napa valley travel planner

The Perfect Napa Valley Itinerary for First-Time Visitors

• by JESS LANDER
• on APRIL 25, 2024

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

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 dining scene 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.

There’s also no bad time 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 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.

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.

Visit a Historic Winery

Reserve a hotel room in Napa so that you can be within walking distance (or just a short drive) to downtown’s many restaurants, bars, and tasting rooms. The urban chic Andaz Napa is at the heart of downtown Napa activity, where loft-style rooms are both stylish and inviting, while Milliken Creek ’s peaceful riverfront location offers guests a quieter escape just a few minutes from the downtown scene.

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 straight to her front door. For a more elegant brunch option, head to RH Yountville , where dishes like avocado toast on charred sourdough and black forest bacon are perfectly paired with their signature RH mimosa.

Visit a Boutique Winery

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/or boutique wineries to visit UpValley are Goosecross Cellars , Jessup Cellars , and Cliff Lede Vineyards in Yountville, Clif Family Winery and Trinchero 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 in St. Helena

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 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 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 .

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If you’re looking for  the ultimate travel guide to Napa Valley – look no further. 

To me, there’s no vacation quite like Napa.

Picture-perfect vineyards rolling over the golden hills of California, Five-star farm-to-table restaurants with wine lists bigger than their entire menus, cozy, understated resorts with soothing spas and bubbling hot tubs, tennis courts teeming with relaxed vacationers, golfers with bottles of wine carefully tucked neatly into their carts, Bikers biking the valley from winery to winery. Cuddling up to a fireplace in your suite with a glass of the best red wine you’ve ever had.

If this sounds like your paradise as much as it does mine, let’s toast to Napa Valley.

Table of Contents

SOME QUICK NAPA HISTORY:

In 1976, a wine tasting called “The Paris Tasting” took place in France that changed the future of California wines forever. Like crusty old admissions officers contemplating the acceptance of an eager freshman into their established, hundreds-of-years-old University, accredited French wine professionals blind-tasted French red and white wines against California Cabernet Sauvignons and Chardonnays, and, shocking just about everyone in the world as much as it shocked the tasters themselves, the California wines won. Stags Leap Wine Cellar’s Cabernet Sauvignon and Chateau Montelena’s Chardonnay took first place and, for the first time in history, it became clear that someone could rival the French when it came to wine . Somms all over France scratched their heads while California, and the rest of the world, responded rapidly. In the next ten years, the number of California wineries more than tripled, and, in the 40 years since the tasting, the quality and price of California wines has climbed sevenfold, soaring their retail value to over $14 billion last year.

If I sound passionate about this, it’s because I absolutely am.

I love wine.

I love the complexity of everything that goes in to creating this drink that humans have enjoyed for thousands of years. I love how a bottle of wine evolves immensely with time, and with each person’s unique taste. I love thinking about how much has to go exactly right in creating a great bottle of wine… and more than anything, I love that vineyards, like people, must go through immense stress in order to bear better fruit.

A perfect environment will create a mediocre, ordinary wine. A struggling vine will produce an extraordinary wine. They say that this is why the Napa Valley makes such amazing wines, as the earthquake faults under the ground make for nicely complex and diversified soil, and a perfectly stressful environment for Napa vines to grow.

Where to wine taste in Napa Valley

There are hundreds of wineries to taste wine in Napa, Yountville, Saint Helena, Calistoga , Sonoma, and Healdsburg, so it can be overwhelming to choose where to wine taste – and the truth is there are VERY different wine tasting experiences to choose from – so here are my favorites, broken out by type of tasting experience to help you find the perfect wineries for your trip:

*JETSET TIP* Be sure to google map out your wineries ahead of time. I’d recommend no more than 3 in a day for most people (You can poteeeentially do 4, but it’s really pushing it, I have much better experiences in Napa when I do just a couple per day, and take our time there). Be sure the map of the wineries you choose make sense and are near each other!

The best ‘classic Napa’ wineries

Best for: first-timers to napa, those wanting to learn more about the region, how to wine taste, etc. these are my favorite ‘welcome to napa’ tastings..

Beringer – This beautiful, family-owned winery since the 1800s is a great first tour for first time Napa-goers. They will teach you how to taste wine, pair it with cheese, and the nuances behind each sip. I love the barrel tasting tour because you get to taste directly from cabernet in an aging oak barrel! Also a great winery for groups. 

Inglenook (Napa) – A splurge of a tasting that, in my opinion, is completely worth it if you’re only in Napa once. this is Francis Ford Coppola’s winery and is a beautiful property with fantastic wines. My favorite? The Rubicon. 

Chateau Montelena – This gorgeous ivy-covered chateau was made famous for beating out the French in the Paris Tasting. Their wine is delicious, and the estate is absolutely gorgeous. Make a reservation before you go!

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars (Napa)  – Easily one of Napa’s most famous wineries – Stag’s Leap was the Cabernet Sauvignon that took place in the famous Paris Tasting in the 1970’s. Their Fire & Water tour is incredible – and their cabernets are some of the best in the Valley.

courtesy of: Grgich Hills

Grgich Hills (Napa) – Fantastic wines in a great atmosphere. Mike Grgich was the winemaker at Chateau Montelena in the 1970’s and soon after his famed win of the Paris Tasting, he went off to create his own label. He and his Croatian family are fantastic and it is immediately evident that this winery is run with the love and care of a family-run venture. I also love their outdoor tasting areas, and think it’s a perfect place to soak up the sunshine if you’re tasting on a sunny day!

Hall Winery (St. Helena) –  Hall Winery makes some seriously good (more high-end) cabernets, and has one of the prettiest tasting areas, too! All tasting are private and conducted outdoors. Reservations are required for all experiences and limited to 6 guests. HALL Winery is located a few minutes drive south from St. Helena – along the busy “wine strip” section of Highway 29 that features some of the larger, historic and more well-known wineries in the valley, so it’s easily accessible during a busy day of tastings! Though it’s easy to get to, the winery is set back from the highway, so it never feels overly busy here. I love it!

Far Niente Winery – Far Niente is well regarded throughout Napa and everywhere as one of the very best wines, and their property is as beautiful and elegant as you would expect. Sister winery to Nickel & Nickel, Far Niente has an amazing tour and tasting for first-timers to Napa who know good wine!

Sterling – It’s super touristy but if that’s your vibe, Sterling is famous for its over-the-top gondola ride to their tasting room! A great spot for out-of-towners to get a view of the vineyards. Tastings start at $29.

Del Dotto St. Helena Venetian Estate – If you want to feel like you’re wine tasting in the hillsides of Tuscany, this is your spot. The winery pays homage to the family’s Venetian heritage dating back to 1150.  The cathedral-like estate sits on the original Rutherford vineyard, and the winery and caves is unlike any other property in Napa Valley and a must-see. I love it here!!

The best wineries to taste with a group of friends

Domaine Carneros (Sonoma) – always a go to for bubbly in Sonoma ! BEAUTIFUL spot, and such impeccable service. I love it so much, and spend so much time here, I might as well just move in.

Jordan Winery (Healdsburg/Sonoma) – I have always loved Jordan Winery, and all of their wines (champagne, cab sauv, and chardonnay!) It’s one of the most beautiful wineries in Sonoma and they put on a great tasting and tour. Go for a lunch pairing if you can! It’s a must-do in Alexander Valley. 

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Artesa Winery   (Napa) – Architecturally stunning contemporary winery with a fun Spanish flare (their owners have been making wine in Spain since the 1500’s!) I absolutely loved their pintxo’s food pairing tasting. This place would also be amazing for a group – and is one of the first wineries driving up from San Francisco to the Valley, making it an easy day trip for San Francisco travelers. 

V. Sattui Winery (Napa) – This lovely winery is perfect for a picnic. They have a big deli full of awesome lunch options and picnic tables outside – their tastings are affordable and the fact that you can bring your own food in makes this a fantastic lunch & wine spot.

Castello di Amorosa (Napa) – it’s a castle, literally. Beautiful spot. One of my favorite places to bring newcomers to Napa because of it’s gargantuan appeal. Tastings starting at $20.

With friends at Castello di Amarosa, a great spot for a group

Flowers Winery (Sonoma) – Always a go-to of mine! This beautiful tasting room with insta-worthy outdoor cabanas and indoor spaces. I love their chardonnay and Pinot so much and I buy it at home a lot – however, I must say that although this is one of the most beautiful tastings, I had a very negative experience the last time I was there with their hospitality manager, who was quite rude to our group for no reason! Just a caveat to be aware of!!! Great wine, but could have better service lately. 

The best small producer wine tastings in Napa / Sonoma

Best for: Napa honeymooners, those who LOVE wine and are looking for the best of the best in the valley, and are looking to discover new small production boutique, family run wineries.

AXR Winery (Napa)

AXR is my favorite winery right now. Surrounded by redwoods, it’s a beautiful tribute to the way wine tasting in Napa used to be, but with a fun, edgy modern touch that I just can’t get enough of. In the summer, AXR’s outdoor patio is the place to be, and, in the winter, their beautiful main house or chic farmhouse cabanas are all amazing. Every time you taste here you’ll have a different experience  –  and  their wines are SO good. I think I bought an entire case last time I went (I LOVE their chardonnay!)

Handwritten wines (Napa)  – this is a new tasting room but a well known wine in Napa Valley – they don’t distribute their wines so everything is only available for members and tasting room visitors! It’s a gorgeous spot right in downtown Yountville – and their chard and cabernet sauvignons are TO DIE FOR. Their winemaker came from Cakebread, Rombauer, La Crema and more before going into Handwritten – so it’s no wonder their chardonnay is so good. But their single vineyard, single varietal cabernets will blow your mind as well.

Palmaz Vineyards (Napa)

If you’re looking for a winery that will blow your mind (with its wines, its views, and its technology), Palmaz is it. Their tagline is ‘the fusion of tradition and technology’ and that’s exactly what tasting there is about. It is a GORGEOUS winery is tucked away all by itself in Napa and is owned by an Argentinean family, who have a love for food, and, of course, meat!! Their legendary Argentinean cookout parties are what club members rave about, and when you join their wine club you even get a beautiful traditional steak knife. Visit in the Summer and you’ll get to taste their small production rose, which I think is one of the best roses in the Valley. 

I recommend Palmaz to anyone looking for a really unique tasting, with AMAZING wines. 

Cornell Vineyards (Sonoma  / WAY up in the mountains)

Another exclusive, blow-your-mind tasting I love is Cornell Vineyards .  (Not to be confused with Cornell Winery). You’ll wind your way up Spring Mountain to this absolutely stunning property, with no other winery in sight. It feels straight out of a movie of Napa / Sonoma in the 70’s. Tractors ride around the property checking the grapes as you get poured a glass of Dom Perignon to kick off the tasting by one of the members of Cornell’s intimate team of 4 people. The views are UNREAL and you’ll taste their DELICIOUS cabernet sauvignons, and feel like you’re at someone’s home.

Cornell is a small production cult-following wine, that collectors rave about and celebrities flock to. Highly recommend checking it out. 

Kelly Fleming Winery (Calistoga)

This absolutely stunning property is a small production, cult-following wine that you will want to take CASES home of. The caves are absolutely breathtaking and Kelly’s eye for design is felt throughout the stunning property. They only take 8 visitors a day so it’s a super exclusive tasting – Loved this spot. 

Highly recommend their ‘big pour’ cabernet sauvignon. 

Nickel & Nickel – As members of this winery, we go to all of their parties and have had the opportunity to taste here and take the tour many, many times, but every time is better than the last!! I can’t imagine Napa without this little country winery, and I hope you’ll love it. The tour is $65/person, and requires reservations.

The best ultra-high-end wineries to taste in Napa Valley

Promontory (Napa) – One of the most expensive and exclusive tastings in the Valley, Promontory is worth every cent. This STUNNING property sits on just one tiny part of owner a Bill Harlan’s more that 900 untamed, rugged acres of land dubbed “Napa Valley Territory”. The family only began growing grapes here (on less than 10% of the land) in 2008, and immediately knew they had something special. Promontory wine makes less than 2000 cases of this Cabernet magic , most of which are only available at the winery itself, that just opened last summer for private tours only. 

If you’re looking for a Napa valley wine and tasting experience to truly blow you away, this is it.

Opus One Winery – This is one of the most globally recognized names in luxury wine. Tasting is pricey, at $45-$60 a glass, but it’s a bucket list winery! So gorgeous… and incredible wine. Make sure you head straight to the terrace once you get your glass! Some of the best views in Napa.

The best wineries that you love to drink at home to go check out while you’re in town

Caymus Vineyards (Napa) – Great wines! Some of my favorite in Napa. And a absolute picturesque outdoor tasting area. I love their pinot noir and their chardonnay.

Cakebread Wines (Napa)

I love Cakebread’s chardonnay and cabernets, so tasting here is always great. It’s a quick tasting, and located right off of Highway 29, making it an easy stop in a busy wine tasting day. Also LOVE their patio – so beautiful in the summertime.

Rombauer – My go-to chardonnay. I always come home with at least a few bottles from here, and they don’t make it a week in San Francisco before they’re gone. Great spot for a casual, pop in tasting. Starting at $20 for a flight.

Trinchero Napa Valley – This beautiful estate’s tasting room is a great stop in Napa. Tastings start at $30 and their cabs are fab.

Joseph Phelps Winery (Napa)  – You’ve probably heard of Joseph Phelps’ famed Insignia label – an insanely good cabernet sauvignon that is worth the trip to this winery alone. Add in a cozy lodge-like tasting room and a terrace like this? It’s a must do. 

Twomey – located in Healdsburg and also in Calistoga , this is one of my go-to’s for a casual drop-in tasting in the valley. Their pinot’s are so good (they’re under the Silver Oak label) and I always end up walking out with a few bottles.

Where to have a glass of wine with a view in Napa Valley

Auberge Du Soleil – If you don’t stay there during your stay, you can stop by to take in the sunset over a glass of wine on their elegant patio overlooking the valley. Can’t beat this view.

Where to stay in Napa Valley (at every price point)

Auberge du soleil.

Tucked into a 33-acre olive grove in Rutherford, this luxurious Napa Valley resort has one of the most beautiful outdoor pools (complete with cabanas!), a dreamy spa, and a five-star restaurant. Rooms are ultra-plush with a fireplace, and surreal balconies and patios with expansive views.

