A place that stole my whole heart – It’s no mystery why wealthy people with great taste, travel to this place. The celebrity sightings here are regular, you’ll see what I mean as you keep reading. It’s also no exaggeration that Napa and its surrounding area is truly, one of the most beautiful places in the U.S. Napa and Sonoma County are the closest you’ll get to Italy. The area has a Mediterranean-like climate which helps give it similar land to Southern parts of Europe.
My first time visiting, it couldn’t have been but a few hours into the trip, and I remember walking around outside, breathing in the fresh air, and noticed I felt this very calming, peaceful presence. It’s hard to explain the feeling I felt but Napa quickly became what I now refer to as my “happy place”, it really is like no other. Once realizing that I found my “happy place”, my husband and I made the decision that we were going to turn this into an annual thing. With that being the case, I decided to make a Napa Valley Travel Guide that will be updated every time we visit. It will be packed with places to stay, fun activities for all ages, places to eat, and of course…only the best places to drink WINE! So, let’s dive in!
Where To Stay
There are so many wonderful places to stay here, but if you’re like me, I plan on exploring as much as possible to make the most of my trip, so I want a nice place to stay but within reason, especially in a place like this.
Starting in Yountville, CA, which is a city in the heart of Wine Country and hosts two of my first recommendations
Hotel Yountville, Resort and Spa
Rooted in Yountville history, this resort and spa is for the adventure lover that enjoys charm and comfort
If you’re looking for a place to “Unpack, Unplug & Unwind” this resort and spa with eclectic gardens, a rooftop pool, and fine dining options on site is sure to win you over
In the countryside of Napa Valley, come my next recommendations
If wellness and relaxation is on your mind, check out their newly Renovated Cottages and Luxury Homes for the perfect romantic getaway. If you’re looking to switch up the view and location of your workplace, their “Harvest Suites” offer a dedicated work area with all the office essentials to help you refocus and reenergize. Become re-inspired by rolling vineyards and sun-soaked countryside.
Get the ultimate “Napa” experience at this beautiful estate. From poolside dining to its Award-Winning spa, this resort has it all. In fact, it’s so nice, that in 2016, Derek Jeter tied the knot here and John Legend has said that this is his “number one place to visit thanks to their world-renowned restaurant and picturesque gardens.”
Fun Activities for All Ages
As far as family-fun activities go, there aren’t just wineries here. There are plenty of kid-friendly things to do!
Spread across 400 acres of land in Santa Rosa, it is one of the best things to do in Napa with the kids. The best part? All proceeds go toward Safari West’s conservation efforts.
One of my favorite day-time activities during my first visit, was to this fascinating forest located in Calistoga. This is fun for all ages. Seeing the redwoods while visiting is a must, they are truly one of a kind! You can take self-guided or guided tours of the forest. Be sure to check out their gift shop before you leave, I got some neat souvenirs from there!
Bring out your creative side at Nimbus Arts in St. Helena. This community-owned arts center offers several drop-in classes perfect for kids of all ages and adults on a family vacation in Napa.
Old Faithful Geyser of California
California’s Old Faithful geyser in Calistoga erupts a tower of hot water roughly every hour. To this day, it remains one of the most photographed places in the entire State of California. In addition, there are farm animals, gardens, and a museum.
This working farm in Napa is fun and educational. Most importantly, they can get up-close-and-personal with farm animals like chickens, goats, sheep, and mini horses. There are lots of family-friendly events.
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom has a lot of rides for the whole family. Besides the rides, there are also animals, entertainment, and food.
Seasonal based, these kayak trips are a fun way to see the area and learn the history behind Napa Valley.
All aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train! Relax and indulge on a 36-mile round-trip discovery to St. Helena and back, stopping at wineries along the way. In a luxurious vintage setting, enjoy the view of lush, mesmerizing landscape while indulging in a four-course meal paired with wine of course! This is a fun idea for a girls trip or an unforgettable romantic date.
Shop at Cornerstone Market and Chateau Sonoma
Finally get to cross this off your bucket list! This would be an awesome proposal idea, or just an overall unforgettable experience.
