Introduction
Napa Valley is a destination that offers something for everyone. The area has 12 wineries and vineyards, more than 50 restaurants, and farm-to-fork eateries, plus plenty of outdoor activities like hiking, biking, rafting, and horseback riding. There are also many museums and historical sites in the area that can be visited on guided tours or self-guided tours by car or bicycle.
Even if you don’t love wine tasting or hiking through nature trails there are still things to do in Napa Valley because it’s home to some of California’s most popular attractions including Calistoga Ranch Spa Hot Springs Resort & Spa, Deer Park Monastery & Retreat Center, Rutherford Grill Restaurant & Bar and more!
Visit a Winery
Visiting a winery is one of the best things to do in Napa, as there are over 400 wineries in the area. The different types of wineries range from small family-run vineyards to large, commercialized places. Regardless of the type of place you visit, you can learn about wine-making processes and even sample their products.
If you’re not sure where to begin your tour, Napa Valley is home to more than 100 different varieties of grapes that produce hundreds of wines each year! So have no fear—you’ll have plenty to choose from!
Tour Oxbow Public Market
Oxbow Public Market is a great place to spend the day. The market is open seven days a week, so you can visit it any day of the week during your stay in Napa. There are many food options here—from prepared foods to grab-and-go items, as well as a large selection of wines. If you don’t have time for lunch or dinner at one of Oxbow’s restaurants, consider stopping by on your way out for some wine tasting!
The market also has shops and boutiques that carry everything from clothing and shoes to home décor items like Christmas lights or kitchen utensils. You’ll find everything here in one place! It’s fun to check out all the different stores while staying within walking distance of each other without having to get lost in another part of town just trying to find more stores nearby (like some other historic areas tend to do).
If you’re visiting Napa with family members or friends then this would be an excellent place
Ride the Napa Valley Wine Train
The Napa Valley Wine Train is a great way to spend the day while touring the area. The train runs through several different wine-growing regions, with stops at several wineries along the way. You can even ride it at night if you want!
The train itself has five dining cars, each with its theme and style of food available. These dining cars range from casual to upscale, but all of them serve excellent food and have an extensive selection of wines from all around California. If you’re looking for something more relaxed, try one of their lunch options; if you’re feeling fancy, reserve a table in one of their evening-only first-class cars with full-service waiters who will keep your glass full all day long!
Hike Kennedy Park
With about 2,500 acres of land and more than 70 miles of trails, Kennedy Park is a great option for hiking enthusiasts. There are numerous trail options at this park, including the 1.4-mile Blue Oak Loop which takes about two hours to complete.
The park also offers an accessible loop trail and several routes for mountain biking enthusiasts—and if you’re looking for something more challenging, you can even hike to the top of Mount St Helena (a 20-mile round trip). Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or someone who’s just getting started with trail running, Kennedy Park has something to offer everyone!
Visit Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park
Bale Mill State Historic Park is located in downtown Napa, and it’s well worth a visit. The park contains the historic Bale Mill, which was built in 1846. The mill was used to grind grain into flour for residents and provided jobs for many of them. Today, visitors can see how this old-fashioned machinery works by walking through the mill or taking a tour. There are also several other activities offered at Bale Mill State Historic Park:
- Walk along a nature trail
- Watch birds at their feeders
- Take a tour of the mill with one of their guides
Stroll through Downtown Napa
Downtown Napa is a great place to wander around and explore. There are many restaurants, shops, and interesting things to see. You can even stop by the Visitor Center and pick up a map of all the attractions in town. It’s also a great place to people watch!
Head to Calistoga Ranch for a Spa Day
If you’re looking for a day of pampering, Calistoga Ranch is the place to be. The resort spa offers several unique treatments such as volcanic stone massage, which uses hot lava stones to warm and soothe muscles while also increasing blood flow and improving circulation. For those looking for something more adventurous, consider the champagne mud bath that combines mud from Napa Valley with sparkling wine to create a relaxing and detoxifying experience.
Spa amenities include a sauna room, saltwater plunge pool, and outdoor hot tubs where you can relax after treatment or enjoy the views of the surrounding vineyards through floor-to-ceiling windows. The spa also boasts an indoor pool with gorgeous mountain views along with steam rooms and dry saunas if you’re looking for some relief from winter chills or just want some time alone indoors without children running around (we know how much parents love that).
Take a Ride on Skyline Wilderness Park’s Ziplines
Skyline Wilderness Park is a great place to go ziplining. This park is located on the edge of Napa Valley, and it has some of the best views you can imagine. There are four different lines available for you to choose from, and each one offers something different than the others.