Italian linens, slippers and bathrobes are provided in all rooms or suites, where you’ll also find an over-sized soaking tub with a separate walk-in shower, a double vanity and free spa toiletries.

photo via Booking.com

Harvest Inn

For an upscale-meets-traditional stay in the heart of wine country, the Harvest Inn is a perfect choice with its great location in Saint Helena, massive guest rooms, rustic charm, and eight acres of vineyard views. Two outdoor heated pools and two whirlpools, and private spa treatment rooms, as well as the 78 rooms and suites are spacious with minibars stocked with free drinks and free Wi-Fi, plus huge bathrooms, many with separate showers and tubs.

Alila Napa Valley

This modern-chic resort is Napa Valley hotel goals. It’s in Saint Helena – one of my very favorite areas of the valley (and where many of the wineries I mentioned above are!) and each room has a dreamy terrace that looks out onto the vineyards and onto THIS view .

Photo courtesy Las Alcobas

Hotel Yountville

One of my favorite areas of Napa Valley to stay is Yountville, because the charming hotels here are within walking distance of such famed restaurants as Bouchon, The French Laundry, Bottega, RH Yountville and more. It’s a great town to walk around or bike around, and you’re right in the vineyards. This is an ideal hotel for so many different types of Napa trips – highly recommend!!! Guests can relax at The Spa, featuring 6 treatment rooms, or at the hotel’s outdoor pool and hot tub. And if you’re wishing to explore, complimentary bike rentals are offered onsite. 

Check rates for your dates here

This French Chateau-styled hotel has all of the things I love… Fireplaces in the room, a complimentary bottle of wine upon arrival, free champagne breakfast buffet…. and the delicious waffles I crave ALL the time! I think if you’re looking for the perfect Napa experience, Yountville is where you want to be. It’s an adorable small wine town with the best restaurants.

Silverado Resort & Spa

This resort, complete with tennis and its beautiful golf course, is a great option for staying overnight in Napa. Just off the Silverado trail (where many of the wineries I mentioned are), it’s the perfect location for your getaway. The rooms are a bit outdated but I love the big resort feel, it’s a great place for groups, too. 

Senza Napa  

If you’re looking for a nice, affordable hotel in Napa in the perfect location – this is it. If I’m going up for a weekend or a quick one-night Napa getaway, this is always where I stay. It’s right in the right location (only a 10 minute drive from Yountville, Saint Helena, and most of the wineries I love to taste at), and the rooms are simple, modern and wonderful, each with its own fireplace! The complimentary breakfast is also amazing.

I love staying up in Calistoga – the most Northern part of wine country because it’s secluded, quiet, and has some of the most beautiful hotels ( Auberge Solage is a favorite, as is the cozy chic Cottage Grove Inn !). It’s a beautiful, romantic area of Napa Valley. 

Where to Stay in Sonoma

Montage Healdsburg

Macarthur Place Inn

This recently renovated, centrally-located property is set on a historic six-acre estate with lush grounds, gardens, winding wine-filled pathways, a mid-century pool, and a full-service spa utilizing flowers and herbs from property gardens. Named one of the Top 10 Hotels in Northern California in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2021 Reader’s Choice Awards, the property is within walking distance of Sonoma Plaza, and minutes from some of wine country’s vineyards, wineries and restaurants. 

Kenwood Inn & Spa

An adorable boutique hotel I just LOVE in Sonoma is the Kenwood Inn & Spa . I mean how dreamy is waking up on this balcony? It’s super small, really luxe, has a great pool (win!) and is a perfect romantic getaway spot to stay.

Farmhouse Inn

Another one of my top picks for where to stay for luxury in Sonoma County is Farmhouse Inn – a tucked away, understated, inn in Forestville with all the right luxuries you need for a perfect wine country vacay. Think: a Michelin star restaurant (amazing!!!!), complimentary fire pits and s’mores, a dreamy jacuzzi and heated pool, and adorable wine country hotel room bungalows with the most comfortable beds you can imagine!

I also loved that Farmhouse In n is only a 10 minute drive from some of the most DELICIOUS wineries in Northern California – Flowers, Gary Farrell, Twomey, etc! You’re also only 20 minutes from Healdsburg , another of my favorite regions (which you can read all about my vacation in Healdsburg and what to do in Healdsburg here )

Where to stay with a big group:

Check out my post on Napa’s best Airbnb’s for Groups

The Best VRBO’s and Airbnbs for a couple

Private 1br romantic tuscan villa with a vineyard in napa.

This gorgeous romantic villa has its own vineyard – making it an ideal romantic getaway in Napa Valley – I have a friend that stayed here and got engaged in the vineyard – they LOVED it!! The pictures don’t do it justice!

Check rates here

How to get around wine country

Where to eat in napa valley, for breakfast / coffee / juices, southside yountville.

I go here almost every trip to Napa! Obsessed with their chilaquiles and avocado toast with smoked salmon. They also have great coffee (and oat milk lattes, my go-to). So if you’re in a rush to get to the wineries and just want a quick (but delish) breakfast and coffee spot, look no further.

The Station

Casual grab-and-go coffee and AMAZING food. If you’re in the St. Helena area, this is your spot! I love the crustless quiche (so good) and the breakfast burrito.

Napa Valley Juice

This St. Helena health food store has the BEST fresh juices for takeaway. So if you’re addicted to your first-thing-in-the-morning celery juice like me, this is your spot. Also right across the street from the Station so if you’re staying in St. Helena, these two make a perfect morning routine (and you can bike or walk there from your hotel!) 

For lunch or dinner

This spot in Yountville ranks right up there with my favorite dinner spots anywhere. Celebrity chef Michael Chiarello brings his top notch chef skills to this amaaaazing contemporary californian-italian restaurant in an atmosphere so uniquely Napa. Check out their incredible wine list and think of me when you order a glass of Nickel & Nickel merlot. The Nickels are great friends with Bottega, and it’s actually where I had my very first glass of my now-favorite wine.

RH Yountville

RH Yountville – This chic new contemporary restaurant in Yountville is an instant favorite. Each table is adorned with an over-the-top chandelier, and the beautiful ambiance and decor is matched with the delicious menu. Order the crispy artichokes, the burrata, and definitely try their signature bellini! I also recommend going a little early for a drink at their bar – it is adorable! This is the perfect date spot in Napa.

Farmstead – This farm-to-table restaurant in Rutherford is an amazing spot, and my go-to every time I’m in Napa. Think all-american food with a contemporary California twist. I always start with the grilled artichoke appetizer or the meatballs, and I recently had their barbecued ribs with mac and cheese (amaaaaazing). You can’t go wrong with anything on their menu. And save room for dessert here because it is delicious! Another one of my favorite things about this place- their outdoor bar area with fire pits at night. Not to mention wine on tap. Because, Napa.

Charter Oak I loooove the food (and wine) at Charter Oak! Located in the heart of the Napa Valley by Chef Christopher Kostow of the Michelin three-starred The Restaurant at Meadowood. The Charter Oak is centered on a celebratory, family-style dining experience, with simple, approachable, and seasonal food – grilled meats, beautiful vegetables from our 3.5-acre farm, local wines, and unparalleled cocktails. Lou’s Luncheonette – This is a great brunch or lunch spot in Sonoma, but expect a wait. It is right by Domaine Carneros, so is a great spot to go eat before or after tasting there if you’re in this area. It’s also on the way from SF to Napa, making it the perfect pit-stop.  Mustard’s Grill – A greeaaat spot. This restaurant has been serving up American food to Napa locals and visitors alike for over 30 years. Many people’s favorite.

Brasswood – Another restaurant I love to drink cocktails, wine, and eat an amazing meal at. It’s located basically nextdoor to AXR – one of my favorite wineries. SUPER good food – and the perfect lunch spot in the Valley. Order the homemade mozzarella and thank me later.

The French Laundry – I have not yet had the opportunity to eat at this renowned Napa restaurant, often voted the very best restaurant in the WORLD. But, I have walked by their beautiful organic gardens and often dreamt about eating there one day. Their menu is a 9-course tasting menu complete with wine pairings, and, word on the street is each person has their own waiter. Talk about a dining experience unlike any other, more like you’re eating at someone’s home than in a restaurant.

Angele – delish French cuisine in a riverfront bistro perched up overlooking the Napa River. Great spot if you’re staying closer to downtown! Angele is an oasis where you’ll feel like you’re in Europe!

Bistro Don Giovanni – sit on the patio! Chef Scott Warner’s rustic fare incorporates local fruits, vegetables, meat and fowl into traditional, fresh Italian dishes with her signature, creative flair. Freshly baked breads, local olive oil, beautiful salads, tasty appetizers and homemade pastas are inspired by the bounty of Napa Valley. 

When is the best time to go to Napa Valley ?

Napa is one of those few magical places in the world that are beautiful no matter the season. It’s gorgeous in the Summer, almost more beautiful in the Fall with harvest going on, and even stunning in the Winter, on rainy cozy days  (and this is spoken from a Summer worshipper!!) In February, you get mustard season which is just BEAUTIFUL, and one of my favorite times of year to visit.

What’s the difference between Napa Valley and Sonoma?

These two regions of California wine country could not be more different – and they’re both amazing. If you’re trying to decide where to go in wine country and want to know all the differences between Napa and Sonoma , and which region is best for YOUR trip, check out my blog post here : Napa vs. Sonoma .

What is there to do besides wine taste in Napa Valley?

Biking around the valley is one of my favorite things to do in Napa – and definitely a hot air balloon ride!

Check out my full list of things to do in Napa if you don’t drink wine here

What to Wear in Napa + Sonoma:

Shop these dresses:

How great is this cork print Napa hawaiian shirt?

What should I pack for Napa Valley?

Check out this post on packing for Napa in every season

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What are jetset christina’s favorite napa valley wines and how do i order them.

The best wines you can have shipped or delivered

Should I go to any other areas around Napa?

YES, yes, and yes!!! Some of my favorites are Sonoma, Calistoga and Healdsburg . Every area of California wine country is so different, so it’s fun to explore a few.

Craving an amazing chilled glass of California chardonnay yet?

PS – have more questions on Napa or any other destination? Join the JETSETTERS secret facebook group to get & give travel recs to our Jetset Christina community and connect with other #JSCJetsetters!

Check out my other related posts:

Napa vs. Sonoma : Which region of California wine country is better?

The best outdoor wine tasting in Napa and Sonoma

The best wine glasses

Where to stay in Napa for a bachelorette party

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Thank you so much for this blog as I am headed to Napa next month. You might want to review some of the restaurants like redd wood because when I google a couple of them they say moved or for redd wood closed. Everything was very helpful.

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Ultimate Napa Valley Weekend Itinerary You Should Steal

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you buy or book through one of these links, I may earn a small commission .

Are you a wine lover making a long-awaited trip to Napa Valley, California?  After all, this warm, mountain-encircled valley is basically the mother of all U.S. wine regions.  Since narrowing down wineries for your Napa Valley itinerary is half the battle, today I am sharing the best stops from my own amazing trips to help you on your way.

During our first February 2019 trip, my husband and I cozied up on heated patios and watched rainbows form over the vineyards. We recently returned for a fall visit, strolling past vines loaded with ripening grapes that were days away from harvest. However, this time we visited a maximum of two wineries a day and did a bit more hiking.

While these trips were very different, they felt equally romantic. The February Napa trip had sweater weather and Valentine’s Day ambiance, while our second trip exploring the mountains and seeing redwood trees was full of wonder and awe.

Below, I have created the perfect Napa Valley itinerary, whether you only want to taste wine or want to mix in some outdoorsy sightseeing. I will suggest two wineries per day, while giving an option for a third winery or potential hike. With that, let’s get into how to have an incredible weekend in Napa Valley, whether you have 2, 3, or even 4 days.

Napa Valley in February: 6 Reasons to Visit 6 Dreamy Wineries to Visit in Napa Budget Breakdown: Real Cost of a Trip to Napa Valley

The Perfect Napa Valley Weekend Itinerary

Get ready for a wondrous weekend of winery hopping and drinking some of the best fermented grapes you’ve had in your life. You’ll start each day with a nice breakfast at a charming inn or hotel, which will be a good base before wine consumption.

This Napa Valley itinerary is relaxed, with no more than three winery visits a day (trust me, that’s more than enough!). You’ll end each evening eating at trendy restaurants featuring creative dishes made with high-end ingredients.

Napa Valley Itinerary: Day 1

Hit the ground running upon arrival in Napa Valley so you can maximize your full weekend itinerary, whether long or short. This can mean heading straight for wineries or stopping at one of the best places in California to see redwood trees.

If you prefer to prioritize wine tasting, plan to arrive into Napa Valley early since most wineries close anywhere between 4-6 pm.

Redwoods & Wineries

Would you like to see some redwood trees? If so, a stop at Muir Woods National Monument is easy to do on the way to Napa Valley from the airport.

Otherwise, it takes about an hour and a half to drive to Napa Valley from San Francisco International Airport (SFO), giving you time to schedule one or two wine tastings.

11:00am: Choose Between a Hike or Winery

Choose between option 1 or 2:

• See Redwood Trees at Muir Woods: The easiest and most popular way to add redwood tree sightings to your Napa itinerary is to stop at Muir Woods. Although this park is about an hour an a half from Napa Valley, it’s an easy stop on the drive from SFO. Be sure to reserve a parking spot in advance online ($9 per vehicle and $15 entry per person). While this lush park gets very crowded, it’s worth it to hike shady creek-side trails spanning from a half-mile to as long as 11 miles.
• Visit Silver Oak (Oakville): Kick your trip off at one of Napa’s most famous wineries with outstanding red wine. Silver Oak is a Cabernet Sauvignon paradise, with a grand tasting room surrounded by sprawling vineyards. Reservations required. Tastings of a selection of premium wines start at $60.

3:00pm: Biale (Napa)

Biale is one of my favorite Napa wineries for exceptional Zinfandel.  As our visit was in February, I was initially surprised that this tasting was held outside on their patio, especially on a chilly rainy day. However, the built-in heaters and provided blankets did the trick in making us perfectly comfortable

Our off-season visit also meant that Biale wasn’t crowded at all, and our server actually sat with us and educated us about each wine.  I really valued the personal touch, and the opportunity to learn more about Napa Valley wines.  Meanwhile, the rain was stopping, and a rainbow formed over the vineyard in the background. What a dream!

As a personal aside – Biale holds a special place in my heart, as their Black Chicken Zinfandel has come to be synonymous with crazy, but fun holiday gatherings at my in-law’s.

Reservations required. Tastings starting at $50.

5:00pm: Domaine Carneros (Napa)

Cap off your first day of wine tastings with bubbly at Domaine Carneros , whose tastings are housed in a marvelous chateau. Ascending the long path and stairs through immaculate gardens for a grand hilltop entrance. 

