Napa Valley is likely one of the hottest locations in California and the most effective locations to go to in the US. The area is situated 50 miles north of San Francisco and 70 miles west of Sacramento.
When you go to Napa Valley, you have got entered wine nation as it’s California’s premier wine area. However, it isn’t simply wine that Napa Valley brings to the desk there are different culinary delights in manufacturing from crimson wine vinegar, olive oil, and scrumptious syrup. Napa Valley additionally provides out of doors adventures and exquisite surroundings. This information will discover the easiest issues to do in Napa Valley.
Top issues to do in Napa Valley, California
Ready to go to Napa Valley California? Great. Whether you need to fill your days with wine tasting at Napa Valley wineries or kayaking the Napa River that flows by Napa from Mt. St. Helena to San Pablo Bay. There are many issues to maintain you entertained. These are one of the best issues to do in Napa Valley. Let’s dive straight into it.
Get extra info on Napa Valley in our article How to Visit Napa Valley on a Budget – Places to Stay, Eat, and Drink Wine
1. Go wine tasting
The Napa Valley wineries are past well-known, and Napa Valley isn’t known as ‘wine country’ for nothing! How may you go to Napa Valley with out visiting a vineyard or two? Napa Valley wineries are scattered generously throughout the area. You can take a wine-tasting tour or discover them independently utilizing shuttles and public transport.
Domaine Carneros is a landmark California property vineyard identified for glowing and Pinot Noir. Domaine Carneros additionally has a number of the most interesting tasting rooms in Napa Valley. You can expertise Pinot Noir wine tasting in the Domaine Carneros Chateau mansion.
This Sprinter Wine Tour is an efficient possibility to go to Napa Valley from Francisco, Sacramento or Sonoma Valley and is totally customizable. The day begins with a glass of glowing wine adopted by visits to vineyards of your alternative. If you don’t know the place to go to, let your driver choose a couple of for a well-rounded expertise
Round Pond Estate is one other implausible vineyard to go to and specializes in cabernet sauvignon, and a massively widespread proprietary left financial institution mix. You’ll additionally discover scrumptious sauvignon blanc. The property is over 300 acres and produces world-class wine, making it a implausible place for wine tasting.
It is not any secret that Napa Valley California is residence to fantastic wines, and also you’ll need to dedicate a minimum of a couple of hours to visiting the Napa Valley wineries to tour the vineyards and the grand estates of wine nation.
2. Go sizzling air ballooning
Napa Valley is so lovely, why wouldn’t you need to see it from the sky? Going on a sizzling air balloon experience is likely one of the most memorable methods to expertise the valley. You can look down on all of the rows of vineyards and rolling hills. Time your flight with dawn or sundown for the final word expertise. You’ll see Napa Valley in the prettiest mild and likewise give you the option to spot different sizzling air balloons taking off from the valley flooring.
You can e book this Napa Valley Balloon Ride for a full-day tour. Fly over Napa Valley’s vineyards and historic cities launching at dawn. Your day ends with a Napa Valley wine tasting at a chateau vineyard.
3. Napa Art Walk
Napa Art Walk is likely one of the finest free issues to do in Napa Valley. The stroll is dotted round Downtown Napa and rotates its artwork on a biannual foundation. Get your digital camera prepared since you’ll be strolling round recognizing unimaginable sculptures. The Napa Art Walk will get its sculptures from native artists and artists from the Western US – so that you’ll get the prospect to spot some rising expertise.
Each time that the artwork is rotated, the theme adjustments, and ten sculptures are chosen by knowledgeable artwork jury. You can decide up a free map from the Napa Valley Welcome Center. The map describes every artist and sculpture, plus provides you the all-so-secret instructions between every exhibit.
These are our Suggested Tours for Napa Valley!
4. Take the Napa Valley Wine Train
Ready for extra wine? Pair wine, connoisseur meals, and rolling hills if you leap aboard this classic wine prepare. Starting from St Helena, the historic prepare whisks you away on a 36-mile spherical journey. You’ll tuck right into a four-course meal with wine pairings whereas watching the Napa Valley surroundings whizz by.
