Practicalities
From San Francisco there are daily Gray Line bus tours ($55; tel 415/558-7300 or 1-800/826-0202) to the Wine Country; otherwise take the Blue & Gold Fleet tour which leaves daily from Fisherman's Wharf and includes a ferry trip across the bay past Alcatraz as well as a bus trip through Napa and Sonoma valleys with stops at three wineries ($54.50; tel 415/705-8200). Napa itself doesn't offer much for budget lodging; you're better off in Sonoma, where at least the cost of a room is offset by a pleasant surrounding. In St Helena , Hotel St Helena , 1309 Main St (tel 707/963-4388; $160-$250+), provides cozy rooms right in the center of town. Also a working vineyard set on 20 acres of grapes, Sunny Acres Bed & Breakfast , 397 Main St (tel 707/963-2826; $130-160/$160-200), continually books its three sumptuous rooms. St Helena's restaurants range from the California fusion cooking of Pinot Blanc , 641 Main St (tel 707/963-6191), to the 400-plus list of wines at the gigantic Wine Spectator Greystone Restaurant , 2555 Main St (tel 707/967-1010). In Calistoga , Dr Wilkinson's Hot Springs , 1507 Lincoln Ave (tel 707/942-4102, ; $100-200), is a legendary health spa and hotel; less expensive lodgings (and spa facilities) lining the main drag, Lincoln Avenue, include the quiet, modern Comfort Inn at no. 1865 (tel 707/942-9400; $75-100/$100-130 weekdays, $130-160/$160-200 weekends). Downtown's most enticing hotel can be found at 1457 Lincoln in the historic Mount View Hotel and Spa (tel 707/942-6877 or 1-800/816-6877, ; $130-160/$160-200 double, $200-250/$250+ cottage with patio and jacuzzi). Creative cuisine featuring unheard-of combinations such as chile rellenos with  © 2003 by Rough Guides Ltd. as trustee for its Authors. Published by Rough Guides. All rights reserved. Rough Guides name is a trademark of Rough Guides Ltd. Buy the book here!
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walnut pomegranate sauce make dining at the Wappo Bar Bistro , 1226 Washington St (tel 707/942-4712), a delicious adventure. The Calistoga Inn , 1250 Lincoln Ave (tel 707/942-4101), serves great seafood appetizers, including spicy Cajun prawns and crispy crabcakes, plus a wide range of wines, microbrewed beers and excellent desserts. Brannan's Grill , 1374 Lincoln Ave (tel 707/942-2233), serves fresh oysters, salmon and pecan-stuffed quail in an airy wood-interior bistro.
Your Tips For Napa Valley
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