We've used VRBO (vacation rental by owner) before and this time Jim scored big on our accommodations! Maybe another blog later on that.
Anyway we are staying in Sonoma and the festival is in Napa about 12 miles away so we purchased shuttle bus parking tickets for 20 bucks a day but we couldn't find the shuttle. Traffic was a bit congested coming into town and I was starting to panic a bit as Joan Jett was playing at 4 followed by Black Crowes at 5. Well we could hear Joan playing as we got closer and could see buses dropping off so by then realized we were way past the shuttle which was apparently two miles away so scratch that idea and bye bye $ and now we had to park and spaces were going for 50 bucks! Luckily we kept on a bit more and I spotted a little mall w FREE public parking, we scored a spot an had a short half mile walk to venue. Lines were short at this time of day and we got right in. The Crowes had started so we beelined to the stage and what a show! One of the best I've seen! Avett Brothers were next and we watched a bit of that and Jim wanted to check out Primus on another stage so we headed over there. Different crowd for sure!
There are wine and food vendors set up all over the place. We grabbed a grilled cheese w grilled onions and Dijon mustard and of course wine!
Day two Alabama Shakes was playing at 4 so we knew we needed to arrive early. We left our house around 12:30, stopped for a quick wine tasting at Adobe Road and were on our way w plans to park on same spot which we scored again! (We noticed a sign stating security issues and car break ins at this lot so maybe that was why) but we had no issues, secured extra bags in the trunk and carried a backpack in w us as extra jackets are needed as temps go from warm and sunny 78 to cool 53 at night. We got there by 2 with plenty of time so we grabbed a steak sandwich w blue cheese (delish) a couple of glasses of wine and people watched before heading close to the stage. Alabama Shakes did not disappoint and I can't wait to see them when they come to Oklahoma for the Gentlemen of the Road tour this fall!
This whole event was fantastic! Great music, wine and food! The only lines were for food and even those went quickly. No bathroom lines, we could always find a place to sit to eat or rest and the crowds/people were the best!
We will definitely be back. Great job Napa and Bottlerock organizers!
