Vacation In Napa
Napa is a city in Napa County, California in the United States. It was incorporated on January 1, 2007. It is considered to be a part of Northern California’s Wine Country and has become a popular tourist destination, hosting over 9 million visitors annually.[5] It is roughly equidistant between the cities of San Francisco and Sacramento. It lies along State Route 29 and also close to Interstate 80.
It’s no secret that Napa County is surrounded by beautiful vineyards. The climate and terroir of this region are ideal to produce some of the finest wines in the world. So if you’re in Napa Valley, you’re already sure to have a wine tasting or ten while you’re visiting here. However, there is so much more than just wine here, and we’d like to show you exactly what we mean.Also be sure to check out various Vacation Planning Services we have to offer if you don’t know where to start!
One hour north of San Francisco, all of life’s greatest indulgences — wine, food, relaxation, and adventure — can be experienced all at once in Napa Valley, one of the top Wine Country destinations in the world.
Thirty miles long and five miles wide, this small slice of heaven is home to more than 500 wineries throughout a collection of six quaint towns: Napa, Yountville, Oakville, Rutherford, St. Helena, and Calistoga. Each has its own personality and places to discover; from Napa’s urban wine trail to Yountville’s renowned fine dining to Calistoga’s detoxifying hot springs, there’s something for every kind of traveler, whether you’re a oenophile, foodie, adventurist, or self-care aficionado.
Vacation In Napa
There is also not a bad time to visit to visit Napa Valley. While September and October are the busiest and warmest months, offering the chance to experience the annual grape harvest in action, the winter months have their own appeal. It’s quiet, uncrowded, and not too chilly with temperatures mostly hanging out in the 50s and 60s. Plus, many hotels offer hard-to-beat off-season rates. Your best chance of rain is in the spring, but the blooming fields of bright, yellow mustard also make it one of the most Instagram-worthy seasons to plan a trip.
For whenever you do decide to pack your bags and pay Napa Valley a visit, we’ve put together the perfect itinerary for the first time visitor, covering all of the “must do’s” over a long weekend trip.
Day 1
Wine and Dine On Board a Train
Courtesy of Louis M. Martini Winery / Kristen Cropper
You can’t visit Napa Valley without a trip to some of the area’s most historic and famous wineries where this great wine region began to make its mark on the world. The best way to do this is to board the Napa Valley Wine Train for their Legacy Tour. This six-hour journey down Napa’s Highway 29 is one of the best tours around; it takes you all the way back to pre-prohibition and the 1800s for a crash course in Napa Valley history. The trip features scenic views from a refurbished, antique railcar, a four-course gourmet meal, a vineyard tour, and wine tastings, including at the iconic Charles Krug (Napa Valley’s oldest winery).
If you decide to take the self-guided route by driving yourself or hiring a driver, some other historically-significant winery stops to consider are Merryvale Vineyards, Inglenook, Beringer, and Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars. And make a point to stop by the longstanding Louis M. Martini Winery to admire the renovated space while you sip.
Explore Downtown Napa
Courtesy of Fieldwork Brewing
The train will drop you off in Napa, within walking distance to downtown. Stroll over to the Oxbow Public Market, where you can shop from a myriad of local vendors for souvenirs and gifts, like locally-made olive oils or spirits from Napa Valley Distillery. You can also grab a pre-dinner snack — think, oysters from Hog Island Oyster Co., a mini Sweet S’mores or Chocolate Velvet cupcake from Kara’s Cupcakes, or housemade sourdough bagels from the new Loveski Deli. Thirsty? Grab a pint at Fieldwork Brewing Company.
Next, cross over the First St. Bridge to the main part of Downtown Napa. Here you can stop in at one of the many wine tasting rooms, wine bars, or restaurants for Happy Hour. We love Cadet, Carpe Diem, and Compline wine bars for pre-dinner drinks. Make a reservation for dinner on the Napa Riverfront at the famous Morimoto or the romantic French bistro Angele.
Stay
Courtesy of Facebook: Andaz Napa
Reserve a hotel room in downtown Napa so that you can abandon your car for the day. The Westin Verasa Napa is conveniently across the street from the Wine Train station, while the urban chic Andaz Napa is at the heart of downtown Napa activity.
Day 2
Spend your second day exploring the towns that put the “Valley” in “Napa Valley.” The small towns of Yountville, Oakville, Rutherford, St. Helena, and Calistoga are referred to by locals as the “UpValley,” so use that term if you want to blend in.
