31 Best Things to do in Napa Valley

Napa Valley is likely one of the hottest locations in California and the most effective locations to go to in the US. The area is situated 50 miles north of San Francisco and 70 miles west of Sacramento.

When you go to Napa Valley, you’ve 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 purple wine vinegar, olive oil, and scrumptious syrup. Napa Valley additionally affords out of doors adventures and exquisite 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 by means of Napa from Mt. St. Helena to San Pablo Bay. There are many issues to preserve you entertained. These are one of the best issues to do in Napa Valley. Let’s dive straight into it.

Get extra info 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 known as ‘wine country’ for nothing! How might 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 a few of the most interesting tasting rooms in Napa Valley. You can expertise Pinot Noir wine tasting in the Domaine Carneros Chateau mansion.

This Sprinter Wine Tour is an efficient choice 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 just a few for a well-rounded expertise

Round Pond Estate is one other implausible vineyard to go to and specializes in cabernet sauvignon, and a massively common 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 implausible place for wine tasting.

It is not any secret that Napa Valley California is dwelling to high quality wines, and also you’ll need to dedicate a minimum of just a few 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 stunning, why wouldn’t you need to see it from the sky? Going on a sizzling air balloon trip 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 in the prettiest gentle and in addition give you the chance 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 possibility to spot some rising expertise.

Each time that the artwork is rotated, the theme adjustments, and ten sculptures are chosen by knowledgeable artwork jury. You can decide up a free map from the Napa Valley Welcome Center. The map describes every artist and sculpture, plus provides you the all-so-secret instructions between every exhibit.

4. Take the Napa Valley Wine Train

Ready for extra wine? Pair wine, gourmand meals, and rolling hills if you bounce aboard this classic wine practice. Starting from St Helena, the historic practice 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 probably the most luxurious issues to do in Napa Valley and the most effective methods to embrace California’s ‘Wine Country’ to the fullest. Napa Valley Wine Train is an ideal means to spend just a few 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 entire expertise lasts underneath two hours with most excursions, and also you’ll want a reasonable health degree to full the kayak. But if combining a health problem with a historic tour and exquisite 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 every little thing from artwork to historical past. The museum goals to enrich ‘ the cultural fabric’ of the Napa Valley group, placing this into motion with varied reveals, actions, and packages. The museum is a captivating, academic place to spend an hour or two.

You’ll discover a diverse vary of non permanent reveals. You might uncover native hospitality historical past by means of the story of Sally Schmitt, who based The French Laundry together with her husband. Or be taught concerning the area’s First People and geology. Napa Museum takes a broad strategy with its reveals, 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 most likely be excited to see extra artwork and think about 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 middle 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 implausible place to view artwork open air, 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 usually categorized into delicate, medium, and intense. Like wine tasting, you historically sip olive oil to style it relatively than consuming it with one other product like bread. Olive oil tasting is well probably the most enjoyable, distinctive issues to do in Napa Valley.

You’ll discover olive oil producers everywhere in 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 want to guide in advance.

9. The ‘Welcome to Napa’ signal

This attraction could be brief and candy, however it’s positively a must-do when visiting Napa Valley. The ‘Welcome to Napa’ signal is a main spot for household pictures and Instagram pictures. The landmark is iconic in the valley.

Is it touristy? Yes. But in the absolute best means. Plus, it’s simply mixed with different points of interest because you simply pull over on the St Helena Highway between Yountville and Oakville. Just strive to go to early to reduce crowds and keep away from queuing for an image.

10. The Petrified Forest

There are petrified logs dotted everywhere in the US, however Napa Valley’s Petrified Forest is fairly particular. You discover the forest by way of a twenty-minute path, weaving by means of large 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 shut to, 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 situated in the guts of Downtown Napa and is a National Historic Landmark. Catching a efficiency is a dreamy means to spend a night and is well the most effective issues to do in Napa Valley. Put in your greatest garments and let the efficiency whisk you away.

You might 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 discover 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 implausible if you need some downtime, knowledgeable help, and native information.

Another good thing about reserving a fly fishing tour is that they give you all tools. It is far 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 quite a lot of flexibility.

13. Old Faithful Geyser of California

Yellowstone National Park could be miles and miles away, however the Old Faithful Geyser of California is a superb different. The geyser is gorgeous, and the multi-colored geyser pool makes for a fantastic {photograph}. Old Faithful can also be an everyday and explodes a number of occasions an hour. In truth, the geyser is so ‘faithful’ that durations of inactivity have been used to predict earthquakes.

Visiting Old Faithful Geyser of California is likely one of the most enjoyable issues to do in Napa Valley. It can also be situated simply exterior Calistoga, so it’s simply added to an itinerary.

