10 Issues to do in Napa ~ DownshiftingPRO
Simply an hour outdoors San Francisco, Napa is arguably North America’s hottest wine area. A world-famous vacation spot for wine fanatics, the city caters to those that love good wine and good meals. There are such a lot of enjoyable issues to do in Napa.
The town of Napa is situated within the Napa Valley, a 30-mile-long area that’s thought-about one of many premier wine locations. The valley is centered between two mountain ranges, with the extra laid-back wine area of Sonoma to the west. It has 5 distinct cities: Calistoga, St. Helena, Yountville, Napa Metropolis, and American Canyon. Discover one or take pleasure in all of them in your go to to Northern California.
Whereas Napa could also be synonymous with distinctive wine tasting, there’s a lot extra to do there than wine tasting. With rolling hills and gorgeous landscapes, it’s additionally a must-visit location for outside fanatics — or those that want to absorb the surroundings from a four-star resort.
Whether or not you’re a passionate oenophile trying to indulge within the best vintages or in search of journey, a visit to Napa Valley guarantees an unforgettable expertise.
These are the ten most necessary issues to do in Napa.
1. Go to a Vineyard
No journey to Napa, California, is full with out tasting wine. Even should you don’t assume you want wine, visiting a vineyard (or a number of) is a must-do merchandise. Virtually 500 completely different wineries are in Napa, producing 1,000 wine manufacturers. There’s a vineyard that matches each desire and persona.
Positioned in downtown Napa, Acumen‘s tasting room has its personal modern artwork gallery. The stylish tasting room affords an immersive expertise the place guests can sip their organically farmed Atlas Peak vineyards whereas perusing a rotating artwork gallery.
Sequoia Grove Vineyard is understood for its elegant Cabernet Sauvignon and different single-vineyard purple wines. It was voted “The Finest Property Vineyard Tasting Room” in 2020, 2021, 2023, and 2024. Chill out on certainly one of its patios, surrounded by majestic coastal redwoods. Or, reserve a spot at its Wine and Meals expertise for limited-production wines paired with a artistic menu by Chef Britny Maureze.
As somebody who has been to Napa a couple of dozen occasions, my go-to winey is Artesa. Seize a glass of those Spanish-influenced wines (attempt the Albarino) and benefit from the unimaginable view from the terrace. Constructed into the highest of a hill within the Los Carneros area, the panoramic vistas are gorgeous and value a go to in case you are within the space.
For champagne lovers, head to Domaine Carneros, identified for its distinctive glowing wines and breathtaking chateau perched excessive above Freeway 12. Established in 1987 by the Taittinger household of Champagne fame, it’s certainly one of solely 4 main glowing wineries in all of Napa.
Positioned solely quarter-hour from downtown Napa, Domaine Carneros is a good first or final cease in your method again from a day of wine tasting.
2. Expertise Farm-to-Desk Eating
If Napa is understood first for its wine, the culinary scene is an in depth second. With a number of Michelin-starred eating places in and round Napa Valley, chances are you’ll come to Northern California for the wine, however you’ll keep for the meals.
Thomas Keller’s The French Laundry is probably probably the most legendary vacation spot for Basic French delicacies paired with native elements. Attempt the signature dish, oysters and pearls, which consists of oysters with white sturgeon caviar studded with tapioca pearls. Finish the meal with espresso, donuts, and a field of handmade candies.
For a extra budget-friendly meal, head to Small World restaurant, an off-the-cuff spot that gives crave-worthy Mediterranean fare, together with the must-order falafel platter.
Shut by, Oxbow Public Market is a 40,000-square-foot meals market that includes the perfect of Napa Valley — stalls providing recent meat, fish, cheese, charcuterie, fresh-baked bread, olive oil, produce, and extra.
3. See Napa by Bike
The most effective methods to see wine nation is by bicycle, touring the valley on the Napa Valley Vine Path. The 12.5-mile, dog-friendly path for strolling and biking runs from South Napa to Yountville, with a number of wineries alongside the way in which.
After a hearty breakfast at La Cheve Bakery and Brews for espresso and chiliquiles, lease a motorbike from Napa Vallery Bike Store on Pearl Road. Head out on the Vine Path, which parallels Freeway 29, to the charming city of Yountville.
Take your time and cease by wineries alongside Oak Knoll Avenue, like Trefethen, Materra, Monticello, James Cole, and Backstage Wines. You too can go to Laird Household or Silenus, which is accessible proper off the Vine Path. From right here, you possibly can both park your bike in Yountville and catch a experience again to Napa or seize lunch and benefit from the views in your experience again.
4. Chill out on the Spa
Benefit from the slower tempo of Northern California with a visit to one of many many native spas. The Spa at Silverado is a should — this Roman-inspired spa is the biggest non-public resort within the space and affords massages, physique scrubs, facials, and extra.
