You don’t come to Napa Valley to be the first. The region has been well-established for about as long as wine has been commercially produced in California. What you come here for is just about everything else—farm-to-table cuisine, prestigious wines, historic hot springs, and design-driven hotels (not to mention its gentle mountain ranges and rippling river that can be admired via hot air balloon or leisurely hike). Despite lacking any sort of under-the-radar quality, it’s still a destination with ceaseless appeal.
First and foremost, the Napa Valley AVA (American Viticultural Area) is home to some of the most coveted wineries in the country. It runs about 30 miles north to south but only five miles at its widest point, which lends itself well to providing a diverse range of climates that allow for a breadth of wine varieties to be made here. The towns where you’ll spend most of your time exploring are Napa, Yountville, St. Helena, and Calistoga, with a total of 17 sub-appellations (nested AVAs) comprising the broader Napa Valley AVA. Getting around is best conquered by car, but if you’re wine tasting you’ll need to look into transportation. Uber and Lyft aren’t so reliable in these parts, but visitors can book a designated driver who is insured to drive their rental car, or simply hire a private chauffeur for the day.
Though a visit to Napa requires nothing more than a desire to slow down and savor, there are a number of new and noteworthy openings across food, wine, and accommodations that justify prioritizing a trip to Northern California right now. Below, your complete guide to Napa Valley.
- Where to Stay
- Where to Eat
- Where to Taste Wine
- What to Do
- When to Visit
- Napa vs. Napa County vs. Napa Valley
- What to Pack
- How Long to Spend in Napa
- How to Get There
Where to Stay
Despite California wine country being among the most sought-after landscapes in the world, Auberge du Soleil takes it up a notch and also sprinkles in design elements that channel the south of France. (Napa with a side of Provence—why not?) The property is located in peaceful Rutherford and is nestled on a hillside with 33 surrounding acres of olive and oak trees. There are only 50 guest rooms and suites, and its Michelin-starred restaurant features design by Suzanne Tucker. If you’re not familiar with the backstory, French restaurateur Claude Rouas founded his fine-dining establishment with the same Napa-meets-Provence concept, and five years later, it expanded into the mainstay hotel that it is today. Splurge on a Vintner’s Daughter facial at the spa, or have the sommelier team set up a private wine experience on your guest room terrace so you can learn the A to Zs of tasting—there’s no activity too indulgent here.
Address: 180 Rutherford Hill Rd, St. Helena, CA, 94574
Amenities: Restaurant, pool, spa, bar, private picnics, fitness center, tennis courts
There’s a sensation when stepping foot on Stanly Ranch that the outside world no longer exists. The sun shines a little brighter, soft insect sounds buzz a little more merrily, and the afternoons linger on a little longer. Opened in April 2022, it’s the third Auberge Resorts Collection property in Napa Valley and an instant favorite. Their cottages and suites, outfitted in modern farmhouse decor, scatter across 712 acres of vineyards and ranch land (the private terraces with fire pits are ideal at the end of a day of tasting). Bear is Stanly Ranch’s signature restaurant, with chef Anthony Stagnaro at the helm and farm director Nick Runkle supplying fresh-from-the-earth ingredients. And when you’re not eating or tasting wine, spend your days lounging by the pool, unwinding at the Halehouse on-property spa, or joining an activity like lunchtime at the chicken coop or fishing on the Napa River.
Address: 200 Stanly Crossroad, Napa, CA, 94559
Amenities: Restaurant, bar, pool, spa, fitness center, complimentary bicycle rentals
There are some iconic, historic hotels that fail to live up to the hype—Meadowood is not one of those hotels. Opened in 1961 and tucked within a private valley surrounded by wooded canyons, it’s a quintessential Napa Valley stay. The lodging has evolved since its early days and is now made up of 36 suites and rooms that feel suspended among the estate’s trees. If you can pry yourself away from your room (did we mention there are wood-burning fireplaces and private outdoor decks?) you’ll want to book a wine tasting class at The Wine Center or a guided winery tour with one of the center’s experts. A treatment at the award-winning spa is also a must, with stress-melting experiences ranging from a tree house mustard bath to full-body exfoliation scrubs. And don’t miss a hike on Meadowood’s network of trails that lead to panoramic views of St. Helena (tip: make it a morning hike and spot the hot air balloons in the distance).
