Overview

Napa Valley, California is one of the premier wine destinations in the world, home to over 400 wineries and wine-tasting rooms. The verdant sprawling valley is 30 miles long and 5 miles wide, it features 16 distinct sub-appellations, and each one has its unique microclimates, soil types, and grapes are planted. Napa is a stunning vacation destination, a luxury getaway for relaxation, unique shopping opportunities, world-class dining experiences, and endless glasses of wine. There are some of the most spectacular luxury resorts and spas found here, that allow wine lovers to be within reach of California’s wine country. 

The valley is well known for its breathtaking scenery from the rolling hills, to the verdant vineyards decorated with some of the most spectacular wineries and vineyards in the world that are home to high-quality wines. Napa is no doubt a top destination for wine, and food lovers alike, as well as outdoor enthusiasts. There are endless activities to find pleasure in whether it be strolling through the vineyards, winemaker chats, noshing at top-rated restaurants, and sipping award-winning wines, all of this can be done while taking in the dramatic views of the verdant valley floor. There are five main towns in the Napa Valley region each offers some great opportunities for dining, wining, shopping, and accommodations as well as their own individual draws. 

The list of things to soak up in Napa is never-ending with endless options for visiting the wineries, vineyards, and tasting rooms in the region, these are a given. Travelers can spend a day at the spa receiving pampering services from well-renowned facilities, relax in the region’s famed mineral springs, go on a scenic fancy picnic, or soar in a hot air balloon. The opportunities are endless, strolling through the buzzing main streets of the valley towns of Napa, Yountville, St. Helena, Calistoga, and American Canyon can be enough for some visiting. These main streets have everything you could possibly need from famed eateries, tasting rooms, boutique shopping, colorful galleries, bars, entertainment, and more. You will never be bored in Napa.  

Things to see and do

The gorgeous Napa Valley is busting at the seams with things to see and do. The region is nestled roughly between San Francisco and Sacramento. Although it is famed for its vineyards, the towns of Napa, St. Helena, Yountville, American Canyon, and Calistoga provide so much more than just wine. 

Experience Napa Valley from a restored Victorian-era train that travels 36 miles of the valley onboard the Napa Valley Wine Train. The journey goes on a loop from St. Helena and back, on board passengers ride along in sophisticated style while enjoying gourmet dining and champagne toasts, they can hop off and on at select wineries and not worry about who is driving home. This is an unforgettable experience to immerse yourself in an epicurean journey through some of the most celebrated wine-producing regions in the world. 

Taking a hot air balloon ride over the stunning landscapes of Napa Valley is one of the most romantic ways to experience the vast vineyards and rolling terraced hills. There are a number of companies that provide this service around Napa and Yountville. A hot air balloon trip normally lasts around an hour with a champagne lunch or brunch. This is one fantastic option to enjoy the breathtaking landscapes below. 

Climb the towers and turrets at Castello di Amorosa, established in 1994 this authentic recreation of a Tuscan villa was designed by Dario Sattui, it is a beautiful example of Tuscan architecture with a unique vineyard, and event space on site. Castello di Amorosa is located near Calistoga and is complete with its towers, turrets, a moat, and a drawbridge. There is a vaulted brick wine cellar where teh fruits of the land are stored, and it includes award-winning wines like Cabernet Sauvignons. Visitors can partake in tours and tastings, along with regular special events such as the luxe annual New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball. 

Visit di Rosa Center for a Contemporary Art experience. This 200-acre unique art gallery includes an outdoor sculpture garden nestled along the Sonoma Highway. The gallery and grounds boast over 2,000 works of art from local artists. Art lovers can experience the rotating exhibitions from new and upcoming artists and stroll through the sculpture meadow trails. There are educational programs offered at the three on-site gallery spaces. 

Go on a bicycle ride! The Napa Valley Vine Trail is a 12-mile biking and hiking trail that runs through South Napa to Yountville. The trail is a wonderful opportunity to experience the gorgeous climate in California, glorious landscapes, and delicious fruits of wine country. Riding a bicycle in Napa Valley is about as popular as sipping a glass of wine, and there are plenty of options to get around on two wheels. 

Go shopping at the Oxbow Public Market and sample some of the region's amazing food and wines. Located in downtown Napa visitors and locals flock here to stock up on local organic produce, and snack on the finest prepared foods, and regional wines. There are special events held frequently with live music, and entertainment at this lively community hub. 

