30 Things to Do in Napa Valley Wine Country

There are so many things to do in Napa Valley that I could have easily thought of more than 30. Besides beautiful scenery, this region boasts some of the world’s best wine and food. The combination of excellent soil and weather conditions makes fertile ground for olives, nuts, fruit, and of course grapes, including all the French varieties and the region’s prized grape, Cabernet Sauvignon. Besides the 30 things to do in Napa Valley below, check out these other articles:

30 wineries in Napa Valley

The best way to experience Napa Valley

The perfect day-trip to Napa Valley

Budget Tips for Napa Valley

What to do with Kids in Napa Valley & Sonoma

What’s it like on the Napa Wine Train?

7 tips for wine tasting

These good guidebooks for Napa Valley can also help:

And my suggestions for what to wear in Napa Valley this summer and fall: (Click on the photo for more info)

I live just over an hour from the Napa Valley and have visited many times. I hope you enjoy my favorite things to do in Napa Valley, starting with the whole valley first and moving to the city of Napa second. Use this interactive map to help you plan your trip:

Things to Do in the Napa Valley:

Visit the state parks

Between the towns of St. Helena and Calistoga sit Bothe-Napa Valley State Park and Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park. In the latter, you’ll find the historic mill from 1846 used by the pioneers who settled here to grind their wheat and corn.

Walk around the mill and 36-foot-tall water wheel to get a sense of Napa Valley history, and if you’re here on a weekend, check out the milling demonstrations and tours. Walk through the woods to the tiny pioneer cemetery with headstones dating back to the early days of the Napa Valley settlers.

For hikes, try the 2-mile round-trip hike to Bothe-Napa Valley State Park, the canyon trail in Bothe-Napa Valley State Park, or just explore the trails to the creek and cemetery near the mill. If you like to camp, the park offers tent and trailer camping as well as restored historic cabins and yurts.

Spend the afternoon in Calistoga

The old buildings and wooden plank sidewalks on the main street remind us of the town’s 19th century past, but the town is very much rooted in the new. From beautiful wineries and luxurious spas to hiking trails and the Old Faithful geyser, Calistoga is a great place to base your Napa Valley stay.

Read more: California Travel Tips

Visit Clos Pegase

This unique winery showcases modern architecture, sculpture and a drought-resistant garden, and their estate wines showcase the quality of Napa grape growing. Looking for a cave tour while in Napa Valley? Clos Pegase offers a cave tour and tasting with cheese and charcuterie for $60. Open daily 10-5.

Eat at the Charter Oak

Located right on Highway 29 just before St. Helena, the Charter Oak is an elegant yet cozy restaurant serves family-style dishes with simple ingredients and vegetables from their farm. Meals here are to be savored slowly, preferably over a bottle of local wine or one of their outstanding cocktails. Don’t forget to save room for their unique desserts.

The restaurant and its chefs have been attracting a lot of attention lately thanks to several awards and nominations, including a James Beard best new restaurant nomination.

But for me, what will keep me coming back to the Charter Oak was its exceptionally warm atmosphere. With the warmth from the huge hearth at its center, the rustic tables (complete with drawers for utensils), and the genuine friendliness of our server, the restaurant left me feeling at home. 

Stop at V. Sattui for picnic supplies 

V. Sattui on Highway 29 has an amazing deli. Try some cheeses before buying, choose a chutney or spread to go with it, grab a baguette and chocolates, and you have a great picnic, or try one of their gourmet sandwiches. Looking for other meal options? Try Tra Vigne’s Italian-inspired food at reasonable prices, the more upscale Redd or Mustard’s Grill, or the fish tacos and Impossible Burger at Gott’s.

Experience Napa Valley in the late fall

Napa Valley’s grape vines have some of the most striking fall colors anywhere (each grape variety turns a different color) and makes it definitely worth a visit in November. The exact time to visit for the best colors depends on the year, but it’s usually the second to third week in November.

Try getting a bird’s eye view (like the one above from Silverado Vineyards) to see the shades of red, orange, yellow and even purple that blanket the hillsides and valley floor.

