Auberge du Soleil - Napa Valley
USA
North America
Author Stan Shebs under CC 3.0 Unported license.
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ITINERARY - Road Trip
Los Angeles 2N
Monterey 2N
Napa Valley 4N
= 12 N
WHEN - Napa Valley is a year round destination
August to October - is harvest season and also peak tourist season.
November - you will still get the good weather plus the Autumn / Fall colours and the prices will drop a bit.
Winter - December to February is milder, quieter and cheaper. It is also when they have their food festivals.
March to May - is also a prime time with Spring blossoming.
Summer - June July is good weather and busy.
Bushfires can occur in late Autumn and Winter
STAY -
Venice Beach -
Venice Suites 417 Oceanfront walk -
rooftop terrace, paid parking available
Monterey -
Pick something you like near - with parking
(You should see what they've done with the place)
Napa Valley -
- 5 styles of luxury accommodation set in 33 acres of olive grove. Outdoor pool (Called La Plage and heated year round) with cabanas and hot pool, health spa (For guests only - large indoor / outdoor spa designed by a Feng Shui Zen Master), tennis, power yoga, Pilates, fine dining restaurant, balconies or patios with great views, Italian linens, free use of a Mercedes Benz for afternoon outings, outdoor sculpture garden, 24 hour fitness centre and The Restaurant has had 13 consecutive Michelin stars
San Francisco -
Get something in or near Fisherman's Wharf -
with parking - just click on the hotels
Santa Barbara -
Have a look here for something near the corner of State St and E Haley St for the Spanish infused town centre or you can stay closer to the beach. Accommodation is VERY expensive in Santa Barbara. Have a look at the Marker Map for more places by clicking on the Heart Map above
For something by the beach try the
Castillo Inn at the Beach ** - free parking
ABOUT -
Fly in and out of Los Angeles.
Pick up a car (convertible) at LAX.
Spend two nights at Venice Beach staying beachfront. You will need the car for about 12 days, pick up and drop off at LAX. Have an extra day for looking around - Santa Monica / Hollywood / Universal Studios / Disneyland
Eat at Philippe the Original (Best sandwich you'll ever have)
and drink on Sunset Boulevard at the iconic venues like the
Head north on the Pacific Coast Highway and have breakfast / brunch at the
Stop in at San Simeon to have a look at Hearst Castle on your way through. Or if you prefer you could do it on the way back. Don't miss it.
Spend a couple of nights in the amazing Cannery Row area of Monterey. (Download Cannery Row by John Steinbeck onto your Kindle)
Have the next day to look around here, Fisherman's Wharf and Clint Eastwood's (He was mayor from 1986 - 1988) neighbouring town of Carmel by the Sea. You can eat at the restaurant he used to own and sold to a good family friend.
Highly recommended for the views and food is a landmark property he rescued from the developers.
Golfing couples might like to know that Pebble Beach and Cypress Point are very close by.
Drive up to Auberge du Soleil via the iconic Golden Gate Bridge and spend 4 nights of wedded bliss here.
Have 2 nights in San Francisco on your way back. Find something near
and get around to yor favourite iconic attractions.
Spend the last two last night's in Spanish Colonial Santa Barbara. State Street is where all the action is. There's plenty here to fill up a day's sight-seeing or you may want to relax on your last day. Head back to LAX, drop the car off and fly home. You may have put on a few pounds. But they were delicious.
TAKE OFFS -
If you want to skip the road trip from LA you could fly to
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) which has direct flights to 137 destinations in 32 countries not including Africa or South America
Oakland East Bay Airport (OAK)
Sonoma County Santa Rosa Airport (STS) which have mainly domestic flights and Mexico. It would still pay to pick up a rental car then head out to the winery. If you can get there by taxi there are complimentary Mercedes Benz's onsite.
