Imagine this scene – colorful bursts of flowering plants blooming in the foreground, acres beyond acres of rolling green vineyards, and a majestic mountain range rising in the distance. Located just northeast of San Francisco is Napa Valley – aka “Wine County”. This region is a dreamy, picturesque collection of little towns, packed with incredible restaurants, over 800 wineries, and fantastic activities (for adults, mostly) to do! On our recent visit, we spent three full days exploring the area. While we only scratched the surface of Napa Valley, three days felt like an appropriate amount of time to get a taste (literally!) of the area. Below is the itinerary we followed:
Arrival Day:
After flying into Sacramento, we picked up our Turo car rental from the airport parking garage and began our drive to Napa. Both the Sacramento and San Francisco airports are located 1-1.5 hours away from the Napa region- we chose Sacramento solely for a more preferable flight. The wineries and restaurants in Napa Valley are quite spread out, so we definitely recommend having a car if you plan to hop around!
The drive to the countryside was gorgeous. There were SO MANY FLOWERS freely blooming along the highway! We two kids from the prairie never tire of that mountain view. Before long we pulled up to the Silverado Resort & Spa, where we could stretch our legs. We chose to stay at this hotel for its location within the valley – closer to the airports for our drives in and out, as well as out of town a ways with a breathtaking view of the mountains. After dropping our belongings, we headed to Bistro Don Giovanni for dinner. This delicious Italian restaurant had a beautiful outdoor seating area that we highly recommend selecting if available!
TIP!
Almost everything in Napa Valley requires reservations – the winery and vineyard visits, tasting rooms, restaurants, and activities. We highly recommend booking the items on your priority list ahead of time! For places that had stipulations like “can only be booked two weeks ahead of time”, etc., it helped for me to make a note of this in my calendar to book later.
Day 1: Yountville (mostly)
Morning Hot Air Balloon Tour
The first full day in Napa starts bright and early. We booked a hot air balloon tour with Aloft Tours that began at 5:15! Thankfully coffee and breakfast were provided to kick start our day. Ballooning over the valley at sunrise was the most beautiful and peaceful experience, and one I would jump at to repeat again. The pilots were knowledgeable about the vineyards and geography we flew over, and provided us with a great background to continually draw upon throughout our visit.
Wine Tasting: Priest Ranch
Following the hot air balloon tour, the next stop on your visit is a chocolate and wine pairing at Priest Ranch Tasting Room in downtown Yountville. While sipping on red wines, guests are also invited to taste the handcrafted chocolate designed to complement each selection. If chocolate isn’t your thing, they also offer a bacon and wine pairing!
Snack Break: Bouchon Bakery
Before journeying to the next winery, if you find yourself with some time to spare, we recommend hitting up Bouchon Bakery. Just a couple blocks from Priest Ranch, Bouchon Bakery was opened by Thomas Keller, the same chef of the famous French Laundry restaurant. The bakery is known for their macarons, but the blueberry muffin and coffee hit particularly well for us this day.
Wine Tasting: Hess Persson Estates
Next on the itinerary is a visit to Hess Persson Estates for the ATV Vineyard Tour and Tasting. On this tour, a guide drives you through the vineyards as you learn about the grapes, harvesting methods, and the family who owns this estate. This property is absolutely beautiful. At one point our guide parked us next to a picnic table with a view and poured us glasses of rosé – it was delightful! Following the ATV tour, we had selected a wine and food pairing. While the food samplings were miniature, they were mighty and quite tasty!
Pool Time
Because the first half of the day is quite packed, the afternoon is a great time to recover from wine tastings and kick back by the resort pool. The Silverado has two main resort pools, as well as a jacuzzi. The pool also offers a food and drink menu if you wish to enjoy a snack poolside!
Dinner: Bouchon Bistro
Day 1 wraps up with dinner at Bouchon Bistro. Yes, this restaurant shares the same chef as Bouchon Bakery, and is its neighbor! This cute little dinner spot was a happening place. Tables were full, and just a heads up, guests are seated quite close to one another. David ordered the steak frites, upgrading to the truffle fries, and it was fantastic. Alex ordered the French onion soup and used the [seriously delicious] dinner bread to dip!
TIP!
Although we visited in June, Napa Valley can get quite chilly in the mornings and evenings. We recommend bringing a jacket and a few layers!
