A first-timer's guide to wineries, restaurants, and day trips to experience the best weekend in Napa Valley!
Surprisingly, Napa Valley is only 30 miles long and 5 miles across at its widest point, but it is home to over 400 wineries! The Valley is divided into 5 towns and 4 regions, and it can be difficult to know where to start planning your trip. We will show you our favorite spots in one of the most popular destinations in California, so you can plan your perfect weekend in Napa Valley!
Plan a Perfect Weekend in Napa Valley
What is Napa Valley known for?
Even though Napa Valley itself is quite small compared to other winemaking regions like Bordeaux, it is known for producing some of the world’s best wine. The volcanic soil is some of the most fertile soil in the world, creating a flavor in the vines that is entirely unique to this region. Large daily fluctuations in temperature, sometimes 40°F in one day, create mouthwatering grapes: heat from the day brings out the sugars, and the cold at night helps to retain acidity.
Because of the mountains and the proximity to the Pacific Ocean, Napa Valley has a dry Mediterranean climate (only 2% of the world has the same climate). All of this together generates the perfect glass of wine!
Getting to Napa Valley
Napa Valley is located in northern California, about 50 miles northeast of San Francisco. The San Francisco International Airport is the closest major airport to Napa.
You will need a car when visiting, and there are 2 main roads in Napa Valley. These highways run parallel to each other: Silverado and Highway 29. Try to drive up one and back down on the other as you go out and explore, just to be able to fully see the valley.
Traveler’s tip: Plan to visit two to three wineries a day, max. Any more than that and you won’t remember much of your day. Plus, wine tastings have increasingly gotten more expensive! Pick your top must see spots and add in stops for lunch and snacks. Don’t forget to hydrate in between!
Beautiful Vineyards in Napa Valley
You can’t spend a weekend in Napa Valley and not visit some of the beautiful wineries in the area. Almost all of the wineries in Napa Valley are family-owned, and the affection these wine makers and growers have for their craft is contagious.
Tip: At this time all wine tastings are reservation only, so be sure to make your plans several weeks to months ahead of time.
A few of our favorites, starting from the southern part of Napa Valley and heading north. Some we chose because of the wine, some because the views just can’t be topped!
- Robert Biale Vineyards
- Round Pond Estate
- V. Sattui Winery
- Castello di Amorosa
Our weekend in Napa Valley was an amazing stop on an epic road trip through California, and this portable GPS navigation we brought along was a lifesaver. Several sections of our trip had ZERO cell phone or car GPS services. For this trip, all we had to do was type in any winery we wanted to visit and this GPS would show us directions and TripAdvisor reviews. We highly, highly recommend it if you are travelers like us!
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Delicious Places to Eat in Napa Valley
An itinerary for spending two or three days in Napa Valley would be remiss without mentioning some of the 5-star restaurants, small cafes, and off-the-beaten-path delis that make Napa not only a wine town, but a foodie destination as well.
Start with breakfast at the Bouchon Bakery
Located in the cute town of Yountville, Bouchon Bakery is a fantastic place to start your day in Napa Valley. Grab a French pastry and café au lait and walk around exploring the town and shops. You know it’s good when there is a long line of locals outside ready to order breakfast!
Enjoy an al fresco lunch at Auberge du Soleil
For a Michelin-star dining experience, make plans to eat at the Auberge du Soleil in Rutherford. Dine at the restaurant, or eat more casually on the beautiful terrace at the bistro. On our recent trip we enjoyed the best calamari we have ever had, and the view was spectacular.
Experience fine dining at The French Laundry
The French Laundry is a world-renowned fine dining establishment. Situated in Yountville, this restaurant has earned three Michelin stars for exceptional cuisine. Dining here is an experience, not just a meal. If you are spending the weekend in Napa Valley as a celebration- birthday, anniversary, new job, anything!- you should treat yourself to a meal at the French Laundry at least once.
Choose from Multiple Vendors at the Oxbow Public Market
The Oxbow Public Market in downtown Napa has over 20 options of fresh, local, and unique foods and shops. This vibrant culinary destination offering a diverse array of food and drink experiences showcasing the best of the region’s culinary offerings.
The market provides a lively atmosphere where locals and tourists alike can gather to enjoy delicious meals, sample wines, and immerse themselves in the vibrant culture of Napa Valley.
The C Casa Taqueria had our names all over it. David had the grilled angus steak tacos with blue cheese and I devoured the grilled prawn taco. I’m still dreaming about it!
Where to Stay in Napa Valley
We have stayed all over Napa Valley and thoroughly enjoyed making our home base in downtown Napa on our most recent trip. For a unique experience stay in a rented Airstream owned by an amazing couple living in Napa, who will gladly give out recommendations of the best places to eat and drink, and great day trip ideas.
To stay in the center of the valley, Yountville is a great choice. Most of the restaurants are in this area and it is a cute walkable town. The Napa Valley Lodge has great reviews and is right in the heart of Napa Valley.
Or for a truly relaxing experience, stay at the northern end at the Calistoga Spa and Hot Springs. Guests can relax in the geothermal hot spring after a day of sight-seeing and wine tasting- what more could you ask for in a weekend?
Day Trip Ideas from Napa Valley
Drive from Napa to the Sonoma Coast
Remember that heat wave I mentioned earlier? Well, it was supposed to get up to 104°F on one of our days in the valley. Which is no good for outdoor wine tasting activities.
Instead, we drove about an hour and a half to the Pacific Coast, where the temperature was 30 degrees lower and much more refreshing. If you are spending more than just a weekend in Napa Valley, check out the beautiful California coast!
At the recommendation of our gracious host in Napa, we began our day trip at the Sonoma coast where the Russian River meets the Pacific Ocean. We spent a few hours here watching the harbor seals play, enjoyed a picnic lunch, and found a few other spots to stop at as we meandered down the Pacific Coast Highway. Heading to the coast is is definitely worth the excursion!
Take a Day Trip to San Francisco
Did you know it is only an hour from Napa Valley to San Francisco? So you pretty much have to plan a day trip to see the sights in the city. We love the bustle and distinctiveness of San Francisco. There really is nothing like it! It is nice to spend a day or two here, then head to Napa Valley to unwin(e)d.
Visit the Vineyards and Wineries in the Sonoma Valley
A lot of people think the Sonoma wine country is synonymous with Napa Valley, but they are actually quite different. In Sonoma everything feels a little more relaxed and the pace is a little slower. There are not wineries everywhere you turn, and things are more spread out.
Sonoma is twice the size of Napa with almost the same amount of wineries. You really need to visit both so you can decide which one is your favorite.
Where to Stay in Sonoma
If you are thinking of staying in Sonoma, we recommend the Beltane Ranch Estate where you stay on their farm. A chef-prepared breakfast straight from the ranch is included in your stay, and you can find hammocks, private picnic spots, yard games, and even a map with treats for the farm animals. They also offer guided 4×4 tours of the property and alfresco dinner arrangements. It is a one of a kind place to visit!
No matter when you visit, spending a weekend in Napa Valley is always an elegant yet relaxing trip. Read the full details of our week-long road trip through California including stops in Napa, San Francisco, and four national parks.
Other epic sights to see in California:
Happy Travels!
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