It’s one of the crucial luxurious issues to do in Napa Valley and the most effective methods to embrace California’s ‘Wine Country’ to the fullest. Napa Valley Wine Train is an ideal method to spend a couple of hours. Book your ticket right here as this sells out fairly quick!
5. Take a kayak tour on the Napa River
Fancy discovering Napa Valley historical past extra uniquely? Take a kayak tour down the Napa River. You’ll paddle down essentially the most iconic stretch of river, accompanied by a educated information who’ll educate you on the valley’s historical past. From the primary settlers to the primary wineries and even a go to from Elvis Presley, you’ll hear all in regards to the valley and its most fun tales.
The entire expertise lasts below two hours with most excursions, and also you’ll want a reasonable health degree to full the kayak. But if combining a health problem with a historic tour and exquisite river views sounds enjoyable, kayaking is likely one of the most superb issues to do in Napa Valley.
6. Napa Valley Museum
Napa Museum has every part from artwork to historical past. The museum goals to enrich ‘ the cultural fabric’ of the Napa Valley group, placing this into motion with numerous reveals, actions, and packages. The museum is an enchanting, academic place to spend an hour or two.
You’ll discover a various vary of momentary reveals. You may uncover native hospitality historical past by the story of Sally Schmitt, who based The French Laundry together with her husband. Or be taught in regards to the area’s First People and geology. Napa Museum takes a broad strategy with its reveals, which is all a part of the attract.
7. Di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art
After you’ve accomplished the Napa Art Walk, you’ll in all probability be excited to see extra artwork and examine extra works by native artists. To get your artwork repair, visiting Di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art is likely one of the finest issues to do in Napa Valley.
The heart sits on 217 acres and is an attractive artwork park showcasing works from all throughout Northern California. You can wander between galleries and sculpture gardens and even sit down for a picnic lunch by the 35-acre lake. Napa Valley is a implausible place to view artwork outdoor, and we love how the di Rosa Center shows its works.
8. Olive oil tasting
Forget wine tastings; olive oil tasting is the place it’s at. The expertise is completely different and fairly a novelty. Oils are sometimes categorized into delicate, medium, and intense. Like wine tasting, you historically sip olive oil to style it fairly than consuming it with one other product like bread. Olive oil tasting is definitely one of the crucial enjoyable, distinctive issues to do in Napa Valley.
You’ll discover olive oil producers all around the valley. Long Meadow Ranch is a well-liked spot for olive oil tasting and has impressively low charges that give nice worth for cash. You don’t even want to e book in advance.
9. The ‘Welcome to Napa’ signal
This attraction could be quick and candy, however it’s positively a must-do when visiting Napa Valley. The ‘Welcome to Napa’ signal is a major spot for household photographs and Instagram pictures. The landmark is iconic in the valley.
Is it touristy? Yes. But in the very best method. Plus, it’s simply mixed with different points of interest because you simply pull over on the St Helena Highway between Yountville and Oakville. Just strive to go to early to decrease crowds and keep away from queuing for an image.
10. The Petrified Forest
There are petrified logs dotted all around the US, however Napa Valley’s Petrified Forest is fairly particular. You discover the forest through a twenty-minute path, weaving by big redwood timber that had been petrified by a volcanic eruption over three million years in the past.
The fossilized redwoods are fascinating to rise up shut to, and visiting is likely one of the most fun issues to do in Napa Valley. Along the best way, informative indicators clarify the fossilization course of and level out particular fossils.
11. Catch an opera present transfer
Napa Valley Opera House has been entertaining friends since 1880. The gorgeous Italianate-style constructing is situated in the guts of Downtown Napa and is a National Historic Landmark. Catching a efficiency is a dreamy method to spend a night and is definitely the most effective issues to do in Napa Valley. Put in your finest garments and let the efficiency whisk you away.
You may watch a jazz efficiency, a theater manufacturing, or attend a comedy night. The Opera House has a various leisure schedule, so you’re assured to discover one occasion that takes your fancy.
