Hundreds of vacationers are steering a course...

Hundreds of vacationers are steering a course for the Northern California wine country this summer. The B&B; people of Napa Valley have produced a handy guide. Tells about one-day trips through the valley, hot-air ballooning, fishing, riding, biking, golf, tennis, antique shops. Lists galleries, parks, picnic areas. This is a compact guide. Fits into a purse or glove compartment. Copies cost a buck. Write to Guide, B&B; Innkeepers of Napa Valley, 1834 1st St., Napa 94559.

Meanwhile, 140 wineries are described in a brochure covering Napa/Sonoma, Mendocino, Lake counties--and this one is free. Information on picnicking, wine tasting, festivals. Send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to REA, One Market Plaza, Spear Street Tower 1001, San Francisco 94105.

La Jolla

Elaine Elliott of Newbury Park asks for the name of a “small hotel in La Jolla.” The Windingo is a small, Mediterranean-style hotel with kitchen units, swimming pool, a view of the ocean. Rates from $80 a day for a studio, $120 for a two-bedroom unit. Address: 8205 Camino del Oro, La Jolla 92037. Telephone (619) 459-5060.

Laguna Beach

Another inquiry, this one from Tom Benson of Alhambra. “Any inns in Laguna Beach?” I’ve heard good things about the Casa Laguna, 2510 Pacific Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach 92651. Dates from the early ‘30s. Bedrooms individually decorated and there’s a cottage for honeymooners (or any other lovers). Refrigerators, European antiques, a patio, swimming pool. Wine/cheese on the house. Two-night minimums on weekends. Guests spending 10 days or longer get a 10% break on rates ($75/$135). Telephone (714) 494-2996.

Hostels

Had an item here last week about hostels. For more information on Northern California accommodations, write for a copy of “Bike the Backroads” (San Mateo/Marin counties). Suggested three- and five-day itineraries. Names inexpensive hostels in public parklands near beaches, hiking, cycling routes. Two of these hostels are functioning lighthouse stations complete with hot tubs. Write to American Youth Hostels, 680 Beach St., Suite 396, San Francisco 94109, or telephone (415) 771-4646.

England

If you plan to be in Stratford-on-Avon this summer, there’s a small hotel only 100 yards from the Royal Shakespeare Theater. It’s a Georgian house. Ten rooms with private baths, a walled courtyard. Voted one of the “Six best in Britain and Western Europe” by a well-traveled British hotel guidester. Besides renting rooms, proprietor Peter Wade chauffeurs guests on tours. Write out your itinerary, he’ll take it from there. Any place in Britain. Contact Wade c/o Stratford House, Sheep Street, Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire CV37 6EF, England, or place a call through the international operator to 0789-68288.

Reader Recommendations

Maine--Adam Stein and Berta Hodges, Berkeley: “On our honeymoon we enjoyed the charming Lindenwood Inn in Southwest Harbor, Me. Innkeeper Don Johnson serves a delicious and filling breakfast and gives complete information on many sights and activities on this beautiful island. Summer rates are $35-$50 per night including breakfast. Also available--two spacious cottages for $85 per night/$525 weekly. Open all year. Lindenwood Inn, Box 1328, Southwest Harbor, Me. 04679.”

Red Bluff, Calif.--Phyllis Weil, Thousand Oaks: “Stumbled across a delightful B&B.; The Faulkner House, 1029 Jefferson St., Red Bluff, Calif. 96080. Tastefully decorated with beautiful antiques. Double rooms priced $45 to $50.”

Yorkville, Calif.--Claudette Wassil-Grimm, San Bernardino: “A fine tour in Northern California . . . suggest Redwood House, 21340 Highway 128, Yorkville, Calif. 95494 (a highlight of the trip). A private cottage for $40 a night. Hiking paths, swimming, boating, a children’s beach. Don’t miss dinner at the nearby New Boonville Hotel with garden-fresh produce.” Note: Wassil-Grimm suggests that readers buy Diane Knight’s “Bed & Breakfast Homes Directory” (at your bookstore or c/o Knighttime Publishers, P.O. Box 591, Cupertino, Calif. 95015).

