Weekend in ... Napa Valley, California

By Clara Bosonetto Maerz

For the AJC

BUDGET

Getting there

Napa Valley is a one- to two-hour drive from either the Oakland or San Francisco airports. Rates to Oakland start at $264 round-trip; 21-day advance. Walk-up economy class rates start at $209 one-way. All major carriers participate.

Stay

Choose the Chablis Inn as your base to explore the region’s wineries. (There are 250!) Newly renovated rooms feature a wet bar, mini fridge, CD player, complimentary coffee. Pick up takeout goodies from the nearby gourmet grocer Vallerga’s. Rates range from $79 to $149; www.chablisinn.com, 3360 Solano Ave., Napa, 707-257-1944.

Eat

Make it a point to stop at Mustards Grill for unique American cuisine. Lunch choices range from $7.25 (divine onion rings) to $13.25; dinner entrees to $26.50; www.mustardsgrill.com, 7399 St. Helena Highway, Yountville, 707-944-2424.

Experience

Take a casual bike ride through the most beautiful parts of Napa Valley and stop along the way at a few family-owned wineries for tastings (4 to 5 miles between wineries; $10-$15 tasting fees not included). Guided 3.5-hour tours include bike, helmet, van support (to carry those wine purchases) and more; $115 per person; www.napavalleybiketours.com, 6795 Washington St., Yountville, 800-707-2453.

MODERATE

Getting there

Frequent one-way sale rates to San Francisco start at $139; nonstop AirTran or Delta. Regular one-way rates start at $197 with 21-day advance; $352 each way with a seven-day advance.

Stay

Lavish guest rooms at the Tudor-style Harvest Inn are surrounded by 21 acres of award-winning gardens, vineyards and redwood groves. A “Wine Country Holiday” package starts at $248 per night (minimum two-night stay on weekends); valid to Dec. 28; www.harvestinn.com, 1 Main St., 707-963-9463.

Eat

Before dining at the Wine Spectator Greystone Restaurant, stroll the vineyards of this former Christian Brothers winery and monastery (see Brother Timothy’s famous 40-year collection of more than 1,500 corkscrews). The restaurant is a branch campus of the Culinary Institute of America, where guests can watch student chefs prepare the finest local products in an exhibition kitchen; entrees to $32; www.ciachef.edu/restaurants/wsgr, 2555 Main St., St. Helena, 707-967-1010.

Experience

Ride the Napa Wine Train through the valley while enjoying a three-course gourmet lunch in an elegant 1915 Pullman Lounge dining car; $139 per person. Several other rail trips offered; www.winetrain.com, 1275 McKinstry St., Napa, 1-800-427-4124.

SPLURGE

Getting there

Walk-up Business Class rates to San Francisco start at $571 each way; nonstop AirTran or Delta.

Stay

Calistoga Ranch is situated in a 157-acre peaceful and pristine canyon surrounded by ancient oaks and hills. A “Rest & Renew” package includes indoor-outdoor accommodations (600 square feet) with a master bedroom, bath and a private outdoor deck with rain shower; from $880 per night. Two-night minimum stay; valid to March 31 (room-only rates from $550); www.calistogaranch.com, 580 Lommel Road, Calistoga, 707-254-2800.

Eat

Only 1,900 restaurants in the world have ever been given a Michelin star. Madrona Manor has one. Enjoy an elegant evening at this Victorian Manor with a five-course Chef’s Tasting Menu, $85, or $139 with wine pairings. Spring for an additional $7 for ice cream “churned” tableside with liquid nitrogen; www.madronamanor.com, 1001 Westside Road, Healdsburg, 707-433-4231.

Experience

Drift silently over the wine country in a hot-air balloon. Trips include hotel transfers, a one-hour flight and a champagne brunch overlooking the Napa River. Internet rates of $195 include $15 worth of wine tasting coupons; www.balloonrides.com, 707-253-2222.

Maerz is a retired travel consultant. Look for her daily deals on ajc.com/travel.