- Summary
- Official Resources
- Things to do
- Gallery
- Places to Eat & Drink
- Videos
- Podcasts
The bustling city of Napa, on the banks of the Napa River, is celebrating a glamorous reinvention. There was a time not so long ago when the town was a sleepy residential area with strip mall–style shopping centers. Yet an influx of celebrity-chef restaurants, upscale lodgings, manicured parks and river walks, and dozens of tasting rooms have redefined the area as a luxury destination.
Wine Tasting in Napa
As a cultural center of California wine country, the city of Napa (map) provides plenty of opportunities to taste. Stroll downtown to enjoy outdoor art and dip into a variety of tasting rooms. Highlights include Vintner's Collective, housed in the city’s oldest stone building, Mark Herold Wines, an eclectic spot with funky decor, and Prime Cellars, an intimate experience, focusing on small production wines. For a relaxing afternoon, head to St. Clair Brown, a boutique winery, beer garden, and restaurant framed by a 4,500-square-foot organic garden, which overlooks the path of the Napa Valley Wine Train (diners tend to wave as the locomotive chugs by).
Restaurants and Nightlife in Napa
Unsurprisingly, Napa has dining options that perfectly complement the exceptional wine. Highlights include Oxbow Public Market, a lively food hall where you can slurp fresh oysters at Hog Island, savor artisanal charcuterie from Fatted Calf, or indulge in truffles and caramels from Anette’s Chocolates. If wine tasting has you in the mood for a memorable meal, downtown highlights include Grace’s Table, Zuzu, The Kitchen Door, Cole’s Chop House, and Tarla Mediterranean Bar & Grill. Pizza lovers will want to stop by Azzurro Pizza or Filippi’s Pizza Grotto for a wood-fired pie.
For more edible pleasures, treat yourself to sushi at nearby Morimoto Napa, dine on chef Ken Frank’s elegant offerings at the Michelin-starred La Toque, or discover some of wine country’s most spectacular local-ingredient-driven cuisine right on the Napa riverfront at Celadon. Then, take in a show down the street at the outpost of New York City’s famed Blue Note, inside one of the region’s social and cultural hubs, the Napa Valley Opera House.
Hotels in Napa
Rest and relaxation abounds at options such as the big-city-chic Andaz Napa hotel and the romantic 1889 Churchill Manor B&B mansion, with remarkable old-growth redwood moldings and crystal chandeliers. Overnight stays at the historic Napa River Inn include a decadent breakfast from the Sweetie Pies bakery downstairs. Family-run Cedar Gables Inn offers a full series of cooking classes, where guests share a communal dinner they helped cook, paired with a featured local winemaker’s selected pours.
Things to Do Near Napa
Just a short drive away, the quaint city of Sonoma beckons with its historic plaza, boutique wineries, and numerous eateries. Wander through Yountville, renowned for its world-class culinary scene, and don't miss St. Helena, a haven for wine lovers and shoppers alike, with its vibrant main street lined with artisanal shops and tasting rooms. In the heart of wine country, Calistoga charms with its natural hot springs and laid-back ambience. Further afield, the city of Santa Rosa invites with its bustling downtown and varied attractions, including the Charles M. Schulz Museum, and just beyond that, at the intersection of three leading AVAs—Russian River Valley, Dry Creek Valley, and Alexander Valley—is the wine mecca of Healdsburg.
- So You Think You Know the Napa Valley?Venture beyond familiar favorites to discover the best under-the-radar experiences
- Napa Valley Wines & WineriesWhere to find top vineyards in Napa wine country
- Napa's Top TablesPremier wine country means premier chefs
- Napa Valley Arts & CultureWine country history, innovation, and imagination
- Napa Valley’s Silverado TrailFollow the ultimate Napa Valley wine route
- Napa Valley Luxury LodgingsPampering awaits at these posh wine country retreats
- Carneros Resort and SpaHomey ambience meets local cuisine and epic views at this Napa Valley resort
- Nightlife in Napa ValleyCatch a show, grab a drink, and get your grape-fueled groove on
- Napa Valley State & City ParksDiscover leafy trails and cool glades for hiking, biking, and history
- Auberge du SoleilOpulence defines every detail at this hilltop resort that features breathtaking views of the Napa Valley
- Edutourism
- Gardens
- Food & Drink
- NapaCrystal Razon Talks About the Best Bites and Top SitesThe reservations supervisor for Embassy Suites by Hilton Napa Valley loves to point visitors to her favorite haunts in wine country
What’s New in California in ...
From new hotels to hotly anticipated restaurants to colorful theme park attractions, here’s a look at the top debuts in CaliforniaHow to Celebrate Asian ...
Visit these Asian-owned restaurants, boutiques, wineries, and hotels across California33 Amazing Free Things to Do ...
The Golden State offers plenty of bucket-list experiences, and you don’t have to spend a lot–or, sometimes, anything–to do many of themNapa Valley Wines & Wineries
Where to find top vineyards in Napa wine country20+ Ways to Celebrate New ...
Ring in 2024 from a downtown hotel, a mountain top, a theme park—or even a quiet beachWhere to See Holiday Lights ...
Check out these seasonal displays across the Golden StateFantastic 2023 Thanksgiving ...
Come for well-crafted turkey dinners with local wine, decadent desserts, and gorgeous settingsWhere to Celebrate California ...
Join the festivities throughout September at wineries across the state—or bring the harvest excitement homeCalifornia State Parks: An A ...
Discover the vast variety of outdoor splendor these parks have to offerExplore Native American ...
Cultural centers and expansive natural areas provide a dynamic backdrop to learn more about the state’s 100-plus tribes
What’s New in California in ...
From new hotels to hotly anticipated restaurants to colorful theme park attractions, here’s a look at the top debuts in CaliforniaHow to Celebrate Asian ...
Visit these Asian-owned restaurants, boutiques, wineries, and hotels across California33 Amazing Free Things to Do ...
The Golden State offers plenty of bucket-list experiences, and you don’t have to spend a lot–or, sometimes, anything–to do many of themNapa Valley Wines & Wineries
Where to find top vineyards in Napa wine country20+ Ways to Celebrate New ...
Ring in 2024 from a downtown hotel, a mountain top, a theme park—or even a quiet beachFantastic 2023 Thanksgiving ...
Come for well-crafted turkey dinners with local wine, decadent desserts, and gorgeous settingsWhere to Celebrate California ...
Join the festivities throughout September at wineries across the state—or bring the harvest excitement homeSeptember 2023 Events in ...
Ease your way out of summer and into fall with festivals for stargazing, surfing, and beerCraft Breweries in Napa and ...
Premium beers in premier wine countryAugust 2023 Events in ...
Make the most of summer by experiencing these surfing festivals, fairs, and leisurely wine- and beer-tasting experiences
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Sign up and get weekly travel inspiration and ideas
Thank you for signing up
Get ready to Dream Big!