12. Go fly fishing
Napa Valley isn’t simply good for seafood; the rivers even have lots to catch. Napa Valley Fly Guides run fishing excursions to Putah Creek to fish for wild rainbow trout. The expertise is implausible if you need some downtime, knowledgeable help, and native information.
Another good thing about reserving a fly fishing tour is that they give you all gear. It is far more handy than bringing your personal or discovering a rental retailer. You can select between half-day and full-day excursions too, which supplies you lots of flexibility.
13. Old Faithful Geyser of California
Yellowstone National Park could be miles and miles away, however the Old Faithful Geyser of California is a superb different. The geyser is gorgeous, and the multi-colored geyser pool makes for an attractive {photograph}. Old Faithful can also be a daily and explodes a number of occasions an hour. In truth, the geyser is so ‘faithful’ that durations of inactivity have been used to predict earthquakes.
Visiting Old Faithful Geyser of California is likely one of the most fun issues to do in Napa Valley. It can also be situated simply outdoors Calistoga, so it’s simply added to an itinerary.
14. Silverado Trail
The Silverado Trail is not any imply feat. The path is over 29 miles lengthy and takes a median of 11 hours to full on foot. You can cycle or stroll the trail, offering gorgeous views of Napa Valley and an thrilling health problem.
The path acquired its identify from the quicksilver mines that after surrounded it. The two-lane nation street was the primary everlasting street ever to hyperlink Napa and Calistoga, and it was constructed in 1852. Nowadays, the path passes wineries and viewpoints galore. There might be lots to see alongside the best way for those who sort out it as a single-day or multi-day hike.
15. Robert Louis Stevenson Museum
You are in all probability conversant in the novel Treasure Island. Robert Louis Stevenson is a family identify, and the museum has the world’s largest assortment of Stevenson memorabilia.
You can stroll by a number of reveals – everlasting and momentary. You’ll uncover Stevenson’s life and get shut to a few of his private gadgets, together with a weathered-looking terrestrial globe that sat on his desk in Samoa. Visiting the museum is a should for any literature or historical past fans.
16. Hog Island Oyster Bar
Ready for regionally sourced seafood at a stylish oyster bar? Hog Island Oyster Bar is likely one of the finest locations to eat in Napa Valley. Technically, we’ve already lined this venue, as it’s situated in Oxbow Public Market. But the Oyster Bar is simply so iconic that it deserves to be an attraction in its personal proper.
The oysters are delivered every day from a farm simply fifty miles away, so you’re assured the freshest produce. You should purchase some to take away or sit on the basic bar to eat in – maybe treating your self to a cocktail.
17. Jack London State Historic Park
Stevenson isn’t the one well-known author celebrated in Napa Valley. Jack London can also be celebrated on the Jack London State Historic Park. The park options over 29 miles of trails spanning some 1400 acres, and it was as soon as Jack London’s residence. Jack London State Historic Park was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1963.
You can nonetheless go to the buildings the place Jack lived, and the park can also be residence to his gravesite for these wishing to pay their respects. Not solely is the park gorgeous, however the historical past behind it and its literary significance is profound. It is likely one of the finest issues to do in Napa Valley – particularly for those who’ve learn his works like White Fang.
18. Wetlands Edge Park
Wetlands Edge Park is an enormous reserve following the Napa-Sonoma Marsh and Napa River. It is a haven for native wildlife and heaven for birdwatchers, who can spot superb birds like herons. You might even spot an otter or two. Wetlands Edge Park is widespread amongst households and is free to enter. It is a superb budget-friendly exercise in Napa Valley.
You can simply discover the park by strolling Wetlands Edge Trail. The path is simply two miles lengthy and is a superb quick exercise on your itinerary. You may additionally discover the wetlands from the water, as there’s a launchpad for canoes and kayaks.
19. Culinary Institute of America
The Culinary Institute is a hub of foods and drinks appreciation in Napa. You can pattern connoisseur appetizers and seasonal dishes, be taught to prepare dinner scrumptious meals your self with a cooking class or get pleasure from native wines with mates. The institute provides a lot of issues to do and is totally food-centric; the right spot for foodies and people keen about cooking.
