I could spend a lifetime exploring the hills and vineyards around Napa. Each town stretching along the Napa Valley truly has its own vibe.
Starting southernmost, Napa is the most cosmopolitan, with a bustling city centre full of restaurants and bars. Yountville is definitely bougie, with a high concentration of fine dining anchored by the infamous French Laundry.
St Helena has a rustic sophistication, and its town centre has a very ‘Main Street USA’ feel. Calistoga has a soft spot in my heart. The town actually has banned any franchise businesses, and retains a bit more of the wild western feel from before Napa was Napa.
Each town is lovely in its own right, with phenomenal vineyards and restaurants all worth visiting.
My Favourite Wineries in Napa Valley
Tres Sabores | St Helena
Tres Sabores was the first vineyard I ever visited in California, and it has remained my favourite ever since. It’s one of the prettiest vineyards, Small vineyard committed to sustainable ethos. More often than not, one of the owners will stroll out to check on you during your tasting.
Hoopes Vineyard | Napa
This vineyard doubles as an animal sanctuary, and your tasting will take place amongst the goats and chickens wandering around. They also have a small farmers market, as well as a great menu of small bites made from that same local produce.
Hall Wines | St Helena
Hall is a great experience if it’s your first time in wine country. Their tour is really comprehensive and informative for the winemaking process in general, and getting to see their collection of contemporary art is a treat.
Tank Garage Winery | Calistoga
Tank’s tasting room is a super fun vintage gas station conversion right in the middle of Calistoga town that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Tastings here are very reasonably priced, and they’re open about an hour later than most vineyards.
Theorem Vineyards | Calistoga
Perched atop Diamond Mountain, a tasting here is truly a one of a kind experience.
More Great Options
- Tamber Bey
- VGS Chateau Potelle
- Elizabeth Spencer Winery
- Inglenook
- Nickel & Nickel
- Kenzo Estate
- Joseph Phelps
Where to Stay in Napa Valley
The Bergson
Adorable little bed and breakfast. Remains reasonably priced while holding onto all of the special touches that make it feel like a special escape. Many of the rooms feature fireplaces, and buffet-style breakfast is served each morning under sunlight filtered through the massive stained glass window.
Dr. Wilkinson’s
Fun mid-century motel conversion in Calistoga featuring natural mineral springs and a mud bath spa. Nothing here is particularly fancy, but that only adds to its charm. As a bonus, the rooms here are all also pet friendly and complimentary parking includes EV charging stations.
Hotel Yountville
This romantic retreat feels like more of an oversized vacation home than a hotel. Its main street location is within walking distance to all of Yontville’s world class dining, and features a sun drenched pool that you may never want to leave.
Poetry Inn
Dreamy little bed & breakfast nestled above the vineyards just far enough from the hustle and bustle of Highway 29. Each suite is individually decorated and named after a different poet, with a private terrace and view of Stags Leap below. The team here offers a truly curated experience with their wealth of local connections from dinner reservations to private wine tastings.
Where to Eat in Napa Valley
Gott’s Roadside
This little burger shack in St Helena has become somewhat of an institution. It’s an idealized version of the classic roadside diner, slinging up burgers and fast food made from local ingredients. I am a huge fan of their ahi burger with a side of sweet potato fries.
Bistro Jeanty
Wonderful little French bistro in the middle of downtown Yountville. Everything on the menu is authentic and delicious, and I’m always sure to order a pot of moules mariniere for the table,
Evangeline
Another French spot, this time up in Calistoga with a bit of a Creole twist. The interior is polished and cosy, but I most love sitting under their back patio’s canopy of orange trees on a sunny day.
Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch
Farm-to-table dining in St Helena that strikes the perfect balance of laid back elegance. The open air seating is always my preferred choice, and if everything is fully booked during the busier season you can almost always manage to squeeze into a spot at the bar for dinner.
Kenzo
Phenomenal prix fixe sushi and kaiseki tasting menus that are well worth a special occasion to splurge on. The entire staff extends the same meticulous attention that you’ll find at their vineyard, Kenzo Estate. Booking is essential here, with the best experience being the chef’s table.
What to Wear in Napa Valley
You’ll see people wearing a bit of everything while you’re in Napa, from heels and big hats to jeans and tees. While I do like taking the occasion to dress up a bit, there’s no reason to go overboard unless you’re heading to dinner at a handful of fine dining establishments.
My personal go-to is a flowy midi dress with a pair of cute sandals and a denim jacket. You’ll be much more comfortable in flats, especially if you plan on taking some time to wander through the rows of vines with a glass in hand – which I absolutely insist you do!
Most important of all are layers. The microclimates throughout Napa Valley mean that temperatures can range from chilly sweater weather to scorching hot depending on the elevation and time of day. You’ll end up taking your jacket off dozens of times throughout the day, but you’ll be glad to have it.
Transportation in Napa Valley
There aren’t really any great options in the Napa Valley aside from assigning a designated driver. The most convenient, but most expensive, option is hiring a driver for the day. If you’re part of a larger group, this can be around $100 per person per day, and you’ll get to totally customise your route. The Wine Train is an option that I don’t love, as the vineyard destinations tend to be a little busy for my liking.
Ridesharing is a pretty good alternative, but make sure you buffer extra time for pickups and drop offs, as there aren’t tons of drivers available. If you’re sticking within a single town, there are also on-demand shuttles operated for free by the cities.
Things to Do Beyond Wine
Fly in a Hot Air Balloon
Soaring above the valley in a hot air balloon is one of the best ways to appreciate the lush rolling hills. Most companies will launch just after dawn, which also happens to be the most beautiful time to go.
Tour With Breakfast Club Rally
Once a month, BCR hosts a car rally somewhere in the wine country region in support of a local charity. If you have a classic or interesting car, this is a great way to explore back roads and scenic vistas without any stress or planning.
Visit the Hot Springs
The town of Calistoga is renowned for their natural mineral springs, which also happens to be a great excuse to sneak in a spa day. There are plenty of places that offer treatments from mud baths to swedish massage.
Listen to Live Music
Lots of opportunities to see live music. During the summer, the Oxbow RiverStage headlines great acts right in the centre of Napa under the train tracks. I also love catching Yountville’s Music in the Park Yountville on Sundays, complete with food trucks and free flowing local wine. Year round, lots of tasting rooms throughout the valley will hire musicians in the evenings. If you’re a fan of jazz, Blue Note Napa often has world class performances, although tickets can be a little expensive.
