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 effectively 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 wished to share among the high locations in Napa Valley (and the encircling space) that we love. This manner, you may 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? Properly, even if you happen to’re not technically into your wines, or not sure of what you want, there are heaps of locations the place you may good your abilities with the assistance of in-house sommeliers.
For us, you’ll need to be sure to 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 succeed in.
To make issues straightforward, e book today tour from San Francisco to expertise some attractive vineyards in Napa Valley. You’ll get to 3 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 may as well do balloon excursions, bike excursions, strolling excursions, aircraft excursions, culinary excursions, personal excursions, and lots of different varieties of excursions that can assist you know extra concerning the place and discover them.
Learn extra: Greatest issues to do in California
2.) Yountville
Love a superb 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 if you happen to’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.
If you happen to miss them, head throughout the road for Mini Mannequin as a substitute. They’ve some tasty English muffins which might 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: Greatest issues to do in San Francisco
3.) Napa Valley Wine Prepare
Look, we love a superb practice journey… particularly if it contains award-wimming wines!
If that seems 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 effectively definitely worth the ticket worth. Simply remember to e book on-line earlier than heading to Napa Valley. Areas are restricted and this may be extremely popular.
As you journey the historic practice, 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 solution to see the broader space.
We love the ‘Legacy Expertise’ ticket they provide. You spend round 3 hours on the practice and three hours in numerous wineries. Plus, it contains your 4-course meal and oodles of wines to style.
Learn extra: Greatest 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 solution to break up the day if you happen to’re having slightly ‘winery fatigue’.
As soon as inside, you’ll get to see historic artefacts, images, 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 ideal little spot for 45 minutes.
Learn extra: Greatest 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 world. Actually, it’s proper on town fringe of Napa itself.
Good if you happen to’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 may 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.
Learn extra: Greatest locations to go to on a Californian street journey
6.) Oxbow Public Market, Napa
Okay, if you happen to’re something like me, you’ll love Oxbow Public Market. It’s top-of-the-line issues to do in Napa Valley, particularly if you happen to’re spending a while within the metropolis of Napa.
As soon as right here, you’ll get to strive among the greatest farmers and native meals that make this space so particular. In fact, you’ve received the recent produce and bread however what makes Oxbow Public Market so particular is the opposite eating spots which might be so yummy.
You may get all the pieces from Sushi, wood-fired pizzas, and native honey and wine-tasting spots (if you happen to’re not venturing into the valley itself).
Afterwards, remember to e book in for a sizzling air balloon journey over Napa Valley at sundown. Now, remember to e book your journey earlier than you go to Napa Valley and at all times be ready for last-minute modifications on your sizzling air balloon journey. In spite of everything, it’s all climate dependent.
Now, there are a number 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 distinct perspective.
Learn extra: Greatest issues to do in Yosemite
7.) Napa Artwork Stroll
Completed with all of the wine? How may you! Ha!
Jokes apart, if you happen to fancy slightly 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 solution to discover town.
Free maps on the Napa Artwork Stroll can be found in numerous places like 600 Essential Avenue, Napa River Inn, and Napa Valley Welcome Heart (and on-line, clearly).
Plus, you may as well expertise the Napa Artwork Stroll audio tour which was recorded by the artists themselves.
Learn extra: Greatest issues to do in Monterey
8.) Safari West
Selling conservation and environmental schooling actions, Safari West has an ideal purpose to share data and empower individuals to consider sustainability and what they will do to assist the setting, 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. Properly value slightly gander if you happen to’re heading throughout with youthful family members. In spite of everything, vineyards can solely be so fascinating to youngsters!
Afterwards, and alongside your drive throughout Napa Valley and the encircling area, be certain that to cease off at Ledson Vineyard.
Perched close to Santa Rosa, the property is completely stunning and it’s top-of-the-line issues to do in Napa Valley as you’re round Sugarloaf Ridge State Park.
Learn extra: Greatest 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 effectively value visiting while within the valley.
With over 50 acres of land, it’s a fairly expansive however cosy vineyard that has some tasty wines to strive in your route round Napa Valley’s high 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 received the Shadybrook Property Vineyard that’s simply down the street, too. You possibly can simply accomplice each (or extra) in a single go to.
Learn extra: Greatest issues to do in California
10.) Castello di Amorosa
Now, one in every of my favorite wineries in Napa Valley needs to be Castello di Amorosa. With its fortress, you’ll be forgiven for pondering that you simply’ve arrived within the rolling hills of Tuscany.
For a simple solution to go to, e book this guided tour to Castello di Amorosa which departs from San Francisco. It’s such a simple solution to go to and the wine excursions are simply out-of-this-world.
The entire historical past behind the fortress and the winder vineyards is simply unbelievable. Actually, 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 remember to e book this tour upfront. Excursions refill quick at peak instances in Napa Valley. Actually, images don’t do that winery justice.
Fancying slightly 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 effectively value stopping by if you happen to’re within the Napa Valley space.
Open each day, it’s top-of-the-line issues to do in Napa Valley to see among the largest petrified redwood bushes. Over tens of millions of years, the bushes fossilised and, in flip, virtually appear to be rocks.
As soon as right here, remember to take a look at among the small hikes and rambles across the park. Some take round 20 minutes and are fairly straightforward for households.
Learn extra: Greatest 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 discover 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 may head on historic excursions and milling demonstrations which might be held most weekends.
Learn extra: Greatest issues to do in California
Verify Out The Very Greatest Of Nice Britain!
Pop Over To Our YouTube Channel For Journey Movies!