Where in Sonoma County (San Francisco, Thousand Oaks: neighborhood, restaurants, prices)

[Frihed89]

My Danish wife and I (American in Denmark, long term) are taking a leisurely drive from Seattle to Thousand Oaks (avoiding the Big Sur damage) starting early in September. We were thinking about stopping in Sonoma County for a few days in a smallish place north of San Francisco to rest and relax, but don't know where. We'll be heading inland from Mendocino. I happened to run across Healdsburg and it looked nice (and pricey). Can anyone tell me more about this place that I can't get off the net. My wife likes to shop for clothes and we both are café lovers and are also looking for a variety of good restaurants. We plan to stay in the Valley (or another nice place) during the week and leave before the weekenders arrive. Is this going to be a good fit. Should we book this far ahead? Any mid-price suggestions.

Suggestions about other places you know in Sonoma Valley and like are also more than welcome. Feel free to comment if we should just continue down the coast towards Tomales Bay. I've traveled down that way several times over many years, but never saw anything much that met my fancy. Anderson Valley? Never took the turn, but it looked interesting. Are there any nice places to stay there?

[Ruth4Truth]

All I can do is throw out some more possibilities. I can't help you narrow down your choices. There's so much to see and do in the area in general. It's good that you're planning a few days for that area, as that will give you time to drive around and address your priorities.

For shopping, there's a well-known outlet mall in Napa: Welcome To Napa Premium Outlets® - A Shopping Center In Napa, CA - A Simon Property

The Russian River area (Healdsburg, Guerneville) is nice for simply experiencing the redwoods. (You should not miss visiting a redwood park in the area while you're there!) Another unique attraction is Fort Ross on the Sonoma coast. This is the historic site of a trading outpost from the days of Russian Alaska. There are wineries in the area as well, if you're into that. See: www.fortross.org

Whether or not to continue down the coast, visiting or staying in small towns in Marin County depends on what you're interested in. You seem to be more interested in somewhat larger towns with good shopping and a variety of restaurant and café choices, rather than low-key villages with a couple of good restaurants, so I wouldn't recommend scenic areas like Pt. Reyes (it's a national park + there's a small town by that name, nearby) and similar places (Tomales Bay/Inverness). Those areas are more for people looking for quiet retreats with easy access to nature, with one or two fine dining options in the neighborhood.

[Mr5150]

Healsburg is a great town from which to explore Sonoma (and Napa) county. Not far from the coast. Nice shops and restaurants. Many excellent wineries nearby. With the bonus of not being a tourist town. A side trip to Calistoga is worth the drive. A real petrified forest and geyser to be found. Plus good luck finding a bad restaurant in that town!

[Frihed89]

Thanks to you both. I am currently recovering from sticker on lodging prices for relatively nice places.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by Frihed89

Thanks to you both. I am currently recovering from sticker on lodging prices for relatively nice places.

Google "Healdsburg CA, budget lodging", and you'll find decent places for under $100.

[Frihed89]

We eventually chose a place outside of Healdsburg, on the Russian River, after a night in Mendocino. From Healdsburg, we drive to Catheys Valley, close to Yosemite National Park. Before CA, we will visit the San Juan Islands, WA and Portland, OR and finish up in Thousand Oaks/Malibu area, before flying back to Copenhagen.

Thanks again.