Napa, Sonoma, Monterey Recommendations

[crew]

Just booked an 11 night trip in September to San Francisco and Monterey/Carmel. This is actually a re-book of a trip we were planning a little over a year ago and then COVID hit. We will spend 2-3 days in Napa and Sonoma and 4 nights in Monterey. The rest of the time will be in San Francisco.

I know there are plenty of TRF members here who have done this type of trip before and I’m looking for your recommendations on "must do’s" while we’re there. Specifically, I’m looking for some great dinner experiences in these areas.
What say you?
Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts!

[jnelson3097]

We did Napa a few years ago for a long weekend. We ate at Chops one night and Morimoto another night. Both meals were good and I’d go there again.

The one good thing we did in Napa was hire a local who arranged all our tastings and drove us around. There were 4 of us and we paid $500 per day which included transportation and all tasting fees. We had him for 2 days and it made the trip a lot less stressful trying to pick out places to go. I know I’ve recommended him to others on here as well and they had great experiences as well. If you want his name, feel free to send me a PM. I’m hoping he’s still around for the next time we’re out there.

[Blansky]

I'm not a foodie but one of the best meal I've ever had is Auberge de Soleil in Napa/Rutherford. It's up on a hill overlooking the world.

I lived in Sonoma County for a long time and places in Sonoma and Napa counties like Healdsburg, Calistoga, Sonoma, Napa, St Helena, are fun towns to walk around in. Or rent bicycles and ride around. The Sonoma County backroads are fun to drive around in as well. There are literally hundreds of wineries scattered through all of Sonoma County. Napa is more of a relatively small valley with two roads running parallel with world class wineries along the way.

The best part of both places is getting off the main roads and discovering on your own. If you stick to the main highways you are missing everything. And both Sonoma and Napa counties are only a few miles apart. There is also Safari West on a road connecting the two. https://www.safariwest.com/

[Danny83]

Definitely Bottega in Yountville. Then in Pebble beach try the restaurant the Bench. Roys is also great there. These are my picks

[crew]

Originally Posted by Danny83

Definitely Bottega in Yountville. Then in Pebble beach try the restaurant the Bench. Roys is also great there. These are my picks

Thanks Danny.
The Bench was already on my radar, you confirmed it.
I looked up Bottega on Yelp. Looks great and I will pursue it.
I’m considering the French Laundry as well. Any comments on that?

[crew]

Originally Posted by Blansky

I'm not a foodie but one of the best meal I've ever had is Auberge de Soleil in Napa/Rutherford. It's up on a hill overlooking the world.

I lived in Sonoma County for a long time and places in Sonoma and Napa counties like Healdsburg, Calistoga, Sonoma, Napa, St Helena, are fun towns to walk around in. Or rent bicycles and ride around. The Sonoma County backroads are fun to drive around in as well. There are literally hundreds of wineries scattered through all of Sonoma County. Napa is more of a relatively small valley with two roads running parallel with world class wineries along the way.

The best part of both places is getting off the main roads and discovering on your own. If you stick to the main highways you are missing everything. And both Sonoma and Napa counties are only a few miles apart. There is also Safari West on a road connecting the two. https://www.safariwest.com/

Thanks Blansky. I’m researching your suggestions on Yelp.
In addition to restaurants I’m looking for 2-4 wineries to target while I’m in the area. No more than 2 in a day. Any ideas on which ones are known to provide a superior experience?

[crew]

Originally Posted by jnelson3097

We did Napa a few years ago for a long weekend. We ate at Chops one night and Morimoto another night. Both meals were good and I’d go there again.

The one good thing we did in Napa was hire a local who arranged all our tastings and drove us around. There were 4 of us and we paid $500 per day which included transportation and all tasting fees. We had him for 2 days and it made the trip a lot less stressful trying to pick out places to go. I know I’ve recommended him to others on here as well and they had great experiences as well. If you want his name, feel free to send me a PM. I’m hoping he’s still around for the next time we’re out there.

Good suggestion on a local guide. I was thinking of doing this.
My partner is interested in a train ride (3 hours) excursion thru Napa. Not sure if that’s a good use of time or not.

[Danny83]

Originally Posted by crew

Thanks Danny.
The Bench was already on my radar, you confirmed it.
I looked up Bottega on Yelp. Looks great and I will pursue it.
I’m considering the French Laundry as well. Any comments on that?

Honestly you are going to spend $1,500 to $2,500 and you will feel ripped off. Its just ok. In SF I would try Angler, Rich table, House of Prime Rib.

[crew]

Originally Posted by Danny83

Honestly you are going to spend $1,500 to $2,500 and you will feel ripped off. Its just ok. In SF I would try Angler, Rich table, House of Prime Rib.

