Some of the best moments in life come at the spur of the moment.
Even if you haven’t locked up a table in your favorite restaurant or a room in a swanky inn, the fact that Valentine’s Day falls on a Monday may work in your favor if you’re a procrastinator.
A number of inns may still have rooms available for last minute bookings on Monday night since the bulk of people celebrated V-Day over the weekend and headed back to real life. Some inns also are extending their romantic specials throughout the month of February so if you can’t celebrate your love right now, there is still time to pick your own day and beat the crowds.
As of mid-week last week Case Ranch (caseranchinn.com), a country charmer in Forestville with wrap around porch with grounds that are a registered natural wildlife habitat, still had a couple of rooms for Sunday and Monday nights ($185). The inn was offering a Sweetheart’s Special that included wine and artisan chocolates upon arrive.

Raford Inn is mindful of a southern plantation but with vineyard views

The Raford Inn (rafordinn.com), an 1880 French Colonial style manor house outside Healdsburg that sits perched on a palm-shaded hillock overlooking an inland sea of vines, also still had rooms available for both Sunday and Monday nights as of a few days before V-Day. And if you’re lucky enough to score one at the last minute, you can take advantage of their weekday rates, with rooms starting as low as $155. On top of that, innkeeper Rita Wells says the inn has a “quick getaway special” with an additional 25 percent off the price of a room if you book within 48 hours. So while it’s risky, waiting can have its rewards.
For Valentine’s Day, Wells and her husband and co-host Dane Pitcher have a singular romantic perk. You’ve heard of Christmas Carolers. Well, the Raford will be visited by Valentine’s Day carolers. The Singing Valentines Company, a group of a capella vocalists, have promised to stop by to serenade visitors with a repertoire of love songs. It helps that Kristin Power, who works at the Raford, is part of the group.
Wells said all guests throughout the month of February will be treated to free Korbel champagne and truffles from Wine Country Chocolates in Glen Ellen. The couple are keepin’ it local.

Farmhouse Inn celebrates 10 years with $10 rooms

Valentine’s Day has a dual meaning for Catherine and Joe Bartolomei, who built Forestville’s Farmhouse Inn into a critically lauded Wine Country destination. It also marks their 10th anniversary running the inn. The brother/sister team built the Farmhouse into a top Wine Country draw, with Michelin-starred restaurant and an on-site spa. Gourmet Magazine named it one of the top 36 Food Destinations in the world.
To celebrate the milestone the Inn is offering an Anniversary Package. If you book at least nights mid-week, Sundays through Thursdasys, and get the second night for just $10. As of several days before Valentines they still had availability for Sunday/Monday or Monday/Tuesday nights, starting at $325 for one night. To sweeten the deal, guests will find a bottle of wine in their rooms ready to pour by the fireside and s’mores served by the firepit. The anniversary offer is valid through March 31.
If someone grabs up these deals before you get to them, don’t give up. There should be other quaint inns and hotels in scenic spots throughout the North Coast where you can play hookie with your lover for one or two nights. Some places to easily and quickly check availability online include wineroad.com, sonomavalley.com, legendarynapavalley.com, sonomacounty.com and gomendo.com.