Complete Guide to Napa: The Best Things to do in Napa Valley in a Weekend
Complete Guide to Napa: The Best Things to do in Napa Valley in a Weekend
Napa Valley California is a popular wine country located in northern California. Napa is frequented by many from the western United States and all over the world. Over the past 10 years, Napa has put itself on the map, rivaling some of the best wineries in France and Italy. Some of the best things to do in Napa Valley include wine tours, local dining, hot air balloon rides and other outdoor activities.
Since Napa is close to San Francisco and a short flight from many western states, it is a great weekend getaway for a romantic escape, bachelorette party or birthday celebration. I first visited Napa Valley during the fall crush festival to celebrate my 21 st birthday. Keep reading to learn the best things to do in Napa Valley in a weekend and how to begin planning your trip.
Best Things to Do in Napa Valley
Napa Valley is known for being an outstanding wine region. Therefore, wine tasting is the main attraction. Balance your time between visiting the amazing vineyards, local restaurants and other great things to do in Napa Valley.
Wine Tasting in Napa Valley
Deciding where to go
The first challenge when deciding what to do in Napa is considering which wineries to visit. With hundreds of options, it can be difficult to narrow down.
To start, list out any of your favorite wineries that are in the area. For me, Chandon was a huge priority because I love their champagne and typically enjoy it at home. Other priorities may be based on friend recommendations or wines you have enjoyed in restaurants.
Next, group wineries based on location, to limit drive time between. Following the above example, I would look at a wine map and select other wineries that are located near Chandon in Yountville. From this, I would potentially select Robert Mondavi and Stags Leap.
When planning a day of wine tasting, select 3-4 wineries in the same location. This will optimize your time and control your alcohol consumption.
Repeat this strategy for each day you are in Napa. The great news is, all of the wineries are outstanding and you cannot go wrong with any that you choose.
Getting between wineries
Once you have a plan for which wineries you are going to visit in Napa, you need to decide how you will get between them. There are three options:
Hire a Car: This is the most expensive option and the safest. Hiring a driver will allow you to get between wineries on your own schedule without needing to dedicate a designated driver. Instead of hiring a car, you can also opt to use the Napa Valley wine train to get around.
Choose a Designated Driver: Having a dd can be a great option to save some money and afford some flexibility. Having a designated driver allows you to visit different wineries and activities outside the constraints of a professional driver’s hours. If you are there multiple days, rotate being a designated driver so everyone can be included.
Walk Around Town: This option works best if you are staying in the center of a Napa Valley town such as Yountville, St Helena, or Calistoga. Within downtown, you can visit many tasting rooms on foot. This option is great for a day, but you will miss out on the large estate wineries.
General tips for wine tasting
In general, wine tasting is a fun and simple activity. To maximize your experience, be sure to eat a good breakfast beforehand and continuously drink water. The surefire way to ruin a day of wine tasting is to get too buzzed too fast.
In addition, take advantage of the shipping deals offered by wineries. Most wineries will ship cases of wine home for free. This is a great way to stock up on your favorite wines and save precious space in your suitcase.
For the best wine tasting experience, try wines that are new to you. Many people have perceptions of what varietals they prefer. However, wine tasting is the perfect time to branch out and try new things. You may even find a new favorite.
For other great wine tasting, check out my guide to Chelan Washington.
Other Things to do in Napa Valley Besides Wine
While Napa Valley is known for its wines, there are other great things to do in Napa Valley that will round-out your vacation.
Get Breakfast at Bouchon Bakery– Bouchon, by chef Thomas Keller, is a staple in Napa. Be prepared for a long line at this popular establishment. It is worth it for the delicious French baked goods and pastries.
Visit a Golf Course– The weather in Napa is perfect for visiting any of the local golf courses. Many of the larger hotels have great courses, so pick whichever is closest to you.