Address: 900 Meadowood Lane, St. Helena, CA, 94574
Amenities: Restaurant, café, pools, spa, fitness center, tennis courts, wine center
If you prefer your bed and breakfasts to be on the National Register of Historic Places, The Francis House in Calistoga beckons. The three-story stone building was constructed in 1886 as a family home but went uninhabited for 52 years until a San Francisco couple (one an interior designer, the other a real estate developer) discovered it in 2015 and restored the French Second Empire architecture to its original glory. And this is no ordinary B&B: guests can enjoy an infrared sauna and salt room, outdoor fire pit, tennis court, heated pool, and a Tesla charger. As for breakfast? Artisanal all the way. The team sources local produce, fresh eggs, and even has its own herb garden to craft dishes like lemon ricotta parsley pancakes and labneh with roasted tomatoes.
Address: 1403 Myrtle Street, Calistoga, CA 94515
Amenities: Breakfast, infrared sauna and salt room, tennis court, pool, fire pit, bar billiards, library
For those who seek out a pied-à-terre atmosphere when traveling, Sttupa Estate (formerly Poetry Inn) more than fits the bill. The five-suite hideaway sits at the top of a steep hillside and overlooks Yountville. Each suite is uniquely decorated and ascribed its own literary theme (Walt Whitman, Robert Frost, Emily Dickinson, e.e. cummings, and Robert Louis Stevenson are among the writers referenced), and all feature outdoor showers, original artwork, fresh flowers, and wood-burning fireplaces. And the service here is outstanding—there is a personalized concierge, private dining by arrangement, and a thorough menu of spa treatments. When you’re not savoring a food pairing or a sound bath session, simply meander out onto your private terrace to take in the sweeping valley views.
Address: 6380 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA 94558
Amenities: Three-course breakfast, pool, private dining, spa, personalized concierge
Where to Eat
This sommelier-founded spot in the heart of downtown Napa is obsessed over for its rotating chef residencies and award-winning wine list. This spring, visiting chef Diego Isunza Kahlo (great-great nephew of Frida Kahlo and formerly of Pujol) will present a menu drawing on Mexican, Mediterranean, and Californian traditions.
For authentic Japanese dining, book a table at this downtown Napa favorite that has earned eight consecutive Michelin Star ratings since 2017. The 27-seat restaurant specializes in Kaiseki and Edomae-style sushi, with ingredients flown in daily from Japan’s world-renowned Toyosu Market.
Chef Thomas Keller’s The French Laundry is a fine-dining institution considered by many to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The restaurant is set within a rustic stone cottage that was built as a saloon in 1900, and diners are treated to a daily-changing menu of contemporary American cuisine with French influences. You can also book The French Laundry's culinary garden tour at their farm located just across the street (you can expect to be treated to a fresh seasonal veggie or fruit, straight from the soil).
A perennial favorite among locals and tourists alike, Mustards has gone more or less unchanged since it opened in 1983. Billing their menu items as “deluxe truck stop classics,” you can feast upon burgers, onion rings, and grilled cheese to your heart's content.
Skip the steak house and head for this al fresco spot serving contemporary Asian-inspired cuisine. RO leans on California produce and Japanese techniques to craft its menu, with highlights including the Hokkaido uni toast (spring for the caviar add-on) and the mouthwatering sashimi platter. The beverage menu is also praiseworthy—be sure to order the Oysters and Pearls cocktail featuring three grams of royal caviar served with butter-washed vodka and roasted-oyster- shell-infused dry vermouth.
For a Mexico-style taqueria, head to Mothers for their handmade corn tortillas, made-from-scratch salsas, seasonal grilled Elote, and meats marinated piece by piece; vegan and vegetarian options are also in the mix. (Tip: If Mexican food is your love language, eat your way through the Napa Valley Taco Trail.)
Scala Osteria (sister restaurant to the ever-popular Bistro Don Giovanni) brings seafood-driven southern Italian cuisine to Napa with its bright, spacious setting and covetable oyster bar.
It's a fact: a burger and shake at Gott’s Roadside can’t be beat. The fast-casual, James Beard award-winning restaurant recently celebrated its 25th anniversary and is a worthy inclusion on any Napa Valley itinerary.
