<p>Thanks-
About a million pgs back we discussed that we’ve already done Napa (and just bought a case of Cakebread 2010 Chard for 29.98 a bottle!!) so would prefer to do Sonoma this trip. Suggestions for Sonoma/Healdsburg or other areas are appreciated.</p>
<p>Jym, we like the Lodge at Sonoma (you can even get a ton of Marriott points!) - if you decide to stay there, get a room with a fireplace. Their breakfast is awesome. There is also a Fairmont in Sonoma with a spa featuring natural hot springs, but they charge you an arm and a leg per person to use the pool, so we never stayed there. There is a variety of bed and breakfast type of places, too, but we never tried any of them either.</p>
<p>Thanks, BB. We might more likely USE marriott ponts than earn them! Only consideration is that if we ski all day before heading to Sonoma we will arrive late Weds night. But, we can stay 2 days and head back to SF Friday sometime. We will have one nite (Fri) in the SF area. ANy hotel reccs? Last time we stayed near the warf one night, and in acute boutique-y place near the square the other night. We fly out mid day Saturday., and will lkely spend Fri night visiting with our S and his gf (unless someone wants to do a CC meetup!)</p>
<p>You can use you Marriot points at Burlingame Marriot over looking the Bay and SF airport run ways. Its 10 min. by free hotel schuttle to and from the airport and you can return the car one day ahead of the time. The hotel is in walking distance to the best Chinese restaurants on El Camino Real and Broadway in Millbrae, Elephant Bar and Benihana are just next door(beautiful Bay view as well). I will tell you more, if interested. I probably knows every inch of the road arround that Marriot.</p>
<p>Will look into that, artlovers, but we have the rental car for free (points) and will need it Fri night so wont be returning it early. My DH just advised me we got a coupon for a free night at a Hilton (and we have a gazillion hilton points). Any reccs for Hilton family properties (included embassy suites) in Sonoma and/or SF area? Son is in Berkeley, btw, but we are happy to stay anywhere in the SF area. Oh and love reccs for best chinese restaurant. Would prefer a local, not a chain.</p>
<p>^^
The Lodge at Sonoma is a Renaissance hotel. Although there will be some consruction in the lobby during your stay, it is a very nice property. My parents picked that one when they “did” the Sonoma thing. Please be aware that they ended driving quite a bit to Napa (and they visited Napa several times before), and commented that they’d stay in Napa and drive to Sonoma as opposed to stay in Sonoma. YMMV! To me, if you have 120,000 Marriott points to spare, it’s a no brainer. That might be the very best choice for your plans. For restaurants, you will have as many recommendations as opinions about chains on AWD. It all depends on your appetite and appetite to open the wallet. You have plenty of perennial favorites. My only recommendation, if you have not done it before, is to visit the CIA compound. </p>
<p>If you want to spend more M points (30,000), there is the almost new Marriott Marquis hotel next to Moscone and the Four Seasons. Has its own Starbucks inside. It will cost some money to unload your rental for the night, but you know that. If you want a bargain and do not mind driving back on Friday night, remember that the hotels next to SFO will be bargains for a Friday night. Again, there is a Marriott, but there are others. You could park the car or get rid of it (you can return it early.) If your departure flight is early, it may help for a relaxed Saturday morning with a big breakfast feast with the future inlaws. Lots of smiles, tears, and hugs … and Hasta la Vista, Babies! </p>
<p>For the boutique hotels, check Joie de Vivre. [California</a> Hotels | Joie de Vivre Hotels | California Boutique Hotels](<a href=“http://jdvhotels32-px.trvlclick.com/]California”>http://jdvhotels32-px.trvlclick.com/) All of them are worth a click. Very different styles and usually affordable. Perhaps even on a Friday night. Some of them are rather colorful.</p>
<p>There is quite a nice older Marriott in Napa as well (their lobby construction should be over by now). We stayed there a couple of nights when the Lodge was fully booked by some huge wedding party. [Photo</a> Gallery | Marriott Napa Valley Hotel and Spa | Napa, California](<a href=“http://www.napavalleymarriott.com/photo-gallery]Photo”>http://www.napavalleymarriott.com/photo-gallery)
There is a shopping plaza with a TJ and Whole Foods conveniently located closeby, and the downtown Napa area is just a mile or two away. As far as dining in Napa goes, I highly recommend Morimoto’s (fusion Japanese - yum!) and Angele’s (French-inspired food).</p>
<p><a href=“http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/SFOAPHF-Hilton-San-Francisco-Airport-Bayfront-California/index.do?WT.srch=1&pSearch=true&searchdef=2144778&k_clickid=1af5590f-d33c-3d29-8234-000067291100&002=002%3D2144778%26021%3D606636&006=9217446902&007=Search&008=&009=b&011={QueryString}&012=+hilton%20+san%20+francisco%20+airport”>http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/SFOAPHF-Hilton-San-Francisco-Airport-Bayfront-California/index.do?WT.srch=1&pSearch=true&searchdef=2144778&k_clickid=1af5590f-d33c-3d29-8234-000067291100&002=002%3D2144778%26021%3D606636&006=9217446902&007=Search&008=&009=b&011={QueryString}&012=+hilton%20+san%20+francisco%20+airport</a></p>
<p>Of course you can do Hilton as well in Burlingame. I was in Hilton Mascone Center before, personally I think the Burlingame one is better and you just don’t have to deal with the traffic. Do not stay in East Bay, the traffic is going to kill you.</p>
<p>All Chinese Restarunts in Millbrae are not Chain Stores. They are all Authentic. You will be impressed with the Hong Kong Flower Lounge building (now owned and operated by May Flower group). Its right on the corner of Millbrae Ave. and El Camino.</p>
<p>If you want more advantures and excitements Burlingame has go cart and paint balls.</p>
<p>In addition to the company xiggi linked Kimpton hotels have a lot of properties in sf.I usually check prices for my specific date and compare prices versus just going with a specific property. around Union Square is a great area for shopping. If is also an easy place to walk or get a cablecar to other parts of the city.
