in touring Napa Valley wine country, what is the best airport to travel from and places to stay?

Question

for travelers on a budget

Answer 1

fly into sfo, oakland or sacramento. you will need a car to see the wine country -- which is spread out -- napa, sonoma & areas in between. i lived in the area so only stayed at b&b's a few times, otherwise i'd go home for the night -- but here are some "inexpensive" options from http://tripadvisor.com. if you have AAA you can get free winery maps so you can have one in hand before you arrive....

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g32766-Napa_Napa_Valley_California-Hotels.html
Wine Valley Lodge, Napa
200 S Coombs
Napa, CA 94559
Description: 54 rooms
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating
(based on 30 reviews)
Traveler Reviews:
Sep 4, 2007: "Good Stay for Napa"
Aug 27, 2007: "Pleasantly surprised"
Aug 1, 2007: "Pretty Good"
Average price*:
$139

Napa Valley Redwood Inn, Napa
3380 Solano Ave.
Napa, CA 94558
Description: 60 rooms
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating
(based on 24 reviews)
Traveler Reviews:
Aug 30, 2007: "a good stay...and close to the vineyards"
Aug 18, 2007: "Too small for families and a big bug!"
May 29, 2007: "Recommended Motor Inn"
Average price*:
$102

edit: actually, i think one time yrs ago i stayed at this sonoma hotel on the town square. it was fine & of course surrounded by ambience & great restaurants....i heard maya angelo wrote one of her poems in one of the rooms when she stayed at this hotel...

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g33107-Sonoma_California-Hotels.html
Sonoma Hotel, Sonoma
110 W. Spain St.
Sonoma, CA 95476
Description: 16 rooms
Hotel class:
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating
(based on 26 reviews)
Traveler Reviews:
Sep 14, 2007: "Nice Little Hotel"
Sep 4, 2007: "Charming B&B within walking distance to everything"
Aug 15, 2007: "Great Location with Some Quirks"
$120


Sonoma Chalet, Sonoma
18935 5th St. W.
Sonoma, CA 95476
Description: 7 rooms
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating
(based on 10 reviews)
Traveler Reviews:
Sep 8, 2007: "Charming, Rustic, Quiet"
May 13, 2007: ".... quiet, quirky and comfy"
Oct 14, 2006: "Quiet and Restful but close to town"
Average price*:
$125

check this out!!!!!!
#5 of 13 B&Bs / inns in Sonoma
Rooms: 7
TripAdvisor traveler rating:
Sonoma Chalet
18935 5th St. W., Sonoma, CA 95476:
Modern accommodations in farm house and private cottages set amidst 3.5 rolling wooded acres in Valley of the Moon wine country. This description is based on information provided by the B&B / inn.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g33107-d554201-r8676122-Sonoma_Chalet-Sonoma_California.html

Answer 2

Fly into Oakland or SFO, not Sacramento. If you choose Sac, you have to rent a car. If you choose Oakland or SFO, there's a bus outside the baggage claim called Evans. For about $29 it takes you one way to Napa. From there you can call a cab (I recommend Black Tie Taxi) or if the hotel is close enough, they'll drive you for another $19. The taxi is cheaper.

For hotels, do NOT use Discovery Inn. It's cheap, looks like it, and when we had our kids stay there, the power went out and they never got towels so they had to borrow ours. Chablis Inn, Redwood Inn, Best Western on Soscol (not the BW on California and 2nd) are all good choices at around $119-$149 a night. That's about the cheapest you'll get in Napa. Since you're on a budget, don't even look for a hotel upvalley, it just gets more expensive. The Embassy Suites and the B&B's run over $300 a night.

You'll probably want a car if you're traveling upvalley at all. There's a Budget, Enterprise, and Hertz located on Soscol Ave. near the BW.

Email me if you need any advice, I live in Napa.

Answer 3

Do not take the Wine Train. You'll get wine, but you only see the backs of buildings, litter, and the highway. It's not scenic at all and it's overpriced. If you stay in Napa proper, which I recommend, you'll be within walking distance of 17 different tasting rooms which serve a variety of wines, not just one winery's. And if you stop by the Visitor's Center in the downtown center, it's $20 for a card for 20 tastes at any of the tasting rooms. They claim it's a dime a taste, but they usually waive that. And you've got tons of shopping and dining. And to get around if you're not staying at a B&B, there's a trolley that runs all over downtown. If you travel upvalley though, be sure to stop by Mumms on Silverado Trail (great sparkling wine, views, and an Ansel Adams collection. And you have to go to Sterling which is off Hwy 29. A tram takes you up the mountain to the tasting room and they have cool Japanese gardens. Email me if you need more info, I live here.

Answer 4

fly into oak or sfo, stay in b and bs

Answer 5

http://winecountry.citysearch.com/

http://napacountyguide.com/

http://www.napavalleyonline.com/directory/wsaboutnv.html