While the wines matched the elegance of the building, don’t feel like you have to wear a ballgown to come here. My husband and I visited just a few hours after our cross-country flight, and were wearing sweatshirts with jeans. No one judged us.

Reservations required. Tastings starting at $40.

Travel Savvy Tip

Be strategic about the order in which you do wine tastings. Each day, we started with the furthest one, and worked our way back towards where we were staying. You will be tired after hours of tastings, and it’ll be nice to be close to your hotel when you’re done.

Dinner in Napa

Keep your first night in Napa Valley casual. For a relaxed sit-down experience, visit Bounty Hunter Wine Bar & Smokin’ BBQ in Napa.  Where else besides wine country will you find a smokehouse that is also a wine bar?

For even more cost effective dining that is also delicious, visit the Tacos Garcia food truck in Yountville. My chorizo burrito was filling and oozing with flavorful seasonings and sauces.

Napa Valley Itinerary: Day 2

Fuel up for day two of your Napa Valley itinerary, which features an array of awesome wines and stunning scenery.

Mountain Wine Tastings

11:00am: cade estate winery (angwin).

If Domaine Carneros has the most stunning building, Cade has the most breathtaking view.  Perched high up in Howell Mountain above the fog line, on a clear day you can see over the valley for miles. 

Admittedly, this is a splurge winery. However, Cade’s tasting is worth it for its wonderful selection red wines with a small cheese pairing, as well as a tour.  Somehow, the beautiful wines hypnotized us into pulling out our credit card to purchase a bottle technically outside our budget.

Reservations required. Tastings starting at $100.

1:00pm: Choose Between a Hike or Winery

• Hike in Bothe-Napa Valley State Park: If you missed Muir Woods, you can still see redwood trees at this state park conveniently located in Calistoga on the north end of Napa Valley. Hike the easy 3-mile Redwood Trail , which runs along a tranquil creek, or turn it into a more challenging 4.7-mile loop by adding the Coyote Peak Trail .
• Second Tasting on Howell Mountain: For an efficient wine tasting itinerary, stay on Howell Mountain to visit a second winery in this scenic appellation. To taste sophisticated cabernet sauvignon on the patio of an elegant estate run by Midwesterners, check out O’Shaughnessy Estate Winery . Alternatively, Summit Lake Vineyards is a family-run property where you can taste velvety Zinfandel as friendly dogs stop by for a pet.

4:00pm: Vincent Arroyo (Calistoga)

Please don’t overindulge today because you’ll want to save yourself for this tasting! This family run winery offers charm and a nice change of pace from more grandiose, large-scale operations.

The tasting we did at Vincent Arroyo is up there among the best wine tastings I have ever done in Napa ( Travel + Leisure agrees ). The vineyard-lined driveway to the barrel-filled barn housing the tasting was gorgeous during golden hour.

Once inside, we tasted so much wine that this is the first time I’ve ever had to dump any of my tastings! Expect to try (and love) an impressive variety of wines including Vincent Arroyo’s specialty: Petite Sirah. Also be ready to spend; we walked away with six bottles.

Reservations required. Tastings starting at $30 .

Remember: there is no need to jam-pack your day with more than two or three wineries.  The tastings are meant to be slow, sit-down experiences, and normally take one to two hours each. 

In addition, wine tastings can really add up monetarily, and it’s not necessary to go broke to get the full experience. You can only drink so much wine in one weekend anyhow – by the end of the day it all begins to taste the same.

Dine in Yountville

The French Laundry is the most famous restaurant in Napa Valley, with three Michelin stars. It’s also the most expensive, with a daily tasting menu costing $390 per person. A lot of people like to check it out at least once for the experience, but there are plenty of other awesome restaurants nearby to visit instead.

Alternatively, you could visit its more affordable sister restaurant Ad Hoc , which sits just a little ways down the street. Known for upscale takes on American comfort food served family-style, the four-course menu changes daily and features luxurious add-on options, like caviar. As we visited on a Sunday night, our menu featured delightful build-your-own ice cream sundaes.

My husband and I also had the best date night at Bottega , an lively, upscale Italian restaurant in Yountville.  We both agree that our plates of fresh pasta were the best dishes of our entire February trip. Booking a reservation in advance is a necessity if you’d like to get a table.

Napa Valley Itinerary: Day 3

Final wine tastings.

It’s your last day in Napa, and you’ve got one more full day of wine tastings to go. Drink your morning coffee and let’s get to it!

11:00am: Schramsberg Vineyards for Champagne and Wine Caves

A tour and champagne tasting at the Schramsberg caves is one of the most iconic things to do on any Napa Valley itinerary. You’ve likely seen Schramsberg champagne before since this winery distributes all over the country. However, a tasting offers the chance to try five different types of bubbly side by side for thoughtful comparison.

What sends a visit here over the edge is the chance to tour the wine caves and learn about how champagne is made. The caves date back to the 19th century and look like something out of Harry Potter. Indeed, the rows and rows of glass bottles reminded me of the Hall of Prophecy in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

Also giving spooky vibes were the thick sheets of lichen covering the stone ceilings, which could easily be mistaken for monstrous spider webs.

Reservations required. Tastings starting at $85.

• Explore the Petrified Forest: This is your chance to see trees that were preserved in a volcanic eruption over three million years ago! Located just 13 minutes from Schramsberg by car, it only takes about an hour to stroll The Petrified Forest’s two half mile loops. You’ll see evidence of an ancient lava flow and the redwood trees that were excavated from the ash.
• Taste wine at Duck Horn (Saint Helena): One of our favorite tastings from our initial trip to Napa Valley was at Duckhorn .  Our most valuable takeaway was doing a side-by-side tasting of two Cabernets, with one made from grapes grown on the valley floor and the other made from grapes grown on Howell Mountain. This eye opening experience demonstrated how dramatically growing conditions affect the flavor profile of any given wine. Reservations required. Tastings starting at $60.

3:00pm: Grgich Hills Estate (Rutherford)

A visit to Grgrich is essential. It was this very winery that helped originally put Napa on the map by beating a French wine in the famed “Paris Tasting” of 1976.

That said, our experience at Grgich was more than a history lesson; it was also a reminder to refer back to a physical Napa Valley itinerary throughout the trip. This is also what inspired us to stick to two daily wine tastings on our next trip.

Basically, we lost track of time and missed our scheduled tour at Grgich. Thus, we had to settle for a counter tasting only.  We still loved this winery and the moderate price point on the bottles, with rows of barrels giving oaky aromas that further engaged our senses. 

Reservations required. Tastings starting at $75.

Napa Valley Sign

This photo spot is touristy, but essential. The Napa Valley sign is a short four minute drive down Highway 29 from Grgich Hills Estate. It’s a wonderful spot for a quick photo op, and looks especially stunning at sunset.

Have one last elegant meal before leaving wine country. On our initial visit, we finished up at Torc in downtown Napa.  This chic, yet dressed-down restaurant featured delectable menu items like pork belly and mushroom risotto. 

On our subsequent visit, we felt a little more adventurous and let the students at the Culinary Institute of American cap off our trip. The Gatehouse Restaurant on the school’s campus features a coursed menu prepared by future student-chefs two years into their studies.

Dishes like crudo and seared pork loin are prepared with using fresh produce from the school’s garden. You can even add on wine pairings for an elevated experience.

Getting There

Unless you live close enough to road trip to Napa Valley, the majority of people will fly into San Francisco International Airport.  From there, it is about an hour and a half drive to Napa Valley.  You will likely drive over the Golden Gate Bridge en route, which is pretty cool!

The drive from the airport is easy and straightforward, although their will likely be some slow-downs going through San Francisco.  It was the calm before our exciting winery adventures, which we enjoyed while listening to my California-themed playlist .

Only Have 2 Days in Napa Valley?

If you only have two days available for your Napa Valley itinerary, simply skip the first day of this schedule. Rather than exploring Muir Woods, focus on seeing the best of wine country by exploring estates in the valley and in the surrounding mountains.

Do You Have 4 or 5 Days for Your Napa Valley Itinerary?

If you have additional time to spend on your Napa Valley trip, here are some additional wineries and unique places to check out in the surrounding area.

• Venge Vineyards in Calistoga for delicious red wines made from grapes grown in volcanic ash.
• Mumm Napa in Rutherford to sip bubbly and peruse the adjacent art gallery
• M.S. Torun is the only winery in Napa that produces more olives than grapes. In fact, the owner, Sid, is the official olive oil provider for The French Laundry. Book a tasting here for an intimate, Mediterranean-feeling escape into the hills while Sid brings you fresh dishes produced on his property.
• Visit neighboring Sonoma to get acclimated to a new California wine region. We thoroughly enjoyed our tasting and tour at Repris , who paired our wines with an impressive cheese and charcuterie board.
• Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve gives you a similarly impressive redwood tree experience to Muir Woods, if not better. The difference is there are way less people around and entrance only costs $10 per vehicle.
• Point Reyes National Seashore is the perfect last stop of your trip if you don’t mind a trek on your last day. Windy roads lead you into a rural coastal paradise where you can walk scenic hiking trails or descend steep stairs down to the 1870 Point Reyes Light Station.

Where to Stay

Napa Valley is made up of various little towns along Highway 29 and the Silverado trail.  Three of the most popular ones to stay in are as follows:

• Napa: We loved our stay at the charming Candlelight Inn in Napa – especially the breakfast that was included.  Napa is a great base, with a downtown that boasts many lovely restaurants.  However, being located further south, it is not the most convenient for reaching wineries on the north end of Napa Valley. 
• Yountville: This town is a popular destination for its walkability and easy striking distance to nearby wineries.  Yountville also has boasts of the most famous restaurants in Napa Valley, like the esteemed French Laundry . While hotels here run a bit pricey, Maison Fleurie offers affordability and charm right next to the highly touted Bouchon Bakery .
• Calistoga: Calistoga is unique from the other towns, with roads that become hilly and windy and great hiking and natural hot spring offerings nearby.  This northern town is not so centrally located in the valley, but is near plenty of terrific wineries, like the gems of Howell Mountain. The Bergson is a cozy hotel, with perks like fireplaces in the rooms and easy walkability to downtown Calistoga. We personally adored the Trailside Inn for seclusion and comfort on a budget.

Choosing Wineries

I have suggested some amazing wineries above, but of course you can swap these out for your own tastes. However, if you’re like me, the real issue is narrowing down the best ones from a rather large array of choices. After all, Napa Valley has over 500 wineries with tasting rooms you could visit. Yikes!

To combat the overwhelm of our first trip, I first made a list of all the wineries that we were considering and organized them by price and location. I narrowed down to just one or two splurge wineries, and basically played with the list until I was within my desired budget. I tried to arrange our itinerary so that we visited a max of three wineries each day, starting with the farthest out and working our way back to our hotel.

Don’t worry too much about choosing the perfect spots. Almost all the wine in Napa is good and everything is so beautiful. As long as you don’t overdo it, It’s impossible to fail at this!

Now your itinerary is all set for a mesmerizing weekend in Napa Valley.  This visit will be short, but it’s the perfect amount of time for doing some serious wine tasting.  You definitely can’t lose by visiting any of the ones I mentioned above.  After a blur of excitement, you’ll leave wondering when you can return to this magical wine region again.

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Thank you! We followed a lot of your guidance on our Napa trip, and loved it!

Yay! That is so great to hear 🙂

This itinerary is fantastic!! How did you get around to the wineries? Are shuttles available, or ride-shares?

Thank you! We did a combination of driving ourselves and using Uber/Lyft (traditional taxis are available as well). Ride-sharing several times a day can get very pricey though, so it’s good to plan out tastings to minimize how often you need to use it. That said, if you’re able to split rides with others, that will definitely help keep costs down!

This is perfect! My best friend and I are planning a trip and this has a lot of fantastic tips.

This is so great to hear! Napa is such an awesome destination with more things to do than meet the eye.

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This California Destination Is One of the Best Wine Regions in the World — Here's How to Plan a Trip

Visit Napa Valley for an unforgettable adventure. Discover the best hotels, restaurants, and things to do with this highly curated Napa Valley travel guide.

Best Time to Go

Things to know, how to get around, best hotels, best restaurants, things to do, best shopping, neighborhoods to know, apps to download.

Adrian Rudd/Travel + Leisure

Napa is best known as a booming wine region, serving up some of the top vintages outside of France (and arguably, some of the best wines in the world). The rolling hills and sunny skies make the region a picturesque spot for a quick getaway. And while wine is the main draw, there's plenty to the region worth exploring—all just a two-hour drive north of San Francisco.

Throughout the valley there are a number of towns filled with quaint shops, Michelin-starred restaurants, luxurious hotels, and unique spa experiences. And with over 400 wineries in the region, Napa Valley is definitely a destination worth revisiting again and again. So whether you're looking for a romantic retreat, a getaway with friends, or a trip for the family, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

Here, we've put together the best of what Napa Valley has to offer. Cheers!

Pacific Daylight Time

The tourist season in Napa corresponds with the annual grape harvest from August to October, but that also means that prices are at their highest and travelers should expect wait times and the need for reservations when out exploring. Late spring is a great alternative because the weather is just as nice and crowds are more manageable. And in late May, the area hosts the annual three-day-long BottleRock festival with dozens of acts from some of the world's top musicians, drawing in crowds of over 100,000.

In the summer, temperatures can get a bit hot during the day, but there are plenty of wineries to explore where you can dip into air conditioned tasting rooms or take a seat on a covered patio. The area also hosts its annual Napa Wine Fest each July, and showcases some of the region's top vintners and wineries, plus others from surrounding wine regions like Sonoma and Lake Mendocino.

The area really gets into the holiday spirit during the late fall and early winter months, and it just so happens to coincide with cabernet season (which runs from November through April). Crowds are at their lowest, but so are rates. And while the temperatures are a bit frosty, that's nothing that a glass of wine or two can't fix.

Due to the region's geographic spread, it's best advised to explore the region by car (just make sure to have a designated driver while visiting wineries). While there's public transportation available, it's easiest to go at your own pace instead of navigating bus routes or paying out for a taxi.

And while temperatures can peak in the 90s during the summer months, the nights can get surprisingly cold, dropping as much as 40 degrees in a single day. So it's best to pack a variety of outfits to make sure you're comfortable at all times.

Trains: Amtrak San Joaquins takes travelers from the Bay Area straight to the heart of downtown Napa. The ride takes anywhere from two to three hours, depending on whether you're leaving from Emeryville or Salesforce Plaza.

Buses: Napa Valley's public bus system is called The Vine and runs from El Cerrito Del Norte all the way up to Calistoga.