14. Silverado Trail

The Silverado Trail is not any imply feat. The path is over 29 miles lengthy and takes a median of 11 hours to full on foot. You can cycle or stroll the trail, offering gorgeous views of Napa Valley and an thrilling health problem.

The path bought its title from the quicksilver mines that when 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 will likely be loads to see alongside the way in which in case you sort out it as a single-day or multi-day hike.

15. Robert Louis Stevenson Museum

You are most likely conversant in the novel Treasure Island. Robert Louis Stevenson is a family title, and the museum has the world’s largest assortment of Stevenson memorabilia.

You can stroll by means of a number of reveals – everlasting and non permanent. You’ll uncover Stevenson’s life and get shut to a few of his private gadgets, 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 fans.

16. Hog Island Oyster Bar

Ready for regionally sourced seafood at a stylish 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 situated 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 should purchase some to take away or sit down on the traditional 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 also 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 dwelling. 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 also be dwelling 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 a large 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 common 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 to your itinerary. You might 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 gourmand appetizers and seasonal dishes, be taught to cook dinner scrumptious meals your self with a cooking class or take pleasure in native wines with pals. The institute affords plenty of issues to do and is totally food-centric; the right spot for foodies and people obsessed with cooking.

The institute takes its educating significantly and is taken into account one of many world’s greatest culinary schools. Some individuals undertake culinary levels on the Culinary Institute. While that could be arduous to do on a brief journey to Napa Valley, it’s good to know that you’re in skilled arms. It is one of the best spot to be impressed by the culinary arts.

20. Dine at The French Laundry

The French Laundry is Napa Valley’s most famed high quality 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 fame 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 decide certainly one of two every day tasting menus. Each menu boasts over ten completely different dishes, and you should purchase 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 the most effective issues to do in Napa Valley.

21. Get a spa remedy in Calistoga

Calistoga is a sizzling spot for spa therapies. After just a few days of action-packed sightseeing, getting a therapeutic massage or facial is the right means to unwind and rejuvenate. Golden Haven Hot Springs is the preferred, and you may indulge in novel therapies like mud baths.

A sizzling mud tub expertise is bucket record worthy, and you may soak alone, as a pair, or with pals. Afterward, you’ll bounce in a sizzling mineral tub and end with a cool-down wrap. It is certainly a spa remedy to indulge your senses and have enjoyable. If you fancy making an attempt one thing new, it’s our high remedy advice.

22. Napa County Historical Society

Are you in Napa Valley’s historical past? Or analysis? Napa County Historical Society is a superb attraction for lecturers and historical past lovers. You’ll discover reveals, lectures, and particular occasions. The society paperwork varied 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 a neighborhood initiative to protect Napa Valley’s historical past. The society continues to be regionally run and completely not-for-profit, aided by volunteers and interns who run the group and proceed its analysis.

23. Take a motorcycle tour

You don’t go to a spot as scenic as Napa Valley and never maximize your time in nature. In truth, you’re most likely determined to get a extra genuine and enjoyable expertise of Napa Valley’s stunning panorama. And if that’s the case, then take one of many Napa Valley bike excursions.

Sightseeing from a motorcycle is a fantastic means to expertise Napa Valley. The slower tempo is low effort and excessive reward – good for a heat morning. The hottest route to cycle is Napa Valley Vine Trail, a 47-mile observe that cuts throughout the entire valley. You might full the route in 5 hours or simply decide a bit.

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 sort out. You gained’t want tools or technical capability – simply willpower and good health ranges.

Located in Robert Louis Stevenson State Park the mountain is the tallest in Napa county and an excellent accomplishment to full. A hike to the summit has an elevation acquire 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 permit your self six or seven hours if you need common breaks and an honest period of time on the summit. Why rush again down when you’ve one of the best seat in the home, proper?

25. Visit Linda Falls

Linda Falls is a shocking 50-foot waterfall hidden away in 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 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 dwelling to greater than 130 species of native vegetation. If you desire 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 by means of on a footpath. You can snap pictures of Napa by means of 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, fantastically designed spot to replicate and loosen up. 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 market? Oxbow Public Market is a implausible spot in Napa and is a neighborhood sizzling spot for high-quality produce. Wander between artisan stalls and natural produce stands – maybe choosing up a snack or substances for a scrumptious home-cooked meal in case your lodging has kitchen services.

Oxbow Public Market is 40,000 sq. meters and completely lined (aside from an out of doors deck). It is the right place on a wet day or simply to drop by for a fast chunk to eat. You’ll additionally discover loads of cafes in the market if you need 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 affords 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 mountaineering trails to discover. Day guests also can entry basic services just like the spring-fed swimming pool and picnic areas. Pack a bikini and mountaineering 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 life-style for your self, head to Connolly Ranch Educational Center. The not-for-profit working farm takes pleasure in exhibiting guests what actual farming and agriculture are about.