Take a winery tour

Choose a winery that has a tour that appeals to you. If you love caves, visit one. If you enjoy white wines, go to a winery that advertises whites in its tour. Even at the big wineries like Robert Mondavi, a tour is a great way to learn about the area and how wine is made.

If you want a first-class tour, try Jarvis or Palmaz Vineyards or a boutique winery (see below) for a more personalized experience. But skip the gondola ride and tour at Sterling — it was my least favorite tasting experience in the Napa Valley.

Read more: How to really experience Napa Valley

See Napa Valley’s striking architecture

Wineries like Darioush (above), Opus One, Castello Di Amorosa (below), and Quixote will blow you away with their architecture. Unless the winery is open to the public only by appointment, it’s usually OK to walk around and look without tasting, so if you’ve had enough wine for the day, go ahead and stop at some wineries just to see the architecture and gardens.

The Silverado Trail & the Stags Leap District

This small highway winds up the valley; its scenery makes the perfect place to explore wineries. It’s much prettier and less busy than Highway 29, but small roads conveniently connect it to Highway 29, which you may need to access for food and other wineries.

While you’re here, spend some time at the Stags Leap District wineries. The district’s 17 wineries are known for exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon, but historic buildings like the 1891 manor house at Stags’ Leap Winery and some of the valley’s most beautiful views make this the perfect place to spend a day tasting wine. Better yet, if you’re here in April, try the Vineyard to Vintner event for a more intimate experience.

Try Napa Valley’s boutique wineries

Boutique wineries produce wine with extra care in small quantities from estate vineyards. Because these are smaller wineries that take pride in their work, you’re more likely to receive personalized service and taste more unique wines at boutique wineries in Napa Valley. Try Crocker & Starr for very high quality reds and a superb Sauvignon Blanc. The winemaker, Pam Starr, just might stop by to say hi.

Food and wine pairings at Clif Family Winery

Clif Family Winery is a fairly new place in the Napa Valley but deserves a place on your itinerary. The food truck/bruschetteria serves bruschetta, rotisserie chicken, farm fresh salads and seasonal sides, and the wine pairings include delectable cheese and jams made from the fruit at their farm.

With old vine Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon from select vineyards on Howell Mountain, this is a tasting experience you won’t forget!

Learn about old vine Zinfandel at Robert Biale Vineyards

I love Zinfandel, so I was so pleased to learn of Robert Biale Vineyards, a winery that continues the family tradition of Pietro Biale’s Zinfandel, planted here in 1937. The winery now uses grapes from old vines dating from the 1880s and is a member of the Historic Vineyard Society. Besides all the history and character in their wines, you won’t meet a nicer group of people when visiting a tasting room.

Things to do in Napa (the city):

I’ve loved Napa Valley since my first trip there years ago but, like most visitors, bypassed the city of Napa on my way up the valley. There didn’t use to be much worth stopping for, but since the city transformed through an extensive revitalization project, it is thriving!

I really enjoyed the city’s mix of hip, upscale restaurants and wine bars with small-town community activities like Shakespeare in the local park. There really is so much to do in Napa, yet you will feel totally at home.

Taste great wine in Napa’s tasting rooms and wine bars

Try the Wine Thief next to Oxbow Public Market for a nice overall experience and John Anthony for excellent Cabs in a stylish downtown tasting room.

Have lunch in the Oxbow Public Market

You can’t go wrong in this upscale food market. Try Kitchen Door, Hog Island Oyster Bar or C Casa, and finish with a beer at nearby Fieldwork Brewing Co. or sweets at Kara’s Cupcakes. With kids? Check out Gott’s next door.

Stop at Anette’s Chocolates

This classic sweets shop in Napa specializes in fine chocolates and brittles (the chili lime brittle is amazing!). The shop is beautiful, so pop in to treat yourself to vanilla ice cream with chocolate cabernet sauce or get some delicious souvenirs/gifts. The shop is located at 1321 1st St. in downtown Napa and a smaller version in the Oxbow Public Market.

Have breakfast at Alexis Baking Company

These lemon ricotta blueberry pancakes were so, so good, or try Sweetie Pie’s on the Riverfront or Grace’s Table (see below).

