Napa Valley is likely one of the hottest locations in California and one of many greatest locations to go to within the US. The area is positioned 50 miles north of San Francisco and 70 miles west of Sacramento.
When you go to Napa Valley, you will have 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 pink wine vinegar, olive oil, and scrumptious syrup. Napa Valley additionally gives outside adventures and delightful surroundings. This information will discover the perfect 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 via Napa from Mt. St. Helena to San Pablo Bay. There are many issues to maintain you entertained. These are the perfect issues to do in Napa Valley. Let’s dive straight into it.
Get extra data 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 referred to 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 recognized for glowing and Pinot Noir. Domaine Carneros additionally has among the most interesting tasting rooms in Napa Valley. You can expertise Pinot Noir wine tasting within 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 selection. If you don’t know the place to go to, let your driver choose a number of for a well-rounded expertise
Round Pond Estate is one other incredible vineyard to go to and makes a speciality of 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 incredible place for wine tasting.
It isn’t any secret that Napa Valley California is residence to tremendous wines, and also you’ll need to dedicate not less than a number 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 within the prettiest gentle and likewise have the ability to spot different sizzling air balloons taking off from the valley ground.
You can guide 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 greatest free issues to do in Napa Valley. The stroll is dotted round Downtown Napa and rotates its artwork on a biannual foundation. Get your digicam 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 identify some rising expertise.
Each time that the artwork is rotated, the theme modifications, and ten sculptures are chosen by an expert artwork jury. You can choose up a free map from the Napa Valley Welcome Center. The map describes every artist and sculpture, plus offers 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 bounce 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 among the best methods to embrace California’s ‘Wine Country’ to the fullest. Napa Valley Wine Train is an ideal solution to spend a number 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 concerning the valley and its most enjoyable tales.
The complete expertise lasts below two hours with most excursions, and also you’ll want a average health stage to finish the kayak. But if combining a health problem with a historic tour and delightful river views sounds enjoyable, kayaking is likely one of the most wonderful issues to do in Napa Valley.
6. Napa Valley Museum
Napa Museum has all the things from artwork to historical past. The museum goals to counterpoint ‘ the cultural fabric’ of the Napa Valley neighborhood, placing this into motion with numerous displays, actions, and applications. The museum is a captivating, academic place to spend an hour or two.
You’ll discover a various vary of short-term displays. You may uncover native hospitality historical past via the story of Sally Schmitt, who based The French Laundry together with her husband. Or study concerning the area’s First People and geology. Napa Museum takes a broad strategy with its displays, 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 consider extra works by native artists. To get your artwork repair, visiting Di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art is likely one of the greatest issues to do in Napa Valley.
The heart sits on 217 acres and is a fantastic 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 incredible place to view artwork outside, 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 moderately than consuming it with one other product like bread. Olive oil tasting is well 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 have to guide upfront.
9. The ‘Welcome to Napa’ signal
This attraction is perhaps brief and candy, however it’s undoubtedly a must-do when visiting Napa Valley. The ‘Welcome to Napa’ signal is a major spot for household images and Instagram pictures. The landmark is iconic within the valley.
Is it touristy? Yes. But in the absolute best manner. Plus, it’s simply mixed with different sights because you simply pull over on the St Helena Highway between Yountville and Oakville. Just attempt to go to early to reduce 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 by way of a twenty-minute path, weaving via big redwood timber that have been petrified by a volcanic eruption over three million years in the past.
The fossilized redwoods are fascinating to stand up near, and visiting is likely one of the most enjoyable issues to do in Napa Valley. Along the way in which, 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 visitors since 1880. The gorgeous Italianate-style constructing is positioned within the coronary heart of Downtown Napa and is a National Historic Landmark. Catching a efficiency is a dreamy solution to spend a night and is well among the best issues to do in Napa Valley. Put in your greatest 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 seek out one occasion that takes your fancy.
12. Go fly fishing
Napa Valley isn’t simply good for seafood; the rivers even have loads to catch. Napa Valley Fly Guides run fishing excursions to Putah Creek to fish for wild rainbow trout. The expertise is incredible if you’d like some downtime, professional help, and native information.
Another advantage of reserving a fly fishing tour is that they give you all gear. It is way more handy than bringing your personal or discovering a rental retailer. You can select between half-day and full-day excursions too, which provides you a whole lot of flexibility.
13. Old Faithful Geyser of California
Yellowstone National Park is perhaps miles and miles away, however the Old Faithful Geyser of California is a superb various. The geyser is gorgeous, and the multi-colored geyser pool makes for a fantastic {photograph}. Old Faithful can be an everyday and explodes a number of occasions an hour. In truth, the geyser is so ‘faithful’ that intervals of inactivity have been used to foretell earthquakes.
