Just north of the San Francisco Bay Area in Northern California, the Napa Valley is comprised of 5 distinctive towns: Calistoga, St. Helena, Yountville, Napa, and American Canyon. This charming river valley is tucked between two coastal mountain ranges, the Vaca Mountains to the east, and the Mayacamas Mountains to the west, both of which contribute to the region’s near-perfect climate. The result is what some call, the “Goldilocks Zone,” and is attributed to the impeccable growing conditions for wine grapes. So, it’s no wonder that Napa Valley produces almost 50 million cases of wine per year, according to Wine Academy, certainly earning the nickname, Wine Country, for a reason!
Today, the Napa Valley welcomes visitors from all corners of the world. Its prestigious wineries and endless number of tasting rooms are unquestionably the main attraction that draws wine connoisseurs to the valley, but the area’s dining experiences, local shopping and arts scene, and the countless opportunities to explore the surrounding picture-perfect landscape are what makes Napa Valley a remarkable travel destination.
In terms of what there is to do in Napa Valley, let’s focus on the not-so-obvious activities and attractions that aren’t necessarily centered around wine since families make up a big segment of visitors. And let’s face it, not everyone likes wine.
When exploring the towns within Napa Valley, it’s hard not to notice how beautiful the surrounding hillsides are. It’s even harder to not want to get out and explore more of the outdoors. Within the valley, there are multiple parks and trails to discover, starting with a popular spot just west of Napa, Alston Park. This park has 157 acres of beautiful trails, grasslands, and even a dog park. Easy to hike through and very sunny, you’ll see a sea of wildflowers in spring.
Other parks that make for scenic hiking are Moore Creek Park, Skyline Wilderness Park, Both-Napa Valley State Park, and Robert Louis Stevenson State Park—just to name a few. Las Posadas State Forest offers easy-to-moderate trails and even a waterfall that’s easy to reach! Hikers, bikers, and even equestrians have many options where to explore and find gorgeous views of the valley.
You can’t talk about this river valley without highlighting the beautiful, Napa River. One of the largest rivers located in the Central Coast Range, the Napa River eventually reaches the San Pablo Bay, creating miles of estuary where saltwater and freshwater mingle. Kayaking and paddleboarding are two great ways to get outdoors and see local wildlife at an easygoing pace. Boating and fishing are also popular pastimes. If you really want to take in the beauty of the Napa River in a unique way, authentic Venetian gondola cruises depart from downtown Napa and are sure to be a highlight of your trip.
Speaking of unique ways to see the valley, taking a ride aboard a hot air balloon may not only be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but it’s the best way to take in the impeccable views of rolling hills and luscious vineyards. There are multiple companies that offer hot air balloon rides, and all seem to set their launch times just after dawn when the winds are calmest and typically last up to an hour or so.
If you’d rather stick to pavement to see Napa Valley, renting bikes or simply walking around the towns and on the Napa Valley Vine Trail is certainly the way to go. This trail is currently a 12.5-mile stretch from Kennedy Park to Yountville, but when completed, will be a 47-mile trail system that will connect Vallejo to Calistoga and every town in between.
During your stay, golfers will be treated to various high-rated courses that offer challenging and scenic greens. Every fall, the PGA Tour comes to town for the Fortinet Championship which is played at the Silverado Resort.
Those wanting to pamper themselves with relaxing spa treatments have ample facilities to choose from since Napa Valley is well-versed in relaxation and wellness. You’ll find all your favorite treatments and more, even having access to half-day or full-day packages. The most well-known and highly sought-after treatment is Calistoga mud and mineral baths. These therapeutic baths use the valley’s geothermal hot springs where water temperatures can reach upwards of 90 degrees.
The examples above are all found on Quest Travel Club, and all discounts and pricing are subject to change.
Those looking to take part in the valley’s culture and art scene will be amazed at how many theaters, art galleries, and museums there are scattered throughout the towns. Attend shows at one of the multiple performing arts theaters, or a movie at what’s said to be California’s oldest theater, Cameo Cinema in St. Helena. There is a seemingly endless list of art galleries with collections of local artist’s pieces ranging in all sorts of mediums. When walking in Yountville and Napa, you’ll find tons of different sculptures (and murals in the Rail Arts District in downtown Napa) that make up the area’s dedicated Art Walks.
The local food scene is exquisite, with all sorts of cuisines, atmospheres, and price points to choose from. Celebrated establishments include markets and grocers that make take away items that are perfect for picnics, coffee shops, and bakeries that offer superb drinks and pastries, restaurants that offer al fresco dining experiences, and the well-known Michelin star and Michelin recommended list that is astonishingly long. The most iconic being, The French Laundry, where a table is certainly hard to come by. That being said, the beautiful garden across the street that supplies the restaurant and others is open to the public. Another popular stop for visitors and locals alike is the Oxbow Public Market, where you’ll find all types of food, drinks, sweets, and more!
Napa Valley is a place where visitors can immerse themselves in everything there is to do with food and drink. From learning how everything is grown—and we’re talking anything from vegetables to wine grapes—to taking culinary classes and tours of how everything is made, foodies as well as those who love wine will be in their element. And as far as visiting wineries and tastings go, we won’t go into a crazy amount of detail, simply because that should be a guide all on its own—and there are many great ones out there, such as the Visit Napa Valley website.
Navigating Wine Country can be simple, especially if your group is only wanting to visit one or two wineries for a tour or tasting. It gets complicated when you want to fill an entire day or even weekend purely by visiting multiple wineries and tasting rooms one after the other. There are more than 400 wineries and 90 tasting rooms in Napa Valley. Instead of just choosing wineries to visit at random, try booking a tasting tour or at the very least, private transportation to and from each location to make your day as safe and uncomplicated as possible. Transportation can be anything from a luxury car or van, a limousine, a trolley, or even a ride aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train.
As previously mentioned, Napa Valley has a near-perfect climate, and we’re not just talking about growing grapes, here. Because the valley sits between two mountain ranges, it’s as if it’s in a protected bubble from extreme heat and freezing temperatures. Sure, there are better times than others to visit from a weather standpoint, but there really isn’t a bad time to visit in the same regard. That being said, even during the summer months, you should always pack a sweater.
Peak tourist season tends to shadow harvest season, so most people will say that the best time to visit Napa Valley is from August to October. Typical highs stay in the low 80s and high 70s, while typical lows stick to the mid-50s, and it’s typically dry during this time period. Because this is the most popular time to go, expect higher prices for accommodations.
Napa Valley’s rainy season is considered to last from November to March, but don’t let that scare you off. Temperatures are still temperate, and many food-related events are scheduled during this time. Not to mention, visiting during this time is more affordable and wineries don’t close seasonally.
Napa Valley is home to some of the most breathtaking, luxurious, and expensive resorts in the country. Sometimes, those wanting to visit the area are under the impression that that’s all there is! The good news is, there is a wide variety of resorts, hotels, inns, bed and breakfasts, and home rentals to choose from.
Another thing to keep in mind is that some people think that Napa Valley is very secluded from other places, but it really isn’t. Just over Sugarloaf Ridge State Park is Santa Rosa, a large city surrounded by other smaller towns in Sonoma County. Just south of American Canyon, sits Vallejo, another city where hotels are plentiful.
Here are a few examples of amazing hotels and resorts you can find using your Palmera Vacation Club membership through Quest Travel Club:
The examples above are all found on Quest Travel Club, and all discounts and pricing are subject to change.
