We were able to dine at the French Laundry by putting ourselves on the waitlist. I passed the tip along to two other people who were going to wine country and both of them got in from the waitlist too. Maybe the stars were aligned when we called? It was a memorable food experience.
I used to go to Calistoga as a kid. Used to swim at the same places as jshain. Maybe we were swimming there at the same time. 
I think the Calistoga Inn, a block off the main road, is the place where we stayed a couple of years ago. That place has multiple pools including a large heated pool. 100+ degree water. Why you need such a large heated in the summer is beyond me, but we used it. So what do I know?
There is a winery that has a castle in Napa County, Castillo di Amarosa. That was a fun place to go for wine tasting.
Thanks all - I’m looking into all the suggestions. We may even stay at the Doubletree near Santa Rosa since I can get the wedding rate for days earlier in the week! More to spend on wine!!
Okay, great. Now, want a very fine meal? Go eat at John Ash and Company, located inside the Vintner’s Inn. Order the 4-course tasting menu. Around $65-$70 per person. Have a good trip!
I’ve already looked at John Ash and will definitely make a reservation. Vinter’s Inn even has a nice 2-day package if we decide to splurge. What would your opinion be of the Inn? As nice as the restaurant?
No recommendation here @runnersmom , but bookmarking for reference. Have a great trip!
I’ve never stayed there but it looks lovely. Mid-week prices are around $250 to $275 per night. I guess it would depend on what they are charging you for the package. More if you are staying on a weekend. I cannot think of a better restaurant in Santa Rosa but wouldn’t want to say the V.I. is on par to the restaurant because I don’t know. If you have another time slot for a casual lunch, go have pizza and a beer flight at Russian River Brewing Company downtown.
If you are willing to go over to Healdsburg, Stay at Madrona Manor!
I got seriously burned in the Calistoga mud baths! Red splotches on my skin hurt and glowed for days 
Nice to hear Madrona Manor is still in business. We had a wonderful dinner there on our honeymoon 30 years ago! Stayed at fabulous place, Villa St. Helena, that I can’t find any trace of online. Anyone know what happened to it?
a trip to wine country is just a fantasy for me at this point, but thank you for contributing to the fantasy through this thread!!
This thread has got me thinking. I have a special anniversary this December, beginning of the month. Would Napa be a good choice? A few years ago we spent an anniversary weekend in SF on the way back from a Hawaii and we had absolutely picture perfect weather. Would like to get back to SF too to see the newly opened SF Museum.
I say go for it. We have been to Napa/Sonoma in early December and throughout winter. It is obviously colder in December, but even with a drizzle it would still be fine. Daytime temperatures will be in the upper 40s to upper 50s, and it will be not too crowded. Book a room with a fireplace, then you can enjoy some of your daytime loot by the fire.
Thanks Bunsen … I am going to start looking into it…
Some of the hotel fireplaces can tend to be fake and funky gas types that put out very little heat, only with a hefty up charge. Might be worth asking about in greater detail before you book.
I can say that the ones at the Lodge by Renassaince are quite toasty even though they are gas inserts. The cottage rooms are much bigger than the row rooms by the pool.
Oh and there is nothing wrong with gas! Unless the room comes with a free butler to tend to the woodfire, I am not going to use a wood burning fireplace while I am on a weekend trip. YMMV, of course.
DH and I stayed at Vintner’s Inn last fall. I would recommend it. The rooms are nice, the breakfast cafe offers a nice menu, the grounds are beautiful for walking, our dinners at John Ash were great, the front desk staff is friendly and has good recommendations for local activities - all around a great place to stay.
If you’ll be in the St. Helena area for dinner during your stay, I recommend Press ( http://www.pressnapavalley.com/ ) We had the tasting menu with the wine pairing. It was one of the best meals I’ve ever eaten!
@bookmama, the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn has luxurious rooms with fireplaces. Has terrific spa, very nice restaurant and close to Sonoma. Also fab golf course nearby, but December could be dicey…
I had such a bad experience many years ago at the Sonoma Mission Inn they comped me one of those luxurious rooms with a fireplace on my next visit. Beautiful property, just make sure your room doesn’t face the back of the property by the garbage dumpsters on trash collection day. Another option is stay at a B and B closer to downtown Sonoma that has bicycles and ride into the Square.
Press will impress… We ate in the bar, mid-week, for a fraction of their dining room prices. I want to say a lighter 2-course dinner with a couple of glasses of wine was around $100 for the 2 of us. Not available on weekends.
I went to Napa with my wife two years ago in July for her 50th. We stayed in a fantastic place called the Cottages of Napa Valley.
Several small cottages which were very spacious and nicely decorated. It’s right off of Rt 29 between Napa and Yountville. Very quaint and romantic. They delivered a basket of fruits and pastries each morning to our porch. We borrowed their bicycles and were able to ride to several wineries on a 15 mile loop one day. I would stay there again without hesitation.