I appreciate your comments on this. As you probably know, French Laundry is a fixed price menu. The price is, generally, either $350 or $450 plus "add on’s", like wine. If it’s worth that much for the experience I’d be willing to do it. However, based on what you said, I’m rethinking it. Definitely interested in Bottega though.
Thanks for the SF suggestions!

[Tools]

French Laundry is little more than bragging rights, I would likely never go back and can't recommend it as a value/price experience - or even close to that.

There is a wine/lunch train ride through Napa that some folks enjoy. It's a bit different, but if you just talk and eat you have missed the actual view and flavor of the train.

[crew]

Originally Posted by Tools

French Laundry is little more than bragging rights, I would likely never go back and can't recommend it as a value/price experience - or even close to that.

There is a wine/lunch train ride through Napa that some folks enjoy. It's a bit different, but if you just talk and eat you have missed the actual view and and flavor of the train.

We’re looking at doing the train. Looks nice. I just don’t want to miss better opportunities in the area by tying up too much time on a train ride. We’re very active and want to get out and explore.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by crew

We’re looking at doing the train. Looks nice. I just don’t want to miss better opportunities in the area by tying up too much time on a train ride. We’re very active and want to get out and explore.

Sterling Winery has a tasting room and tour. You ride their tram up to the top of a hill where the winery is at get a great view, as well as good wine.

Napa is a valley and single road with wineries on each side, for the most part. Sonoma is on the other (coastal) side of the hills and is a mess of wineries that have their own roads and entrances and is more like being a mouse in a maze. If you are time constrained you may want to stay in Napa.

[Todd Turbo S]

Originally Posted by Tools

French Laundry is little more than bragging rights, I would likely never go back and can't recommend it as a value/price experience - or even close to that.

There is a wine/lunch train ride through Napa that some folks enjoy. It's a bit different, but if you just talk and eat you have missed the actual view and flavor of the train.

I had a similar reaction to my first time at the French Laundry ten years ago, took some clients after their extensive remodel and found it to be worth the trip. Definitely an experience to remember.

[Todd Turbo S]

Originally Posted by crew

Just booked an 11 night trip in September to San Francisco and Monterey/Carmel. This is actually a re-book of a trip we were planning a little over a year ago and then COVID hit. We will spend 2-3 days in Napa and Sonoma and 4 nights in Monterey. The rest of the time will be in San Francisco.

I know there are plenty of TRF members here who have done this type of trip before and I’m looking for your recommendations on "must do’s" while we’re there. Specifically, I’m looking for some great dinner experiences in these areas.
What say you?
Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts!

If you don’t mind a short trip to Carmel while you’re staying at Monterey, Grasings and Casanova are always my two go to restaurants when I stay in Carmel, Casanova has a phenomenal wine cellar.

[SDGT3]

We did this exact trip last July for 7 days starting in Sonoma then Napa and finishing up in Monterey. Without a doubt, I would try to incorporate meals at the vineyards if you can. They have an amazing way to pair fine wines with exceptional chef offerings.

Perhaps the most impressive vineyard and pairings we experienced was at Palmaz Vineyard. Look it up, the story behind the vineyard coupled with the old school and new school way of aging is amazing. Food was off the charts. If you decide to go to this one specifically, see if they are doing the tours through the mountain because last July we were not able to experience that due to Covid. This particular vineyard was started by the heart surgeon from Argentina who invented the heart stint. He and his family invested in this vineyard many years ago and they literally tunneled a mile through a mountain as a natural way of aging and keeping their wines at a constant temperature. If you can, it's a must.

[SDGT3]

oh, one last thing while in Monterey. Bed and breakfasts in Pacific Grove are very romantic and be sure to take a trip down 17 Mile drive. It's heaven on earth.

[crew]

Originally Posted by SDGT3

oh, one last thing while in Monterey. Bed and breakfasts in Pacific Grove are very romantic and be sure to take a trip down 17 Mile drive. It's heaven on earth.

Good tips, thank you!
Monterey has been on my radar for many years. The 17 Mile Drive is almost a bucket list item for me and I’m greatly looking forward to it.
I’ll look into the winery you suggest. I’ll probably have 2 or 3 dinners in that area and I would like one of them to be at a winery.

[crew]

Originally Posted by Todd Turbo S

If you don’t mind a short trip to Carmel while you’re staying at Monterey, Grasings and Casanova are always my two go to restaurants when I stay in Carmel, Casanova has a phenomenal wine cellar.

Looking up these places now! I’ll definitely be getting to Carmel as I’ve heard so many great things about it.