Taxis: There are a handful of taxi services in Napa that can easily be arranged for quick pickup and drop offs wherever you need to be. Vern's Taxi Service and Yellow Cab Napa are the highest rated, but both Uber and Lyft also operate in the area. Car service: Napa Valley has plenty of private car and limousine options, perfect for those who don't want to worry about getting around if they're out wine tasting. Napa Valley Limousine Services and Napa Sonoma Wine Tasting Driver are the two highest rated. For those looking for a ride to various attractions and tastings with a guide who can help plan their itinerary and share some Napa history along the way, consider booking with Bohemian Highway .

Auberge du Soleil

Address: 180 Rutherford Hill Rd, Rutherford, CA 94573 Phone: (707) 963-1211 Website

For those looking for expansive views paired with a luxurious stay, Auberge du Soleil is just what you're after. The property has 27 rooms, 19 one-bedroom suites, and two private maisons, plus an outdoor pool, and a relaxing spa. Guests can also opt for in-room massage treatments if they'd prefer to revel in the comfort of their private maison.

Address: 900 Meadowood Lane St. Helena, CA 94574 Phone: (877) 963-3646 Website

After being heavily impacted by the 2020 fires, Meadowood has opened its doors once again to welcome guests to the 250-acre property. The 36-room estate features a spa, five tennis courts, and three pool areas.

Hotel Villagio at The Estate Yountville

Address: 6481 Washington St, Yountville, CA 94599 Phone: (707) 927-2130 Website

Situated on 22 acres in the heart of Yountville, the estate offers everything you need for a relaxing getaway. At the center, you'll find Hotel Villagio with 112 guestrooms and 22 suites, sporting gas fireplaces and private terraces that make for a romantic and relaxing escape.

Address: 492 Randolph St, Napa, CA 94559 Phone: (707) 596-5168 Website

Housed in a turn-of-the-century manor that's been thoughtfully restored and updated, The George is centered in the heart of downtown Napa. The grand Victorian home offers nine totally original guest rooms that blend modern amenities with the building's old-world charm.

Archer Hotel Napa

Address: 1230 1st St, Napa, CA 94559 Phone: (707) 690-9800 Website

The Archer Hotel is situated in the heart of downtown Napa surrounded by the restaurants, shops, and tasting rooms. The boutique hotel's First Street location puts it right in the center of the action. For unbeatable views, head to the hotel's Sky & Vine Rooftop Bar, which happens to be the only open-air bar in town.

Bardessono Hotel & Spa

Address: 6526 Yount St, Yountville, CA 94599 Phone: (707) 204-6000 Website

The Bardessono Hotel & Spa was specifically designed with relaxation in mind. The 62 guest rooms and suites, as well as three private luxury villas, all act as a personal spa with in-room massage tables, steam showers, and soaking tubs. But for those looking to spend at least a few hours outside of their room, the hotel is also home to the area's only rooftop pool with stunning views to boot.

Solage, Auberge Resorts Collection

Address: 755 Silverado Trail N, Calistoga, CA 94515 Phone: (707) 266-7534 Website

Situated on the outskirts of Calistoga, Solage capitalizes on the beauty of its natural surroundings with ample outdoor space. The hotel just completed a transformation of the pool area with a new restaurant and private cabanas that can be rented out for the day. Inside, you'll find a 20,000-square-foot spa and 89 guestrooms and suites, each with contemporary furnishings and open floor plans.

Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley

Address: 400 Silverado Trail N, Calistoga, CA 94515 Phone: (707) 709-2100 Website

The Four Seasons Resort in Napa Valley is the newest kid on the block, officially opening their doors in November 2021 after much anticipation. The 85-room property boasts unobstructed views of the surrounding mountains and includes 20 residences on-site (all fitted out with luxe details like five-piece bathrooms, 90+ bottle wine storage, and outdoor terraces) for those who want a bit more than a temporary stay. And because you're in Napa Valley, the resort has its own winery — with its vineyard surrounding the entire property.

French Laundry

Address: 6640 Washington St, Yountville, CA 94599 Phone: (707) 944-2380 Website

Thomas Keller's three-Michelin-star restaurant is considered one of the top in America for its innovative take on classic French dishes. The late Anthony Bourdain dubbed it "the best restaurant in the world, period." Seatings start at $350 per person for the nine-course dinner and there are two set menus that change daily, The Chef's Tasting of meat and seafood and The Tasting of Vegetables. Due to its cult status in the culinary world, reservations are necessary.

Address: 587 St Helena Hwy, St Helena, CA 94574 Phone: (707) 967-0550 Website

Chef Philip Tessier uses local ingredients and innovative culinary techniques to highlight regional cuisine in a way no other restaurant in the area does. But their commitment to the area doesn't stop there as they house the largest collection of Napa Valley wine anywhere in the world with more than 1,700 bottles. Reservations encouraged.

Address: 7377 St Helena Hwy, Napa, CA 94558 Phone: (707) 944-2749 Website: brix.com

For over 25 years, Brix has been a local staple serving up imaginative dishes that highlight regional ingredients. The farm-to-table restaurant sits on 16 acres with stunning views in all directions, and has an expansive outdoor seating area to soak it all in. Owned by the Kelleher family, of the namesake winery, the restaurant offers an expansive list of local wines to pair with your meal. Reservations recommended.

Address: 1300 1st St #312, Napa, CA 94559 Phone: (707) 492-8150 Website

Situated on First Street in the center of downtown Napa, Compline dishes up savory bites in a relaxed, casual atmosphere that's perfect for people watching. Executive chef Jammir Gray's imaginative dishes are both elevated and crave-worthy — think: smoked trout rillettes with fattoria bread and squid ink capellini. What makes this spot extra unique is its expansive wine store, which offers premium bottles from all over the world. It's a great place to grab lunch or dinner, as well as a quick souvenir (just make sure to leave extra room in your checked bag). Reservations recommended.

Mustards Grill

Address: 7399 St Helena Hwy, Napa, CA 94558 Phone: (707) 944-2424 Website

This casual eatery, just a few minutes-drive north of Yountville, offers an expansive menu that's bound to have something for even the pickiest of eaters. The restaurant uses fresh produce from their on-site, two-acre organic garden to complement their savory dishes — the baby back ribs are a must. Be sure to grab an outdoor table if possible, next to their garden, and soak in the sights of the rolling vineyards in the distance.

The Charter Oak

Address: 1050 Charter Oak Ave, St Helena, CA 94574 Phone: (707) 302-6996 Website

Owned by chef Christopher Kastow of the famed, three-Michelin-star The Restaurant at Meadowood, The Charter Oak offers a family-style dining experience that highlights regional wines and seasonal ingredients, with produce sourced from their own 3.5-acre farm. The dishes are simple but are packed with flavor and the cocktails are unbeatable. Reservations recommended.

Address: 6476 Washington St, Yountville, CA 94599 Phone: (707) 944-2487 Website

Chef Thomas Keller opened Ad Hoc in 2006 as an homage to his favorite childhood dishes. The eatery offers casual American fare with an upscale touch. The four-course menu changes daily and dishes are served family-style as a way to encourage customer interaction. Reservations recommended.

California Brandy House

Address: 1300 1st St Suite 309, Napa, CA 94559 Phone: (707) 732-1200 Website

If you're looking to mix up your tasting experience, then California Brandy House is worth the visit. The property opened in 2020 in the heart of downtown Napa and offers a host of premium brandys, all of which can be sampled on-site. You can also get your bottles personally engraved as a thoughtful souvenir.

Napa Valley Balloons

Address: 4086 Byway E, Napa, CA 94558 Phone: (707) 944-0228 Website

If you're looking for a different perspective on Napa, why not take it all in from above? Napa Valley Balloons takes visitors on a once-in-a-lifetime trip high above the picturesque rolling hills and vineyards, offering stunning views as far as the Bay Area. And better yet, you take off at sunrise for your hour-long trip, so you still have the rest of your day for tastings.

Napa Valley Wine Train

Address: 1275 McKinstry St, Napa, CA 94559 Phone: (707) 253-2111 Website

Step back in time with a luxurious homage to train travel on the Napa Valley Wine Train. The restored 20th-century train takes oenophiles on a 36-mile round-trip tour of the region, all the way to St. Helena and back. Guests will enjoy a five-star meal, accompanied by the region's finest wines, of course.

Napa Valley Bike Tours

Address: 6500 Washington St, Yountville, CA 94599 Phone: (707) 251-8687 Website

Yountville is perfectly situated at the center of dozens of wineries that branch out from the town's center along quiet country roads. So what better way to explore the area than by bike? You can easily hop from one winery to the next, or leisurely explore surrounding trails to take in the unbeatable views.

Wine Tasting

There are over 400 wineries in Napa Valley alone so narrowing down the list can be a bit daunting. But we've picked a few of our favorites to get your list started. Mayacamas Vineyard is tucked away in the Mayacamas mountains and offers stunning views of the valley and all the way up to the Bay Area. With plenty of outdoor seating and great wine and cheese pairings, Ashes & Diamonds Winery is a good option for a laid back hang. For a more boutique winery experience, compared to all of the mega wineries in town, head to B Cellar Winery . The team specifically crafted their menu to perfectly complement each of their vintages. And better yet, you can enjoy your tasting on their covered outdoor patio taking in the sights of the surrounding vineyards.

Oxbow Public Market

Address: 610 1st St, Napa, CA 94559 Phone: (707) 226-6529 Website

Set on First Street in downtown Napa, the Oxbow Public Market is a 40,000-square-foot marketplace with food vendors, cafes, and produce from local farmers. After a long afternoon of exploring, be sure to grab a cup of coffee from one of the cafes and relax on the outdoor patio overlooking the Napa River.

Spice Islands Marketplace

Address: 2555 Main Street, St. Helena CA 94574 Phone: 845-452-9600 Website

The Spice Islands Marketplace is a haven for any culinary fanatic. With over 1,700 cookbook titles, cookware, bakeware, and kitchen tools available, you should be sure to leave plenty of extra room in your bag (or just bring an empty suitcase to fill up). Next door, you'll find the Ghirardelli Chocolate Discovery Center, where you'll learn the ins and outs of chocolate making.

Anette's Chocolates

Address: 1321 1st St, Napa, CA 94559 Phone: (707) 252-4228 Website

Since 1991, Anette's Chocolates has been serving up truffles, brittles, caramels, and mouth-watering chocolates from their First Street location in the center of Napa — you can find their second location while strolling through Oxbow Market. After shopping your way through downtown, be sure to stop by for a scoop or two of their hand-crafted ice cream (only served at their First Street location).

First Street Napa

Address: 1300 First Street, Napa, CA 94559 Phone: (707) 257-6900 Website

This collective of restaurants, shops, and tasting rooms is centered right in the heart of downtown Napa making for a perfect location to spend an afternoon. Located just across from the Archer Hotel, First Street is where you'll find over 40 businesses, all within walking distance of one another.

Copperfield's Books

Address: 1300 1st St Suite 398, Napa, CA 94559 Phone: (707) 252-8002 Website

Copperfield's Books is a local institution, having served the community for over 40 years. The bookstore has thousands of books on offer and regularly hosts authors for readings and conversations.

Address: 1240 1st St, Napa, CA 94559 Phone: (707) 927-3303 Website

Foodies lovers will feel right at home at Napastäk, a culinary boutique in the center of downtown Napa. Owners Arthur and Lusine Hartunian, who also own Napa Valley Distillery, have crafted a unique shopping destination for foodies — selling everything from jams and jellies to olive oils, mustards, and wines.

While there are several towns scattered around the Napa Valley, a few stand out with great dining, hotels, and things to do. Here are the top cities and towns to check out.

Napa : Downtown Napa is where you'll find much of the action and is the first stop for those coming up from the Bay Area. First Street is at the heart of it all with a host of stellar restaurants, tasting rooms, and boutiques. Surrounding the commercial area you'll find tree-lined streets filled with quaint Victorian homes that have been remarkably preserved.

Yountville : Mostly notably the home to Thomas Keller's famed French Laundry, which holds three Michelin stars, Yountville is filled with a host of great restaurants, shops, and galleries. The town abounds with opportunities to get out into nature, whether that's hiking trails, biking to and from wineries, or taking a hot air balloon ride over the valley.

St. Helena : St. Helena is a charming town filled with shops and restaurants that line its Main Street. Home to The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone, visitors can partake in cooking demonstrations and tours, or sample some wines from the on-site Christian Brothers Winery.

Calistoga : Calistoga is the final stop for those making their way through Napa Valley, and it's the perfect spot to fully unwind before heading back to reality. The area's mineral-rich waters have led to the town becoming a wellness destination with a number of spas that feature natural spring pools. Once fully relaxed, visitors can peruse the shops, restaurants, and tasting rooms that line Lincoln Avenue.

Due to the fact that Napa Valley is within, well, a valley, the weather fluctuates pretty drastically from sunup to sundown, so it's best to pack a mix of cold-weather and warm-weather outfits. The area averages 27 inches of rainfall per year, mostly during the winter months from December through March. Fire season, which runs from June through November, has hit the region particularly hard in the past few years with record-setting fires in 2017 and 2020. The combination of high temperatures with low rainfall makes the region susceptible to fires.

The average temperature in Fahrenheit is listed below for each month of the year.

January 35 - 55 February 37 - 60 March 40 - 64 April 42 - 70 May 48 - 78 June 53 - 87 July 56 - 93 August 55 - 92 September 53 - 88 October 47 - 77 November 40 - 64 December 35 - 56

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Napa Valley is considered one of the world’s top premier wine-producing regions dating back to the 19th century. Peak season is typically from mid-June through late October- booking reservations early for highly sought-after destinations is strongly recommended.

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Tours & Tastings

People from around the globe travel to Napa Valley to enjoy the iconic Cabernets and Chardonnays produced by vintners that first started producing wines here back in 1872.

Hotels & Resorts

Four and five-star resorts are found in Napa, Yountville and Calistoga that include day spas to help you ease the tension and forget the cares of work.

Bars & Restaurants

The Napa Valley culinary scene offers more Michelin starts per capita than any other region in the world, allowing to dine the best of American, French, Italian and Asian cuisines.

Transportation & Tour Companies

Leave the driving to someone else by hiring a car and driver, or hop on a wine country tour shuttle, allowing you to soak in the full Napa wine country views.

Things to Do

Take a bike wine tasting tour, kayak along the Napa river or get up early and enjoy a hot-air balloon ride that offers you sweeping views of Napa Valley.

Getaway Ideas

Whether you are celebrating a girls weekend, your honeymoon or a weekend retreat, CellarPass offers you instant itineraries to make your trip to Napa Valley just a click away.

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Napa Valley's seasons

Know what the best season is to visit Napa Valley and what to wear.

