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Top 5 Can’t Miss
- Sip locally sourced blends and discover new favorites at a wine tasting.
- Dine at a Michelin-starred restaurant like La Toque, The French Laundry, Kenzo, or Auberge du Soleil.
- Indulge in a healing mud bath in Calistoga, a fashionable hot springs destination since the mid-19th century.
- Admire sculptures and other inspiring works at the di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art.
- Spend the day out on Lake Berryessa, about an hour’s drive from downtown Napa.
California’s Napa Valley has achieved near-mythical status, not only as a top wine region in North America but as one of the best in the world. It’s hard to have a conversation about wine—and maybe even impossible if you’re talking about cabernet sauvignon—without mentioning the prodigious wine country little more than 50 miles north of San Francisco.
While Napa Valley is full of flourishing vineyards and has its fair share of world-class restaurants, the region also offers an Eden-like escape in nature. To narrow down your itinerary, we turned to three local experts to help us compile a list of the best things to do in Napa Valley. Here’s how to make the most of your next vacation to this vibrant part of Northern California, whether you’re into hiking and kayaking or sipping and luxuriating.
Go to a wine tasting.
Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure
With over 400 vineyards and 90 public tasting rooms, Napa Valley is like an adult Disneyland when it comes to wine tasting—it’s that magical. Note that many wineries require advance bookings and that these activities can be quite expensive. A few treasured tastings to kick off your research include Faust Haus, Cliff Lede Vineyards, Duckhorn, and Darioush.
Splurge on a Michelin-starred meal.
Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure
Auberge du Soleil, Kenzo, La Toque, and The French Laundry all have Michelin stars, though only the latter, chef Thomas Keller’s icon, has three. Reservations are nearly impossible to secure unless booked far in advance, but dining at any of these diverse standouts will surely be a lasting and multisensory memory of your Napa Valley trip.
Take a rejuvenating mud bath in Calistoga.
Courtesy of Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort and Mineral Springs
Developed as a hot springs resort town in the mid-19th century, Calistoga has a rich history when it comes to healing volcanic soil. Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs offers a spa garden for alfresco treatments, plus four indoor mud baths, even more mineral baths, and three geothermal mineral pools. Nearby, Indian Springs Calistoga, an ancient healing destination for the Indigenous Wappo community, features a spa, volcanic mud baths, a large mineral plunge pool, and rolling gardens.
Visit the di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art.
Courtesy of di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art
Though many wineries boast impressive art collections, Julie Johnson, winemaker and owner of organic winery Tres Sabores, says Napa’s di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art is “especially stimulating.” The 217-acre art park has galleries, gardens, and a 35-acre lake. “Works by modern Northern California artists are provocative and varied,” says Johnson. “I’m a sculpture person, so my first stops are always the Wine Bottle House (gorgeous in the light at any point in the day) and the Chartres Bleu installation by Paul Kos.”
Go on a day trip to Lake Berryessa.
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One of California’s largest freshwater lakes, Lake Berryessa is about an hour’s drive from downtown Napa in the Vaca Mountains. “It has plenty of things to do: swim, kayak, paddleboard, [and] other water activities,” says Vincent Morrow, beverage director at Press Napa Valley.
Ride the Napa Valley Wine Train.
Hoberman Collection / Universal Images Group / Getty Images
You don’t need a designated driver if you climb aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train. The historic Pullman rail cars have been fabulously restored, offering riders a taste of slow travel–meets–culinary tourism. Easily accessible in downtown Napa, it’s a luxurious way to savor renowned wines alongside fine multicourse lunches and dinners with gracious, vintage-inspired service to match.
Join a grape stomp.
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If winemaking makes you think of that famous scene from I Love Lucy, it’s imperative that you visit Napa during the fall harvest and attend a grape stomp—antics not guaranteed. Grgich Hills Estate puts on several stomps throughout the season, while V. Sattui Winery practices the old-fashioned tradition during its October Crush Party. Other wineries, such as Estate Yountville, Bouchaine Vineyards, and Beneserre Vineyards, among others, host similar events each fall.
Experience Christopher Kostow’s cooking.
Courtesy of The Charter Oak Restaurant
Illustrious and oft-awarded chef Christopher Kostow helmed the kitchen at three-Michelin-star restaurant Meadowood until it burned to the ground in 2020. The good news is you can sample his fare at The Charter Oak in St. Helena. Jay Jeffers, longtime St. Helena resident and co-owner and designer of The Madrona in Healdsburg, recommends the “broccoli salad, the wings that change monthly, and the best burger ever.” Another option? “Don’t miss Ciccio,” says Jeffers. “It’s a local favorite that doesn’t take reservations and is home to some of the best pizzas and pasta in the valley.”
Go kayaking.
Adrian Rudd / Travel + Leisure
Uncrowded and gorgeous, the Napa River is an underrated place for water sports like kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. “Half- and full-day kayak rentals are available off the dock downtown,” says Morrow. “It’s a great way to be active and take a break from wine tasting.”
Visit Oxbow Public Market.
Michael Macor / The San Francisco Chronicle / Getty Images
“Oxbow Public Market is filled with fantastic fresh food, wine, and a little bit of everything,” says Jeffers. The vibrant gathering spot offers crowd-pleasing dining options for every taste and budget. “My favorite is—wait for it—[Christopher] Kostow’s amazing Loveski Deli. The Ruben sandwich will change your life.”
Soar over the valley on a hot air balloon ride.
Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure
Several area operators offer awe-inspiring hot air balloon rides over the verdant valley. Morrow recommends it as “a great (early) way to start the day and get a much better perspective of Napa Valley topography.”
