I just got back from 3 days in Napa, California. When I say Napa, I mean Napa the city, not the rest of Napa Valley. I was actually centered in Downtown Napa, which is thriving with not only incredible wine and food, but also funky details, a vibrant local community, and hip tasting rooms and other indoor spaces.
I loved it so much that I am already planning my next getaway there. Here are some of the highlights of the best of Napa.
1 of 14 sculptures that decorate the streets of downtown Napa. This exhibit of public art changes every 18 months.
Sample the 6 delicious chocolate wine sauces at Anette’s Chocolates
A historic 1915 train car on the Napa Valley Wine Train
At Top Flight, you can taste wine, of course, and even local beer
Another hip wine bar in downtown Napa: Bounty Hunter has wine, scotch, and BBQ
Cooks working their magic at Oenotri, named the best new Italian restaurant in the U.S. by Food & Wine Magazine
The best beet salad I’ve ever had, at Oenotri
Gourmet desserts are easy to find in Napa
Looks like you hit a lot of the best hot spots. That beet salad looks amazing!
Annette | Bucket List Journey recently posted..Pints & Peas at the Princess of Wales Pub
It was amazing! Everything at Oenotri was perfect.
Oh how I miss Napa! There are some great new places I need to check out obviously!
Erin recently posted..Photo of the Week: Tagliatelle Pasta in Bologna, Italy
Yes, there are many new and exciting places in Napa. When you come next time, I’d love to have a glass of wine with you!
Glad you had an awesome time in Napa! Can’t wait to hear more about it!
Did you miss the kids a lot?
Jeremy Branham recently posted..Horsetail Falls – a lesson in photography
Yes, I had a wonderful time and honestly can’t wait to go back. I missed the kids but it wasn’t bad! I took advantage of the opportunity to have some time to myself.
And well deserved time too Jenna. So pleased to see you getting some tangible and personal reward for your passion as a travel writer. On top of your regular career as a full-time mother of 2 adoring sons and your daily grind of teaching ESL, you still manage to find time to enjoy the finer things that life has to offer. Good for you.
Thank you! It was a great way to end the busy semester.
That was a tantalizing post, Jenna! Can’t wait for the next installment. And why is my gaze drawn repeatedly to those super yummy looking chocolate desserts?
I still think about the desserts!
Sign me up to sample the chocolate wine sauces
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I know, what a combination, right?! The one I had, cabernet chocolate sauce (with vanilla ice cream), was insanely good.
Yum — wine AND chocolate? You’re making my crave dessert, and I haven’t even had dinner yet!
Christy @ Technosyncratic recently posted..Angkor Wat in Photos
Yes, it is quite a combo!
Sounds like a fabulous experience. I love the old world train car. We’re definitely stopping off in Napa when we go to California.
Sophie recently posted..Best free London attractions and activities for summer
Yeah, the old train car is special. Lots of atmosphere.
Yum, everything looks so delicious and beautiful! I love California…
Yes, isn’t California great?!
I seem to be surrounded by food programmes and food blogs…this is the last drop! I need to eat something even if I’ve just had dinner!
Denise recently posted..My 7 super shots
You had me at the wine!
Laurel recently posted..Perugia, Umbria: A City of Charm, Chocolate and Scandal
Yes, the wine in the Napa area is such a strong part of the culture there. I tasted a lot of great ones last week!
What a mouth watering set of photos. I spent 10 days between Napa and Sonoma (just one night in Napa, the town) and loved it! I’d go back in a second, especially with that nice little airport in Santa Rosa allowing quick and easy access.
Leigh recently posted..A Photography Field Trip to the Calgary Zoo
True, the airport is convenient, and I think you will find that Napa has really grown into a lovely community with lots to do!
These photos look very inviting, indeed, to schedule a visit to Napa Valley quite soon (and not to miss visiting the town too.)
Michael recently posted..Easy Hiking Is Adventure For Beginners
And there is nice hiking in the area, which I know you would enjoy.
Nice shots. Have been there often since I live about an hour away.
Dick Jordan recently posted..A Traveller’s Wine Guide to California
We are fortunate to live so close to great destinations! I’m off to read your guide to CA wine now.
That train caught my eye immediately, too. I’ve been fantasizing recently about finding an old scrap train car in a scrap heap and renovating it. But as a home though, not a restaurant.
Bob R recently posted..The Devil’s Sonata – A Piran Portrait in 19 Pics, Part I
Hmm, sounds interesting. I fell in love with trains when I lived in Europe in my early 20s. There is nothing like them.
Quirky public art displays, wine, great food and gourmet desserts – Napa sounds amazing! And I would love to take a trip on that train – it looks so luxurious!
Lisa recently posted..Cruising on the Seine: A Photo Essay
It is amazing! And luxurious is a good word to describe the train. I love old trains, so I enjoyed it.
awesome train car! Would love to take a ride!
jade recently posted..Perfect Day at Huntington Library & Botanical Gardens
Yes, I was excited about the train ride. You should come up sometime and check it out!
What a lovely place to get away! The food looks divine.
InsideJourneys recently posted..#TPThursday: A Colorful Jamaican House
Chocolate wine sauces, fancy wine bars, … and look at those delicious desserts! I so wanna go!
Sabrina recently posted..Lakes in Germany: Aggertalsperre
How interesting place! one day i have to go there!
You should! It’s just a bit over an hour from Sacramento!
I guess I never really think about staying in the city of Napa. Nice idea. Although it’s been many years since I was on the wine train, I loved it. Every time I see it pass by, I yearn to ride it again.
Cathy Sweeney recently posted..Remembrance in Washington D.C.
You should head over to the city of Napa sometime since you’re so close in the Bay Area!
Great stuff….we are headed to Napa (well the valley not the city) in July and I am really excited. Doing the wine train, and might have to pop into Oenotri as well!
D.J. – The World of Deej recently posted..Deej’s Picture of the Week
I love Napa – it’s so indulgent. Haven’t been there in ages – I’m sure it’s changed so much – would love to take John there one day. Love your photos!
Andrea recently posted..What If You Could Travel the World? Would You?
I’m sure you would find lots of changes since your last visit there. You’re right, it is indulgent, in the best way!
What a neat place. My grandparents live near there, so I remember going through Napa as a kid. I’ve been to one or two wineries, but not much more. Looks like a pretty active community.
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Yes, it is an active community. I was impressed with not just what there is for tourists to do there but also the wealth of activities for the local community to enjoy.
These places look amazing! (And your photography — wow.) You know I love Napa — I’d love to see these places. I actually stayed in Napa last time I was up there and was surprised by how much is there now. It was the first time I’d been to a bar in the area!
Abby recently posted..Champagne Campaign
Thanks, Abby. I know you love Napa Valley, and I think it’s great that you stayed in Napa last time you were there. I hope we can taste wine there together one of these days!
I can’t help but wonder where the art goes when they change it. Hmmm….
Raymond @ Man On The Lam recently posted..The Holy Grail of Hokey: Inside The Holy Land Experience (Part Two)
Maybe back to the artists? The way I understood it is that the art is on loan from the artists…but I could be wrong.
Lovely pictures, the salad and the dessert look delicious!
Angela recently posted..Cagliari “wonderful harbour”, a photo journey
Thanks, Angela, and yes, they were delicious!
Well that’s really interesting to share the experience of having the most of your fun and it doubles your fun and amusement. No doubt Napa has many places to worth visit.
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