Are you planning a relaxing vacation in California’s wine country? With over 400 wineries in Napa Valley alone, there are no shortages of options when it comes to where to visit, nor are there few options of where to stay. Here are three of our favorite places to stay when you visit California’s wine country.
Napa Valley
Napa Valley is California’s most recognized wine region although far from the only one worth visiting. It was, however, the first area to gain California worldwide attention for its wines.
Long considered California’s most famous wine region, Napa Valley exploded into the global spotlight following the 1976 Judgment of Paris, when a Chateau Montelena Chardonnay from Calistoga trounced nine other Chardonnays in a blind tasting in Paris, including extremely prestigious bottles from France. At the time, France was considered the world’s forerunning wine region, but this triumph forever changed the international perception of Northern California’s wines. -VisitCalifornia.com
There are no shortages of luxury hotels ready to cater to guests visiting Napa. Solage is a Forbes five star Napa Valley resort that stands out among the crowd. Within walking distance to downtown Calistoga’s tasting rooms and surrounding wineries, it offers a central location for exploring wine country. Use one of the resort’s complimentary bikes to roam the area. When you’re ready to relax, enjoy the resort’s 130-foot landmark pool. Afterward, enjoy dinner at the resort’s Michelin-starred Solbar restaurant then relax in its geothermal baths.
Sonoma County
Spanning more than one million acres from the Pacific Ocean to the rugged Coast Range, Sonoma County lies an easy hour’s drive north of San Fransisco. It is known for its luxurious waiting list only bottles from Kistler Vineyards, A. Rafanelli, and Cirq. Sonoma isn’t only for expensive bottles though. There are many wonderful wines at the region’s rustic wineries. Despite being known for feeling rustic, visitors can find many luxury hotels in Sonoma.
The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa is the ideal base from which to base your wine country exploration. This destination resort offers a Michelin-rated restaurant and over 50 wines by the glass. It also has championship golf at neighboring Sonoma Golf Club and numerous complimentary fitness and wellness offerings. The on-site Willow Stream Spa has four geothermal pools to relax in after a long day of tastings.
North Coast
Stretching north along the west coast of California is the North Coast wine region. Here you can find everything from quiet vineyards to towering redwood forests. This area is the coolest of California’s wine regions, producing a striking variety of wines. It’s also known for the popularity of organic and sustainable farming in the region.
Heritage House Resort is one of the most famous and highly sought after hotels on the Mendocino Coast. It’s one of the few properties to be located directly on the coast, encompassing 37 cliffside acres.
For nearly a century and a half, guests have come to our sheltered cove to encounter a setting so private, with views so dramatic and an ambiance so enchanting that mind and body achieve complete harmony. The Heritage House Resort & Spa offers a romantic seaside charm mixed with contemporary sophistication. This is, quite simply, the Jewel of the Coast.
Rooms at the four-diamond hotel offer gas fireplaces and private oceanview decks. The on-site 5200 Restaurant specializes in farm-to-fork cuisine. After dinner, enjoy one of the regions wines or craft beers in the Lounge.
A trip to California’s wine country is always an enjoyable retreat from everyday life. For more wine country vacation ideas, learn how to plan Your Perfect Napa Valley Weekend.
