to his beloved Provence in the California wine country. Rouas is attributed with bringing a renaissance to Napa Valley when he opened the Auberge du Soleil Restaurant in 1981. It was an instant sensation, attracting discerning diners from Northern California and beyond with its airy, elegant Mediterranean style and French-influenced, locally sourced cuisine.

In 1985, Rouas and business partner Robert Harmon opened the inn. As with the restaurant, the maisons – or cottages – were the work of influential designer Michael Taylor, who infused his “California Style” of overscaled furniture, dramatic fabrics and sculptural accessories with the essence of Provence. The suites enchanted guests with their elegantly rustic furnishings, handmade tile floors, abstract paintings, beds dressed in bright fuchsia and gold and French doors leading to private terraces and sweeping views of the valley below.

The inn opened to immediate acclaim. Critics called it “Casa Vogue;” “the kind of hotel so often found in Europe – secluded, discreet and elegant – and with wonderful food;” and “a masterpiece of design.” Since then, Auberge du Soleil has repeatedly received some of the highest accolades from the hospitality industry, discriminating guests and the media. In 1988, the inn joined Relais & Châteaux, the most prestigious collection of small luxury hotels and restaurants in the world.

Today, 20 years later, the Auberge dazzles again with a fresh, updated look that pays tribute to Michael Taylor’s original vision. It is the work of San Francisco designer Suzanne Tucker, of renowned interior design firm Tucker & Marks, who was Taylor's assistant on the original Auberge. In her renovation, she was loyal to her mentor, going straight for the bold and designing luxuriously overscale furniture, richly covered bedcovers and heavy limestone countertops.

Tucker designed custom furniture with a historic basis for the rooms. Oversized braided rope lounges and ottomans were inspired by 1940s pieces at a hotel in Juan les Pins. Cream matelasse bedcovers are accented with stunning persimmon coverlets and bolsters. Made in France, the fabric is a copy of a vintage Pierre Frey design that Taylor liked. Tucker had stashed a few yards years before and recently commissioned Frey's Paris subsidiary Margueroy to custom-dye and weave the fabric exclusively for the Auberge. Cerused hand-stained oak and wheat-colored limestone replaces the tile-covered countertops for a rich finish. The result is a bright, warm look that's updated, yet bold in Taylor's fashion and reminiscent of a secluded Côte d’Azur retreat.

No 21st Century renovation would be complete without a few high-tech touches. All suites at the Auberge now feature plasma televisions in both sitting areas and bedrooms. Bathrooms in all rooms and suites feature 15-inch flat screen televisions for viewing from the extra-large soaking tubs. DVD players and wireless Internet access are also standard in all guestrooms.

If you want to try an inn (more like a small hotel versus a bed and breakfast-you have much more privacy than a b&b but also more charm than a regular hotel) I recommend any of the Four Sisters Inns (foursisters.com). They are fabulous! I have stayed in the Maison Fleurie and the Inn at Sonoma and both were great! You get a private room with private bath, complimentary wine, cheese and appetizers in the evening, a great breakfast in the morning and free soft drink and cookies 24/7. The inns are newer and private but sooo charming.

I would stay for about 3 days in wine country (more than that you may get bored-but if you just want to really relax, stay longer in wine country). I think you need at least a few days for San Francisco also. It all depends on if you really want to explore or just relax.

Have fun in one of my most favorite places!!!!

jj · Kate Spade

DH and I have done SF/wine country trips a couple times, most recently last June. Here is a rough idea of our schedule (as much as I remember )

Flew into SF on Thursday afternoon

Friday - we went to Union Square (did a little shopping!) and SFMOMA. It was a gorgeous day, so we hung out in the garden across the street. Went to our fav resturant, Frascati, for dinner.

Saturday - we rented bikes and spent the day riding along the bay, stopped at the Ferry Plaza Farmer's Market (so cool), the marina neighborhood, chrissy field. Had another great dinner but can't remember where!

Sunday - we rented a car a few blocks from the hotel and drove to Sonoma (I highly recommend this since you won't need a car in SF and Enterprise let us return it to the airport for no extra cost). We went on Sunday, because hotels are SO MUCH less expensive during the week.

Stayed at the El Dorado and loved it!! It's in Sonoma, right on the square. The rooms are small, but very chic. It has a great pool and restaurant/bar. We spent that day at the pool and had one of the best dinners of my life across the street at the Girl and the Fig.

Monday - we picked four wineries in Napa to visit and had lunch over there.

Tuesday - we putzed around Sonoma. It was nice having a day just to relax and hang out (we are both hard-core type-As who tend to overschedule, even on vacation).

Wednesday - flew back home

We have stayed on the Napa side before, and it's much more convenient to the wineries, but I preferred the peacefulness of Sonoma. I highly recommend Auberge de Soleil in Napa - it's absolutely amazing! But you need to reserve early, because it's small and always booked.

jettie · Kate Spade

I have to second jj's recommendation for the Girl and the Fig restuarant. It was a fabulous meal. My BF wasn't as into it but he is extremely picky.

jacL · Coach

jj wrote:

We spent that day at the pool and had one of the best dinners of my life across the street at the Girl and the Fig.

This is sort of a hijack, but I am so excited to read this thread, as I am going to Sonoma in three weeks! We are going for a wedding and can only stay two nights, so unfortunately, we probably won't be able to tour any wineries, but I am excited to see that two STers really liked The Girl and The Fig--that restaurant is in our hotel!

UESgirl, although I will only be there for a few days, and I won't be able to compare it to Napa, I will let you know what I thought of Sonoma.

jacL · Coach

Okay, so I just spend last weekend in Sonoma. My visit was very brief--too brief--but I loved it. We stayed at the Sonoma Hotel, which is a country-inspired little hotel. The rooms were roomy and they serve a continental breakfast every morning from 8-9:30 as well as complimentary wine every evening from 5-6 (nothing special, nothing from any of the surrounding wineries). The Girl and the Fig is that attached restaurant and I heard great reviews of it, but didn't have a chance to try it out.

If you stay in Sonoma, I would reccommend staying somewhere on the Sonoma Square--there are lots of little shops and restaurants on the square. I met the nicest boutique owner ever at Sonoma GirlieStuff--she sold me a pashmina for 50% off because it was accidentally placed with some cheapie scarves. The Loop is also a neat boutique (very expensive though--I could only look around).

I actually ended up getting lost driving to Sonoma and drove through Napa, but that was the extent of my Napa visit (Grr)! It was a really great time and I think you should go to one of the two places--I loved Sonoma, but I can't say anything about Napa.