(December - February) Winter is known as Cabernet season where wineries are open to taste their award-winning Cabernets by the glass or by reserving intimate barrel tastings. Winter is the slowest time of the year where daytime temps range from 42-55 degrees, dress in layers.

(March - May) As Spring arrives, so do the temperatures. The stunning green hillsides beg for a hike and picnic. Spring is also "release" season where most wineries begin offering their latest vintages with special parties and experiences. Reservations are recommended.

(June - August) Summer can offer temperatures from 70-105 degrees at times. We recommend you drink a lot of water and enjoy yourself as wineries offer many different tour and tasting events to choose from. Reservations are strongly recommended starting mid-June.

(September - November) Fall is harvest season in Napa Valley which attracts wine collectors from around the globe seeking to be part of the excitement of “crush”. From legendary harvest parties to production tours, you’ll need to plan ahead. Reservations are required.

Napa Valley's travel tips

Traveling to napa valley.

• When booking your flight to visit Napa Valley, we recommend flying into Oakland (OAK), San Francisco (SFO) or Sacramento (SMJ), each roughly a 90-minute drive to downtown Napa. Napa Airport (APC) serves the private jet setter.
• If you are already in the local area, there's plenty of different transportation companies that can get you around such as Uber, Lyft and private shuttles can be hired.
• There's shuttle services available from Oakland and San Francisco airports that can get you to Napa. Within Napa Valley, there's the VINE public bus system that runs from American Canyon to Calistoga.

About Napa Valley

Though just 30 miles long and a few miles wide, Napa Valley is a global iconic wine country destination offering an abundance of activities and entertainment options that everyone in your group will enjoy. From early-morning balloon rides offering sweeping views of the entire valley, to historic winery tours and wine tastings that attract people form all over the globe to enjoy.

Four and five-star resorts are found in Napa, Yountville and Calistoga that include days spas to help you ease the tension and forget the cares of work. The Napa Valley culinary scene that offers more Michelin starts per capita than any other region in the world, Napa Valley is the perfect destination for wine, food and the arts.

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Guide to Napa Valley: Best Things to Do + More [2024]

· everything you need to know for planning your napa valley wine tasting trip in 2021 ·.

Napa Valley is one of the world’s top wine-producing areas, and it belongs on every wine lover’s bucket list. Known particularly for its red wines, this is the perfect place to fall in love with Cabernet Sauvignon. While Napa Valley is known for its wine, there are plenty of things that can appeal to non-wine drinkers, too.

We love wine, and we especially love visiting wine country. While  Valle de Guadalupe  in Mexico used to be our favorite winemaking region to visit, one visit to Napa Valley very quickly changed that.

Over the past 50 years, Napa Valley has become one of the most esteemed wine-producing regions in the entire world. The unique Northern California climate and the rich volcanic ash soil have put Napa Valley wines among some of the best in production. If you’re a wine enthusiast in the United States – or at least enjoy a nice glass of wine – planning a Napa Valley wine-tasting trip needs to make your bucket list.

This guide will look at how to get to Napa Valley, how to get around, what to wear, the best things to do in Napa Valley other than wine tastings, and more.

You can see clips from our time in Napa Valley and our entire California Coast roadtrip in this short 3 minute video

Best Things to Do in Napa Valley

Since Napa Valley is known for its esteemed wine country, I’m sure you can guess what the top thing on this list is. But while Napa Valley is best known for its wines, there are many other things you can do to fill the gaps between wine tasting! This list will break down a few of the best things to do in Napa Valley.

1. Experience Wine Tastings at the Region’s Famous Vineyards

I know that this is obvious, but I wanted to take the chance to give a little background to this. Drinking wine is one thing, but appreciating wine is another. The things they’ve managed to do in Napa Valley are nothing short of incredible – just Google the Judgement of Paris in 1976 and you’ll see what I mean. It’s one of the top 100 most influential events in American history, and every vineyard along the Silverado Trail serves up renowned wines!

No two vineyards are the same.

Each vineyard is unique and has its own unique perspective, story, style, vibe, and specialty. We visited vineyards with visual flair, like the Persian palace at  Darioush  and the Italian castle and torture chamber at  Castello di Amorosa . We visited vineyards with rich histories, like the long-standing  Chateau Montelena .

In addition, we visited vineyards that produce such good wine like  Promontory  that they don’t even need to care what their facilities look like, yet they’re still breathtaking. We visited  Melka Estates  which showed us farming techniques and  Caymus , which just sat us in chairs and let us drink nice wine on the porch.

While this might be unnecessary detail, what I mean to express is that no two vineyards are the same, and visiting as many as you can will broaden your perspective and understanding while really giving you a fun trip. From Robert Mondavi to Stag’s Leap, everywhere is different and will impress in its own way.

You could opt for an organized group tour, a curated self-guided tour, or you could opt to hand-pick wineries on your own like we did. 

2. Admire the Scenery from Above in a Hot-Air Balloon

The rolling hills and mountains of Napa Valley are stunning from every angle. One angle that many people really love to view them from is above! 

Napa Valley is famous for its hot air balloon rides as they provide some of the best views of any hot air balloon ride in the world. In fact, most sources say Napa Valley is one of the top 5 places in the world to go for a hot air balloon ride! Napa Valley’s beautiful scenery and moderate weather make it a great place to try out a hot-air balloon.

We didn’t have the opportunity to go on one, as Angel was pregnant. If it weren’t for that, though, we absolutely would have done it.

The hot air balloons in Napa Valley tend to leave bright and early so that you can see the sunrise from way up high. Some of them even offer a champagne-fueled breakfast at their facilities after you land. If you have the time, this is a must-do!

3. Swim at Boutique Hotel Pools

Many of the people going to Napa Valley are looking for a very luxurious retreat, and the Napa Valley hotels in the area have certainly stepped up to meet that demand. Throughout the entire valley, you can find very high-end boutique hotels that are a treat just to see. As one of the premier destinations on the West Coast, Napa Valley has learned how to be  luxe.

While staying at these upper-echelon accommodations is outside of most peoples’ budgets, grabbing a drink and spending a day by the pool is much more affordable. If you’re looking for the best of the best – like the place the Kardashians stay – head to  Auberge du Soleil  in St. Helena. After your swim in their beautiful outdoor pool, maybe you can book a spa treatment, too!

4. Walk the Streets of St. Helena and Napa

While most of the little “towns” in Napa Valley don’t actually have a main drag with sidewalks and shops, St Helena and Napa are two of the exceptions. St. Helena is pretty much the very center of Napa Valley, while Napa is situated right at the bottom.

In both towns, you can find adorable local boutiques including chocolatiers, designers, artisans, coffee roasters, and more. We recommend grabbing some chocolate at  Woodhouse Chocolate  in St. Helena and pairing it with some coffee from  Napa Valley Coffee Roasting Company ! These towns are also frequently graced by live music, which can be the perfect pairing for the area’s exceptional wines!

If you enjoy art, you could also head to the di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art, which is a highly-regarded art museum a couple of miles from downtown Napa. This museum houses over a thousand works of art created by regional artists.

5. Experience the Napa Valley Wine Train

The Napa Valley Wine Train is an absolute must if you have the time. This is a vintage train that has been fully restored. It aims to provide travelers with an exceptional wine-and-dine experience.

When you hop on board, you can expect truly delicious food, exceptional wines, and great views of the beautiful scenery as you chug along in the train. The train leaves from the town of Napa, and  tickets  should be bought online in advance.

6. Explore Oxbow Public Market

Oxbow Public Market is an indoor marketplace filled with local vendors and restaurants. From fresh produce and bottles of wine to Mexican food and cupcakes, this market has a little bit of everything. You could try something new here every day without getting bored.

Even better, it is located right in the heart of everything on First Street Napa. It is within walking distance of many of the best restaurants and shops in all of Napa Valley, and it is right across from the Culinary Institute of America! While not everyone chooses to stay right in Napa, this is a can’t-miss spot if you do. 

7. Get Some Fresh Air in the Great Outdoors

As a whole, California is known for its beautiful scenery and gorgeous landscapes. The petrified forest is one of the first things that comes to mind when most people think of Northern California! While that is a bit of a drive from the Napa Valley, there are plenty of outdoor activities within a short drive.

Kayaking on the Napa River is a very popular one, for example! The Napa River cuts through Napa Valley, and it is the perfect spot for kayaking and paddleboarding. If you prefer mountain biking, there are several well-regarded bike tours through the area. Bothe-Napa Valley State Park is also a very popular place to visit, due to its many easy hiking trails and picnic areas.

8. Visit an Olive Oil Farm

Around the world, it is common for grapes and olives to be grown near one another. That is because they both thrive in similar climates. If you have your fill of wine tasting rooms, consider heading to an olive oil farm! 

While California may not be Spain or Italy, California has a pretty robust olive-growing industry. Visiting an olive farm is a unique experience that can’t be had in most parts of the country, and it is worth checking out while in Napa Valley!

How to Get to Napa Valley

Getting to Napa Valley is relatively straightforward but there will be a few steps involved. While many destinations that I write about are very conveniently located near an airport, some just aren’t. Some of the best places we’ve been – like the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York , for example – require a bit of a drive but are fully worth the time and effort.

If you’re not already located in Northern California, you’ll need to get there. The two best places to look for flights are either Sacramento (SMF ) or anywhere in the bay area, including San Francisco (SFO) , Oakland (OAK) , and San Jose (SJC) . Depending which one you choose, you’ll wind up anywhere from 1.5 to 2.5 hours away from the heart of Napa Valley.

From the airport, I highly recommend that you rent a car for the duration of your trip. It’s the easiest way to get to the valley and the easiest way to get around once you’re there.

If you choose to rent a car, simply put the directions into your favorite navigation app and hit the road! The landscapes are beautiful and it is a very easy, leisurely drive.

If you are unable or unwilling to rent a car, your next best option would be to take a shuttle to the valley from the airport. There are buses and shuttles to Napa Valley from San Francisco and Sacramento, and to find the most recent schedules and options your best bet is to give it a quick Google search.

Your final option would be to sign up for an organized Napa Valley wine-tasting tour group, which would pick you up at the airport and handle your transportation the rest of the way. More on that next.

How to Get Around Napa Valley

RENTAL CAR | CHAUFFER | TOUR

Getting around the valley is definitely something that should factor into your decision of how to get to Napa Valley in the first place. Public transportation isn’t really a thing as the valley is sparsely populated and very spread out.

Also, if you begin to head north in the valley and stray any more than 15 minutes from the town of Napa, Uber won’t really be available either. We made this mistake and were forced to pay $50 for a 5-minute taxi ride!

Uber is not accessible in Napa Valley and, hence, is extremely expensive.

Hands down, in my opinion, the best and most budget-friendly way to get around Napa Valley is with your own car. Renting a car at the airport is the easiest way to get to Napa Valley as well as the easiest way to get around Napa Valley.

From top to bottom, or Calistoga to Napa, Napa Valley is only about 50 minutes long and very car-friendly. The only downside to driving your own car is that you will need to make sure someone is the designated driver!

If you don’t want to rent a car and have a bit more money to burn, booking a chauffeur or organized tour for your trip are also great options. This gets rid of the need to pick who is the designated driver, and often this can alleviate a lot of headaches if you’re not looking to tailor-make your Napa Valley itinerary.

Many people just want to go taste wine and don’t really care where, and that’s fine! Others, like us, had a list of places we really wanted to visit. In either case, organizing a driver of some sort is your next best option but will cost significantly more than a rental car.

What to Wear in Napa Valley

I mentioned earlier that every vineyard is different. As a result, the recommended attire varies a bit with each vineyard, too. As a general rule of thumb, wear what you’d wear to a country club or a nice dinner out.

For men, this means dress pants and shoes, a collared shirt, and an optional jacket. For women, this could be a sundress, a skirt and top, dress pants, etc. There is no need for a suit or ballgown, but also I’d avoid being too casual.

Even if they won’t kick you off the premises or refuse your entry, I guarantee they’ll treat you better if you dress up a little bit. Even the finest vineyards don’t expect a suit and tie, but bringing a blazer along is probably a good idea.

Final Tips for Planning a Napa Valley Wine-Tasting Trip

1. wine tastings move slowly – don’t overbook your days.

The biggest thing I think you should know when planning your Napa Valley wine-tasting trip is that things tend to move very slowly and it is very easy to get behind schedule. I left 30 minutes between each tasting to make sure we had plenty of time to get from place to place, and I realized very quickly that wouldn’t be enough in some cases.

We ran late to about half of the vineyards that we visited. Each vineyard’s website will tell you how long the tasting should last, and I’d advise leaving 45 minutes to an hour between each tasting just to be safe.

2. Book Your Wine Tastings Based Off of Geography

Secondly, check out the geography of the vineyards before you book your tastings. Coordinating visits in the same town on the same day can save you a lot of unnecessary driving. For example, we visited both of our desired Calistoga vineyards on the same morning so that we wouldn’t need to make that drive again later in the week.

The Napa Valley area is very spread out, and you can spend hours in the car if you don’t plan properly. For reference, we’ve created a map showing the locations of the best things to do in Napa Valley that we mentioned above.

3. Make Your Wine Tasting Reservations Early

Finally, make your reservations early – both for vineyards and restaurants. We visited in the peak of the busy season, and if it weren’t for the reservations that we made two months in advance, I don’t think we would’ve been able to eat at the places we wanted to and visit the vineyards on our bucket list.

In Napa Valley, most reservations are made with either OpenTable , CellarPass , Tock , or Resy . These tools are all extremely similar and it’s actually a bit inconvenient that you’ll probably have to make an account with several of them, but in the end, they do make reservations very easy.

You can search directly on the websites that I linked above, or you can make a reservation on the vineyard’s website and it will process it with one of the above software.

That’s all we have for you about planning your Napa Valley wine-tasting trip! Hopefully, this Napa Valley Travel Guide helps you to plan the perfect wine-tasting trip in Northern California.

If you’re planning a trip to Napa Valley, Comment below! We’d love to chat ahead of time and answer any questions you have.

Hi, I'm Greg. I'm an avid traveler who has traveled to over 50 countries all around the world with my wife and kids. I've lived in Italy, Mexico, China, and the United States, and I dream of moving abroad again in the future. With this blog, I provide my audience with detailed destination guides to my favorite places and pro-tips to make travel as stress-free as possible.

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Because in napa, its not just where you go, it's who you know., because in napa, it’s not just where you go; it’s who you know..

Longing to explore the best of Napa Valley without getting trapped in the tourist throng? Want to find the best and most interesting wineries? Or an intimate candlelit bistro that only locals know?