Visiting Old Faithful Geyser of California is likely one of the most enjoyable issues to do in Napa Valley. It can be positioned simply outdoors Calistoga, so it’s simply added to an itinerary.
14. Silverado Trail
The Silverado Trail isn’t any imply feat. The path is over 29 miles lengthy and takes a mean of 11 hours to finish on foot. You can cycle or stroll the trail, offering gorgeous views of Napa Valley and an thrilling health problem.
The path bought its identify from the quicksilver mines that after surrounded it. The two-lane nation highway was the primary everlasting highway ever to hyperlink Napa and Calistoga, and it was constructed in 1852. Nowadays, the path passes wineries and viewpoints galore. There shall be loads to see alongside the way in which in case you deal with it as a single-day or multi-day hike.
15. Robert Louis Stevenson Museum
You are in all probability aware of 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 via a number of displays – everlasting and short-term. You’ll uncover Stevenson’s life and get near a few of his private objects, 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 lovers.
16. Hog Island Oyster Bar
Ready for regionally sourced seafood at a classy oyster bar? Hog Island Oyster Bar is likely one of the greatest locations to eat in Napa Valley. Technically, we’ve already lined this venue, as it’s positioned 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 can buy some to remove or sit down 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 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 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 greatest issues to do in Napa Valley – particularly in case you’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 wonderful birds like herons. You could 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 brief exercise in 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 food and drinks appreciation in Napa. You can pattern connoisseur appetizers and seasonal dishes, study to cook dinner scrumptious meals your self with a cooking class or take pleasure in native wines with mates. The institute gives a lot of issues to do and is solely food-centric; the right spot for foodies and people captivated with cooking.
The institute takes its instructing critically and is taken into account one of many world’s greatest culinary faculties. Some folks undertake culinary levels on the Culinary Institute. While that is perhaps exhausting to do on a brief journey to Napa Valley, it’s good to know that you’re in skilled arms. It is the perfect spot to be impressed by the culinary arts.
20. Dine at The French Laundry
The French Laundry is Napa Valley’s most famed tremendous eating restaurant. The restaurant is ready in a shocking stone farmhouse. It was one of many first eating places to supply ‘Californian cuisine’. A husband-and-wife duo, the Schmitts, opened the restaurant. They boosted the enterprise and the popularity 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 choose one in every of two every day tasting menus. Each menu boasts over ten completely different dishes, and you should buy 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 among the best issues to do in Napa Valley.
21. Get a spa therapy in Calistoga
Calistoga is a sizzling spot for spa therapies. After a number of days of action-packed sightseeing, getting a therapeutic massage or facial is the right solution to unwind and rejuvenate. Golden Haven Hot Springs is the preferred, and you’ll bask in novel therapies 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 bounce in a sizzling mineral tub and end with a cool-down wrap. It is unquestionably a spa therapy to indulge your senses and have enjoyable. If you fancy making an attempt one thing new, it’s our prime therapy suggestion.
22. Napa County Historical Society
Are you curious about Napa Valley’s historical past? Or analysis? Napa County Historical Society is a superb attraction for teachers and historical past lovers. You’ll discover displays, lectures, and particular occasions. The society paperwork numerous matters, from the historical past of wine to Jewish heritage. If you guide an appointment, you may as well go to the Historical Society’s analysis library, Goodman Library.
Napa County Historical Society was based in 1948 and was really an area initiative to protect Napa Valley’s historical past. The society remains 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 motorbike 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 enjoyable 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 motorbike is a fantastic solution to expertise Napa Valley. The slower tempo is low effort and excessive reward – excellent for a heat morning. The hottest path 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 choose a piece.
24. Hike Mt. Saint Helena
It isn’t simply bike excursions that permit 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 deal with. You received’t want gear or technical potential – simply dedication and good health ranges.
Located in Robert Louis Stevenson State Park the mountain is the tallest in Napa county and an excellent accomplishment to finish. A hike to the summit has an elevation achieve of 2300 ft, so be ready for a exercise and convey loads of refreshments. However, the views from the summit at 4343ft make all of it worthwhile, and also you’ll have a shocking 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’d like common breaks and an honest period of time on the summit. Why rush again down when you will have the perfect seat in the home, proper?
25. Visit Linda Falls
Linda Falls is a shocking 50-foot waterfall hidden away within the hills of Angwin. The falls cascade over granite rock, reducing a powerful image for visiting hikers. The most enjoyable facet of the waterfall is that the granite is formed as steps, with the water falling down – what seems to be 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 need a brief 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 function of China Point Overlook is the colossal ring sculpture, which you stroll via on a footpath. You can snap images of Napa via 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, superbly 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 a very good market? Oxbow Public Market is a incredible spot in Napa and is an area sizzling spot for high-quality produce. Wander between artisan stalls and natural produce stands – maybe choosing up a snack or elements for a scrumptious home-cooked meal in case your lodging has kitchen services.