Bike Around the Valley– To burn off the extra wine calories, enjoy a long bike ride along the valley. Trails and sidewalks connect all the towns, making it easy and safe to bike around. If you are a confident biker, you can also combine this with some wine tasting.
Visit the Oxbow Public Market- The large, indoor, farmers market is a great spot for lunch. Enjoy the local made food, treats and goods.
Get Dinner at the French Laundry– The French Laundry is the most famous restaurant in Napa. Reservations book up a year in advance for this fantastic, Michelin starred restaurant. Enjoy their set menu featuring local-grown ingredients and French delicacies.
Take a Day Trip to Sonoma– Napa and Sonoma are typically synonymous due to their close proximity. If you have time, drive to the neighboring valley of Sonoma to explore the cute town and visit the contemporary art galleries.
Best Wineries in Napa Valley
Alright, back to the wine. As mentioned above, wine tasting is the most common reason to visit Napa Valley. With hundreds of wineries to choose from, it is hard to choose the best options. Below are some of my favorite wineries for a variety of reasons.
The Best for Champagne… Domaine Chandon
As mentioned above, Chandon was a priority for me when visiting Napa. Sparkling wine is my favorite variety and I typically buy Chandon at the store.
At Chandon, we enjoyed a fantastic brunch and bubbly tasting. They paired their sparkling wines with breakfast favorites such as fruit, pancakes, baked goods and much more. The experience was unique, education and I would highly recommend it.
The Best for a Crush Party… V Sattui
If you visit Napa in the fall, a crush party is a must. Crush is when grapes are harvested and the wine making process begins. Crush parties celebrate the old method of grape crushing with feet. It also celebrates a bountiful harvest and delicious wines.
The crush party at V Sattui features all their wines, wine making education and local food. This is a must-do activity in Napa.
The Best for a Unique Setting… Castello di Amorosa
Commonly known as “the castle,” Castello di Amorosa is a staple winery in Napa Valley. Located in an actual castle, this is the best winery for a unique setting. In addition to wine tasting, enjoy a castle tour where you will explore the unique architecture and learn the history of the castle.
The Best for High-End Wines… Caymus
Caymus is a household brand for high-end wines. If you enjoy quality wines and are willing to pay the premium for it, Caymus is an excellent stop.
The Best for Beautiful Grounds… Beringer
The ground at Beringer are stunning. The large landscape includes bistro tables, yard games and multiple tasting facilities. Beringer is a great place to buy a bottle and enjoy the scenery.
Where to Stay in Napa Valley
There are many amazing hotels in Napa. Most of the options are high-end and can be quite expensive. For a budget friendly option, take advantage of the local Airbnb’s. The below hotels range from $250 to $1000 per night and are all fantastic options.
Mid-Range: Andaz Napa
The Andaz Napa has a great value for the money. If you prefer to save your money for activities, this hotel is a great choice. The location in downtown Napa makes it super easy to get around. This hotel also has two one-site restaurant to enjoy.
Luxury: Villagio at the Estate Yountville
This luxury Yountville hotel is great for anyone visiting Napa. Enjoy the Villagio’s amazing restaurant, spa and pool area. The rooms are modern, sleek, and comfortable. The location of this hotel is incredible, within walking distance to many wineries and restaurants.
Ultra-Luxury: Auberge Du Soleil
For the ultimate Napa experience, book your stay at Auberge Du Soleil. The large rooms have stunning views, beautiful natural finishes, and fireplaces. This resort is conveniently located in Rutherford, making it close to most wineries in the region. If you are willing to splurge, you cannot go wrong with staying here.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, this guide gives you an idea of the best things to do in Napa. To fit all the great activities into a weekend, prioritize your top activities and balance each day with wineries and other activities. I recommend spending the morning exploring and afternoon visiting three wineries. At night, enjoy the fantastic local restaurants.
Read my guide to Joshua Tree National Park or South Lake Tahoe for another great California vacation.
Check out my guide to Gilbert Arizona for another great girls trip in the United States.