Day 2: Calistoga
Breakfast: Silverado Resort Market
Day 2 begins a little slower than the previous day, allowing time to sleep in and grab a coffee at the Silverado Resort Market. Starbucks is served on property, and we split one of the best breakfast bagel sandwiches I’ve ever had!
Wine Tasting: Castello di Amorosa
While it was never a true functioning castle, Castello di Amorosa is a gorgeous place to sample delicious wines. The grounds are breathtaking, and you check in with the staff after crossing over a drawbridge! Genuine antiques, as well as stones, doors, and chandeliers brought over from Europe, decorate this beautiful castle. We signed up for the Diamond Estate Tour and Wine Tasting, where we were guided through the main floor of the castle, as well as the basement – including the owner’s private wine storage and the “torture chamber”!
Lunch: Palisades Eatery
After tasting so many different wines, it’s time to fuel up on lunch! Palisades Eatery is located in downtown Calistoga, and has a little bit of everything – salads, wraps, burgers, and pizza. There is plenty of indoor seating where you can take a load off after walking all morning.
Dessert: Calistoga Creamery
Within walking distance to lunch is Calistoga Creamery, where you can find organic ice cream, milk shakes, root beer floats, and frozen yogurt.
Spa Time: Calistoga Spa Hot Springs
The Calistoga region of northern Napa Valley is known historically for its mineral water. If looking to soak in the hot springs, Calistoga Spa Hot Springs is the perfect place to book a massage appointment and a day pass to the resort! A day pass grants guests access to multiple geothermal mineral pools, as well as locker room and shower amenities.
Dinner: Mansion Bar & Terrace, Silverado Resort
A relaxing afternoon at the spa calls for a relaxing, low-key evening at the hotel restaurant. For dinner with a view and a great vibe, head to the Mansion Bar & Terrace at the Silverado Resort. An outdoor patio with heated lanterns overlooks the golf course, and guests can cozy up on outdoor couches with drinks and a dinner menu of small bites.
Day 3: Napa
Napa Valley Wine Train
Day 3 begins with a ride aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train. This classic train departs from downtown Napa and takes guests on a journey through the Napa landscape- past vineyards upon vineyards of land. Riding in the pullman car feels like being immersed in an Agatha Christie novel! There are multiple experiences to choose from, but we selected the Grgich Hills Estate Tasting. After enjoying a three course meal aboard the train, guests are taken to Grgich Hills Estate for a tasting. This gorgeous vineyard originally put Napa on the world map for wines!
Shopping: Downtown Napa
Downtown Napa is filled with adorable boutiques and stores, perfect for walking off all the delicious food and wine. We particularly enjoyed strolling through Copperfield’s Books!
Wine Tasting: Domaine Carneros
If you are ready to switch it up and sample some sparkling wines, head to Domaine Carneros and take part in the Bubbles & Bites pairing. Situated at the top of a hill is the most beautiful chateau, surrounded by lush, landscaped gardens. Sitting outside on a patio sipping some bubbly is a pretty wonderful way to spend the afternoon.
Dinner: The Grove at Copia
The Grove at Copia is an extension of the Culinary Institute of America that focuses on sustainability and a farm-to-table experience. Guests can even meander through the vegetable garden right outside the restaurant! While we greatly enjoyed our meal, we recommend this restaurant for foodies. Those with a pickier palate may find that the limited menu offerings stretch their comfort zone 🙂
Napa was a wonderful destination for an extended weekend trip. Three days allowed for multiple tastings, fun activities, and relaxation time. That being said, if we are fortunate enough to visit again, here are some other items on our bucket list:
- V. Satui Winery – V Satui is one of the most historic wineries in Napa Valley. It’s an institution we would love to check out!
- Rutherford Hill Winery – This winery was recommended to us multiple times throughout this trip
- Biking along the Napa Valley Vine Trail – this biking trail hugs vineyards and looked like such a picturesque ride!
- Staglin Family Vineyard – the filming location of the Lindsay Lohan version of Parent Trap!
- Visit nearby Sonoma
- I think it would be interesting to return for a visit during the fall, when the grapes are being harvested!
Help us out for our next trip! What are your favorite things to do, wineries to visit, and restaurants to try in Napa Valley?