OT: Taking the family to Napa
I have my last MBA class tonight. I fly to California tomorrow. My last MBA exam is Thursday night, which I will take from Cupertino. We have friends who live there, and will be staying with them. However, they just moved there, and don't know the area well.
The wife and I are taking the twins to Napa with some friends that moved out west. I'm looking for budget friendly reccomendations for places to go with little children in Napa. Any suggestions? Are free wine tastings a thing of the past?
The last time we tried taking them on a vacation, it was a disaster. We stayed 100 yards from the beach, and only made it to the beach twice - each time only 15 minutes.
Any advice is greatly appreciated!!
February 18th, 2014 at 3:34 PM ^
February 18th, 2014 at 3:42 PM ^
February 18th, 2014 at 3:51 PM ^
You're going to Napa...book the Carneros Inn and live it up. You'll never miss the 2 or 3 grand
February 18th, 2014 at 3:56 PM ^
My two cents, earned from the 12 years I've been a Michigan emigre in Sonoma County.
1. Take the dungeon tour at Castello di Amoroso (between Calistoga and St. Helena on 128). It ends with a wine tasting, but they'll put out grape juice for the kids. It's fun for adults and kids.
2. The Bale Grist Mill, just south of Calistoga on 128. It was out of commission a few weeks ago when I took my kids, but they still got to play with the corn shucker. I learned a lot about flour, which was not as boring as I expected.
3. Mount St. Helena trail (trailhead at pass between Calistoga and Middletown). It's a 3-hour slog to the top with kids in tow, but well worth the scenery. There's an the entrance to an old silver mine less than a mile in which makes for a less ambitious hike.
4. Tasting at Preston Winery in Dry Creek Valley (north of Healdsburg). This is the most family friendly tasting room I've encountered. Preston is a working farm; they make cheese and bread in addition to wine. Kids can wander among the chickens and goats, and in April pick strawberries. Their table wine is very good, and it's far enough off the beaten track it won't be crowded outside of harvest season. Nearby is the Lake Sonoma fishery (at foot of dam at northern edge of valley). Kids can feed the fish, and tour a small wildlife display.
5. Sonoma Square. This used to be our usual Saturday morning routine when the kids were little. It has duck ponds, play structures, and there are several good places to buy coffee and croissants on the perimeter of the square: Sunflower Cafe, Basque Boulangerie, etc. This is California at its best. At the northeast corner of the square is General Vallejo's barracks, where the California Republic was proclaimed.
Have fun. There's plenty to do here with kids.
February 18th, 2014 at 3:57 PM ^
February 18th, 2014 at 4:01 PM ^
February 18th, 2014 at 3:57 PM ^
Query the Calistoga area. There's a few low key vineyards scattered through the roadway in and around those parts. It's been a while since me and the wifey lived up that way from our residence in Marin but give it a shot! Try the bed and breakfast spots - perhaps you'll score a reservation cancellation! You never know!
As for affordability, "fuhgedabowdit!"
February 18th, 2014 at 5:16 PM ^
February 18th, 2014 at 3:58 PM ^
Hog Island for Oysters. They catch em fresh and then you can shuck and eat raw or grill. I think they have a playground or something for kids there too. It is openly BYOF and BYOB so you can bring whatever fixins you want. While you are chilling outside at a picnic bench, gorging on oysters, the kids can eat PB&J. Although I went sans chidren, this was one of the most awesome days in San Fran/Napa.
February 18th, 2014 at 3:59 PM ^
My wife has been in the wine business (as distributor and importer) for almost 30 years, and I have been drinking wine for about that long. Been to California wine countries as well as Australia and New Zealand. Been a while since I've been, but here are my thoughts.
Close to the Bay Area:
Napa - Very impressive wineries, no free tastings, the people pouring are not involved in the wine-making and tend not to be all that informed. Very impersonal. Great to go once, many don't go back after visiting other areas. The base cost of tasting usually does not include reserve bottlings, single vineyards or dessert wines, and, if available, will cost much more. The one time I we were able to go to about 10 wineries in a day, but surprisingly the wines were uniformly dissapointing.
Carnaros - Actually closer to the Bay area, and there are some great wineries (I've always liked Carneros Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays like those from Acacia, Whitford and Ancien). For whatever reason, people tend not to go to Carneros and continue on to Napa and Sonoma, so you can have a very good, personable experience there if you choose the right wineries.
Sonoma - Much more rural than Napa, all wineries used to have free tasting, but that has probably changed. If you go to the smaller ones (like say Everitt Ridge) that are family owned, you probably will have someone from the family or the winemaker pour in the tasting room.
Further North:
Mendocino - Much further north and near the coast, but beatiful with state parks and the such. Very rural, and can be relatively affordable. Most if not all tasting rooms are free. Sparkling wine house Roderer Estate is there, is huge and very nice, with a big tasting room, free, with few people typically there. There are a number of small wineries up there like Claudia Springs that make very good Zinfandels.
