Simply north of San Francisco, Napa Valley is one in every 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 properly value visiting when exploring the greatest locations in California. Belief me, you’ll be spoilt for selection with so most of the greatest issues to do in Napa Valley.
It’s a beautiful space of California.
Now, that can assist you get essentially the most out of your keep, I needed to share among the prime locations in Napa Valley (and the encompassing space) that we love. This fashion, you possibly can give attention to the all-important wines, balloon flights and rambles that make this space so particular.
Have a look, under, at among the greatest 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? Nicely, even should you’re not technically into your wines, or uncertain of what you want, there are heaps of locations the place you possibly can excellent your abilities with the assistance of in-house sommeliers.
For us, you’ll need to be sure you go to the Sattui Vineyard which has a historical past relationship again to the 1800s. Visiting is among the greatest issues to do in Napa Valley, particularly if you wish to go to a well-established and historic winery that’s straightforward to achieve.
To make issues straightforward, e book at the present time tour from San Francisco to expertise some attractive vineyards in Napa Valley. You’ll get to a few of essentially 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, you too can do balloon excursions, bike excursions, strolling excursions, airplane excursions, culinary excursions, non-public excursions, and plenty of different sorts of excursions that can assist you know extra concerning the place and discover them.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in California
2.) Yountville
Love foodie expertise while on trip?
Then get your self over to Yountville in Napa Valley. Actually, it’s top-of-the-line issues to do in Napa Valley should you’re fancying a day away from the vineyards.
Beginning the day with an incredible breakfast, it’s essential to head to Bouchon Bakery. The selfmade pastries are so good, so catch them earlier than they promote out.
Should you miss them, head throughout the road for Mini Mannequin as an alternative. They’ve some tasty English muffins which can be so yummy.
Lastly, head over and e book a desk at The French Laundry. It’s one in every 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 consists of award-wimming wines!
If that appears like enjoyable to you, head over for the Napa Valley Wine Prepare that’s simply top-of-the-line issues to do in Napa Valley while within the area.
The expertise is so particular and properly definitely worth the ticket worth. Simply make sure to e book on-line earlier than heading to Napa Valley. Areas are restricted and this may be highly regarded.
As you experience the historic prepare, a number of meals and award-winning Napa Valley wines are served so that you can get pleasure from. Departing and ending in St. Helena, the roundtrip is over 30 miles and a stunning approach 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 several wineries. Plus, it consists of your 4-course meal and oodles of wines to style.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in California
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 top-of-the-line issues to do in Napa Valley if you wish to be taught extra about historic artefacts.
You see, this spot isn’t about wines and though small, it’s a stunning approach to break up the day should you’re having somewhat ‘winery fatigue’.
As soon as inside, you’ll get to see historic artefacts, photographs, and work from the broader area. Totally different exhibitions are featured within the museum, too, which showcase native, regional, and nationwide artists and personal collections. It’s a fantastic little spot for 45 minutes.
Learn extra: Finest locations to go to on the Huge Sur
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 realm. In actual fact, it’s proper on the town fringe of Napa itself.
Excellent should you’re on the lookout for one thing aside 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 possibly can simply spend a sunny afternoon rambling right here. You would possibly even spot a few of wild turkeys, geese and deer. So maintain 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.
Learn extra: Finest locations to go to on a Californian street journey
6.) Oxbow Public Market, Napa
Okay, should you’re something like me, you’ll love Oxbow Public Market. It’s top-of-the-line 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 among the greatest farmers and native meals that make this space so particular. In fact, you’ve obtained the contemporary produce and bread however what makes Oxbow Public Market so particular is the opposite eating spots which can be so yummy.
You will get the whole lot from Sushi, wood-fired pizzas, and native honey and wine-tasting spots (should you’re not venturing into the valley itself).
Afterwards, make sure to e book in for a sizzling air balloon experience over Napa Valley at sundown. Now, make sure to e book your experience earlier than you go to Napa Valley and all the time be ready for last-minute adjustments on your sizzling air balloon experience. In spite of everything, it’s all climate dependent.
Now, there are a couple of firms to select from; among 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 a good way to see Napa Valley from a special perspective.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in Yosemite
7.) Napa Artwork Stroll
Finished with all of the wine? How may you! Ha!
Jokes apart, should you fancy somewhat 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 approach to discover the town.
Free maps on the Napa Artwork Stroll can be found in several areas like 600 Primary Avenue, Napa River Inn, and Napa Valley Welcome Middle (and on-line, clearly).
Plus, you too can expertise the Napa Artwork Stroll audio tour which was recorded by the artists themselves.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in Monterey
8.) Safari West
Selling conservation and environmental training actions, Safari West has a fantastic purpose to share information and empower individuals to consider sustainability and what they will do to assist the surroundings, proper within the coronary heart of Sonoma.
Round a thousand animals are at the moment residing in Safari West and even keep in a single day. Nicely value somewhat gander should you’re heading throughout with youthful family members. In spite of everything, vineyards can solely be so fascinating to children!
Afterwards, and alongside your drive throughout Napa Valley and the encompassing area, be sure that to cease off at Ledson Vineyard.
Perched close to Santa Rosa, the property is completely lovely and it’s top-of-the-line 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 pretty vineyard in Napa Valley is the Palmaz Vineyards. Not solely that, they serve up some tasty Cabernet Sauvignon and it’s properly 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 adore it!
Additionally, don’t neglect, you’ve obtained the Shadybrook Property Vineyard that’s simply down the street, too. You possibly can simply associate each (or extra) in a single go to.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in California
10.) Castello di Amorosa
Now, one in every of my favorite wineries in Napa Valley must be Castello di Amorosa. With its fort, you’ll be forgiven for considering that you simply’ve arrived within the rolling hills of Tuscany.
For a straightforward approach to go to, e book this guided tour to Castello di Amorosa which departs from San Francisco. It’s such a straightforward approach to go to and the wine excursions are simply out-of-this-world.
The entire historical past behind the fort and the winder vineyards is simply unbelievable. In actual fact, I’d go so far as saying it’s top-of-the-line vineyards to go to in Napa Valley that you simply actually shouldn’t miss.
Simply make sure to e book this tour prematurely. Excursions replenish quick at peak occasions in Napa Valley. Actually, photographs don’t do that winery justice.
Fancying somewhat break from the vineyards (who’s ever stated that)? Then get your self over to the Petrified Forest. It’s completely straightforward to go to on a day journey from Sacramento or San Francisco and properly value stopping by should you’re within the Napa Valley space.
Open day by day, it’s top-of-the-line issues to do in Napa Valley to see among the largest petrified redwood timber. Over thousands and thousands of years, the timber fossilised and, in flip, nearly appear like rocks.
As soon as right here, make sure to try among the small hikes and rambles across the park. Some take round 20 minutes and are fairly straightforward for households.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in California
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 greatest issues to do in Napa Valley while after exploring Castello di Amorosa.
Right here, you will see that 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 be taught extra, you possibly can head on historic excursions and milling demonstrations which can be held most weekends.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in California
Examine Out The Very Finest Of Nice Britain!
Pop Over To Our YouTube Channel For Journey Movies!