Discover regenerative agriculture and grape-growing.
Alessandra Amodio / Travel + Leisure
With so many exceptional wines being produced in the region, it makes sense that the farming practices here are extraordinary, too. For instance, many growers use regenerative agriculture with their grapes and other produce. “A number of my colleagues’ fabulous gardens yield not only an array of delectable products but expand the healthy diversity of their farms by creating beneficial conservation habitats,” says Johnson. She also recommends celebrating these progressive operations in her “front yard” at Tres Sabores, as well as at Matthiasson Winery, Hudson Ranch, Frog’s Leap, and Long Meadow Ranch.
Book a special wine tasting.
Courtesy of Promontory Winery
For a particularly happy occasion, go all in on an exclusive tasting experience; it may cost a pretty penny, but it will surely leave you with more than tingling taste buds. Jeffers’ picks are “Promontory Winery, an architectural marvel and such a special spot,” and “Rudd Estate, a beautiful, woodsy spot full of soul and wonder.”
Take a hike.
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After indulging in many glasses of cabernet sauvignon, it’s a good idea to balance them with ample time outside. Thankfully, there are plenty of beautiful hiking trails in Napa Valley. Jeffers recommends the 5.6-mile Lake Hennessey Shoreline Trail, which he says “might be challenging to find, but even the drive to it is beautiful.” For her part, Johnson says, “When I need a true pause, a respite from the cellar, I head to Bothe-Napa Valley State Park and the peaceful presence of its towering coastal redwoods, including ‘fairy circles.’” The park is home to 10 miles of seasonal trails, the historic Bale Grist Mill, and opportunities for camping.
Listen to live music.
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In addition to its exciting culinary scene, Napa is a great destination for music lovers, and not just during the annual BottleRock Napa Valley festival. Johnson loves to listen to jazz at Blue Note in downtown Napa and gather alongside other locals for “world-class classical in an intimate setting with exquisite acoustics” at Chamber Music Napa Valley. There, performers might include pianists Garrick Ohlsson and Paul Lewis, or the Takács Quartet.
Go shopping in St. Helena.
Peter Burnett / Getty Images
“Be sure to walk all of short Main Street in St. Helena—a lovely town of [about] 5,000 people—as there are many charming, locally owned shops to see,” says Jeffers. His favorites include interior designer Erin Martin’s avant-garde atelier, Dione Carston’s shop Trick Pony, and Elyse Walker’s clothing boutique. “You won’t find a chain store anywhere near St. Helena,” he adds.
Picnic by a waterfall.
Courtesy of Land Trust of Napa County
Seeing one of Napa Valley’s only waterfalls requires a 1.3-mile round-trip hike. While Linda Falls is beautiful year-round, it’s especially enjoyable to visit in the summer with a picnic, says Morrow. Fill your backpack with locally produced food and drinks from some of Johnson’s favorite spots: Fatted Calf, Crisp Kitchen & Juice, Cal Mart, and Contimo Provisions.
Explore further on a scenic drive.
Alessandra Amodio / Travel + Leisure
“It’s one thing to visit wineries on the valley floor,” says Johnson, “but one of my true pleasures is taking in the vistas that this stunning valley has to offer.” She is particularly fond of drives from the north after a hike at Robert Lewis Stevenson State Park on Mt. St. Helena, one of the few places in the region with snow in winter. Another favorite: “Anywhere on Howell Mountain road on the eastern slopes of the Vaca Range,” Johnson says. “Stop at Viader to catch some really special scenery. [Take one of these] grand, picturesque ascents and descents from over 1,800 feet and you may find yourself above the cloud line.”
Strap in for a spin class.
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When a bike ride, run, or hike isn’t in the cards, Jeffers recommends heading to state-of-the-art FitNV in St. Helena. “Casey Miller’s gym has a mean spin class, among other personal training and classes,” he says. “A little sweat is always welcome before wine and lunch the following day.”
Dine where the locals do.
Courtesy of Kitchen Door
The French Laundry, acclaimed as it is, isn’t exactly a go-to dinner destination for locals. Morrow adores Il Posto Trattoria for Italian comfort food, Kitchen Door for American-Vietnamese fusion, and ZuZu for Spanish tapas. At the latter, Johnson regularly orders the boquerones (fresh anchovies), while she heads to Bouchon for the raw bar and Bistro Jeanty for a butter lettuce salad, a cone of spicy aioli smelt, and a glass of bubbly. Jeffers enjoys visiting Gott’s Roadside for its ahi tuna poke tacos.
Check out the Napa Art Walk.
Courtesy of the City of Napa
What’s better than a free public art trail? How about a complimentary audio tour so you can hear more about the works you’re viewing directly from the artists? Thanks to the City of Napa and the OtoCast app (available for Apple and Android devices), you can embark on the Napa Art Walk and explore nine sculptures created by North American artists. The theme of the 2024–2026 run is Climate Action and Sustainability, so keep that in mind as you view and ponder their thought-provoking creations.
Sample Napa Valley’s craft beer and spirits.
Courtesy of Calistoga Inn Restaurant & Brewery
Don’t think you only have to drink wine on a trip to Napa Valley. The region is also known for its burgeoning brewery and distillery scene. Standouts include the Napa Valley Brewing Company at the Calistoga Inn (pictured here), Fieldwork Brewing Company’s Taproom at the Oxbow Public Market, and the Berryessa Brewing Company, a terrific stop if you’re thinking of day-tripping out to the lake. For something stronger, head to one of Napa Valley Distillery’s two locations: The Club Room or The ArBARetum Cocktail Lounge.