Further East:
Amador and El Dorado - Near the border with Nevada due east of Sacramento and not far from Lake Tahoe, this is probably my favorite area. Most if not all tasting rooms are free. This time of the year should be beautiful. Known for Zinfandel, most wineries make many other varietals. Many of the wineries are relatively small and very, very friendly. The small town of Sutter Creek, where the gold rush started, very quaint and looks like an old western set. Many of the restaraunts support the area wineries. Rural, beautiful and affordable.
If you go to a small winery that is relatively unknown and show knowledge, interest and enthusiasm, there is a chance that they will take you back to the barrel room and give you a couple of barrel samples. This wont happen in Napa, but could in Mendocino or El Dorado.
February 18th, 2014 at 4:53 PM ^
Disagree on Napa. You HAVE to be in tune to people that have been multiple times to know the 'good' wineries to go to. Less impersonal when you're at the top 'tastings' (note this is very different from a top winery, such as Opus - which has a SHIT tasting). Many wineries out there similar to what you can find in Europe (very impersonal / relaxed).
February 18th, 2014 at 4:01 PM ^
For more than 30 years and never went to Napa. Moved back to Ann Arbor ten years ago and have been to Napa (that is the name of the town so it is okay to call it that) three times. As stated above, Napa is a very romantic place for couples and I would not see your twins as a problem since they probably don't even walk now. If your wife doesn't drink much you and your friends could get fairly hammered with her as the designated driver.
The Domaine Chandon recommendation above is a good place to start the day. The outdoor patio has a great view of the valley with a decent restaurant for brunch, etc.m with a bit of champage (not free). You might stop at Etude on the way to Domaine Chandon. Tony Soter started the vineyard more than 20 years ago and the wines generally don't make it to the east as they are sold out in the west. The tasting room has terrific architecture and they will pour a few free tasters, but the expectation is that you will buy something. Etude has an excellent Rose, but it most known for the Pinot Noir. If you like it, then buy some and taste more free stuff.
I will get more recommendations from our son-in-law and revert back tomorrow.
February 18th, 2014 at 5:06 PM ^
February 18th, 2014 at 5:40 PM ^
It makes a lot more sense to get to Napa from Michigan than from Laguna Beach. I mean, Santa Barbara is a lot closer to where you were, so...
February 18th, 2014 at 4:17 PM ^
Pack the kids and wife in the car one day and head to Pt Reyes via Petaluma. Can be a cool drive and the views from the lighthouse are unreal-if it's clear. Nickel & Nickel has a good tasting and a very cool barn that they moved from Kansas or something like that
February 18th, 2014 at 5:13 PM ^
February 18th, 2014 at 10:34 PM ^
February 18th, 2014 at 4:50 PM ^
Good luck man - I've been once before (and am going again this summer) and I plan on blowing a fucking wad of cash while there. Most wine tastings are $20-$30 per person per tasting. The real high-end, 'nose up in the air' crowd is more like $60-$80/person per tasting.
Of course you can always sign up for their wine club and the tasting is 'free'. Then a few months later you have at least 3 bottles of $50-$200/bottle wine at your doorstep.
One of the best places in the world to vacation, in my opinion. Splurge.
February 18th, 2014 at 5:11 PM ^
There are a number of Marriott's affordable brands in Napa for about $150 per night and 15 to 30 miles away for $85 to $115 oer night........they have kitchens too.
February 19th, 2014 at 1:59 PM ^
The Fairfield Inn, American Canyon...is usually about $100 a night, and is clean with a free breakfast. 7 miles south of Napa.
February 18th, 2014 at 5:14 PM ^
February 18th, 2014 at 5:39 PM ^
Skip city of Sonoma and hit northern Sonoma County, especially Healdsburg. Better wineries up that way, and the downtown is more fun (in my opinion; I used to work there). And if you go there, get the parents to watch the kids and eat at Ravenous. Best reasonably priced meal on the planet.
VRBO or Airbnb is almost certainly your best way to go. There are some real deals, especially because this isn't peak season. I've spent the last four New Year's Eves at various rentals, and they've all been fantastic. The last one even had a trampoline!
St. Helena is probably my favorite of the Napa Valley cities. Yountville is amazing, as well, of course.
February 18th, 2014 at 6:06 PM ^
You are brave. You have your hands full with young twins.
I spent 17 years in San Francisco and spent plenty of time in Napa and Sonoma. There are some good comments from the MGoWine drinking crowd above.
Napa is more commercial and they tend to have better known and better quality wine makers. Sonoma is much bigger geographically, more relaxed and more rural. Napa has the best Cabs, they are about even in Chards, Sonoma has better Pinots, Napa has superior Zins. Napa has a warmer summer climate while Sonoma is closer to the cool Pacific air which produces better Pinot Noir and Chardonnays. The wine making in Napa has always been better than Sonoma except for a few small wineries like Flowers in Sonoma.