The institute takes its instructing severely and is taken into account one of many world’s finest culinary faculties. Some individuals undertake culinary levels on the Culinary Institute. While that could be arduous to do on a brief journey to Napa Valley, it’s good to know that you’re in skilled arms. It is one of the best spot to be impressed by the culinary arts.
20. Dine at The French Laundry
The French Laundry is Napa Valley’s most famed fantastic eating restaurant. The restaurant is about in a surprising stone farmhouse. It was one of many first eating places to provide ‘Californian cuisine’. A husband-and-wife duo, the Schmitts, opened the restaurant. They boosted the enterprise and the fame of Californian delicacies to unprecedently excessive ranges. Now, The French Laundry is owned and run by Thomas Keller, an esteemed chef, and creator of The French Laundry Cookbook.
You can decide one in every of two every day tasting menus. Each menu boasts over ten completely different dishes, and you should purchase wine pairings to accompany the expertise. You’ll style dishes like ‘cuit a la vapeur’; wild Atlantic cod with Brokaw avocado mousse, crispy chickpea Panisse, and olive French dressing. It’s an ultra-luxury expertise and the most effective issues to do in Napa Valley.
21. Get a spa remedy in Calistoga
Calistoga is a sizzling spot for spa remedies. After a couple of days of action-packed sightseeing, getting a therapeutic massage or facial is the right method to unwind and rejuvenate. Golden Haven Hot Springs is the most well-liked, and you’ll indulge in novel remedies like mud baths.
A sizzling mud tub expertise is bucket listing worthy, and you’ll soak alone, as a pair, or with mates. Afterward, you’ll leap in a sizzling mineral tub and end with a cool-down wrap. It is unquestionably a spa remedy to indulge your senses and have enjoyable. If you fancy making an attempt one thing new, it’s our high remedy suggestion.
22. Napa County Historical Society
Are you in Napa Valley’s historical past? Or analysis? Napa County Historical Society is a superb attraction for teachers and historical past lovers. You’ll discover reveals, lectures, and particular occasions. The society paperwork numerous matters, from the historical past of wine to Jewish heritage. If you e book an appointment, you too can go to the Historical Society’s analysis library, Goodman Library.
Napa County Historical Society was based in 1948 and was really a neighborhood initiative to protect Napa Valley’s historical past. The society continues to be regionally run and fully not-for-profit, aided by volunteers and interns who run the group and proceed its analysis.
23. Take a motorcycle tour
You don’t go to a spot as scenic as Napa Valley and never maximize your time in nature. In truth, you’re in all probability determined to get a extra genuine and stress-free expertise of Napa Valley’s lovely panorama. And if that’s the case, then take one of many Napa Valley bike excursions.
Sightseeing from a motorcycle is an attractive method to expertise Napa Valley. The slower tempo is low effort and excessive reward – excellent for a heat morning. The hottest route to cycle is Napa Valley Vine Trail, a 47-mile observe that cuts throughout the entire valley. You may full the route in 5 hours or simply decide a bit.
24. Hike Mt. Saint Helena
It isn’t simply bike excursions that enable you to get energetic and discover Napa Valley. There are additionally mountains to climb. If you’re up for a problem, Mt. Saint Helena is a superb summit to sort out. You gained’t want gear or technical potential – simply willpower and good health ranges.
Located in Robert Louis Stevenson State Park the mountain is the tallest in Napa county and a fantastic accomplishment to full. A hike to the summit has an elevation achieve of 2300 ft, so be ready for a exercise and produce loads of refreshments. However, the views from the summit at 4343ft make all of it worthwhile, and also you’ll have a surprising panorama of Napa Valley if you attain the highest.
The return hike takes round 5 hours however enable your self six or seven hours if you need common breaks and an honest period of time on the summit. Why rush again down when you have got one of the best seat in the home, proper?
