11 Finest Issues to do in Napa Valley, California. Simply north of San Francisco, Napa Valley is certainly one of North America’s most famed (and awarded) wine areas. Fill with heaps of vineyards, attractive surroundings and cute little cities.
It’s the kind of place that’s nicely value visiting when exploring the finest locations in California. Belief me, you’ll be spoilt for alternative with so most of the finest issues to do in Napa Valley.
It’s a stunning space of California.


11 Finest Issues to do in Napa Valley, California
Now, that can assist you get probably the most out of your keep, I needed to share a number of the prime locations in Napa Valley (and the encircling space) that we love. This manner, you’ll be able to concentrate on the all-important wines, balloon flights and rambles that make this space so particular.
Have a look, beneath, at a number of the finest issues to do in Napa Valley. Bottoms up!
1.) Sattui Vineyard, St. Helena
Now, everyone knows that Napa Valley is iconic for its scrumptious wines, proper? Properly, even should you’re not technically into your wines, or uncertain of what you want, there are heaps of locations the place you’ll be able to excellent your abilities with the assistance of in-house sommeliers.
For us, you’ll need to ensure you go to the Sattui Vineyard which has a historical past relationship again to the 1800s. Visiting is among the finest issues to do in Napa Valley, particularly if you wish to go to a well-established and historic winery that’s simple to achieve.
To make issues simple, e-book today tour from San Francisco to expertise some attractive vineyards in Napa Valley. You’ll get to 3 of probably the most prestigious wine estates and even get to walk across the vineyards themselves.
Plus, you’ll have loads of time for a tipple, too.
In St Helena, it’s also possible to do balloon excursions, bike excursions, strolling excursions, airplane excursions, culinary excursions, personal excursions, and lots of different forms of excursions that can assist you know extra concerning the place and discover them.
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2.) Yountville
Love foodie expertise while on trip?
Then get your self over to Yountville in Napa Valley. Actually, it’s probably the greatest issues to do in Napa Valley should you’re fancying a day away from the vineyards.
Beginning the day with a tremendous breakfast, you could head to Bouchon Bakery. The do-it-yourself pastries are so good, so catch them earlier than they promote out.
When you miss them, head throughout the road for Mini Mannequin as an alternative. They’ve some tasty English muffins which are so yummy.
Lastly, head over and e-book a desk at The French Laundry. It’s certainly one of Thomas Keller’s yummy, fine-dining, spots in Napa Valley. Go for the chef’s tasting menu and also you’ll be in for a deal with.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in San Francisco
3.) Napa Valley Wine Prepare
Look, we love prepare journey… particularly if it contains award-wimming wines!
If that appears like enjoyable to you, head over for the Napa Valley Wine Prepare that’s simply probably the greatest issues to do in Napa Valley while within the area.
The expertise is so particular and nicely well worth the ticket worth. Simply you should definitely e-book on-line earlier than heading to Napa Valley. Areas are restricted and this may be extremely popular.
As you trip the historic prepare, a number of meals and award-winning Napa Valley wines are served so that you can take pleasure in. Departing and ending in St. Helena, the roundtrip is over 30 miles and a beautiful technique to see the broader space.
We love the ‘Legacy Expertise’ ticket they provide. You spend round 3 hours on the prepare and three hours in numerous wineries. Plus, it contains your 4-course meal and oodles of wines to style.
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4.) Napa Valley Museum
Now, I do know I’ve already talked about Yountville, however I needed to give the Napa Valley Museum a devoted level to go to. It’s such a particular place to see within the area and probably the greatest issues to do in Napa Valley if you wish to study extra about historic artefacts.
You see, this spot isn’t about wines and though small, it’s a beautiful technique to break up the day should you’re having a bit of ‘winery fatigue’.
As soon as inside, you’ll get to see historic artefacts, pictures, and work from the broader area. Completely different exhibitions are featured within the museum, too, which showcase native, regional, and nationwide artists and personal collections. It’s an awesome little spot for 45 minutes.
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5.) Skyline Wilderness Park, Napa
Within the picturesque foothills of Napa Valley, the Skyline Wilderness Park is one completely gorgeous place to go to while road-tripping the world. The truth is, it’s proper on the town fringe of Napa itself.
Good should you’re in search of one thing apart from wine, the Skyline Wilderness Park is ideal for picnics, camps and trails, too. We cherished the Buckeye Path.
Belief me, with 800+ acres to discover, you’ll be able to simply spend a sunny afternoon rambling right here. You would possibly even spot a few of wild turkeys, geese and deer. So hold your eyes peeled!
Don’t neglect, there’s additionally an Archery Vary, Martha Walker Gardens, Lake Marie and the Caldwell Winery that’s simply shy of the park itself.
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6.) Oxbow Public Market, Napa
Okay, should you’re something like me, you’ll love Oxbow Public Market. It’s probably the greatest issues to do in Napa Valley, particularly should you’re spending a while within the metropolis of Napa.