You can study every little thing – from natural gardening and the function of a nutritious diet to assembly animals and listening to about their significance. Connolly Ranch is obsessed with sustainability too, which is a large constructive. 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 quite a lot of stunning golf programs. The dangerous information is that you just’ll most likely have to select one or two, as there are simply so many to strive to squeeze into an itinerary.

We recommend 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’ve the backdrop of Napa Valley’s attribute rolling hills. Eagle Vines is so stunning that strolling the course will likely be simply as a lot of an expertise as the sport itself. You might even go wine tasting when you end.

31. Take a strolling tour round Downtown Napa

A strolling tour of Downtown Napa is a simple addition to a Napa Valley journey. Chances are, you’ll go to and even keep in Napa anyway, as town is a major vacation spot in the Napa Valley. Typical strolling excursions final for 2 hours and price round $20, so they’re comparatively budget-friendly. If you select to keep in Napa, a strolling tour is the right first-day exercise for you to concurrently get your bearings and sightsee.

There is a combination of strolling excursions to guide. But, if you’re courageous, we advise taking a magical 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 means to expertise Napa Valley’s historical past.

Napa Valley FAQs

Now that we’ve explored all one of the best issues to do in Napa Valley let’s take a look at some frequent FAQs.

How to get to Napa Valley

The simplest way to go to Napa Valley is to fly into San Francisco Airport. From there, hire a automotive and drive north. This is a wonderful choice for individuals who need freedom and comfort. Check out one of the best costs on automotive leases right here!

If you don’t need to or can’t drive, there are nonetheless loads of choices. You might catch the ferry from the San Francisco Bay space, which takes you on a scenic (barely slower) journey to Napa Valley. Or you possibly can catch the Amtrak San Joaquins, which is quicker and extra handy. Taking the practice is greatest for individuals who don’t have a automotive however nonetheless desire a fast, simple means to attain Napa Valley, whereas the ferry is ideal for these with extra time who need the additional expertise.

Of course, in case you have much more time, you may at all times highway journey to Napa Valley. Napa Valley is ideally fitted to a California highway journey. You might mix it with a few of California’s greatest seashores, epic locations, and cities.

Getting round Napa Valley

Things are just a little spaced out round Napa Valley, however whereas a automotive is the simplest choice, it’s not at all the one means. There’s been a large push for different strategies of transport, and Napa Valley encourages you to go car-free when you may – even only for a day journey.

The Vine bus is a implausible fixed-route bus line that runs lengthways by means of Napa Valley every day. This is the preferred means to get round with no automotive if you’re sticking to visiting common points of interest and locations in Napa Valley. Otherwise, you may guide shuttles if you need to get to a particular space or at a selected time. It can also be price checking together with your lodge about shuttles, as many properties supply complimentary shuttles companies.

In some circumstances, biking generally is a good means to get round Napa Valley. As we talked about, the Napa Valley Vine Trail is a well-liked biking route. You’ll get the possibility to recognize the valley slowly. You might 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 one of the best time to go to Napa Valley? Ideally, in early spring. If you need to go to wineries, visiting Napa Valley in 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 at the moment.

Napa Valley affords fewer crowds and barely cooler, refreshing temperatures in early spring. You’ll usually discover cheaper resorts and trip leases, too. When reserving a Napa Valley journey, March to May are the right months.

Where to keep in Napa Valley NV

Napa Valley resorts are diverse and plentiful, so that you’ll don’t have any points discovering one to fit your funds. These are our high three.

Budget: Napa Discovery Inn

Napa Discovery Inn is a superb budget-friendly choice. Guests obtain a complimentary continental breakfast every morning, plus have a microwave and fridge in each room – good for saving cash on consuming out. Make use of the free wifi or discover Napa’s points of interest, that are simply minutes away.

Mid-range: Cabernet House

Cabernet House is a wonderful boutique lodge located in the center 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 choice in Napa Valley.

Luxury: Indian Springs

Indian Springs is the definition of luxurious in Napa Valley. The resort affords a wide range of upscale rooms and entry to unimaginable pure sizzling springs and spa services. You are conveniently situated in the center of Calistoga, too, so you’ll take pleasure in doorstep entry to many points of interest.

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 you need to strive to expertise as a lot of it as attainable. You might be making an attempt out the Napa Valley wine scene one morning, then mountaineering a mountain, or bathing in pure sizzling springs the subsequent.

Napa Valley is a various and thrilling vacation spot in the US, and we hope you’ve an unimaginable journey.