ROMANCE -
No Kids under 16
Fireplace and deep soaking tubs in rooms (some tubs outside on the terrace)
Gourmet Picnic in the Parc
Private in-room dinners / Private dinner in the garden under the wisteria arbor
Private couples spa treatment including fruit and wine pairing
Exclusive after hours couples 3 hour package including private garden soak, steam, massage, sparkling wine and sensuous dessert served under the stars
Fireside Retreat - side by side massage, wine, fire place, hot pool, amazing view, alone time.
SUNRISES & SUNSETS -
Hot Air Balloon Ride at Sunrise
At the Bistro and Bar on the terrace having a few signature sundowners and a delicious and relaxed meal watching the sun go down (Magical Sunsets)
BUDGET -
Out the window, what budget. At least $2,000 a day per couple while at the winery and that could easily be doubled. It's not cheap but you do get value for your money. See if you can get hold of a special. If you let your hair down $10,000, might get you through the day. Much better on the road trip. This is probably the most expensive trip on the website.
HIGHLIGHTS -
Drinks and treats in the mini fridge are complimentary
Outdoor soaking tubs
PAMPER -
Bubbles and Bliss Spa treatment for 2
A range of massages and spa treatments
RELAXING -
Soaking in the deep tub on your terrace
Hang by the pool (With the view)
Steam room - cool springs - warm springs - hot springs
VIEWS -
One of the most famous in the Napa Valley overlooking the vineyards in the valley with the Mayacamas Mountains to the west. Breathtaking.
FOOD - 24 hour room service
The Restaurant has had 13 consecutive Michelin Stars. First fine dining restaurant in the Napa Valley started by French restaurateur Claude Rouas in 1981.
There are Breakfast (Range of teas and cocktails), Brunch (Oysters - desserts - 3 course brunch with wine pairings), Lunch (Osetra Caviar), Dinner and Tasting Menus.
Dining on the terrace overlooking the valley. 2-3course prix fixe lunch menu and 4-5 course prix fixe for dinner or a 6 course tasting menu with optional wine pairings
Dine at the famous French Laundry - book way ahead
Have lunch at the Oxbow Market
Have a nice long lunch at a winery with a view over their vines
Try some of the many excellent restaurants in the valley - there are 6
Michelin starred restaurants in the valley
Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar tastings
DRINKS -
Breakfast Cocktails,
Cocktails, something from the Champagne cart , wine pairings or choose your own bottle of Napa Valley's finest.
15,000 bottle cellar
Nearby St Helena has bars and live music if you want to go out
Catch a show at the
SIGHTS -
Art Trail
Visit the Oxbow Public Market - great breakfasts and lunches
water sports and hiking trails
ACTIVITIES -
Round day trip of tastings and a gourmet lunch
Drive the Silverado Trail - a 30 mile scenic route around the valley
Boutique Shops - downtown Napa is full of them - head to First Street
Hiking - in the Bothe Napa Valley State Park or climb Mt Saint Helena
Stroll down Washington Street in downtown Yountville and drop into the Bouchon Bakery
for a coffee and a sweet treat
Kayaking / Boot camp / Yoga / Boxing
Breweries and distilleries to visit
Go for a mud bath and a soak in the
Golfing couples will be rapt with the
SOUVENIRS -
A specially designed travel suitcase of Wine / Cook Books / Auberge du Soleil products / Balsamic Vinegar
CHEAPER OPTIONS -
Numerous places to stay across the Napa Valley from $200 up. Have a look here on
VISAS -
At the moment 37 countries participate in the Visa Waver Program. They will need to go online and get a Electronic System for Travel Authorization. You will get 90 days on arrival. Check with your local consulate.
TRANSPORT -
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) -
has direct flights to 179 destinations in 39 countries.
Pick up a hire car at the airport. Spoil yourself and get a big V8 convertible
Get to Auberge du Soleil and use their complimentary Mercedes Benz
EXTRA -
See #132 Across America in 'Train Trips' and #66 Get Your Kicks Route 66 in 'Countries M - Z'