Planning a trip to wine country should be pleasurable and exciting, not confusing. But with ~500 wineries to explore—not to mention restaurants, trails, and venues—the choice can feel overwhelming. This is where Napa Concierge comes in to help you plan a trip tailored to you, your tastes, and your lifestyle.

Our luxury concierge service offers personalized assistance in arranging your unforgettable trip to Napa Valley. As residents of this region, we have insider knowledge of its secret treasures. This includes the very best wineries, restaurants, and activity spots.

Our mission? To make sure that you experience the true essence of Napa.

Our mission is simple: to ensure you capture the true essence of Napa Valley.

Napa Valley Experiences Built for You

Napa Concierge isn’t just about wine; it’s about crafting a complete and personalized Napa Valley experience. Beyond the vineyards, our dedicated team opens the doors to an array of enchanting possibilities.

We go the extra mile to introduce you to the region’s hidden gems – those ‘secret’ dining spots cherished by locals, off-the-beaten-path wineries offering unique tasting experiences, and exclusive event venues nestled in luxurious estates. Along scenic vineyard trails, we unveil breathtaking vistas and hidden wonders, making your journey through Napa Valley unforgettable.

Napa Valley is a treasury of experiences, with some of its best-kept secrets shared only among a select few. Napa Concierge is your key to this hidden world, ensuring you don’t miss out on Napa’s finest offerings.

Our approach to travel planning is deeply personalized, taking into account your individual tastes and preferences. Whether you’re dreaming of a romantic escape, a getaway with friends, or planning a corporate event, we’ll assist you in curating a remarkable visit to Napa Valley.

Let us transform your Napa Valley trip into a bespoke adventure tailored to your every desire.

With Napa Concierge, you can transform your wine valley visit into an extraordinary adventure. Let us take care of the details, so you can immerse yourself in the beauty, flavors, and experiences that make this region so special.

Welcome to Napa Concierge, where unforgettable memories await.

Contact us today at info@Napa-Concierge to start planning your travel experience to Napa Valley. 

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Armchair Sommelier’s Travel Guide To Napa Valley

Napa Valley.

The name itself conjures images of rolling vineyards, prestigious wineries, and glasses overflowing with 90+ point wines.

It’s a place I fell in love with the first time I ever visited.

Napa Valley is everything you imagine it to be — sophisticated, romantic, beautiful, historic, stylish, and filled with wine, food, and life.

For first-timers, Napa Valley can be intimidating. When should you go? What should you taste? Where should you eat? Boutique or big names? How do you avoid those high prices you’ve heard about?

That’s where this guide comes in.

It’s easy to get lost in the sea of information online, TripAdvisor reviews, and top-ten lists.

Who has time to wade through thousands and thousands of websites and reviews written by people who love Pinot Noir and hate Cabernet Sauvignon (all that means is that wine is subjective)?

I used my fifteen years of experience visiting and planning trips for people in Napa Valley to write this straightforward guide so you experience Napa Valley the right way.

This comprehensive guide features insider tips on places to eat, stay, and visit that will help you get off the beaten path and into the little secret spots.

With this trip planning guide, you’ll get to see an insider’s view of the Napa Valley!

How This Guide Will Help You

• You’ll discover Napa Valley’s unique, beautiful, and often-overlooked sights with my obsessively curated favorites to make your visit unique and authentic.
• You’ll get two optional itineraries filled with my favorite and unique places to stay.
• You’ll get the lowdown on every winery – so you can know what AVA is best for you.
• You’ll get my personal favorite places to eat – markets to Michelin restaurants, and everything in between – so you know exactly where to go for a delicious meal. I’ve got the list for the foodie inside you!
• You’ll learn which wineries have picnic spots for budget pairings – filter the guide by varietal, food available and location.
• You’ll receive three- and four-day itineraries to make planning your visit as easy as possible.
• Included in this guide is a spreadsheet with every activity, private chef, spa, restaurant, and winery in Napa that can be filtered by varietal, food, location.
• With detailed information, you’ll know all the options for getting around wine tastings.
• You’ll get inspired for your trip with my list of hundreds of activities! (think spa, hot air ballooning, biking, paddle boarding, olive oil tasting, the list goes on!)
• You’ll see how Napa Valley isn’t only about wine!
• Receive a printable brochure if planning this trip for a special occasion.

Get the Definitive Travel Guide to Napa Valley!

This guide will help you navigate the valley like a pro, find the best wineries, foodie spots, and and jaw dropping views that will bring tears to your eyes.

Napa Valley Trip Planning FAQ

How long does it take to get from sfo to napa.

It depends on the time of day and day of the week of course but travel from SFO to Napa is takes about 1-1/2 hr with light traffic. Uber ranges between $120-180. We have a list of private drivers in our guide!

Should I rent a car or hire a driver?

Yes. We always recommend renting a car first and foremost. You’ll want transportation to run here or there. But if you have a big day of tasting planned (3-4 wineries) we recommend hiring a driver for the day. Most drivers are around $50/hour.

Is Uber/Lyft reliable to get from winery to winery?

Uber/Lyft are hit or miss. If you are relying on Uber for your transportation you should schedule a ride in advance. We don’t recommend that you wait until your tasting is done to book a ride. You will be late to your next tasting guaranteed.

Is Uber/Lyft reliable to get from SFO to Napa and vice versa?

Yes. They are reliable to get you to/from the airport if you schedule in advance. Getting an Uber from the airport is no problem but getting from Napa to the airport needs to be scheduled.

Do Napa wineries have food available or are picnics allowed?

Most wineries have tapas plates available and several offer pairing options. Wineries that allow picnics are V. Sattui, Tres Sabores, Rutherford Hill, Amici, Rombauer, and many more can be found in our guide! 

Where should we stay if traveling with a group?

If you’re traveling with a group, renting a house is most preferable. You will find great options in Sonoma, St. Helena and Calistoga.

Where should we stay in Yountville?

The top recommended hotels in Yountville are Bardessono and Maison Fleurie. Personally, I absolutely loved Maison Fleurie. The roof terrace complete with fire place is lovely for chilly nights. It’s also said to be the oldest building in Yountville.

Where should we stay in St. Helena?

Top recommended places to stay in St. Helena are Harvest Inn and Ink House Inn.

What are the best things to do in Napa Valley?

You can pretty much find an activity for everyone in your group. Wine aside, the best feedback we’ve received from our trips were from… taking a food tour, barrel blending at Conn Winery, cooking class at Cakebread, wine making at Raymond Vineyards, hot air balloon ride, spa, paddle the Napa river, Napa Valley Bike Tours. Oh yeah, and some really enjoy golfing.

How many days should I plan for my Napa Valley vacation?

You should plan a minimum of 3 days. Call it a long weekend. If you plan your vacation for 7 days you should break it up and spend a day at Bodega Bay and do some wine tasting in Sonoma. You can also plan activities that are not wine focused (gasp!).

How do I get reservations for French Laundry?

There are a two ways you can get a reservation. The first way is to plan your Napa trip around your reservation. As soon as reservations open, book your table. If you can’t work out your trip around that day you can always sell your reservations in our Napa Travel Planning group or in the French Laundry Reservations Facebook Group. And that’s the second way you can come by reservations.

What are the best restaurants in downtown Napa?

Most recommended restaurants in downtown Napa are Cole’s Chop House, Morimotos, Torc, Celadon, Eiko’s Sushi, Scala, Angéle, ZuZu, C. Casa, Hog Island. Our favorites are Hog Island, Eiko’s and Angéle (duck confit).

What are the best restaurants in St. Helena?

Our favorite places to eat in St. Helena are Cook, Charter Oak, Long Meadow Farmstead, Mustards Grill, Press, Goose and Gander.

What are the best restaurants in Yountville?

Bouchon Bistro, Ad Hoc, Bottega, Bistro Jeanty (pictured here) and R+D. Of course French Laundry if you can get a table. Yountville is a foodie paradise. Ciccio’s wood fired pizza shouldn’t be missed.

What restaurants in napa valley have vegan options?

These restaurants in Napa Valley have Vegan options: The Dutch Door, C-Casa, Gotts, Bistro Don Giovanni, Azurro, Small World, Southside Cafe, Yak and Yeti, Morimoto, Morimoto Asia, La Calenda, and many more in our guide!

Should I eat a big breakfast and skip lunch?

Every body and all dietary needs differ. That said, we recommend you eat a decent breakfast, take snacks and stay hydrated. We also recommend a food pairing at one or more wineries. The goal is to not get wasted. This is Napa not Las Vegas.

How many wineries should I book in one day?

You can book three wine tastings in a day if they’re all in the same town. There’s no prize for the number of wineries you can hit in one day. Keep in mind you need to be coherent for dinner. And then wake up the next morning.

Should we go to Sonoma?

Yes, yes a thousand times yes, you should go to Sonoma! Sonoma is incredibly charming, has a great cheese factory, history, great food and the most amazing Pinot Noir (if that’s your thing). Hamilton Family Winery is our favorite.

What is the best month to visit Napa Valley?

The best time to visit Napa is August through October (Harvest Season) or March through May. Winter is absolutely beautiful also. The holiday markets and festivals are so charming. Napa’s peak tourist season is harvest season . During this time you can expect crowds and high prices for just about everything.

What is the cheapest time of year to visit Napa Valley?

The cheapest times to visit Napa are Winter and Spring. From November to May you’ll find hotel deals. A hotel you couldn’t touch during Summer in popular Yountville becomes almost affordable, and downtown Napa gets downright cheap.

Can you wear jeans to a winery?

Absolutely! Jeans are acceptable year-round. It’s called wine country casual. Downtown Napa is super casual. We’ve wandered into tasting rooms in gym shorts and ball caps. They just think you have tech money. Be sure to dress in layers. Some winery experiences are outdoors and tours often take guests through wine caves and chilled cellar areas.

How do I plan a wine tasting trip in Napa?

Plan Ahead. Reservations are recommended but if you want to be spontaneous you can call ahead that day or walk-in to a boutique winery. Take Your Time. Limit your day to 2-3 wineries, and plan to stay 2 hours at each location. Travel Safe. Have a designated driver and always pack plenty of food and water.

Where do you fly into to go to Napa?

Napa County Airport is the closest airport to Napa Valley. The closest international airports to Napa Valley are Oakland International Airport, 50 miles south, and San Francisco International Airport, 55 miles south. We have a list of private drivers in our guide!

How far apart are Sonoma and Napa?

It’s about 15 miles from Napa to Sonoma and should have a drive time of 25 mins.

How long do you stay at a winery in Napa?

We recommend 2 or 3 winery visits, but not more than that as most experiences take a minimum of 90 minutes and there is travel time in between. You can hire a driver or tour company to drive you to the wineries.

Meet Your Napa Trip Planner

Hi! My name is Anne Morin and I’m the founder of ArmchairSommelier.com. I’ve planned hundreds of trips over the last 15 years for corporations, clients, friends and family. Couples,  bachelorette parties, stag parties, girls trips, and team building trips. I’ve traveled all over the world in search of good food and great wine. Here I am below in Chiang Mai. When people ask me how and why I choose my destinations I say… “I follow the food. I wanted to learn how to make the best pasta so I booked a trip to Tuscany . When I wanted the best báhn mì sandwich in the world, I went to Vietnam. Pad Thai? Well, Thailand obviously. I love the idea of experiencing culture through food.”

Napa Trip Planner Frequently Asked Questions

How do i know i will like what is included in the 3 day pre-planned itinerary.

We get that question all the time. While you want to feel liberated by not spending 20 hours planning this trip you just don’t know. We get it. Our answer is, we’ve booked this same trip and we always get great feedback. 

Do you offer different 3 day itineraries?

This Napa Valley Trip Planner offers three- and four-day itineraries.

Will you help me plan my destination wedding?

Wedding planning is incredibly nuanced. Therefore, we recommend someone who is specialized in wedding planning to plan your very special event.

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Napa Valley Trip Ideas & Itineraries

The ultimate napa valley itineraries, follow these itineraries to relax, savor and restore..

Napa Valley is home to friendly faces, breathtaking views, luxurious accommodations, healing spas, phenomenal culinary talent and premier art.

Take a look at the trip ideas below to plan your Napa Valley getaway.

Plan Your Trip to Napa Valley

Pet friendly.

We know bringing your furry friend on vacation is important so we've got all the dog-friendly hotels, restaurants and wineries listed to help you with planning

Napa Valley welcomes LGBTQ+ family and friends all year long, by offering romantic getaways and a peaceful escape from the big city

Art Lovers Itinerary

Visit some of the valley's best galleries, studios, and art-filled wineries

First Timer's Guide

Five days of Napa Valley must-sees, from top wineries to restaurants and activities

Girls' Getaway Guide

Explore acclaimed restaurants and wineries, restorative hot springs, outdoor adventures, and shops

Group Itinerary

There’s always a wide variety of activities to engage every member of your group

Guys' Getaway Guide

Explore wineries and restaurants, golf courses, breweries and distilleries, music lounges, and outdoor activities

Kid-Friendly Itinerary

Enjoy a long weekend packed with adventures and activities, for kids of all ages, as well as adults

Romance Itinerary

Picnics in vineyards, Michelin-starred restaurants, and hot-air balloon rides make it the perfect romantic getaway

Solo Traveler Itinerary

Experience peace and quiet, plus opportunities to make new friends

Splurge or Save Itinerary

Try these options for splurging or saving on wineries, restaurants, bars and things to do

Perfectly Packaged Itinerary

Seasonally appropriate inspiration for everyone, whether first-time visitors or wine country experts

Get Inspired

Napa valley rainy day plans, best scenic drives of napa valley, celebrate a milestone birthday in napa valley, napa valley road trip: the backcountry of highway 128, a perfect date in napa valley, old school napa valley: a photo-worthy itinerary, graveyards and ghost tales in the napa valley, plan your own "wine country" movie adventure in napa valley, experience napa valley, wine tours & transportation, things to do besides wine tasting, visitor magazine, book your stay, boutique inns.

Nestled among rolling hills, charming neighborhoods, and storied vineyards are the most charming boutique inns

From impeccable design to lavish landscapes, Napa Valley hotels have the creature comforts and amenities for you and your loved ones

A wonderland for grown-ups, Napa Valley resorts cater to outdoor and fitness enthusiasts, bon vivants and those seeking serenity

Need more travel planning tips or recommendations for your Napa Valley trip?

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Passing Thru Travel

Navigating Napa Valley: An American Traveler’s Guide to Wine Country

Posted: April 25, 2024 | Last updated: April 25, 2024

Napa Valley, a name synonymous with fine wine and culinary excellence, offers many experiences beyond the vineyard. This guide explores the heart of Napa, California, presenting a curated selection of destinations that embody the region’s rich culture, breathtaking landscapes, and artisanal spirit. From the elegance of historic wineries to the serene beauty of natural hot springs, each destination is a chapter in the story of Napa, waiting to be explored.