25. Visit Linda Falls
Linda Falls is a surprising 50-foot waterfall hidden away in the hills of Angwin. The falls cascade over granite rock, slicing a powerful image for visiting hikers. The most fun side of the waterfall is that the granite is formed as steps, with the water falling down – what seems like – a rock stairway.
The waterfall is accessed by a brief fifteen-minute hike, simply over a mile out and again. Keep your eyes peeled alongside the path, as it’s residence to greater than 130 species of native crops. If you desire a quick hike and an hour in nature, Linda Falls is an unimaginable addition to an itinerary.
26. China Point Overlook
China Point Overlook is an urban-meets-nature attraction, and the small, paved space is the right place for views of Downtown Napa at sundown. The most well-known characteristic of China Point Overlook is the colossal ring sculpture, which you stroll by on a footpath. You can snap photographs of Napa by the ring at sundown, utilizing it as a pure body.
Once you’ve visited the ring, we advise sitting on one of many benches. China Point Overlook is correct subsequent to the river and is a peaceable, fantastically designed spot to replicate and calm down. Watch the sundown and permit your self a couple of minutes to do nothing in any respect.
27. Oxbow Public Market
Who doesn’t love market? Oxbow Public Market is a implausible spot in Napa and is a neighborhood sizzling spot for high-quality produce. Wander between artisan stalls and natural produce stands – maybe selecting up a snack or elements for a scrumptious home-cooked meal in case your lodging has kitchen amenities.
Oxbow Public Market is 40,000 sq. meters and fully lined (other than an out of doors deck). It is the right place on a wet day or simply to drop by for a fast chew to eat. You’ll additionally discover loads of cafes in the market if you need a caffeine repair.
28. Bothe-Napa Valley State Park
Visiting Bothe-Napa Valley State Park is likely one of the finest issues to do in Napa Valley. The state park provides lodging in yurts, cabins, and campground amenities. However, that doesn’t cease you from visiting for only a day, both.
The park is 1,900 acres in whole and has over ten miles of mountain climbing trails to discover. Day guests may entry normal amenities just like the spring-fed swimming pool and picnic areas. Pack a bikini and mountain climbing boots.
29. Connolly Ranch Education Center
California isn’t all wine and seashores; you’ll additionally discover loads of ranches. To expertise that cowboy and cowgirl life-style for your self, head to Connolly Ranch Educational Center. The not-for-profit working farm takes pleasure in displaying guests what actual farming and agriculture are about.
You can find out about every part – from natural gardening and the function of a nutritious diet to assembly animals and listening to about their significance. Connolly Ranch is keen about sustainability too, which is a big optimistic. A go to to Connolly Ranch is great for adults and youngsters for a clear perception into on a regular basis happenings at a working farm.
30. Play golf
Are you a golfer? If so, the excellent news is that Napa Valley has lots of lovely golf programs. The dangerous information is that you simply’ll in all probability have to select one or two, as there are simply so many to strive to squeeze into an itinerary.
We recommend Eagle Vines Golf Course, an attractive 18-hole course on a manicured part of a working winery. It is an idyllic place to play and is filled with small creeks, lakes, and woodland. Plus, you have got the backdrop of Napa Valley’s attribute rolling hills. Eagle Vines is so lovely that strolling the course might be simply as a lot of an expertise as the sport itself. You may even go wine tasting when you end.
31. Take a strolling tour round Downtown Napa
A strolling tour of Downtown Napa is a straightforward addition to a Napa Valley journey. Chances are, you’ll go to and even keep in Napa anyway, as the town is a major vacation spot in the Napa Valley. Typical strolling excursions final for 2 hours and price round $20, so they’re comparatively budget-friendly. If you select to keep in Napa, a strolling tour is the right first-day exercise for you to concurrently get your bearings and sightsee.
There is a combination of strolling excursions to e book. But, in case you are courageous, we advise taking a magical ghost tour. This tour covers the darkish aspect of Napa, touring the previous red-light district and telling tales of Napa Asylum. A ghost tour is an excitingly spooky and completely different method to expertise Napa Valley’s historical past.
