Things to Do
We came to Napa Valley for the wine, and the wine delivered beyond every expectation. Our strategy is to mix big-name estates with smaller boutique producers. A tasting at Robert Mondavi ($35-50) gives us the classic Napa experience with gorgeous grounds, then we drive the quieter Silverado Trail and stop at family-run spots like Darioush or Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars ($50-75 per tasting). Most places require reservations now, so we book 1-2 weeks ahead.
Beyond wine, we always take a morning hot air balloon ride with Napa Valley Balloons ($280 per person including a champagne brunch afterward). Floating above the valley at sunrise with fog threading through the vines is genuinely one of the most beautiful things we’ve ever seen. The Napa Valley Wine Train ($165-300 depending on the package) is another standout — a 3-hour gourmet lunch journey in restored Pullman cars rolling past 25 miles of vineyards.
Yountville is our favorite base for exploring. This tiny town of 3,000 people punches absurdly above its weight with multiple Michelin-starred restaurants. Even if we skip the fine dining, the free art walk through town and the nearby Domaine Chandon sparkling wine estate (tastings from $40) make Yountville a perfect afternoon. In downtown Napa, we wander the Oxbow Public Market for artisan olive oils, local cheeses, and Ritual Coffee.
Where to Stay
Napa Valley accommodations range from charming to jaw-droppingly luxurious. Budget-minded travelers should look at Calistoga in the upper valley, where motels and inns start around $120-180 per night — still pricier than most places, but significantly less than Yountville or St. Helena. The Calistoga Motor Lodge has mid-century style and a fantastic pool for around $200-250.
In the mid-range, downtown Napa has several boutique hotels between $250-350 per night that put us within walking distance of tasting rooms and restaurants. The Archer Hotel Napa sits right on First Street with a rooftop bar and vineyard views. For a real splurge, places like Meadowood (from $700) or the Carneros Resort (from $600) offer private cottages and world-class spas. We’ve found that weekday stays are often $50-100 cheaper per night across the board.
Where to Eat
Food in Napa Valley rivals the wine. Our go-to affordable lunch is a picnic — we assemble everything at Oxbow Public Market (cheeses, charcuterie, fresh bread, about $25-30 per person) and spread out at a winery picnic area. Many wineries welcome outside food, and eating among the vines is an experience no restaurant can replicate.
For sit-down meals, Bouchon Bistro in Yountville ($35-55 entrees) is Thomas Keller’s French bistro and somehow the more casual sibling of The French Laundry. The roast chicken is perfection. Gott’s Roadside (formerly Taylor’s) at the Oxbow Market serves upscale burgers and ahi tuna tacos for $15-20 — it’s our lunch go-to when we want something fast and delicious. For a once-in-a-lifetime dinner, The French Laundry runs about $350 per person for a nine-course tasting menu (reservations open exactly 60 days in advance and sell out in minutes). More accessibly, Bottega in Yountville serves incredible Italian with mains around $30-45.
Getting Around
A car is essentially required in Napa Valley. The main wine corridor stretches 30 miles along Highway 29 and the parallel Silverado Trail, and wineries are spread across both routes. We always designate a sober driver or book a guided tour — DUI checkpoints are common and tasting adds up faster than we expect.
If we don’t want to drive at all, we book a guided wine tour ($150-250 per person for a full day) that handles transportation between 4-5 wineries with a knowledgeable guide. The VINE bus runs limited routes between Napa, Yountville, St. Helena, and Calistoga for just $1.60 per ride, though schedules can be sparse. Biking the valley is magical on weekdays — Napa Valley Bike Tours rents quality bikes for about $50-80 per day and suggests routes that stick to quieter roads. Rideshare works for short hops between towns, typically $15-25 between Napa and Yountville.