1. Napa Valley Wine Train.

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Paul Thomas Curry

The Napa Valley Wine Train is an iconic journey that captures the essence of Napa Valley’s winemaking tradition. Travelers are invited aboard vintage railcars, where they are treated to a fusion of scenic beauty, gourmet cuisine, and the finest local wines. As the train weaves through the heart of Napa Valley, passengers witness the changing landscapes of vineyards and mountains, making it a unique way to experience the region’s viticultural heritage.

2. Castello Di Amorosa

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Christopher Pfeifer

Castello di Amorosa highlights the enduring allure of medieval architecture brought to life in the heart of Napa Valley. This authentically-styled 13th-century castle offers a visual feast and houses some of the region’s most esteemed wines. Visitors can embark on guided tours that reveal the castle’s grandeur, from its defensive fortifications to its underground cellars, culminating in tastings of estate wines amidst the backdrop of panoramic valley views.

3. Oxbow Public Market

Image Credit: Shutterstock / James Kirkikis

The Oxbow Public Market is the epicenter of Napa’s local food and wine scene, offering a vibrant mosaic of gourmet vendors, artisan cafes, and specialty shops. This bustling marketplace showcases the bounty of Napa Valley’s agricultural heritage and serves as a gathering place for locals and visitors. From farm-fresh produce to artisanal cheeses and wines, the market is a culinary adventure that reflects the diverse flavors of the region.

4. Downtown Napa

Image Credit: Shutterstock / randy andy

Downtown Napa is the vibrant heart of the Napa Valley, where the region’s rich history meets modern luxury and sophistication. This bustling area is a haven for foodies, art lovers, and shoppers, offering an array of boutique shops, world-class restaurants, and galleries. The Napa Riverwalk is a highlight, providing a scenic route to explore the area’s natural beauty. Downtown Napa has successfully blended its historic charm with contemporary elegance, making it a must-visit for anyone seeking to experience the full spectrum of Napa’s culture.

5. Robert Mondavi Winery

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Meandering Trail Media

The Robert Mondavi Winery is at the heart of Napa Valley’s winemaking legacy, known for its commitment to producing high-quality wines that reflect the region’s terroir. The winery offers a range of educational tours and tastings designed to enhance visitors’ understanding of the winemaking process and the subtleties of wine tasting. The stunning architecture of the winery, with its iconic arch, is as much a draw as the wines themselves, set against the backdrop of picturesque vineyards.

6. The Culinary Institute of America at Copia

Image Credit: Shutterstock / David A Litman

The Culinary Institute of America at Copia is a premier destination for culinary enthusiasts, offering a deep dive into the world of food and wine. Visitors can participate in cooking classes, wine-tasting sessions, and culinary demonstrations led by expert chefs and sommeliers. The facility features state-of-the-art kitchens, a beautiful garden that supplies fresh ingredients for classes, and an on-site restaurant. This institution educates and inspires, fostering a deeper appreciation for the culinary arts.

7. Napa Valley Balloons

Image Credit: Shutterstock / cheng cheng

Napa Valley Balloons offer an unparalleled perspective of Napa Valley’s sprawling vineyards and rolling hills through the serene and majestic experience of hot air ballooning. As the sun rises, guests ascend into the sky, greeted by the breathtaking panorama of Napa’s landscape bathed in the early morning light. This tranquil journey through the skies provides spectacular views and a unique sense of peace and wonder. The experience is often concluded with a champagne breakfast, celebrating the beauty of Napa Valley from above.

8. Di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Michael Warwick

The Di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art is a sanctuary for art lovers, nestled in the heart of Napa Valley. This unique art center is set among a picturesque landscape, featuring a significant collection of contemporary artworks by Northern California artists. The center’s galleries, sculpture park, and natural environment offer a diverse exploration of artistic expression, inviting visitors to engage with art in a setting that stimulates both the mind and the senses. The Di Rosa Center is a testament to the vibrant cultural fabric of Napa Valley, showcasing the region’s commitment to artistic innovation and creativity.

9. Yountville

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Leonard Zhukovsky

Yountville epitomizes the charm and elegance of Napa Valley, known for its Michelin-starred restaurants, boutique shopping, and exquisite vineyards. This small town, nestled in the heart of Napa Valley, offers a refined experience where culinary excellence and viticulture are celebrated daily. Visitors can stroll through the picturesque streets, dine at renowned establishments, and explore boutique wineries, all within the backdrop of stunning vineyard landscapes. Yountville is a destination where luxury and simplicity converge, offering a tranquil retreat into the pleasures of Napa Valley life.

10. Calistoga Hot Springs

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Victoria Ditkovsky

At the northern tip of Napa Valley, Calistoga is renowned for its natural hot springs, offering a sanctuary of relaxation and rejuvenation. These thermal waters, rich in minerals, have been a source of healing and relaxation for centuries. Visitors can indulge in various spa treatments, from mud baths to mineral soaks, in settings ranging from rustic to luxurious. Calistoga’s hot springs provide a counterpoint to the valley’s wine-centric attractions, offering a profoundly soothing experience that connects visitors to the natural beauty and tranquility of the region.

11. Skyline Wilderness Park

Image Credit: Shutterstock / AlessandraRC

Skyline Wilderness Park presents a different side of Napa Valley that appeals to outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. Spanning over 850 acres, this park offers a variety of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding, each providing unique views of the valley and its surrounding natural beauty. The park is not only a haven for recreational activities but also a sanctuary for local wildlife, offering visitors a chance to connect with the natural environment of Napa Valley. The diverse landscapes, from dense forests to open meadows, make Skyline Wilderness Park a must-visit for those exploring the great outdoors.

12. St. Helena

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Arnieby

St. Helena is the quintessential Napa Valley town, embodying the region’s rich history, culinary excellence, and viticultural prowess. This picturesque town is home to historic buildings, gourmet dining establishments, and some of the valley’s most prestigious wineries. St. Helena offers a blend of sophistication and charm, with its tree-lined streets, boutique shops, and art galleries inviting leisurely exploration. The town serves as a gateway to exploring the more expansive Napa Valley, providing a central location to venture into the surrounding wine country.

13. Silverado Trail

The Silverado Trail runs parallel to Highway 29 on the eastern side of Napa Valley and offers a scenic alternative route through the wine country. This less-traveled road stretches over 30 miles, winding past vineyards, boutique wineries, and stunning landscapes. The Silverado Trail is favored by cyclists and motorists alike for its serene beauty and access to some of Napa Valley’s renowned wineries and hidden gems. The trail also offers numerous spots for picnicking and photography, making it a perfect way to spend a day exploring the valley at a leisurely pace.

14. Napa River Kayaking

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Corepics VOF

Kayaking on the Napa River offers a unique vantage point from which to experience the beauty and tranquility of Napa Valley. This gentle river flows through the heart of Napa, providing a peaceful escape into nature. Guided tours are available, offering insights into the local ecosystem, history, and wine culture from the perspective of the water. Kayaking the Napa River is an activity that combines adventure with relaxation, appealing to both seasoned paddlers and beginners looking for a new way to explore Napa Valley.

15. Jarvis Estate

Image Credit: Shutterstock / yhelfman

Jarvis Estate offers an extraordinary wine tasting experience, set within the heart of a cave system carved into the Vaca Mountains. This unique setting provides a constant, cool climate ideal for wine aging, and visitors are invited to explore the cave’s tunnels to discover the winemaking process from barrel to bottle. The estate specializes in estate-grown, limited-production wines, offering tastings highlighting their vineyards’ distinct terroir. Jarvis Estate combines innovation with tradition, providing a wine-tasting experience that is as educational as it is memorable.

The Bottom Line

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Rolf_52

Napa Valley is diverse, offering experiences that cater to every interest, from the serenity of nature and the thrill of adventure to the depth of cultural and culinary exploration. Each destination within this guide explores the essence of Napa Valley, inviting you to engage with the land, the people, and the stories that weave together this remarkable region. As you venture through Napa, let curiosity be your guide, and discover the myriad ways this valley can enchant, educate, and inspire. Welcome to Napa Valley, where every journey is an adventure, and every moment is a memory in the making.

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Protect Your Trip »

26 top things to do in california.

There's something for everyone in the Golden State.

Top Things to Do in California

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California is full of beautiful destinations and fun attractions to experience.

California's attractions are so diverse that travelers of all types will have no problem finding things to thrill them. Beaches , lakes , forests, mountains and deserts all sit side by side within the state's borders. Amid its natural wonders, California is also home to several wine regions, luxury hotels and, of course, star-studded Hollywood. With all this and so much more, it may be challenging to figure out how to fit all the state's most important must-sees in one or more trips.

Let this guide assist you in your California vacation planning, whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned pro. From the north to the south and everything in between, these are the top things to do in California.

17-Mile Drive

California's 17-Mile Drive is a spellbinding and awe-inspiring route that weaves along the most scenic stretch of the Monterey Bay coastline. This must-visit road, winding through the exclusive community of Pebble Beach, takes drivers up into the Del Monte Forest, past palatial mansions and down along picture-perfect craggy beaches and bluffs. Take time to stop at the various lookout points marked along the way, including the famous Lone Cypress.

If you're interested in bedding down in Pebble Beach, consider splurging on a room, or at least stopping for a meal, to behold the stunning scenery that surrounds the properties at Pebble Beach Resorts, including The Lodge at Pebble Beach or The Inn at Spanish Bay . If you are not staying overnight or dining here, expect to pay a vehicle fee to access 17-Mile Drive. Also note that motorcycles are not allowed.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

This small community in Monterey County is one of the most unique and charming towns in California. Its enchanting coastal location, wooded streets, fairytale-like architecture, and bevy of local shops and restaurants make Carmel-by-the-Sea well worth the detour from the iconic state Route 1. Even if you only have a half-day in Carmel, browse the art galleries, take a walk on the beach and enjoy a meal in one of the quaint restaurants.

Be sure to visit a few of Carmel's beaches, starting with the namesake Carmel Beach, which is located at the end of Ocean Avenue, the town's main drag; pet owners will be pleased to know it's a dog-friendly beach . Carmel River State Beach, which is lesser known and typically not as highly trafficked, connects to the even more secluded Monastery Beach via the Carmel Meadows Trail. As for where to stay, consider treating yourself to one of the town's luxurious accommodations, including traveler-approved L'Auberge Carmel or La Playa Carmel .

[Read: The Top Weekend Getaways From Los Angeles .]

Visit the theme parks

Courtesy of Universal Studios

You are truly spoiled for choice when it comes to theme parks in California. The impressive amount of options will please every type of traveler. Kids will naturally be dazzled by Anaheim's world-famous Disneyland Resort . However, if you're not up for paying Disneyland's notoriously high ticket fees, consider exciting alternatives such as Legoland California . There are Six Flags amusement and water parks near both Los Angeles and San Francisco – perfect for thrill-seekers – and Universal Studios Hollywood is home to the popular Wizarding World of Harry Potter and the new Super Nintendo World.

Due to the popularity of these parks, you'll have no problem finding nearby accommodations. Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa is a top choice among travelers, as is The Garland for those visiting Universal Studios Hollywood. Legoland has two kid-friendly hotels to choose from, though travelers can also opt for a stay at the well-received Cape Rey Carlsbad Beach, a Hilton Resort and Spa , which is located right on the beach and only a short drive to Legoland.

Read: The Top California Theme Parks

Yosemite National Park

If you only have time to visit one outdoor destination during your California trip, make it Yosemite . With the national park welcoming more than 3 million visitors per year, Yosemite Valley has been known to stir awe for centuries with its grand granite peaks, magnificent waterfalls and lush evergreen landscapes. There is so much to do in this nearly 750,000-acre park that you'll need several days to take it all in. If you're unsure where to start at this California bucket list destination, know that Glacier Point, Half Dome, Tunnel View and the Mist Trail are considered iconic, can't-miss Yosemite attractions , according to recent travelers.

There are three hotels within Yosemite, including the luxury Ahwahnee hotel. You'll also find cabins, canvas-sided tents, campgrounds and RV campsites spread around the park, as well as several dining options. Be warned that the park does get very crowded during the summer months, so visiting in the offseason is a great idea – especially with Yosemite's picturesque snow-capped peaks. Check for road closures during winter months; tire chains may be required.

Explore the desert

To properly appreciate California's diverse geological landscape, you'll need to venture beyond the coast and explore the desert. Luckily, two magnificent desert landscapes can be found less than three hours from Los Angeles and San Diego. Joshua Tree National Park , located about 130 miles east of Los Angeles, is an approximately 800,000-acre oasis dotted with the unique Joshua tree, which can only be found in the American Southwest. Meanwhile, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, located about 85 miles northeast of San Diego, is California's largest state park and features striking scenery ranging from slot canyons to palm oases.

Both of these parks offer memorable hiking trails and camping options. You'll want to plan a multiday trip to explore either of these vast parks. Traveler favorites in Joshua Tree include the 3-mile out-and-back Ryan Mountain trail and the 1.7-mile Skull Rock loop trail. In Anza-Borrego, visitors enjoyed the 2.6-mile out-and-back Pictograph Trail and the more moderate 2.3-mile Slot loop trail. Due to the desert's extreme summer heat (think: daytime temperatures in the 90s or even 100-plus degrees), it's best to visit during the spring and fall.

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Laguna Beach

If you're interested in experiencing small-town Southern California, Laguna Beach is the perfect place to start. Conveniently situated between Los Angeles and San Diego, Laguna Beach is located along the coast just off state Route 1. Laguna Beach's picturesque setting is characterized by pristine oceanfront parks and a collection of beautiful beaches wedged between its coastal bluffs. Be sure to visit unique cove beaches, such as Victoria Beach and Crescent Bay Beach, as well as larger shorelines, including traveler-favorite Crystal Cove State Park, which receives praise for its beautiful setting between Laguna Beach and Corona del Mar.

Laguna Beach is also home to a bevy of luxurious accommodations , including The Ranch at Laguna Beach and the traveler-approved five-star Montage at Laguna Beach . Once an artists' colony, Laguna Beach is known for its summer art festivals and numerous art galleries. There are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy too, such as mountain biking, skimboarding and hiking. Parking can be hard to find in the summer months and on holiday weekends, but there is a free open-air trolley service that runs along the area's stretch of coastline.

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Located a little more than 30 miles west of Los Angeles, Malibu is often seen as a coastal refuge for the rich and famous. While that impression is certainly true, Malibu is worth a visit for its superb beaches and the exceptional parks a stone's throw away.