[Todd Turbo S]

Originally Posted by crew

Looking up these places now! I’ll definitely be getting to Carmel as I’ve heard so many great things about it.

You’ll really like Carmel, be sure to stop by and check out FOURTANÉ‬
(Ocean Avenue at Lincoln Street), amazing collection of new and vintage Rolex’s

[Spartacus]

Skip San Francisco, extend your wine county trip. Reservations are critical, book everything, as soon as you can.

[KaVo8]

Originally Posted by Spartacus

Reservations are critical, book everything, as soon as you can.

Definitely book reservations in advance. Caymus vineyard is a good stop if you like Cabernet. Bottega as Danny has mentioned above is a nice place in Yountville.
Dragon Beaux in San Francisco if you like Chinese food/Dim Sum. This place is always packed, at least before Covid, so go early. Have fun on your trip.


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[offrdmania]

I dont have any recommendations for food but when in Carmel, you must stop in at Fourtané. You may get lucky and find a new Rolex in the case (Probably not) but their vintage case always has some prime pieces for sale. Always worth a look to see whats new and exciting. Their webpage usually doesnt show everything they have on display.

https://www.fourtane.com/product-cat...vintage-rolex/

[crew]

Originally Posted by Todd Turbo S

You’ll really like Carmel, be sure to stop by and check out FOURTANÉ‬
(Ocean Avenue at Lincoln Street), amazing collection of new and vintage Rolex’s

Originally Posted by offrdmania

I dont have any recommendations for food but when in Carmel, you must stop in at Fourtané. You may get lucky and find a new Rolex in the case (Probably not) but their vintage case always has some prime pieces for sale. Always worth a look to see whats new and exciting. Their webpage usually doesnt show everything they have on display.

I had not heard of this AD but I’ll definitely stop in there.

[wantonebad]

OK I'll be the dissenting view on the French Laundry LOL no disrespect to Larry or Danny, but the TFL was a remarkable experience for my wife and I both times we ate there. A lot of people don't care for it, it is stuffy and its long, if you do the tasting menu it can be over three hours. But the food, the wine list, the ambiance and setting its REALLY hard to match. I know its no longer thought of as the top spot, but its just so fun and beautiful. We love it! Expensive, drawn out, but elegant and very well done. I don't mind paying for that every once in a while.

Wineries are very tough these days, not just with COVID being over and everyone rushing to book visits but a lot of places have stopped booking visits all together and aren't being clear about when they will begin again. Do you have anyone you deal with regularly in the on or off premise businesses near your home? They can most likely be your best connection to gaining entrance to the hard to get or fully booked wineries.

[Tri-Tip]

Originally Posted by Tools

Sterling Winery has a tasting room and tour. You ride their tram up to the top of a hill where the winery is at get a great view, as well as good wine.

Napa is a valley and single road with wineries on each side, for the most part. Sonoma is on the other (coastal) side of the hills and is a mess of wineries that have their own roads and entrances and is more like being a mouse in a maze. If you are time constrained you may want to stay in Napa.

Did Sterling get rid of the gondolas that used to go up and change to a tram? That's a bummer if so.

[.brian.]

I want to say there was a guy on here a while back, that had some really good connections and hooked up a member with some really cool experiences in Napa. Hopefully he comments. I don't post enough to know who it was, but he came into a thread saying he can do all of this stuff, and sure enough, he came through. I thought to myself, wow, that was really cool.

[descartes]

Far Niente

[JasoninDenver]

PM me if you want recommendations around the Healdsburg area. It is our favorite wine country destination and we have been coming here for 20 years.

We are here now actually. Reservations are mandatory at present and we have seen many people turned away who were not aware of this beforehand.

[PBJ1925]

+1 Bottega.

If you want something really off the beaten path down to Monterey from SF / Wine Country...

Goto Phil's Fish Market in Moss Landing for a rustic experience. There's really only 1 item that is exceptional, that item being their Cioppino in a bowl (comes with a huge salad). I skip just about everything else. Featured like a decade ago with Bobby Flay on a TV show, a hidden gem among Bay Area residents.

For a fine dining experience en route to Monterey, Manresa in Los Gatos is top notch (pricey) if they are open. Beautiful downtown to walk around before or after as well.

[crew]

I wanted to update this thread as we just returned from our trip. I tried to incorporate as many of the suggestions as I could into our itinerary.
In Yountville we did end up going to The French Laundry for dinner. It was quite an experience and the first time either of us has ever dined at a Michelin rated restaurant. I’m glad I did it and, for a 1X experience, it was worth it. Here’s a pic from that evening.
Unfortunately, I had to cancel my reservation at Bottega because it fell on the same night I had gotten in at TFL. Oh well, next time.


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