San Diego--Penny and Ben Ruben, Huntington Beach: High praise for the Edgemont Inn, 1955 Edgemont St., San Diego 92102. “Elegant breakfasts. Surprises at bedtime.”

Twentynine Palms, Calif.--Randy and Brenda Faber, El Toro: “A relaxing stay at the Circle C, a motel of high standards, 6340 El Re Ave., Twentynine Palms, Calif. 92277. Large rooms, kitchenettes, pool, garden. Main entrance to Joshua Tree National Monument is just a couple of miles away. Only 11 rooms, so I’d suggest making a reservation. Our room with a king-size bed was $36 including tax.”

New York--Mrs. Marianne and Robert Ohm-Pew, Los Angeles: “New York’s best-kept secret is the Salisbury Hotel, 123 West 57th St., New York 10019. Centrally located two blocks north of Central Park between 6th and 7th avenues. Courteous service. The incredible weekend rate for a double is $58 per night.”

Germany--J. Wislocky, El Segundo: “Our favorite place in Bavaria is a charming guest house called Haus Kristall, Kreuzweg 24, 8959 Schwangan-Walter Hoffen, Germany. Approximately $30 per couple per night, breakfast included. Most heartily recommend this area, and especially this place to anyone who wants to tour Germany/Austria.”

France--Leslie and Peter Dufour, San Diego: “Our best dinner in Paris was at Le Palanquin, a Vietnamese restaurant at 12 Rue Princess. Moderate prices from $3 to $10 per entree.”

France--Murray and Esther Kaufman, Santa Monica: High praise for a restaurant in Paris that “specializes in Russian delicacies.” The Caviar Kaspia, 17 Place de la Madeleine, 75008 Paris. “Costs about $20 for two, including vodka. Reservations are essential.”

France--Robert T. Bronscombe, St. Helena: Enjoyed Hotel La Musardiere, 123 Rue Claude Monet, 27620 Giverny, France. About $42 a day for a twin with breakfast and dinner. Also, Saffron House Hotel, King Street, Combe Martin, North Devon EX34 0BX, England. Approximately $38 a day for two, breakfast and dinner included.”

Canada--Vera Anderson, Mesa, Ariz.: “Highly recommend B&B; French Creek, R.R. No. 2, Site 223 C-49, Parksville, B.C. VOR 2S0, Canada. Rates, $30 single, $35 double with breakfast.”

England--Patricia Schone, Tarzana: “One of the most charming bed-and-breakfast inns I have visited: Charnwood House Hotel and Spa, 51 Upper Oldfield Park, Bath, Avon BA2 3LB, England. Rates $21/$38.

England--Richard Perkins, Palos Verdes Estates: “Pat and Lucy Canning operate a first-rate B&B.; Clean and tidy with two bars in their Grafton Hotel, 141 Midland Road, Bedford MK40 1DN. Two blocks from the train station, four blocks from the bus station. Singles $13, doubles $18 including breakfast.”

England--Herb Palmtag, Del Mar: “Sail from Southampton relaxed. Arrive Heathrow day preceding embarkation, then take the bus across from the arrivals building to Southampton. Costs 6. You will find 20 good B&Bs; at about 9 per person. The taxi to the pier costs 2.”

Scotland--Henry Wien, El Centro: “Recommend Teviot Dale Guest House, 53 Grange Loan, Edinburgh EN9 ZER. This delightful guest house was one of the highlights of our trip. The owner arranged for an appointment for my wife with her own hairdresser. When I asked for a bucket of ice, one came filled to the top. We were offered in addition to the usual fare, homemade bread, special omelets and the proprietress’s own Duke of Wellington scrambled eggs (I can’t remember when I have had better) and other good things. The price for our room with bath was about $35 including a private bath, breakfast and VAT.”

Readers: Your recommendations should contain the addresses of hotels, inns, restaurants, as well as prices whenever possible. (Please print or type.)