Any suggestions on interesting places to stay, things to do near Napa, CA?

[swag]

Calistoga, St. Helena, etc?

I'm not wedded to a particular town, just want to land some place interesting for my birthday. I'll be on a car-trip to visit friends in SF, then go to a wedding at a ranch not far from there, but want the preliminaries to be fun as well.

Thanks in advance.

[NV Whino]

1. Go to

napanet.net

You will find local events, B&Bs, hotels, wineries and what have you.
A good place to stay just south of St. Helena is El Bonita. Not too expensive and very nice rooms. You will see a lot of hoopla about Copia, but it's really expensive and I, personally, describe it as "no there, there."Same with the Wine Train. Check out Chateau Montelena in Calistoga. It's one of my favorite places. Tra Vigne is a good restaurant in St. Helena and you can eat at the deli and sit outside for lunch if you like.

[swag]

2. Thank you very much.

I will investigate everything you mentioned.

[bridgit]

3. Yountville is a tripper...

http://www.city-data.com/city/Yountville-California.html :thumbsup: when will you be in the area? Happy B-day in advance :party: i think you'll like it there ;)

[EstimatedProphet]

4. You have to do the spa thing

You'll thank me for this advice later.

[GoneOffShore]

5. Visit Gundlach-Bundschu Winery

Outside of Sonoma. Great wine. http://www.gunbun.com/

Also try Domaine Carneros - they do sparkling wine and are a joint venture with Tattinger. http://www.domaine.com/

And if you're going to Yountville and you can't see your way clear to spend money at The French Laundry, try Bistro Jeanty http://www.bistrojeanty.com/ or Bouchon, Thomas Kellers bistro http://www.bouchonbistro.com/bouchon/bouchon.htm.
Both are superb. Mustards Grill is also good. http://www.mustardsgrill.com/

[NV Whino]

8. Just a couple of notes on restaurants

French Laundry is almost impossible to get into. They take reservations only two weeks in advance and they are filled within 10 minutes. Not to mention it's very pricey. Mustards is good food, but very, very noisy. The acoustics are rotten. Cindy Pawlsen also owns Tra Vigne and has recently opened a new fish place just south of St. Helena. She also owns Cindy's Kitchen on Railroad Ave in St. Helena. Haven't been to the fish place yet, but the other two are excellent food and not too expensive.

[DBoon]

6. Hot mud bath/massage in Calistoga

Lots of places to enjoy the natural hot springs there.

There is a geyser that goes off very punctually there - kind of like Old Faithful in Yellowstone.

Sterling winery is very touristy - even has a funicular you can ride to the top of a hill.

There is also the Napa Valley Wine Train.

Domain Chandon is another winery designed for the tourist in mind - see sparkling wine being made and have an excellent lunch there too.

This is just off the top of my head - if any interest you, I can quickly find more details.

[Whoa_Nelly]

7. Calistoga!

http://www.mountviewhotel.com/

have wanted for a long time to go to this place!