Oxbow Public Market is 40,000 sq. meters and fully lined (aside from an outdoor 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 out there if you’d like a caffeine repair.
28. Bothe-Napa Valley State Park
Visiting Bothe-Napa Valley State Park is likely one of the greatest issues to do in Napa Valley. The state park gives lodging in yurts, cabins, and campground services. 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 basic services 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 way of life 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 study all the things – from natural gardening and the function of a nutritious diet to assembly animals and listening to about their significance. Connolly Ranch is captivated with sustainability too, which is a large optimistic. A go to to Connolly Ranch is superb 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 a whole lot of lovely golf programs. The dangerous information is that you just’ll in all probability have to decide on one or two, as there are simply so many to attempt to squeeze into an itinerary.
We counsel Eagle Vines Golf Course, a fantastic 18-hole course on a manicured part of a working winery. It is an idyllic place to play and is stuffed with small creeks, lakes, and woodland. Plus, you will have the backdrop of Napa Valley’s attribute rolling hills. Eagle Vines is so lovely that strolling the course shall 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 town is a big vacation spot within the Napa Valley. Typical strolling excursions final for 2 hours and value round $20, so they’re comparatively budget-friendly. If you select to remain in Napa, a strolling tour is the right first-day exercise so that you can concurrently get your bearings and sightsee.
There is a combination of strolling excursions to guide. But, if you’re courageous, we advise taking a mystical ghost tour. This tour covers the darkish facet of Napa, touring the previous red-light district and telling tales of Napa Asylum. A ghost tour is an excitingly spooky and completely different solution to expertise Napa Valley’s historical past.
Napa Valley FAQs
Now that we’ve explored all the perfect issues to do in Napa Valley let’s have a look at some frequent FAQs.
How to get to Napa Valley
The best solution to go to Napa Valley is to fly into San Francisco Airport. From there, lease a automotive and drive north. This is a wonderful possibility for individuals who need freedom and comfort. Check out the greatest costs on automotive 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 could possibly catch the Amtrak San Joaquins, which is quicker and extra handy. Taking the prepare is greatest for individuals who don’t have a automotive however nonetheless need a fast, simple solution to attain Napa Valley, whereas the ferry is ideal for these with extra time who need the additional expertise.
Of course, if in case you have much more time, you’ll be able to at all times highway journey to Napa Valley. Napa Valley is ideally suited to a California highway journey. You may mix it with a few of California’s greatest seashores, epic locations, and cities.
Getting round Napa Valley
Things are slightly spaced out round Napa Valley, however whereas a automotive is the best possibility, it’s not at all the one manner. There’s been an enormous push for various 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 incredible fixed-route bus line that runs lengthways via Napa Valley every day. This is the preferred solution to get round with out a automotive if you’re sticking to visiting widespread sights and locations in Napa Valley. Otherwise, you’ll be able to guide shuttles if you wish to get to a particular space or at a specific time. It can be value checking along with your lodge about shuttles, as many properties provide complimentary shuttles providers.
In some circumstances, biking is usually a sensible solution 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 understand the valley slowly. You may guide one of many many bike excursions, which provide you with a extra informative expertise. Similarly, you may as well discover strolling excursions, significantly in smaller areas like Napa metropolis.
Best time to go to Napa Valley
So, when is the perfect time to go to Napa Valley? Ideally, in early spring. If you need to go to wineries, visiting Napa Valley within 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 presently.
Napa Valley gives fewer crowds and barely cooler, refreshing temperatures in early spring. You’ll usually discover cheaper lodges and trip leases, too. When reserving a Napa Valley journey, March to May are the right months.
Where to remain in Napa Valley NV
Napa Valley lodges are various and plentiful, so that you’ll don’t have any points discovering one to fit your price range. These are our prime 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 sights, that are simply minutes away.
Mid-range: Cabernet House
Cabernet House is a superb boutique lodge located in the midst of Napa. Each room has local weather management panels and complimentary toiletries. All visitors additionally obtain entry to a shared hearth 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 gives a wide range of upscale rooms and entry to unimaginable pure sizzling springs and spa services. You are conveniently positioned in the midst of Calistoga, too, so you’ll take pleasure in doorstep entry to many sights.
To conclude NV
There are so many wonderful issues to do in Napa Valley. Visiting Napa Valley is a Californian journey of a lifetime, and it is best to attempt to expertise as a lot of it as potential. You may very well 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 within the US, and we hope you will have an unimaginable journey.