Visit Connolly Ranch, which is a family-friendly 12-acre education farm that welcomes school groups and families who are eager to learn about sustainable farming in the Napa Valley region. There are weekly tours offered, as well as annual community dinners under the stars. This wonderful farm has been hosting kids, campers, and daytrippers since 1917. 

The Skyline Wilderness Park is an outdoor adventure zone covering 850 acres of land filled with scenic nature trails, horseback riding, and campgrounds. The park is brimming with activities and fun gatherings throughout the year, as well as a peaceful place for solo meanderings through the verdant forest and foothill landscapes. 

Calistoga is a beautiful frontier town that was built around several natural mineral hot springs where visitors can go and soak in the mineral pools at several retro resorts, and upscale boutique venues. There’s a Roman Bath-style spa complete with mud baths and a hot soak. The charming town has been a wellness destination for millennia; the Wappo tribe settled here around 8,000 years ago, and they soak in the hot springs that they named “the oven place”. 

Wineries

The stunning Napa Valley wine region is bursting with verdant vineyards and flavorful wines. There are over 500 wineries dotted around California’s wine country that produces some of the most exquisite bottles of wine in the world. Each winery offers its own unique charm, it can be difficult to narrow down which sun-kissed vineyard to visit. Either way whichever beautiful winery, vineyard, or wine-tasting experience you choose, in Napa and the five surrounding towns it's bound to a once-in-a-lifetime experience of wining and dining.

Mayacamas Vineyards is situated high above the valley on the south face of Mount Veeder, a historic winery that dates back to 1889. This winery is known for the age-ability of its single varietal, estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon, and its old winemaking methods such as redwood tanks. Mayacamas Vineyards has long been recognized as a top producer of age-worthy Napa Valley wines including Chardonnay, and Merlot wines that are carefully selected and made. Visitors to this winery can enjoy tours of the spectacular estate, an al fresco tasting with indoor and outdoor tasting spaces, as well as spectacular views of the San Pablo Bay. They also have a tasting room located in downtown Napa, a chic space to taste a selection of their current releases, and library wines.  

Schramsberg Vineyards is located in a beautiful Victorian mansion which has also been a historical monument since 1957. The vineyards boast a lot of history and their sparkling wines have been served at every presidential administration since Nixon served as President. Jacob Schram, a German immigrant purchased the Diamond Mountain Vineyard in 1862. Schramsberg now owns some of the best cool climate vineyard sites in Northern California in Sonoma, Napa, Marin, and Mendocino counties where they grow grapes to create the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines. The winemakers here collect their grapes from over 110 individual vineyards in this region and create over 250 base wines, that are then masterly blended to create 12-14 distinctive, complex, and hand-crafted sparkling wines. There are two different tours offered; the most popular is the tour and tasting with reserve wines and cheese paired with a walk around the 135-year-old caves where they make the famous sparkling wines. 

Quintessa Winery is nestled on 280 pristine acres in the heart of Rutherford on the rolling verdant hills and valleys in California wine country. The winery draws inspiration from the land’s topography and natural wonders, it is a unique property offering private experiences. Take a guided walk through the estate, followed by a seated tasting from the open-air scenic overlook. You can also taste some of their wines, and take a journey through their 17,000-square-foot cave system. The biodynamic and organic vineyards at Quintessa are planted with Bordeaux varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Carmenere. 

Artesa Vineyards and Winery boasts a contemporary, artistic flair and is owned by the oldest winemaking family in Spain; The Raventos Codorniu, and Winemaker Ana Diogo-Draper. The family ventured here over 25 years ago to this favorable coastal climate and its rocky soils in Carneros and continued to build upon a 460-year winemaking legacy to create the next generation of estate-grown artisan wines. There are 150 verdant acres on the estate that are set on the steep foothills of Mt. Veeder with the ideal mix of topography and a cool, coastal climate. The vineyards are among the most prized Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in California. This spectacular property is decorated with avant-garde sculptures dotted around the iconic pools, and fountains at the entrance that are designed by Gordon Huether (the former resident artist) the world-famous artist. 

