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When someone mentions Napa or Sonoma, California, wine is likely the first thing that comes to mind — it’s what put both destinations on the map. But there’s more than just wine in this stretch of Northern California. Travelers of all ages flock to the region, but according to their respective visitor bureaus, Gen Xers and boomers account for 40 percent of all visitors to Napa Valley, and a slightly lower 34 percent in Sonoma County.
It can be difficult for first-time visitors to grasp the geography they’ll encounter during a stay. Napa Valley and Sonoma County are neighboring world-renowned wine regions, but they are not the same.
“A lot of people don’t realize how far Napa is from the coast. People expect to see the Pacific Ocean when they come to California. They’re surprised to learn that staying in Napa and going to the coast is an all-day commitment,” says Kelly E. Carter, founder of luxury concierge service Napa Valley Noir. “They also don’t understand how large Sonoma is, and that while some parts are relatively close to downtown Napa — Healdsburg, for instance — can be an hour or more away.”
Adding to the confusion, “Napa” can reference a city, a county and a valley. Same goes for Sonoma. Then there’s the grape-growing regions, called American Viticultural Areas, or AVAs, to contend with.
Having lived in wine country for more than two decades, I always try to explain to folks that it’s not a question of one destination being better than the other, it’s about understanding and appreciating their differences. Note: The locations listed below are not all the areas in Napa and Sonoma, but these are the areas most worth your time.
Top things to do in Napa Valley
At just 35 miles long and 5 miles across at its widest point, Napa Valley is home to more than 400 wineries, 90 tasting rooms and 150-plus restaurants. The area is divided into about a dozen cities, towns and regions, each offering its own compelling reasons to visit. It really comes down to knowing what you as a traveler want from the experience.
Napa
With a population of nearly 80,000, Napa is the largest city in Napa Valley, offering more than 55 wine tasting rooms in its walkable downtown.
All aboard! Using restored Pullman railcars, the Napa Valley Wine Train offers journeys that include multicourse meals, afternoon tea and wine tastings.
Get cooking. Take a cooking lesson, shop for household goods, or explore the museum dedicated to Chuck Williams, founder of kitchenware retailer Williams Sonoma, at The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) at Copia.
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Trefethen crafts wine in the only surviving 19th-century wooden three-level gravity flow winery in Napa Valley.
Trefethen
Sip and swirl. At Hess Persson Estates, you can taste wine and view a renowned contemporary art collection. For three generations, the family behind Trefethen has crafted estate-grown wine in the only surviving 19th-century wooden three-level gravity-flow winery in Napa Valley. Laces and Limos runs wine-tasting tours in electric tuk tuks.
Accommodations and dining in Napa
Carneros Resort and Spa will give you the resort experience in Napa.
Carneros Resort and Spa
Oxbow Public Market is home to 20-plus individually owned eateries and shops; favorites include Hog Island Oyster Co. and potato latkes from Loveski Deli. The cream of mushroom soup at nearby Kitchen Door has been a menu staple since the restaurant opened in 2011. Compline Restaurant describes its menu as “wine-friendly California cuisine.”
Milliken Creek Inn, Archer Hotel Napa and Napa River Inn are just a few of the many lodging options in or near downtown. For a resort experience, consider Carneros Resort and Spa; for a splurge, book one of the five rooms at Poetry Inn.
Yountville
Napa Valley’s first grapevines took root in Yountville, but these days the small town is arguably better known for its culinary prowess.
Get artsy. A fun way to get your bearings, The Yountville Art Walk features nearly three dozen outdoor sculptures. View a map online, or grab one at the Yountville Welcome Center.
Hot air balloons glide over a vineyard.
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Up, up and away. Napa Valley Aloft launches daily (weather permitting) morning hot air balloon rides just steps off Washington Street, Yountville’s main drag.
Sip and shop. All of Yountville’s 14 tasting rooms sell something other than wine. Cookware and wine are highlighted at Hestan Vineyards’ Tasting Salon. At Silver Trident Winery, you can pair wine with pizza or potato chips while shopping the Ralph Lauren Home Collection. Tired of wine? (I won’t tell.) Beer flights are waiting at Mad Fritz Tap House.
Accommodations and dining in Yountville
Bistro Jeanty serves coq au vin, cassoulet and other French classics, while selections at Ciccio include the pork chop Milanese, wood-fired pizza and gnudi. In addition to his Michelin three-star restaurant The French Laundry, chef Thomas Keller owns a handful of more approachable eateries such as Bouchon Bistro, Bouchon Bakery and RO Restaurant & Lounge.
There are myriad accommodations in Yountville. Bardessono Hotel & Spa is recognized as one of the greenest hotels in the nation. Every stay at Napa Valley Lodge includes a buffet breakfast with sparkling wine, while guests at the Napa Valley Railway Inn sleep in vintage train cars.
St. Helena
It’s hard to drive along shop- and restaurant-lined Main Street without stopping, but St. Helena also offers an immersive Napa Valley history lesson.
