Sonoma/Napa CA suggestions?

[SB_Surf]

Does anyone have any suggested stays in the Sonoma/Petaluma/Napa CA area ?

We plan on being in the area in Nov 2014.

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[Ted]

Bothe State Park in Napa and Sugarloaf Ridge have campgrounds. Bothe is on the highway in the heart of the wineries so gets some road noise. But some of the sites are pretty far back in the loop and more quiet. And it has a nice hike into the hills behind the park.

 

[DesertDave]

As far as Sonoma County parks, I have stayed at Spring Lake a couple times, recreational kayaking on Spring Lake and great mountain biking at immediately adjacent Annadel State Park.

Have stayed at Doran Park on Bodega Bay, and will be there again this weekend for sea kayaking. If conditions allow bay and coastal paddling, or surfing, and harbor paddling if ocean is too rough. Apparently it is very popular day-use beach and has a boat launch for the motorized boaters. Spots may not be available, I made my reservations in May.

 

[CALIcamperdad]

Im about an hour ish from there and have family in Santa Rosa.

Camping options are really limited.

Ideas
Olema Family Campground. Private campground very very clean right in the middle of town. Its at the South End of Tamales Bay. Nov weather should be nice, could actually be warmer than the valley pending fog cycle / valley temps etc.

Schoolhouse Canyon Campground Guerneville might be open or not they have a website. Call and ask. Owned and operated by the original founding family, very cool historic Camp.

Right across there is a year around RV park right on the Russian river with small tight spots that over look the river.

If your going for wine I can give you some suggestions. Hint us locals never visit Wineries that sell their wine at the big box grocery store.
Store sold wine is what the wine world calls ZERO profit wine. The basics behind it is the laws governing Alcohol transport, the teamsters have via powerful lobby created a costly transport system, by the time the bottle is on the grocery store shelf the profit to the wine maker is only a couple of dollars or in many cases ZERO.

Most people do not know this, but all the Norcal Wine makers survive by selling direct via wine clubs, tasting rooms and direct sales to restaurants.

The best wines never ever end up on a grocery store shelf. ;-)

Second wine O tip. Wine from Spain, wife and I spent 2 weeks exploring Rioja Region. #1 Each producer makes MILLIONS of bottles! The scale makes Napa look like a back yard hobbyist effort. #2 The Spanish joke - any Spanish wine sold outside Spain, is wine they couldn't serve in Spain. Wife and I dont drink Spanish wine unless it was shipped special.. LOL

Croatia wine?? Lets just say we drank lots of beer.

 

[Smokecreek1]

Then no visit is complete without a visit to Jack London State Park-unless of course you never get out of the wine tasting room !

Smoke

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

One suggestion if you want to stay near Pt. Reyes National Seashore ,is Samuel P. Taylor SP.
It's nice and quite there.
Might call for info.
No reservations this time of year.
Site #32 or #38,are nice close to restrooms and larger level spots.
I don't think the showers are on yet as the water shortage has effected that park.
Frank

 

[Gussie]

Don't overlook Bodega Bay, if you like the Pacific coast in November..http://www.bodegabay.com/things-to-do/rv-and-tent-camping

 

[sportsman]

As far as Sonoma County parks, I have stayed at Spring Lake a couple times, recreational kayaking on Spring Lake and great mountain biking at immediately adjacent Annadel State Park.

Have stayed at Doran Park on Bodega Bay, and will be there again this weekend for sea kayaking. If conditions allow bay and coastal paddling, or surfing, and harbor paddling if ocean is too rough. Apparently it is very popular day-use beach and has a boat launch for the motorized boaters. Spots may not be available, I made my reservations in May.

Don't overlook Bodega Bay, if you like the Pacific coast in November..http://www.bodegabay.com/things-to-do/rv-and-tent-camping

Bodega Bay - Duran and Dunes campgrounds fill early (months early), but just up the road (1/4mile) past the dunes cmapground is the Chanslor Guest Ranch and Stables that is very nice, we were there last week and enjoyed it. Secluded, there was one other campsite being used, just listened to the roar of the surf and the coyotes at night..

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Bodega Bay - Duran and Dunes campgrounds fill early (months early), but just up the road (1/4mile) past the dunes cmapground is the Chanslor Guest Ranch and Stables that is very nice, we were there last week and enjoyed it. Secluded, there was one other campsite being used, just listened to the roar of the surf and the coyotes at night..

Looks like a interesting place.What sort of restroom facilities do they have?
Frank

 

[billharr]

Looks like a interesting place.What sort of restroom facilities do they have?
Frank

Google is your friend.

$50.00 for a night and $5.00 for a shower The BLM needs some land on the coast.

Sites are available with INSTALLED PLATFORM TENTS, sites for
YOUR OWN TENT and limited sites for RV's & POP UP CAMPERS
Overnight horse accommodations are available at extra cost for campers at
Chanslor Stables by advance reservation (707) 875-8849
Miles of hiking & equestrian and hiking trails
Sorry - WE DO NOT CURRENTLY ALLOW DOGS AT CAMPSITES
Some campsites are for adults only for safety reasons
CHECK-IN HOURS FROM 2:00pm TO 7:00pm-Unless by arrangement


Year-Round Ocean View Camping
65 Miles North of San Francisco
Chanslor Guest Ranch in Bodega Bay, CA

LINK TO AERIAL MAP OF CAMPING SITES


LINK TO CAMP POLICY &
RESERVATION INFORMATION

LINK TO ALBUM & SLIDESHOW OF CAMPING SITES


WE FEATURE SEVERAL TYPES OF CAMPING FOR INDIVIDUALS, GROUPS & RETREATS
We have discounts available on stays of 3 days or more and for attendees at certain events
SITES FOR YOUR TENT
CAMP SITES INCLUDE
Most campsites will accommodate multiple tents
Picnic tables
Fire pits or fire kettles
Please bring firewood-available in Bodega Bay
at general stores
Access to portable restrooms or restrooms in barn
Showers are available at for $5.00
CAMP SITE COSTS
$50.00 plus $4.50 tax for up to 4 guests
$12.50 per person for over 4 guests per site

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Thanks Bill.
I did go to the site and the price gave me a second thought.There are state parks in the area a lot cheaper.
Still like Sam P Taylor.
Haven't tried any of the Bodega Bay spots.
Frank

 

[sportsman]

BLM land would be nice, but the Dunes are $35/night and hard to get. The actual site we used was one of the tent sites, not exactly level but I liked the views.. It was a short walk from there to trails along the dunes and then a hike down to Bodega head,,

I was hoping for a site at wright beach, nothing close, and then bodega dunes was booked every weekend ofr the next two months, although that was just checking since I only had last weekend.

The price didn't seem to out of line with some state sites we've used since moving to the Bay area, some of our weekends/locations are determined by bike races.

 

[SB_Surf]

Thank you all for your suggestions. We spent the Veteran's weekend at Chanslor Ranch in Bodega Bay. The hosts were very kind and showed us multiple locations to park our FWC. They allowed us to stay on a grassy plateau overlooking the ocean with no services. They even hauled a table and firepit to our location. Restrooms and showers were also available. If you enjoy horseback riding, they have a variety of tours. We will definitely return some day.

Thanks again for the recommendations,