Remember to check parking cost in the city.</p>
<p>H has stayed as the Hampton Inn in Windsor. Says it is fine, same as all the others. Takes Hilton points.</p>
<p>^^Parking downtown SF can easily cost $35-40/day.</p>
<p>Jym, I can’t believe that I of all people might suggest a Chinese restaurant for you in Berkeley, given that I live in Vermont, LOL, but…</p>
<p>Back in April when I was visiting Berkeley, I ate at what I thought was a very good Chinese Restaurant not too far from your son. It is on College Avenue in the Elmwood section of Berkeley. I could not recall the name but I just tried to look it up and I hope this is the one we went to as the location seems about right…Shen Hua. Nice ambiance as well as great food.</p>
<p>Of course, there is Chinatown in San Fran but the one above is near your son I think.</p>
<p>For those visiting Napa, LOVE, LOVE,LOVE Ad Hoc! For French Laundry, it might be too late…unless there is a flood that blocks the one major way in to Napa! Then just show up!</p>
<p>We do the Hilton in Union Square in SF, when they have good deals, and like it plenty! At least two or thee times a year. </p>
<p>No “good” Chinese actually IN SF, but check out chowhound.com and opentable.com for options. Outside of the actual city may be better for ethnic. </p>
<p>In SF we like Aziza, Boulevards, and Zunis for burgers (lunch) and chicken (dinner).</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>What do you mean by that? TheSF mayor is a Chinese and you voted him in! :)</p>
<p>Actually, most, if not all Restarunts in Chinatown are pretty good, if they are not, they won’t be in business for too long. The turnover is very fast. In SF, Chop Suey is not going to hold the water.</p>
<p>^ He’s from Seattle!</p>
<p>“No “good” Chinese actually IN SF”</p>
<p>Okay, maybe an overstatement, but to a lot of folks around here the best “Chinese” (and it’s usually more regional than that around here) is outside of SF, perhaps in Oakland. </p>
<p>I don’t live in SF; I live in the outer environs. VERY much like the outer boroughs of NYC, where I grew up, and where ethnic food reigns! I think Chinatown stays in business because of tourism. Anyway, good on them! N Cal knows Asian, but your mileage may vary…</p>
<p><a href=“http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/730065[/url]”>http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/730065</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/803896[/url]”>http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/803896</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/785242#6657737[/url]”>http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/785242#6657737</a></p>
<p>In case you are still looking for ideas while in Tahoe, this is an informative newsletter.</p>
<p>[Snow-Play</a> Getaways to Lake Tahoe « LocalGetaways.com](<a href=“http://www.localgetaways.com/2012/01/snow-play-getaways-to-lake-tahoe/]Snow-Play”>http://www.localgetaways.com/2012/01/snow-play-getaways-to-lake-tahoe/)</p>
<p>I have done all these “snow-play” activities, IMHO, nothing can compare to the snow skiing/borading experiences. I think I will keep it up until I cannot do it any more… at least 70…:)</p>
<p>Oh boy! Lots to look at!!
Since we will only have at most 4 ski days, if my knees can handle it we’ll be on the slopes. If not then we’ll looks into other activiteis. We have taken the boys snowmobiling when they were younger. The dog-sledding looks intriguing!</p>
<p>Jan. 17, 2012 real snow real footage.</p>
<p>[Kootenay</a> Influence Ep.5 January 17th on Vimeo](<a href=“http://vimeo.com/35246133]Kootenay”>Kootenay Influence Ep.5 January 17th on Vimeo)</p>