The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa is an indulgent oasis for rejuvenation. For the final word pampering expertise, attempt the Wine Nation Wind-Down, which begins with a cabernet physique scrub and is adopted by a heat oil therapeutic massage.
Or, head north to Spa Solage, a part of the Solage Calistoga resort, for an eco-conscious twist on conventional therapies. Attempt the Mudslide, a three-part remedy that features a mineral-enriched clay and volcanic ash physique masks, a soak within the geothermal water from Solage’s personal spring, and a end in a zero-gravity reclining vibration chair.
After your day on the spa, head to the Michelin-recommended Solbar for creative, border-crossing delicacies from chef Gustavo Rios.
Or, for a extra informal eating expertise, head to the poolside Picobar to attempt trendy Mexican delicacies. Take pleasure in a menu of artistic tacos with their selfmade pico de gallo or the creamy queso dip made with native Cowgirl Creamery crescenza and camembert cheeses.
5. Take a Journey on the Wine Prepare
All aboard! For a novel expertise in Napa, take a look at the Napa Valley Wine Prepare, a restored classic practice that winds its method by means of the guts of wine nation.
Impressed by the golden age of luxurious practice journey, the Napa Valley Wine Prepare affords a number of tour choices, from a daytime experience with a multi-course gourmand meal to afternoon tea with Chandon’s spritz cocktails to themed homicide thriller dinners.
Two choices, the Legacy Expertise and the Grgich Hills Property Tasting, additionally enable passengers to disembark the practice for extra wine tasting and excursions.
6. Hop on the Trolley
For individuals who need to maximize their vineyard visits, think about the Napa Valley Wine Trolley over the practice. The open-air trolley is extra inexpensive than the earlier possibility and permits guests to go to three preselected wineries or tasting rooms.
One of many many enjoyable issues to do in Napa is to take the Napa Valley Wine Trolley, which incorporates commentary out of your information, scenic views from the trolley, and lunch.
7. Take a Hike
Positioned simply west of Napa, Alston Park options 157 acres and is a favourite for informal hikers. Within the spring, benefit from the wildflowers in bloom as you loop across the park for a 2.7-mile, straightforward loop.
Should you plan on spending time within the northern a part of the valley, think about Robert Louis Stevenson State Park, situated north of Calistoga. From the summit of Mount St. Helena, you possibly can see Napa and Sonoma. You’ll be able to see the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Mount Shasta, and the Pacific Ocean on clear days. This 10-mile out-and-back hike is difficult however price it for journey seekers. Take into account the 4.4-mile out-and-back hike to Desk Rock from the identical park for a shorter hike.
8. View Wine Nation by Air
For a one-of-a-kind expertise in Napa, attempt a sizzling air balloon over the picturesque rolling hills of Napa Valley. Watch the morning solar solid its golden glow on the early morning flight from Napa Valley Balloons. Balloons fly greatest in cool air, which implies the perfect rides occur simply after dawn.
Fodor’s Journey voted it among the finest sizzling air balloon rides. A snug balloon experience is a novel method to view Napa.
9. Golf Programs
For golf fanatics, Napa Valley boasts a number of prestigious golf programs for gamers of all talent ranges. Tee off on the iconic Silverado Resort and Spa, the place you possibly can take pleasure in views of the encompassing vineyards and mountains whereas honing your swing.
If visiting in September, take a look at the PGA’s season-opening occasion, the Safeway Open, hosted yearly on the resort. Voted probably the most fan-friendly PGA occasion, the event brings the world’s high golfers to Napa for golf, scrumptious meals, music, and, after all, wine.
Alternatively, you possibly can play by means of the Chardonnay Golf Membership, which options 18 holes of championship golf set in 150 acres of Chardonnay vineyards.
10. Stroll Via Artwork
The Rails Arts District, RAD, is a free outside modern artwork museum that follows the Napa Valley Vine Path. It begins within the Oxbow District of downtown Napa and continues north for 2 miles alongside the bike and strolling vine path.
See murals, sculptures, and extra within the RAD installations by native and worldwide artists. Benefit from the free trek by foot or bike, or hop on the Napa Valley Wine Prepare for a extra luxurious method to benefit from the artwork district.
This text initially appeared on Journey Binger.
Alex Caspero (Visitor Put up)
Alex Caspero is a Registered Dietitian,New York InstancesBestselling Chef, and founding father ofDelish DataandPlant-Primarily based Juniors. She focuses on making whole-food, vegetarian consuming deliciously easy. Her diet experience and must-make recipes have been featured in Forbes, At the moment, The Washington Put up, Mother and father, Vogue, Meals Community, and extra.