If you want to do your own thing, then you can rent your line for an hour at a time. You can also take tours with other people if that is more your style. Either way, this is an activity every person should try once in their lifetime!
Learn about the area’s history at Robert Louis Stevenson State Park
Robert Louis Stevenson State Park is a beautiful park located on Lake Sonoma. It’s a great place to learn about local history and nature, and you can take some fantastic photos of the scenery while you’re there.
The park has plenty of hiking trails, picnic areas, fishing spots, and even boating spots (if you bring your boat). There are also historical buildings that give visitors an idea of how people lived in this area back in the day.
When visiting this park it is important to remember that it does get pretty busy during peak season so try coming early or late if possible. If not then there is always another time when crowds won’t matter as much!
Go to V. Sattui Winery for Lunch and Wine Tasting
V. Sattui Winery is a family-owned winery that was founded in 1885 and has been open ever since. The winery offers wine tastings, tours, and lunch every day of the week! If you’re looking for a fun way for the whole family to spend an afternoon or even just an hour or two, this is it!
They have everything from reds to whites if you’re interested in learning more about what types of wines go well together as well as some great tasting plates so everyone can enjoy themselves while they learn more about Napa Valley’s history and culture through food & drink pairings at affordable prices (reasonable).
Have Fun at KidZone Museum of Napa Valley
KidZone Museum of Napa Valley is a fun place to go if you want to spend the day with your kids. This museum educates children about Napa Valley and its history, as well as teaches them about the agricultural industry that makes this region so unique. It’s also a great place for adults too—the interactive exhibits and games make it easy for kids and grownups alike to learn more about this special region. KidZone is free!
In addition to being a great place for families with young children, KidZone offers activities for teens interested in learning more about agriculture or learning how technology can help farmers improve their crops (or even make them better at growing!). Finally, adults who are visiting from out-of-town will find plenty of interesting things to do here too; there’s even an outdoor garden where you can take pictures while enjoying nature!
Go Rafting on the Napa River
Rafting is a fun activity for everyone, whether you are a hardcore adventurer or someone who prefers to stick to the shore. Rafting can be done in a wide variety of ways:
- You can go white water rafting on the Napa River. This will give you an adrenaline rush and it’s also quite exciting!
- If you prefer kayaking instead, then check out some kayaking spots near Napa Valley. You will have your boat and it’s up to you how far out into the river you want to go!
The best time to go rafting in Napa is during the summertime because there isn’t as much rain then so there won’t be flooding problems on area rivers like there might during other seasons (such as winter). But if you want an adventure with less risk than going boating because conditions aren’t ideal yet due to flooding concerns then consider heading out with friends once spring rolls around again because then everything should start drying up nicely for better access throughout the town without having too many obstacles present themselves along with poor weather conditions that could make it difficult for anyone trying something potentially dangerous like this activity requires being safe about such things at all times when driving yourself home afterward—especially during these types of activities where safety should always come first before having fun doing anything else with friends later down the road today
Dine at Rutherford Grill Restaurant & Bar in Rutherford, California, for an Upscale Dinner Experience in Napa Valley
If you are looking for a romantic and upscale dining experience in Napa Valley, Rutherford Grill Restaurant & Bar is the place to go. This restaurant has stunning views of the surrounding vineyards as well as a full bar with an extensive wine list. The menu features many options including steaks, seafood, and pasta dishes.
The restaurant has been open since 1996 and is owned by Chef Mark Peel who has worked his way up through the ranks at several famous restaurants including The French Laundry (Yountville), L’Auberge Chez François (St Helena), and Meadowood Napa Valley Resort where he was Executive Chef until creating Rutherford Grill Restaurant & Bar in 1996.
There is something for everyone to love in Napa!
Napa Valley is a great place to explore the California wine country. There are many things to do in Napa, such as visiting wineries, tasting at restaurants and vineyards, and visiting museums and parks. You can also go rafting or ziplining on your trip!
There are many restaurants and wineries to visit in Napa. One of the most popular places is Robert Mondavi Winery, where you can learn about how wines are made by taking a tour of their facility while enjoying wine tastings along the way. Another popular destination is Oakville Grocery Co., which offers its line of wines made right on-site!
If you’re more into eating than drinking then you must visit Mustards Grill; this place has been rated one of America’s best restaurants by Esquire magazine! You’ll find everything from burgers (including vegetarian options) to seafood dishes here – definitely worth checking out if you’re hungry after all that exploring 🙂
Conclusion
As you can probably tell by now, Napa is a magical place. There’s so much to do and see here that it would be impossible to list every single thing. The best thing you can do is get out there and explore!