If you want a taste of Chef Keller’s fare without the French Laundry price tag, head to his casual eatery Ad Hoc + Addendum. It’s a daily-changing menu and features American favorites like fried chicken and barbecue that are served family style. (If you're not in the mood to dine out, they also offer buttermilk fried chicken to-go.)
For a croissant that will kickstart your morning, head for Moulin (French for “mill”). This artisan bakery is owned and operated by husband and wife Zach and Chloé Kaylor, who focus on sourdough breads and viennoiseries. They use a range of organic whole grains, which are milled in-house on a stone mill. The coffee is pretty great too, and comes from Camellia Coffee Roasters in Sacramento, as well as a rotating guest roaster program.
While it’s not hard to find restaurants in Napa that source their ingredients locally, Charlie’s takes it up a notch by partnering with a large and diverse network of regional partners ranging from fresh truffle purveyors to a cultured abalone farm. The restaurant is owned by Elliott Bell, who is the former executive sous chef at The French Laundry (and also previously at Gramercy Tavern). Choose from dishes like hearth-roasted beer can chicken and crispy cauliflower paired with refreshing cocktails, mocktails, wine, and beer.
Of course, there’s always Oxbow Public Market with its many food vendors, including a live fire pizzeria and Hog Island Oyster Co., which offers happy hour Monday through Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. Also not to be missed: Chef Morad Lahlou's Moro, which is inspired by the food stalls at Marrakesh’s famous night market, Jeema el-Fnaa.
Long Meadow Ranch sits on 650 verdant acres in the foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains, and has origins that date back to the late 1800s. Within the estate lies their farmhouse restaurant concept, aptly called Farmstead. Come here for a quintessential farm-to-table experience, whether for the Sunday brunch (warm cinnamon rolls!) or for dinner service (grass-fed beef chili!).
Napa Valley hot spot Ciccio is housed within a century-old Italian grocery store in Downtown Yountville and serves wood-fired pizza alongside fresh pastas and salad. (We're also partial to the meatball stuffed peppers.)
This Michelin-star restaurant at Four Seasons Resort Napa Valley serves a weekly-changing, five-course tasting menu with highlights like California white duck, butter-poached Norwegian crab, and hazelnut chocolate tart.
San Francisco wine bar Decant opened a female-queer-BIPOC-owned outpost in downtown Napa to much fanfare. The bottle shop and bar has a fire pit terrace (Pendleton blankets included for nippy nights) and an off-the-charts wine list that changes frequently.
Where to Taste Wine
Pro Tip: Make the best use of your time by clustering wine tastings in specific regions of Napa Valley, moving from north to south or vice versa, so you won’t have to race from one place to the next. Napa Valley is made up of five towns—Calistoga, St. Helena, Yountville, Napa, and American Canyon—with a total of 17 sub-appellations nested within the broader Napa Valley AVA.
For Art & Architecture
On a prestigious parcel that once belonged to some of Napa Valley’s most revered wine pioneers of the 1970s, Bella Oaks has long been a leader in the region’s dialogue on single-vineyard cabernet sauvignons. It’s since been recast by proprietor and lifelong art collectsor Suzanne Deal Booth, alongside winemaker Nigel Kinsman. Tasting experiences for guests begin with an art tour at the Bella Oaks home estate, which features 12 site-specific works and includes a Max Ernst bronze sculpture and a mirrored piece by Yayoi Kusama. Guests then move to a tasting of three wines at Wheeler Farms, including their newest release: a sauvignon blanc, which marks the first white wine for the historic estate.
Delivering a fresh perspective to tasting experiences in the valley, Ashes & Diamonds stands out with its zig-zag roof and mid-century modern design by Barbara Bestor Architecture. Inside, the winery doubles as a creative hub, hosting speaker series, film, and music events that draw a younger, more design-forward crowd to Napa.
The Donum Estate has one of the largest accessible private sculpture collectsions in the world, with works by contemporary artists like Ai Weiwei and Louise Bourgeois. For a truly memorable visit, book the Transcend Experience—a private, guided journey through the art-filled landscape paired with Donum’s acclaimed Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
For Splurge-Worthy Sips
Realm Cellars has become one of Napa’s most coveted names, with wines that rarely make it past the waitlist. Beginning in July, members will have access to tastings at their newest estate atop Napa's prized Pritchard Hill.