Napa Valley FAQs
Now that we’ve explored all one of the best issues to do in Napa Valley let’s take a look at some frequent FAQs.
How to get to Napa Valley
The simplest way to go to Napa Valley is to fly into San Francisco Airport. From there, lease a automobile and drive north. This is a wonderful possibility for many who need freedom and comfort. Check out one of the best costs on automobile leases right here!
If you don’t need to or can’t drive, there are nonetheless loads of choices. You may catch the ferry from the San Francisco Bay space, which takes you on a scenic (barely slower) journey to Napa Valley. Or you can catch the Amtrak San Joaquins, which is quicker and extra handy. Taking the prepare is finest for many who don’t have a automobile however nonetheless desire a fast, straightforward method to attain Napa Valley, whereas the ferry is ideal for these with extra time who need the additional expertise.
Of course, when you’ve got much more time, you’ll be able to at all times street journey to Napa Valley. Napa Valley is ideally suited to a California street journey. You may mix it with a few of California’s finest seashores, epic locations, and cities.
Getting round Napa Valley
Things are a bit of spaced out round Napa Valley, however whereas a automobile is the simplest possibility, it’s certainly not the one method. There’s been an enormous push for different strategies of transport, and Napa Valley encourages you to go car-free when you’ll be able to – even only for a day journey.
The Vine bus is a implausible fixed-route bus line that runs lengthways by Napa Valley every day. This is the most well-liked method to get round and not using a automobile in case you are sticking to visiting widespread points of interest and locations in Napa Valley. Otherwise, you’ll be able to e book shuttles if you need to get to a particular space or at a selected time. It can also be price checking together with your resort about shuttles, as many properties provide complimentary shuttles providers.
In some circumstances, biking could be a good method to get round Napa Valley. As we talked about, the Napa Valley Vine Trail is a well-liked biking route. You’ll get the prospect to admire the valley slowly. You may e book one of many many bike excursions, which offer you a extra informative expertise. Similarly, you too can discover strolling excursions, notably in smaller areas like Napa metropolis.
Best time to go to Napa Valley
So, when is one of the best time to go to Napa Valley? Ideally, in early spring. If you need to go to wineries, visiting Napa Valley in the harvest season between August and October is tempting. Don’t fall into that entice, although, as Napa Valley turns into chaotic with peak season at the moment.
Napa Valley provides fewer crowds and barely cooler, refreshing temperatures in early spring. You’ll usually discover cheaper motels and trip leases, too. When reserving a Napa Valley journey, March to May are the right months.
Where to keep in Napa Valley NV
Napa Valley motels are various and plentiful, so that you’ll don’t have any points discovering one to fit your finances. These are our high three.
Budget: Napa Discovery Inn
Napa Discovery Inn is a superb budget-friendly possibility. Guests obtain a complimentary continental breakfast every morning, plus have a microwave and fridge in each room – excellent for saving cash on consuming out. Make use of the free wifi or discover Napa’s points of interest, that are simply minutes away.
Mid-range: Cabernet House
Cabernet House is a wonderful boutique resort located in the center of Napa. Each room has local weather management panels and complimentary toiletries. All friends additionally obtain entry to a shared fireplace pit on the rear of the property. Cabernet House is a superb mid-range possibility in Napa Valley.
Luxury: Indian Springs
Indian Springs is the definition of luxurious in Napa Valley. The resort provides a wide range of upscale rooms and entry to unimaginable pure sizzling springs and spa amenities. You are conveniently situated in the center of Calistoga, too, so you’ll get pleasure from doorstep entry to many points of interest.
To conclude NV
There are so many superb issues to do in Napa Valley. Visiting Napa Valley is a Californian journey of a lifetime, and you need to strive to expertise as a lot of it as attainable. You might be making an attempt out the Napa Valley wine scene one morning, then mountain climbing a mountain, or bathing in pure sizzling springs the subsequent.
Napa Valley is a various and thrilling vacation spot in the US, and we hope you have got an unimaginable journey.