I want to treat my wife to a suprise weekend trip and i think she would enjoy a napa valley trip (maybe some wine tasting).

What is the best time of the year to go, where should we stay, etc. etc. etc. any advice is appreciated. thanks

 

Best time of year, june/july/august. Where to stay, ummmm I believe there is a hotel next to the wine train tour station downtown, if not there are some nice bed/breakfast stops past yountville. depends on where you want to go in napa, im more familiar with napa/yountville/st.helena due to my job but there is so much more out that way, including towards sonoma which is not really my territory and out towards calistoga also. But thanks to my job late summer is the best time, no rain at all and at night 70's no wind simply amazing, I drive up there just to take in the beautiful evenings to escape the wind in Suisun.

 

so this time of year wouldnt be worth it?

 

Maybe if you did it like late this week, but you dont want rain to ruin it do you.
Visit: www.napavalley.com gives you an idea of places to stay and what to do.
also here is a nice place a friend of mine stayed at:
http://www.silveradoresort.com/default.htm
I guess if you plan to stay in doors it would be ok but hurry before it gets any colder, I just preffer late summer b/c of the warm nights, nice time to go for a drive.

 

thanks for the links and info. much appreciated. maybe we will go skiing or something

where is the closest place to go skiing? we just moved here last week

 

not a skier, probably going to want to repost that question as a new thread. BTW I see in your name usaf, just curious which base your located at? Hoping maybe travis a.f.b. so we can get somemore Z's my way.

 

Closest place to go ski is Lake Tahoe, It's about 3-4 hours away from the Bay Area depends on where you live. There's more activities in South Lake Tahoe but more ski resorts in North Lake. Ski season normally doesn't start until late Nov or early Dec.

 

I think this coming weekend is supposed to be nice.

 

actually i just got out of the air force a couple weeks ago. we moved up here for a change of atmosphere and my wife wanted to work at stanford university hospital.

I am looking for a Z at the moment... so if anyone knows where a low mileage (under 20k) 04-05 ( for the warranty) is let me know. I prefer enthusiast or base trim but am open to others if the price is right.

thanks for the help guys. maybe we will go to napa this weekend or just wait and go skiing in a month or so.

 

will my dads 350z is for sale... its an 03 though, also an AT(bad knees couldn't use the clutch). Its a touring with 8100miles on it, Daytona Blue. He want $25k, includes stillen car cover, nissan bra. im not in a hurry for him to sell it, so I haven't advertised it much, my mom wants him to keep it because she loves to drive it.

 

thanks, but thats not quite what i want. the miles are right, but i cant handle an auto, and i want a warranty and prefer the ligher/cheaper trim levels. I am going to replace lots of parts anyways so i want to start with a cheaper level

 

Now is good, much less crowded than the summer. it should be nice and sunny though because the wineries tend to be cold. I went the 1st week of Oct and had a great time. Expect to pay for tasting ( usually $5.00 ea but can be more), I try to hit the ones that give you the wine glass when you're done. Once you get there stop and get the FREE activities guide at any store, it has a listing of the wineries, their prices, which ones give glasses away and a map.
Have fun and don't drink too much wine.

 

If you and your wife are into dessert wines, make a stop at V.Sattui (http://www.vsattui.com/). You can't miss it since it's right off of Hwy 29 and wine tasting is FREE. HINT.... You don't necessarily have to ask for the ones they have listed on their free list either.

For champagnes, check out Domaine Carneros (http://www.domaine.com/). My fiancee is a member there, so we get some nice service everytime we stop by to pick up our montly bottle(s). While you're there, I recommend trying a glass of Le Reve, Brut Rose, and their Famous Gate Pinot Noir. And if their special dessert wine (Cleo) is still around, try some of that too.

For dinner, check out the Culinary Institute of America (http://www.ciachef.edu/california/default.asp).

Avoid BV wineries (they're snobby) and the ones that already have their products sold to local chains.