This Oakville estate winery was established in 1885 and is devoted to elegant chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon. Considered a heritage winery in Napa Valley, visits to Far Niente offer a true taste of history. Their most prestigious cabernet sauvignon—which goes for $500 a bottle—is the Benson Vale, and is crafted with grapes from the vineyard’s finest blocks.
When H. William (Bill) Harlan was hiking along Oakville’s southwestern ridge in the ’80s, he stumbled upon an untamed expanse. It would be decades before the legendary Napa vintner acquired this land, which would eventually become Promontory and join his portfolio of highly sought-after wines. Promontory is the Harlan Estate’s only winery open to the public, and tastings are a dialed-in experience that leaves you with a cult-like appreciation for the wines.
For Immersive Tasting Experiences
For the most compelling merlots in the valley, head to Sullivan Rutherford Estate for the Merlot Mastery: a blind tasting challenge where you'll sample three merlots—one from the estate, two from prestigious merlot-producing regions around the world—and guess which is which before the reveal. A second flight then walks through a vertical lineup of the flagship J.O. Sullivan Founder's Reserve, with small bites from local chef partners accompanying each round.
Over in Carneros-Napa (an AVA that runs between both Napa and Sonoma), Bouchaine Vineyards offers unique wine tastings like Sensory Olympics and Vine to Vessel learning experience. But the standout is their falconry program with a master falconer, where you'll meet hawks, owls, and falcons up close, learn how raptors are used during harvest, and sip through a curated flight of wines throughout.
Schramsberg is another legacy winery in Napa Valley and for over 50 years has been committed to world-renowned sparkling wines in the méthode champenoise style (how Champagne is produced). The must-do here is the cave tasting: a tour through tunnels that were hand-carved with picks and shovels back in the 1860s, past 19th-century Bavarian barrels, and concluding with a tasting and cheese pairing by candlelight.
For Lighter-Style Wines
The 2023 Lail Vineyards Georgia Sauvignon Blanc was recognized in 2025 as the first American Sauvignon Blanc to be awarded a perfect 100-point score. If that’s not reason enough to secure an intimate tasting at this female-led winery, we don’t know what is. While the winery also produces top-notch cabernet sauvignon, if you’re hankering for a sip of something lighter, the critics say you can do no better.
Tucked into the upper reaches of Spring Mountain, Smith-Madrone has been making riesling that can hold its own against the great wines of Alsace and the Mosel. The Smith brothers have farmed this land since the early 1970s, and their riesling has earned the kind of cult following that marketing can't buy. Even better: tastings are down-to-earth and typically with one of the brothers.
In a valley obsessed with cabernet, Steve and Jill Klein Matthiasson have spent two decades making wines that answer a different calling. Their sparkling wine is full of citrus zest and chalky minerality, and is precisely the kind of thing you want to drink on a warm, sunny day in the valley.
For History & Heritage
In 1976, a blind tasting in Paris changed everything. When a panel of French judges ranked a Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars cabernet sauvignon above the great wines of Bordeaux, Napa Valley's place on the world stage was sealed. Fifty years on, the winery is marking the moment with celebrations throughout the year. Book their Judgment of Paris experience, which includes a private tasting at the winery and an overnight stay at Bardessono Resort and Hotel Yountville.
This is one of the oldest wineries in the valley, dating back to 1879 and currently owned by Francis Ford Coppola, who acquired it in the mid-’70s. The Inglenook estate is graced with a picturesque chateau, and the property has 235 planted acres that are dedicated to the production of five quintessential wine styles crafted by the director of winemaking, Philippe Bascaules.
Also well-known for its success in the 1976 wine tasting known as the Judgment of Paris, Chateau Montelena helped put Napa chardonnay on the global stage. Visit the estate to taste its iconic wines and to enjoy the century-old namesake chateau.
What to Do
Between the long list of wineries and Michelin-star restaurants to visit, it might be easy to forget there are other things to do in Napa Valley—but don’t! Take full advantage of California’s scenic beauty and rise before dawn to hop aboard a hot air balloon ride to watch the sunrise over the valley. If you’re more comfortable on solid ground, head for one of the many hiking trails in the area such as the River to Ridge trail, Napa-Solano Ridge, or Skyline Wilderness Park. Or, you can set off for a day of tasting via e-bike on The Vine Trail. When completed, it will run 47 miles from the Vallejo Ferry Terminal to the Calistoga Depot. At present, 33 miles are completed in three sections, with the most recent opening connecting St. Helena to Calistoga, offering a true biking through the vineyards experience. (Fun fact: most of Napa’s roads are flat, and when there are hills, they’re very manageable.)
