Need help with planning for my 1st Napa weekend get-away :)

My boyfriend and I will be taking a weekend trip to Napa for the first time the weekend of April 1st - 3rd of this year for his birthday.  We really do not know where to begin, as to where we should stay, which wineries we should not miss, and which restaurants we should definately try while we are out there. 

The only thing that we have decided on, is that we would rather stay in a hotel in Napa, and we are currently looking for vacation packages on Expedia, Travelocity, etc.

My question is, if anyone can give us some good advice on a central location in Napa to stay at, in order to visit the most wineries during our 2 day stay, and possibly eliminate the least amount of driving time as possible, that would be great! 

Any suggestions as to which wineries we should not miss, which restaurants are not to be missed, and any other helpful information would be greatly appreciated!  Also, if anyone knows of any restaurants that have live music and other nightly entertainment ideas would be great too.  (I am 25 years old, and he will be turning 28)

In addition, are there any recommendations for wine tours by limo/shuttle that can pick up from the hotel you are staying at?  Any suggestions would be great! :)

Thank you!! :)

---------------------------

"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts."

We go to Napa not just for the wineries so we actually stay IN downtown Napa, at the Napa River Inn on Main Street, which is a cute boutique hotel that is on the site of an old 1900's building, has it's own cute general store, two onsite restaurants, and a YUMMY bakery.

There's tons of cute shops downtown, and you are about 15 minutes from any wineries. Also sometimes places around there probably have wine tours where you take a bus and don't have to drive, I would look into that.

Try the Napa Wine Train, we did it for fun our first visit out there, and didn't have any expectations, some people say it is cheesy but we had a blast. We took the later eating option, which means you get to be in the back of the train, in the caboose drinking while the first people eat their food...and it's great because you can stand outside on the back of the train..which is way more fun than being inside the train. The food is okay, typical I guess, but the wine was good, the waiters were really nice (tips baby) and overall we had a blast. It drives through and around a bunch of wineries too.

French Laundry we have heard is amazing, good luck getting a reservation if the trip is soon!! I've heard they are booked a year out!

I agree also that there are other towns that have wineries as well like Yountville or St. Helena which are both very popular, but there are wineries all over, and up and down that one highway, 41 or something? So I don't think you can really go too wrong. Personally, we get tired of just wine tasting and so the downtown Napa stuff is perfect for us since we can relax, look at the river, eat good food, shop, and taste wine (there are also wine tasting places in the downtown area and also a wine museum with lunch that we have never checked out).

Oh and for a great Steakhouse, we ate at Cole's Chop house for New Years Eve dinner which was SOOOO GOOD!!

Cole's Chop House
1122 Main St.
Napa, CA 94559     

"Best Steakhouse in Bay Area" Zagat Survey 2004...Cole's Chop House is a Classic American Steakhouse located in historic downtown Napa. Featuring 21 day dry-aged steaks, Certified Angus Beef, signature cocktails, and a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence wine list.

Use Citysearch.com as well to look for good places to eat.

________________________________

"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

-Albert Einstein

Also wanted to add (since this post got me wishing for a Napa trip again soon) that I found this on the Napa River Inn website (www.napariverinn.com), a package for room and wine tasting, see below. I don't drink too much wine so I don't know which are the best to visit etc.

We stay in the Executive Rooms at the Embarcadero Building (there are two buildings, various room types):

Executive Room: Historic Landmark Package - Historic Landmark Package includes room for one night. In-room Breakfast. Complimentary wine tasting at historic wineries and buildings – Bounty Hunter Rare Wines, Trefethen, Vintners Collective, and Ehlers Estate. A complimentary tasting and tour at the historic Beaulieu Vineyards. $169.00 per night.

The In-Room Breakfast is a yummy egg croissant from the bakery, orange juice, coffee etc.

Hmmm maybe a trip to Napa for our 1st Anni in May is required. I want steak and bakery items now!

________________________________

"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

-Albert Einstein

******************************
Diamonds.........Yield to Temptation!