Sonoma Coast State Park
Places to Eat –
Inside Tip: Make Reservations
Bottega Restaurant – An Italian Hotspot where Victoria and David Beckham have been spotted..need I say more?
The Restaurant at Auburge – French-inspired cuisine, perfect for lunch or dinner. Breathtaking views on the terrace – this is a MUST.
Sams Social Club – Upscale American fare in a bright eatery with a fireplace, a bar for local drinks & a patio. Great place for mingling.
Kenzo Napa – Authentic, elegant Japanese dining experience
Lou’s Luncheonette – Casual eatery in southern Sonoma
Single Thread Farm Restaurant – Located in the heart of downtown Healdsburg is this sophisticated Inn-Restaurant with multi-course menus of California-Japanese fare.
Woodhouse Chocolate in St. Helena
Torc Napa – Global farm-to-table dishes & wines delivered in an airy room with stone walls and an open kitchen.
Wineries/Vineyards I Recommend –
First off, did you know there’s a difference between a Winery and a Vineyard? There’s a significant difference. A winery is where wine is produced, a vineyard is where grapes are grown. Now, as you’re trying to decide from all the options, I want you to keep in mind that every winery and vineyard has something special about them. Therefore, you can’t really go wrong when picking a beautiful place to go have a glass or two of wine (HAHA!) BUT I will say that some do rise above the rest. Before we dive into my top Winery/Vineyard recommendations, please read my “tips below”.
Tip #1 – If you plan on doing a wine tour somewhere, call or make reservations online so there’s no wait or miscommunication (especially if you’re celebrating a special occasion).
Tip #2 – I highly recommend booking a driving chauffeur service ahead of time when planning to visit the vineyards. Ubers aren’t as popular out there. Here are some driving service companies:
https://napavalleychauffeur.com/
https://wine-tasting-driver.com/
https://perataluxurycarservices.com/
Tip #3 – If you’re comfortable with it, carry some cash to tip the tour guides/vineyard staff.
Okay, now on to the good stuff!
Rutherford Hill Winery – Located in Rutherford, this winery has wine tastings, cave tours, and a picnic area with by far the best hilltop scenic views. I may be biased because this is where I WAS PROPOSED TO (AHHHH!)..but I really do think it is one of the best!
Vermeil Wines – Recognize that last name? Visit Former St. Louis Ram’s Head Coach and Calistoga Native, Dick Vermeil’s downtown wine tasting room
Sterling Vineyards – Located in Calistoga, known for their amazing wines and their unique gondola ride that takes you to their mountain top tasting room and terrace with endless views. Oh, and I met the Kardashians here when they were filming and ended up being featured in one of their season’s main cameo and episodes (No, I am not even kidding!).
Eisele Vineyard – Salma Hayek and her billionaire husband Francois-Henri Pinault own Eisele Vineyard east of Calistoga and they visit regularly…so there’s that.
Raymond Vineyards – Located in St. Helena, this vineyard is unique for many reasons, one reason being because they offer this really neat experience – “Winemaker For A Day” where you get to live the dream of being a Winemaker for a Day in their “Blending Room”! Learn the winemaker’s art while blending your own Napa Valley Bordeaux-style red blend. After crafting your wine, fill your bottle, cork it, capsule it, dress it with your custom label and take it home with you that day – how cool is that?! Second reason is because the décor is different in each room, giving each room a different feel. Lastly, John Legend launched his LVE Collection Wines here in 2015. Although his wine collection is distributed nationally, the wines can be tasted here!
Domaine Carneros – Popular among visitors, this 18th century chateau just feels rich. Enjoy your glass on their expansive outdoor terrace which provides quite the setting for your wine tasting experience.
Well, this completes my Napa Valley Travel Guide. Save this as an itinerary to refer to on your upcoming trip! It really is one of my all-time favorite places, my “happy place”. I hope to hear about your trip soon!
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XO,
– Kelsey
Napa looks SO beautiful! I will definitely be checking some of these places out (especially the food) when I go! 😍
Great Article!