Eat tapas at ZuZu

Zuzu is an intimate restaurant with lots of character and great food made from authentic Spanish ingredients, like this perfect salad of local peaches, arugula, garroxta cheese, and orange blossom honey.

Treat yourself to the day spa experience at Spa Terra

Spa Terra is located in a beautiful cave at the Meritage Resort & Spa, just outside the town of Napa. Afterward, stop for wine tasting at Trinitas, located in the same cave as the spa.

Explore the hills of Napa Valley

One easy place to hike is the vine-covered hills of the beautiful Meritage Resort and Spa. The vineyards lead up to the statue of the grape crusher. For hikes, try the state parks located farther up the valley between St. Helena and Calistoga.

Stop for a homey meal and drinks at Bounty Hunter.

Eat fantastic BBQ while choosing from their extensive list of rare wines, spirits and craft beer in a historic brick building.

Take the Napa Art Walk

Walk the streets of downtown Napa and see the sculptures that make up the Napa Art Walk, a fun outdoor display of Northern California artists that changes every 18 months.

Learn about small-production wine at Back Room Wines

This friendly wine shop and tasting bar in downtown Napa specializes in small-production, artisan wines from not only Napa Valley but around the world. Their mission is to help people find the best small-production wines anywhere.

See a show at Uptown Theater or the Napa Valley Opera House

With acts like Wynton Marsalis and Ani di Franco, these beautiful venues have first-class offerings right in downtown Napa.

Have a drink at the bar at Morimoto

Morimoto Napa is run by Iron Chef Morimoto. As you would expect, the food is excellent, but with so many great food options in Napa, you might opt for having a drink at the bar in this gorgeous restaurant.

Where to stay in Napa:

The Napa River Inn: Located in a historic building on the riverfront, this hotel offers beautifully decorated rooms and is within easy walking distance of everything.

The Meritage Resort and Spa: A full service resort with several dining options, a pool, and wine tasting on-site

The Embassy Suites: Spacious, comfortable rooms

The Beazley House: If you can get one of the rooms in the guest house, this is a nice option if you want the B&B experience within walking distance of downtown

RiverPointe Resort: A budget option with individual mini cottages, family-friendly amenities, and a walking trail close by

Search more hotels in Napa on Booking.com, which I always use for the best hotel prices:

Booking.com

or book a place on Airbnb. Get $40 off your first stay here!

Buy gifts at the CIA at Copia or the Oxbow Public Market.

If you’re a food lover like me, the gift shop at the CIA at Copia is a must, and the new building and gardens are worth a look. In Oxbow, try the Olive Press, where you can try locally made olive oils and vinegars (the fig balsamic vinegar and kalamata olive spread are both excellent) and Anette’s Chocolates.

Walk the Riverfront Promenade

With the city’s ongoing flood control project, the Napa River is now a really nice place to walk at anytime of day. The riverfront now includes the Napa Riverfront Green, which connects to the Napa Vine Trail, and the Promenade on the other side of the river. As you walk along the promenade, you can visit shops, cafes and restaurants, and if you visit Napa Valley with kids, they can run freely here without worrying about cars.

Watch live jazz at Silo’s

Napa’s nightlife scene is not big but with Silo’s and even a couple of tasting rooms staying open late, you can find something to do on almost any night.

Eat at Grace’s Table or Tarla

I had the best breakfast I’ve ever had there, but they also serve lunch, dinner, and Happy Hour. The owner values food so fresh that he picks ingredients from his garden before coming to work. Local, sustainable, organic ingredients go into the globally-inspired dishes at this “Michelin Bib Gourmand” recognized restaurant. This is also a good choice for Happy Hour, Mon.-Fri. 3:00-6:00.

or sit at the bar and watch the cooks at Tarla Mediterranean Bar & Grill

Tarla is a Mediterranean restaurant that I loved for its friendly atmosphere and delicious food, including a chocolate crème brûlée! In the mood for Italian? Try the nearby Oenotri, another Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant in Downtown Napa.

Check out Napa’s funky boutiques and art galleries

More about Napa Valley:

How to Really Experience Napa Valley

36 Hours in Napa Valley

The Perfect Day-Trip to Napa Valley

(Clos Pegase photo credit: The Napa Wine Project)

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