There’s also the Napa Valley Wine Train, which is as fun as it sounds. Your journey begins on an antique Pullman-style train, and experiences can range from an hours-long trek through the valley with a multi-course paired menu and vineyard tasting all the way to a murder mystery dinner with sparkling wine and a meal.
And if you’re in search of self-care, the area of Calistoga has long been known for its hot springs and natural mud baths. In the late 1800s, tourism boomed as visitors learned of Calistoga’s geothermal properties, and now there are several spas with treatments centered around these rich minerals. Side note: the recently reimagined mud baths at Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs should be on your radar.
For those who want to pepper in a couple hours of shopping throughout their visit, Vintage Home Napa Valley stocks a mix of local and European goods. (This is a great place to swing by if you forgot to bring a floaty dress for a day of wine tasting, or if you’re on the hunt for the perfect hostess gift.) There’s Carter and Co in St. Helena that offers an aesthetically pleasing assortment of ceramics, and Alchemy Works in Yountville for a stylish mix of home, vintage, jewelry, and apparel. And if you finished your book and need a new read for the weekend, head for independently-owned Wild Plum Books to browse their latest titles.
Napa vs. Napa County vs. Napa Valley
Napa is the name of both a town and county in Northern California. Napa Valley refers specifically to the wine region, which is a designated American Viticultural Area (AVA). In casual conversation, the term “Napa” is often used to refer to any of the three, which can lead to confusion for visitors. When in doubt, just ask for clarification.
When to Visit
Due to its Mediterranean climate, there’s no terrible time to visit Napa Valley with regards to weather (though it can get nippy in the winter). But as with any major tourist destination, choosing when to visit depends on your priorities. Do you want to avoid crowds? Hoping for lower hotel rates? Interested in seasonal activities like harvest dinners? A few callouts to consider below.
High Season (June to October): Plenty of sunny days and lush vineyards, which create a picture-perfect setting for wine tasting. Harvest season falls within this time period (August to October), bringing with it unique programming for visitors. Expect higher prices, larger crowds, and more difficulty getting reservations.
Low Season (December to February): While the weather is cooler, rain is likely, and the vineyards are arguably less scenic, there are much better hotel deals, fewer crowds, and cozy tasting room experiences. It’s also a much easier time of year to snap up covetable reservations.
Shoulder Season (March to May; November): Both spring and late autumn offer fewer tourists and lower hotel rates than high season. While the weather can be unpredictable during both of these shoulder seasons, spring brings wildflowers and November’s foliage can be quite lovely to see if you time it well.
Wild Mustard Season (January to March): Who needs wine harvest when you can experience Napa Valley in all its mustard glory? During these months the valley is blanketed in yellow buds, and properties like Bardessono Hotel & Spa offer themed treatments like the Mustard Remedy Bath and Sweet Mustard Massage to celebrate the season in full.
What to Pack
Skip the high heels and spill-prone white clothing and opt for California-cool separates that you’ll feel comfortable wearing all day long. Bring a hat and sunscreen for al fresco tastings, and a light knit or scarf in case you do a cellar tour. If you’ve made a dinner reservation at a higher-end spot, pack a polished look to change into before heading out for the evening.
How Long to Spend in Napa
Three days is the sweet spot for a trip to Napa Valley that won’t leave you feeling like you haven’t seen or done enough. If you’re able to take more time, renting a car and leisurely exploring the region over the span of a week sounds pretty fabulous, as well.
How to Get There
Napa Valley is north of San Francisco Bay and the closest airport is Sonoma County Airport (STS). There aren’t many direct flights to STS, however, so you can also land at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), which is about one to two hours by car and takes you across the scenic Golden Gate Bridge. If you don’t rent a car, there are also private transportation services; many of which can also be booked for wine tours once you're in Napa County. (Napa Valley Chauffeur is a smart pick.)
Pro Tip: Plan to arrive at a time that avoids rush-hour traffic, and travel in a group so you can utilize the carpool lane.