Drive up state Highway 1 and make a pit stop at popular shorelines, including Robert H. Memorial State Beach, Zuma Beach and Point Dume State Beach. Nature lovers should also take time to hike some of the many trails at Point Mugu State Park, Topanga State Park or the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. For hikes with spectacular ocean views, hit up the 3-mile Solstice Canyon Loop trail or the challenging 2.7-mile Mugu Peak loop trail. Check for trail closures before heading out.

Due to Malibu's small size and affluence, you won't find many hotels that offer affordable rates, so you might want to bed down in nearby Los Angeles. If you are intent on staying in Malibu, you'll find comfort and luxury at the Malibu Beach Inn , The Surfrider Malibu and Hotel June Malibu. Stop by Malibu Country Mart for high-end shopping and farm-to-table dining, or check out Trancas Country Market for snacks at Vintage Grocers or lunch at Malibu Brewing Company.

Read: The Top Los Angeles Beaches

San Francisco

A visit to California is not complete without a stop in San Francisco . There are several ways the city is a standout, not only in the state but in the entire country. Its scenic bayfront setting, towering hills and the plethora of colorful Victorian homes that line them are a feast for the eyes. On top of all of that, the city is home to world-famous attractions and is widely considered to be one of the best foodie cities in the U.S.

While here, check out all the visitor-favorite sights , including the Golden Gate Bridge and Chinatown. You can also take advantage of the outdoor spaces that make up the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, such as Land's End, Muir Woods National Monument and more. As for where to stay, you have endless hotel options in San Francisco , including Ritz-Carlton , Four Seasons and St. Regis outposts.

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Alcatraz Island

While in the San Francisco Bay Area, take a tour of the infamous Alcatraz Island , an island that has housed a fort, military prison and penitentiary. Self-guided audio tours are included with your ferry ticket to Alcatraz: Listen to the stories of past inmates as you walk through what was once a maximum-security prison. On the island, you'll also find an exhibition about the 1969 Native American occupation of Alcatraz that took place for 19 months to advocate for Indigenous civil rights.

Alcatraz features amazing views of the San Francisco skyline, historic gardens and a sanctuary for nesting waterbirds. The ferry ride aboard Alcatraz City Cruises takes about 15 minutes. Advance reservations are recommended.

The state's second-largest city is a great alternative for those who want a big city experience without the intense traffic and smog of neighboring Los Angeles. San Diego is a premier vacation destination thanks to its diverse array of attractions . Here, you have your pick of fantastic beaches , including Pacific Beach and La Jolla Shores.

Other top things to explore include the world-famous San Diego Zoo, museum-heavy Balboa Park, Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve and traveler-favorite USS Midway Museum, located in a retired aircraft carrier. You'll find plenty of hotels near various points of interest in San Diego, including by the beach, the bay and downtown. For a real treat, consider a stay at the elegant Fairmont Grand Del Mar or the historic Hotel del Coronado, Curio Collection by Hilton .

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Death Valley National Park

This national park is one for the books, breaking records as both one of the hottest places on Earth and the driest land in North America. A visit to Death Valley is not easy; the closest major airport sits nearly two hours away in Las Vegas . Should you decide to make the trek, you'll be rewarded with memorable desert landscapes, including walkable sand dunes and Artists Drive, a 9-mile paved road past colorful hills. There's also the Racetrack, which is home to the famous moving rocks. If you'd like to stay within the park, know that there are a variety of campgrounds and lodging options, including The Oasis at Death Valley.

This laid-back remote region located along the central coast of California should be on everybody's bucket list. The beauty of Big Sur is so palpable and restorative that it's become a popular spot for a wellness retreat. You can achieve this with a stay at the famous Esalen Institute, a holistic educational and wellness center, or at the luxurious Alila Ventana Big Sur , where you can book spa treatments and wellness activities. Travelers can also practice mindfulness while taking in all of Big Sur's stunning natural sights .

First-time visitors should stop and admire Bixby Bridge, hike along the coast at Andrew Molera State Park and visit McWay Falls at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. You can also check out the inspiring Hawthorne Gallery or browse the Henry Miller Memorial Library before capping off the day by sitting in an Adirondack chair in the river at the Big Sur River Inn or catching a sunset at Pfeiffer Beach, home to the famous Keyhole Arch. Don't miss out on the delectable pastries at Big Sur Bakery. For lunch with a view and artisan souvenirs, Nepenthe is a must.

If Ventana Big Sur is out of your price range for accommodations , consider a stay at the more affordable Glen Oaks Big Sur or the Big Sur Lodge, both of which earn high praise from travelers for their serene woodland settings. Or, pitch a tent at Ventana Campground.

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Los Angeles

The City of Angels is a go-to place that deserves a spot on every California itinerary. Aside from being home to Hollywood, Los Angeles also offers an incomparable dining scene; some of California's most famous beaches, including Venice and Santa Monica; world-class art institutions, including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the state-of-the-art Getty Center; self-guided hiking options galore; and a variety of other attractions .

There is so much to do that you'd need more than a week to see it all. An easy way to take in the sights is through bus tours: Some tours allow you to skip the line for popular attractions. LA is also filled to the brim with exceptional hotels . Give yourself the celebrity treatment and splurge on a stay at highly rated properties, such as The Beverly Hills Hotel , Hotel Bel-Air or The Peninsula Beverly Hills .

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Indulge in wine country

Many are aware of Napa Valley 's reputation as a world-class wine destination , but Napa isn't the state's only wine producing hot spot. Sonoma is considered Napa's more casual sibling, offering more diversity in terms of attractions , including the beaches of Sonoma Coast State Park and the African-style game drives run by Safari West. Travel farther south to experience the Santa Ynez Valley, considered one of the most diverse grape-growers in the country. Meanwhile, Temecula Valley Wine Country, found north of San Diego, has produced hundreds of award-winning wines from its member wineries. With so many wine regions in California, you are likely to be within driving distance of at least one wherever you are in the state.

Behold the giant sequoias and redwoods

Did you know that the Pacific Coast of the U.S. is the only place in the world where giant sequoias and coastal redwoods grow naturally? Visiting these natural wonders is a must-do when in the Golden State. Contrary to popular belief, redwoods and sequoias are not the same tree; they require two separate climates to survive. To see giant sequoias, head into the Sierra Nevada mountain range, such as to Sequoia National Park , where you'll find the world's largest tree measured by volume: General Sherman.

To marvel at giant redwoods, you have your pick of Redwood National Park, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park or Humboldt Redwoods State Park (don't miss the Shrine Drive Thru Tree). All these parks sit in northwestern California. These parks offer a variety of camping experiences, such as individual campsites, group sites and trail camps for wilderness backpacking and backcountry camping. Tent camping sites and cabins are available.

If you're the kind of traveler who enjoys a lake vacation , know that Lake Tahoe is California's best. Situated in Northern California, Lake Tahoe is so big that is spills into neighboring Nevada. This alpine lake destination is lauded for its spectacular clear blue waters and beautiful mountainous landscape, and it features some of the best skiing in the country .

If you're visiting during winter, enjoy a ride along the slopes of Heavenly Ski Resort and Northstar California Resort. During the summer, soak up the sun with a dip at Kings Beach State Recreation Area or with a hike through one of the many trails that meander around the lake, such as the 4.4-mile out-and-back Emerald Point Trail at Emerald Bay State Park. What's more, there are a bevy of highly rated hotels in the area, including The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe ; The Lodge at Edgewood Tahoe; and the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino .

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Experience wildflower season

Spring and summer are great times to see an abundance of wildflowers – such as the state flower. Depending on where you go, the California poppy has been known to blanket valleys and hills with its vibrant orange tint. How much of a bloom you see and where varies based on the year's seasonal rainfall. Some of the best places to see wildflowers are in Southern California. Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve, Point Mugu State Park, Figueroa Mountain Recreation Area and Chino Hills State Park are a few of the most popular locations where you can spot pretty flowers.

If your California travels will be concentrated in the north, try North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve or Lake Tahoe, the latter of which is known to feature a spectacular seasonal display of violet and deep blue lupines. Just be sure to respect the landscapes by staying on designated trails, checking to see if dogs are permitted before you bring your furry friend, and visiting only during park hours.

Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara enjoys a beautiful location wedged between the coast and the mountains, affording visitors plenty of opportunities for hiking and time at the beach. Can't-miss shorelines include Summerland Beach, Arroyo Burro Beach and Leadbetter Beach. Santa Barbara's alluring Spanish and Mediterranean architecture also makes this destination feel like a true getaway.

Visit the Funk Zone for wine tasting and art, State Street for shopping and dining, and the one-of-a-kind Ganna Walska Lotusland. Hotel options in Santa Barbara are just as dreamy as the setting, with highly rated spots like The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara and El Encanto, a Belmond Hotel . What's more, Santa Barbara sits around 100 miles northwest of Los Angeles (about a two-hour drive), which could make it a convenient addition to your LA itinerary.

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Learn to surf at Huntington Beach

One of the most quintessentially Californian things to do during your trip is learn how to surf . There are several places you can surf up and down the coast, but beginners shouldn't go just anywhere: The best shorelines for novice surfers feature calm waters and knowledgeable lifeguards. Surf City USA (the nickname for Huntington Beach ) fits that bill perfectly, with several surf schools here. Highly rated operators include Corky Carroll's Surf School, Learn2Rip Surfing and Ocean Academy, and Banzai Surf School. After hitting the waves, rest your sore muscles at top-rated beachfront hotels , including the Kimpton Shorebreak Resort or the Pasea Hotel & Spa .

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Explore one or more of the national forests

Did you know California has the most national forests of any state in the nation? In addition to its famous national parks, California has 18 national forests to its name. If you are vacationing in the southern part of the state, consider a visit to the Cleveland, Angeles, San Bernardino or Los Padres national forests (but check with the U.S. Forest Service before you go to ensure they're not under closure orders caused by fire or storm damage when you visit). These options sit in proximity to vacation hot spots like San Diego, Los Angeles and Santa Barbara.

North of Sacramento, outdoor lovers have their choice of nearly a dozen national forests, including the Mendocino, Six Rivers and Klamath national forests, to name a few. These forest destinations offer beautiful wilderness landscapes, hiking trails and camping options.

Trek along the Lost Coast

Intrepid travelers looking to experience the untouched landscapes of California should consider a trek along one-of-a-kind Lost Coast. Located less than 40 miles south of Eureka in Northern California, the Lost Coast is an undeveloped stretch of coastline. Unlike Big Sur, which shares similar geography, the Lost Coast is devoid of major roads and can be accessed via a 25-mile-long hiking trail. The trail takes about two to four days to traverse (one way), so you should only attempt this hike if you're an experienced backpacker.

Visitors who make the journey will be treated to peace and quiet, empty beaches and plenty of wildlife, ranging from elk to elephant seals, not to mention striking views of the King Range, a collection of mountains that hug the coastline. Camping is allowed on the coast, but you need to obtain a backcountry permit in order to do so.

Point Reyes National Seashore

Point Reyes National Seashore gives visitors a glimpse into a wilderness landscape on the Northern California coastline with no development. Conveniently situated less than 40 miles northwest of San Francisco, this national seashore is easier to reach than Big Sur and the Lost Coast.

Here, you'll be treated to breathtaking stretches of coastline, some of which are only accessible by trail, including the popular 9.7-mile round-trip Tomales Point Trail. A visit to Point Reyes will also take you through verdant, wooded landscapes and put you in close contact with wildlife such as elk, bobcats, seals, beavers and much more. You'll find campgrounds on-site for backcountry hike-in and boat-in camping, as well as modest accommodations in nearby towns, including Olema, Point Reyes Station and Inverness.

Griffith Observatory

Griffith Observatory sits on the south face of Mount Hollywood and overlooks the Los Angeles basin. Its location gives visitors impressive views of the surrounding area, which many rave about. But there's more than just a pretty photo-op here: The observatory hosts fascinating exhibits and features a top-notch planetarium. Recent travelers cited the breathtaking setting as Griffith Observatory's main draw, though the free entry was certainly a bonus. Use of the public telescopes is also free, but you will have to pay a fee for the planetarium shows.

Hollywood Sign

The iconic Hollywood Sign is located in Griffith Park on Mount Lee. Visitors can hike to this iconic landmark on a few different routes and get sweeping views of LA, but the sign itself is fenced off and is typically guarded. Many visitors say that seeing the sign up close is a must-do.

The sign was originally built in 1923 and read, "Hollywoodland," the name of a real estate development, before the last four letters were removed in 1949. After years of neglect, the dilapidated sign was finally rebuilt in 1978 and has been a universal symbol for the glitz and glamour of the movie industry ever since. In 2023, the sign is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Griffith Park is free and open to the public daily with limited complimentary parking provided throughout the property.

Palm Springs

If you're looking for a place to unwind, Palm Springs is hard to beat. The Sonoran Desert provides a beautiful backdrop, warm weather and plenty of outdoor activities. In the late fall and early spring, temperatures typically range from the 50s at night to the 80s during the day. If you just want to chill, you can spend the day sipping cocktails poolside or get pampered at a luxurious spa. For travelers seeking an active vacation, other draws to the area include golf, tennis and miles of hiking trails.

A traveler-favorite Palm Springs attraction is the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, which whisks visitors from the desert floor up 2.5 miles to Mount San Jacinto State Park. When the sun sets, head out to one of the city's hip bars or restaurants for a gourmet meal or craft cocktail, such as Bar Cecil or Mr. Lyons Steakhouse. Make it a weekend away with an overnight stay at a Palm Springs hotel like the new wellness-focused Sensei Porcupine Creek or the modern yet rustic Sparrows Lodge .

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Located on the central California coast, the Monterey Bay Aquarium draws nearly 2 million visitors per year. This institution houses more than 200 world-class exhibits that highlight the marine habitats of the area, as well as plants and creatures of the deep ocean. Guests can watch sea otters frolicking, witness glowing jellyfish and admire a 28-foot-tall kelp forest.

The aquarium also prides itself on working to protect the Pacific Ocean off California's coast. Its initiatives include reducing plastic pollution in the ocean, promoting sustainable seafood choices and helping rebuild sea otter populations. Past visitors recommend taking a behind-the-scenes tour of the aquarium.

You might also be interested in:

• The Best Places to Visit in California
• The Top Romantic Getaways in California
• The Top Things to Do in Big Bear Lake, California
• The Top Things to Do in Orange County, California
• The Top Hot Springs in California

The 13 Best National Parks in California

Tags: Travel , US Vacations , California Vacations , U.S. West Vacations

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