Breakfast in Yountville
Courtesy of Bouchon Bakery
For breakfast, head to chef Thomas Keller’s famous Bouchon Bakery in Yountville for pastries and espresso. Most likely there will be a line out the door, but it moves quickly. If you want to double down, you can head to Mini Model across the street. This is a smaller location of the locally-acclaimed Model Bakery. Get the English muffin. It’s so good that Oprah Winfrey actually has them flown in to her. For a more leisurely breakfast, try Lucy Restaurant at the LEED Certified Bardessono, where breakfast options highlight what’s local and sesasonal.
Visit a Boutique Winery
Courtesy of Sequoia Grove Winery / Dakota Moffitt
Because you visited some of the oldest, largest, and most popular wineries on Day 1, make an appointment at a boutique or family-owned winery next and compare experiences. A boutique winery can mean several things: a more personalized experience (sometimes with the winemaker or owner), less of a crowd, and super primo wines (especially cabernet sauvignon, which Napa Valley is best known for). Some of our favorite family-owned and boutique wineries to visit UpValley are Goosecross Cellars, Jessup Cellars, and Cliff Lede Vineyards in Yountville, William Cole in St. Helena, and Staglin Family Vineyard in Rutherford. Also in Rutherford is the family-owned Sequoia Grove Winery, where a variety of tasting experiences await. Add a seasonal cheese and charcuterie plate to your tasting if you need a snack to tide you over until lunch.
Lunch at Gott’s Roadside
Courtesy of Gott’s Roadside
For lunch, continue to head north and pull over at the original Gott’s Roadside location in St. Helena. Formerly Taylor’s Automatic Refresher, when Gott’s took over, they kept the old, 50s-style roadside building, now a Napa Valley landmark. There may be a line here too, but the burgers and shakes are a can’t-miss. Gott’s is located at the gateway of St. Helena’s charming Main Street, so you can walk your meal off afterwards with some window shopping at the local boutiques.
Relax and Recharge in Calistoga
Courtesy of Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs
For the better part of the afternoon, drive the eight miles from St. Helena to Calistoga for some spa time. This quirky, little town is best known for its healing mineral waters from natural hot springs, plus mud baths that’ll make your skin as smooth as a newborn. Make an appointment for a spa treatment ahead of time; there are so many local spas to choose from, from super luxe resorts like Indian Springs and Solage to hip boutique gems like Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs to more intimate and classically restorative escapes at The Moonacre Spa and Golden Haven Hot Springs.
If you have some time after, take a stroll down Calistoga’s main drag Lincoln Avenue and pop into CAMi Art + Wine for a tasting while admiring the contemporary art, or grab a pint at the Calistoga Inn Restaurant & Brewery.
Dine at a World-Renowned Restaurant
Courtesy of Acacia House
For your last supper of the trip, go big and make a reservation at one of Napa Valley’s finest dining establishments from an acclaimed chef. In Yountville, choose from Michael Chiarello’s Bottega, or Thomas Keller’s The French Laundry (if you can get in and money is no issue) or Ad Hoc. St. Helena has Christopher Kostow’s The Charter Oak, Chris Cosentino’s Acacia House, and Charlie Palmer’s Harvest Table. Wherever you end up, you won’t leave hungry or disappointed.
Stay
Courtesy of Facebook: The Wine Country Inn & Cottages
Book a hotel UpValley for the second night of your trip. For a true Wine Country getaway among the vines, snag a room at the intimate Wine Country Inn; for something more contemporary and convenient, check out the Wydown Hotel on St. Helena’s Main Street.
Day 3
Take Flight in a Hot Air Balloon
Courtesy of Facebook: Napa Valley Balloons
Schedule your travel plans home later in the day so that you have time for one last hurrah. One of Napa Valley’s most sought-after adventures is a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the vines. We promise that the 6 AM wake up call is worth it. Don’t forget your camera!
Check out Napa Valley Aloft or Napa Valley Balloons, Inc. to schedule your flight, which often includes a post-flight breakfast with sparkling wine.
If soaring above the valley isn’t your thing and you’d prefer to fit in another winery visit or two, don’t miss sampling the Bordeaux-styled red wines of Conn Creek Winery in Rutherford, or exploring the caves and distinct wines of Pine Ridge Vineyards, situated in the heart of the Stags Leap District.