Napa:Oakville Grocery was already mentioned. Tough to beat for a nice picnic pick-up. Calistoga is worth the visit. The suggestions about the Napa wineries are good. I would add Schaumberg Winery. You need to make reservations in advance. Beautiful views of Napa from the top of the hills. Cool caves, excellent sparkling wine.
Sonoma:Sonoma Square comments are spot on for younger kids.
Kenwood Inn
10400 Sonoma Highway
Kenwood, CA 95452
800-353-6966
707-833-1293 spa, this is worth a visit – just to look.
Kenwood restaurant
Not related to the Inn, about ½ mile away
Very good food
Kunde Estate Winery & Vineyards
10155 Sonoma Highway
Kenwood, CA 95452
707-833-5501
Tour of the caves is worth it. You may be able to take tour of their vineyard. Up in the hills there is the ruins of an old winery overlooking the winery and Sonoma. Romantic view. Good Survigonon Blanc. Everything else is just so-so.
Healdsburg is a happening place. Good food and nice but expensive hotels. Good place for lunch with your family. Plenty of excellent wine tasting nearby. http://www.healdsburg.com/
Marin:Pt Reyes, Mt. Tam, Stinson Beach plus Muir Woods are worth at least one day and maybe two.
San Francisco: Mountain Lake Park (just off Park Presidio Blvd and Lake Ave in the Richmond district or in the Presidio park area). Ideal for young children. We lived just a couple of blocks away.
Coolest museum is Exploratorium. They recently moved and re-opened. Hands on science experiments. Your kids are young but you should all enjoy it.
Enjoy! I'm jealous.
February 18th, 2014 at 6:36 PM ^
February 18th, 2014 at 8:10 PM ^
If you are going to check out Sonoma County, Visa Signature has a partnership with about 60 wineries that gives you free tastings for 2 plus other specials depending on the winery. A cool perk I stumbled upon when I was there in the fall:
February 18th, 2014 at 10:47 PM ^
Was useful. I have this, and have never used it as a perk.
February 18th, 2014 at 9:09 PM ^
We took our two kids there two summers ago. It was great. We didn't go to any wineries. We did go to Oxbow Market, which has a Gott's - great burgers, fries, etc. Perfect for kids. Oxbow is like an artisanal food court with really good carryout places, some sit down restaurants and other interesting food related purveyors. Fun vibe, good food, not cheap. Nothing there is.
Another good place is the Jimtown Store in Healdsburg. It's a fun general store kind of place, old timey, with picnic lunches and carryout. I haven't been there in 12 or so years, but back then it was worth the trip, and good for kids. Also, The Downtown Bakery and Creamery is a good place for ice cream in Healdsburg.
February 19th, 2014 at 12:42 AM ^
February 18th, 2014 at 9:55 PM ^
If you have a little extra time in San Francisco but not enough to do serious activities, I'd check out Twin Peaks. Panoramic views of the city and the bay and it's also the site where 90% of car commercials are shot.
February 18th, 2014 at 11:03 PM ^
An Alternate route is a drive through Anderson Valley. It's a little north and less famous then Napa. Still beautiful and if you have time you can drive through the redwoods out to the coast. Maybe spend one night out there in Mendocino.
February 19th, 2014 at 12:40 AM ^
February 19th, 2014 at 2:22 AM ^
February 19th, 2014 at 2:00 PM ^
I travel to Napa at least once a month, sometimes twice for work. Love it up there! The company that I work for sells to the high end resorts, and we open new accounts every month. Throw a stone and you will hit a vinyard. kids will love it... there are cool things for them to do too. For example I was driving up in Calistoga and drove through something called the "petrified forrest" where they had built this touristy attraction. I remember thinking this would be something I would have fun at as a kid.
Quirky fun things like that are all over the place up there. If you have any Qs on resorts to stay at let me know. Ill be there next week at Silverado!
February 19th, 2014 at 11:26 AM ^
Napa: Summers (best cab (reserve cab) I had on our last trip), BV, Heitz (no tasting fee), Fransiscan, Pine Ridge, Cliff Lede and Miner. Good wine site: www.napavalley.com/wineries/ (click on maps to find locations and descriptions).
Sonoma: Bella (excellent Zins), Dry Creek, Healdsburg Square(dozen tasting rooms), Kenwood, Alexander Valley, Cline. Good wine site: www.sonoma.com/wineries great maps and descriptions of wineries.
We are wine club members of Bella and Buoncristiani (has excellent wines and located @ the Cave in Soda Canyon, appointment only).
February 19th, 2014 at 7:27 PM ^
Charles Woodson's Twenty Four Winery tasting room is in Napa! Great Cabs! I hope Charles does one of his wine tasting dinners in the KC metro! Great wines, food and you get to meet Charles!
February 19th, 2014 at 10:12 PM ^