Shopping

The Napa Valley region offers visitors five fantastic towns with spectacular shopping opportunities to immerse themselves in. Many of the shopping establishments are locally owned and operated boutiques selling and showcasing local gifts, souvenirs, fine art, clothing, jewelry, and more. The options really are endless if you are interested in a day of retail therapy. There are many new and existing storefronts that are popping up around the valley, and each town features its own unique mixture of retailers. The stores here sell pretty much everything from exquisite oil paintings to handmade Persian rugs, antique lamps, or a handcrafted table, you name it they sell it. 

In Downtown Napa the heart of the shopping world is found on First Street Napa offering shoppers a unique selection of the best fashion, home decor, and gifts. The street is also home to several trendy tasting rooms and plenty of restaurants to dine at and spend some time in. The downtown area features an iconic contemporary market hall brimming with a wide variety of food and wine stalls and merchants selling home goods and unique gifts, it is also one of the best places to grab a bite to eat. 

Napa’s Riverfront Promenade has more unique shopping options featuring local upscale boutiques, and antique stores dotted along Second and Main Street. The Napa Premium Outlets is also a great option with over 40 brand-name stores to find discounted items. 

In Downtown Yountville the wine-tasting rooms located here offer a selection of retail products to purchase such as fine art, jewelry, apparel, accessories, and home decor. There is also a unique assortment of high-end items found along the scenic Washington Avenue. 

Main Street in downtown St. Helena is a charming and historic spot where shoppers will find an eclectic collection of posh boutiques, artisan shops, art galleries, and wine-tasting rooms. Downtown Calistoga is a fun and welcoming place to explore shopping, dining, and wine tasting, especially along Lincoln Avenue the main drag in town. 

Dining

Visiting Napa Valley isn’t just for wine lovers these days it’s an increasingly popular culinary destination with Michelin-starred restaurants paired with world-class wines. Napa is one of California’s most popular tourist destinations known for its sprawling verdant vineyards, excellent restaurants, luxurious accommodations, and healing hot springs. There are some fantastic culinary experiences to enjoy when visiting the beautiful Napa Valley and getting a taste of the good life. There is so much to check out including farm-table cuisine, casual food trucks, creatively themed restaurants,  and world-class Michelin-star restaurants serving up unforgettable meals. In the five main towns around Napa, there is something for every palate, many of the ingredients are locally sourced, and it's no secret that enjoying a great bottle of wine is equally as wonderful when paired with really great food. There are some great places to grab a burger and go, and there are upscale restaurants serving world-famous delicacies, no matter where you go in Napa you will be greeted with excellent food and wine, after all, it is a wine and food lovers haven. There is no shortage of fantastic restaurants up and down the valley. Some things that Napa is famous for are of course its world-class wines, Olive Oil is grown here in the fertile soils and warm climate, and there are many olive groves where visitors can go and sample the different varieties of olive oil. Cheeses, there is a great range of cheeses and many cheese shops to visit in Napa to sample the different varieties such as creamy brie, or artisanal goat cheese, pairing them with a glass of wine is one of the ultimate culinary pleasures. Napa is also known for its artisanal bread that is made with local high-quality ingredients. The bread is baked fresh each day and there are several bakeries in town to sample the goods. Chocolatein Napa is made from local ingredients, it is very rich in flavor and there are some great chocolate shops selling different varieties of chocolate to check out. Craft beer is another big thing in Napa, the region is home to some of California’s best craft breweries. Be sure to check out as many dining opportunities as you can when visiting this culinary hotspot. 

Nightlife

When it comes to Napa at nighttime there are plenty of options to explore. There’s a great variety of bustling bars, posh wine-tasting rooms, and a host of different music venues, some say that the best nightlife can be found in the town of Napa. There’s a lively nightlife scene to enjoy when visiting town such as live music, bowling, craft breweries, exceptional eateries with entertainment, and theatre. There are a number of excellent wine bars to visit in Napa and the surrounding towns, this way after the daytime tasting is over you can keep the party going. There are plenty to choose from in Downtown Napa alone. In spend a night at the theatre, the Lincoln Theatre features many excellent shows including musicals, Symphony Napa Valley performances, and ballets. The Napa Valley Opera House was constructed in 1880 and is one of downtown Napa’s oldest structures, a spectacular setting to take in a show. Uptown Theatre is another great establishment to enjoy everything from rock bands to irish step dancers. There are karaoke bars, nightclubs, live performances, and more where visitors can go for a great night out in Napa town.