As soon as right here, you’ll get to attempt a number of the finest farmers and native meals that make this space so particular. In fact, you’ve bought the contemporary produce and bread however what makes Oxbow Public Market so particular is the opposite eating spots which are so yummy.
You will get every thing from Sushi, wood-fired pizzas, and native honey and wine-tasting spots (should you’re not venturing into the valley itself).
Afterwards, you should definitely e-book in for a scorching air balloon trip over Napa Valley at sundown. Now, you should definitely e-book your trip earlier than you go to Napa Valley and at all times be ready for last-minute modifications on your scorching air balloon trip. In spite of everything, it’s all climate dependent.
Now, there are just a few corporations to select from; a number of the hottest and dependable are; Napa Valley Aloft, Balloons Above the Valley or Napa Valley Balloons, Inc.
All organise seasonal balloon flights and it’s an effective way to see Napa Valley from a unique perspective.
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7.) Napa Artwork Stroll
Finished with all of the wine? How might you! Ha!
Jokes apart, should you fancy a bit of time away from the grape varieties, head over and ramble the Napa Artwork Stroll.
In 2009, the primary Napa Artwork Stroll exhibition began, and it grew to become a biannual occasion that’s a completely nice technique to discover the town.
Free maps on the Napa Artwork Stroll can be found in numerous places like 600 Foremost Road, Napa River Inn, and Napa Valley Welcome Heart (and on-line, clearly).
Plus, it’s also possible to expertise the Napa Artwork Stroll audio tour which was recorded by the artists themselves.
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8.) Safari West
Selling conservation and environmental schooling actions, Safari West has an awesome intention to share data and empower individuals to consider sustainability and what they will do to assist the atmosphere, proper within the coronary heart of Sonoma.
Round a thousand animals are at present dwelling in Safari West and even keep in a single day. Properly value a bit of gander should you’re heading throughout with youthful family members. In spite of everything, vineyards can solely be so attention-grabbing to youngsters!
Afterwards, and alongside your drive throughout Napa Valley and the encircling area, ensure that to cease off at Ledson Vineyard.
Perched close to Santa Rosa, the property is completely stunning and it’s probably the greatest issues to do in Napa Valley as you’re round Sugarloaf Ridge State Park.
Learn extra: Finest nationwide parks in California
9.) Palmaz Vineyards
One beautiful vineyard in Napa Valley is the Palmaz Vineyards. Not solely that, they serve up some tasty Cabernet Sauvignon and it’s nicely value visiting while within the valley.
With over 50 acres of land, it’s a reasonably expansive however cosy vineyard that has some tasty wines to attempt in your route round Napa Valley’s prime spots.
Not solely that, Palmaz Vineyards has a cool (and sensible) subterranean wine cave. The spectacular underground dome is used for fermentation and the wine-making course of that’s completely distinctive to Pamaz. We find it irresistible!
Additionally, don’t neglect, you’ve bought the Shadybrook Property Vineyard that’s simply down the street, too. You possibly can simply companion each (or extra) in a single go to.
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10.) Castello di Amorosa
Now, certainly one of my favorite wineries in Napa Valley must be Castello di Amorosa. With its citadel, you’ll be forgiven for considering that you just’ve arrived within the rolling hills of Tuscany.
For a straightforward technique to go to, e-book this guided tour to Castello di Amorosa which departs from San Francisco. It’s such a straightforward technique to go to and the wine excursions are simply out-of-this-world.
The entire historical past behind the citadel and the winder vineyards is simply unimaginable. The truth is, I’d go so far as saying it’s probably the greatest vineyards to go to in Napa Valley that you just actually shouldn’t miss.
Simply you should definitely e-book this tour prematurely. Excursions replenish quick at peak instances in Napa Valley. Actually, pictures don’t do that winery justice.
Fancying a bit of break from the vineyards (who’s ever stated that)? Then get your self over to the Petrified Forest. It’s completely simple to go to on a day journey from Sacramento or San Francisco and nicely value stopping by should you’re within the Napa Valley space.
Open every day, it’s probably the greatest issues to do in Napa Valley to see a number of the largest petrified redwood timber. Over thousands and thousands of years, the timber fossilised and, in flip, nearly appear to be rocks.
As soon as right here, you should definitely try a number of the small hikes and rambles across the park. Some take round 20 minutes and are fairly simple for households.
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11.) Bale Grist Mill and Bothe-Napa Valley State Park
Oh, and don’t neglect, simply shy of Bothe-Napa Valley State Park, Bale Grist Mill State Park is among the finest issues to do in Napa Valley while after exploring Castello di Amorosa.
Right here, you can see the 36-foot water wheel and grist mill which was initially constructed again within the 1800s. Way back, earlier than the wine arrived in Napa Valley, the mill was used to assist grind native corn and wheat crops for the flourishing space of California.
To study extra, you’ll be able to head on historic excursions and milling demonstrations which are held most weekends.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in California