1.) Sattui Winery, St. Helena<\/strong><\/h3>\n![\"Best](\"https:\/\/handluggageonly.co.uk\/2023\/04\/01\/11-best-things-to-do-in-napa-valley-in-california\/\")
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Now, we all know that Napa Valley is iconic for its delicious wines, right? Well, even if you\u2019re not technically into your wines, or unsure of what you like, there are heaps of places where you can perfect your skills with the help of in-house sommeliers.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For us, you\u2019ll want to make sure you visit the Sattui Winery which has a history dating back to the 1800s. Visiting is one of the best things to do in Napa Valley, especially if you want to visit a well-established and historic vineyard that\u2019s easy to reach.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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To make things easy, book this day tour from San Francisco to experience some gorgeous vineyards in Napa Valley. You\u2019ll get to three of the most prestigious wine estates and even get to stroll around the vineyards themselves.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Plus, you\u2019ll have plenty of time for a tipple, too.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In St Helena, you can also do balloon tours, bike tours, walking tours, plane tours, culinary tours, private tours, and many other types of tours to help you know more about the place and explore them.<\/p>\n
Read more: Best things to do in California<\/strong><\/p>\n2.) Yountville<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Love a good foodie experience whilst on vacation?<\/p>\n
Then get yourself over to Yountville in Napa Valley.\u00a0Honestly, it\u2019s one of the best things to do in Napa Valley if you\u2019re fancying a day away from the vineyards.<\/p>\n
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Starting the day with an amazing breakfast, you must head to Bouchon Bakery. The homemade pastries are so good, so catch them before they sell out.<\/p>\n
If you miss them, head across the street for Mini Model instead. They have some tasty English muffins that are so yummy.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finally, head over and book a table at The French Laundry. It\u2019s one of Thomas Keller\u2019s yummy, fine-dining, spots in Napa Valley. Opt for the chef\u2019s tasting menu and you\u2019ll be in for a treat.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more: Best things to do in San Francisco<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n3.) Napa Valley Wine Train<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Look, we love a good train trip\u2026 especially if it includes award-wimming wines!<\/p>\n
If that sounds like fun to you, head over for the Napa Valley Wine Train that\u2019s easily one of the best things to do in Napa Valley whilst in the region.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The experience is so special and well worth the ticket price. Just be sure to book online before heading to Napa Valley. Spaces are limited and this can be very popular.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As you ride the historic train, multiple meals and award-winning Napa Valley wines are served for you to enjoy. Departing and ending in St. Helena, the roundtrip is over 30 miles and a lovely way to see the wider area.<\/p>\n
We love the \u2018Legacy Experience\u2019 ticket they offer. You spend around 3 hours on the train and 3 hours in different wineries. Plus, it includes your 4-course meal and oodles of wines to taste.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more: Best things to do in California<\/strong><\/p>\n4.) Napa Valley Museum<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Now, I know I\u2019ve already mentioned Yountville, but I had to give the Napa Valley Museum a dedicated point to visit. It\u2019s such a special place to see in the region and one of the best things to do in Napa Valley if you want to learn more about historical artefacts.\u00a0<\/p>\n
You see, this spot isn\u2019t about wines and although small, it\u2019s a lovely way to break up the day if you\u2019re having a little \u2018vineyard fatigue\u2019.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once inside, you\u2019ll get to see historical artefacts, photos, and paintings from the wider region. Different exhibitions are featured in the museum, too, which showcase local, regional, and national artists and private collections. It\u2019s a great little spot for 45 minutes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more: Best places to visit on the Big Sur<\/strong><\/p>\n5.) Skyline Wilderness Park, Napa<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
In the picturesque foothills of Napa Valley, the Skyline Wilderness Park is one totally stunning place to visit whilst road-tripping the area. In fact, it\u2019s right on the city fringe of Napa itself.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Perfect if you\u2019re looking for something other than wine, the Skyline Wilderness Park is perfect for picnics, camps and trails, too. We loved the Buckeye Trail.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Trust me, with 800+ acres to explore, you can easily spend a sunny afternoon rambling here. You might even spot some of wild turkeys, geese and deer. So keep your eyes peeled!\u00a0<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t forget, there\u2019s also an Archery Range, Martha Walker Gardens, Lake Marie and the Caldwell Vineyard that\u2019s just shy of the park itself.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more: Best places to visit on a Californian road trip<\/strong><\/p>\n6.) Oxbow Public Market, Napa<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Okay, if you\u2019re anything like me, you will love Oxbow Public Market. It\u2019s one of the best things to do in Napa Valley, especially if you\u2019re spending some time in the city of Napa.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once here, you\u2019ll get to try some of the best farmers and local foods that make this area so special. Of course, you\u2019ve got the fresh produce and bread but what makes Oxbow Public Market so special is the other dining spots that are so yummy.\u00a0<\/p>\n
You can get everything from Sushi, wood-fired pizzas, and local honey and wine-tasting spots (if you\u2019re not venturing into the valley itself).\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Afterwards, be sure to book in for a hot air balloon ride over Napa Valley at sunset. Now, be sure to book your ride before you visit Napa Valley and always be prepared for last-minute changes for your hot air balloon ride. After all, it\u2019s all weather dependent.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Now, there are a few companies to choose from; some of the most popular and reliable are; Napa Valley Aloft, Balloons Above the Valley or Napa Valley Balloons, Inc<\/em>.<\/p>\nAll organise seasonal balloon flights and it\u2019s a great way to see Napa Valley from a different perspective.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more: Best things to do in Yosemite<\/strong><\/p>\n7.) Napa Art Walk<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Done with all the wine? How could you! Ha!\u00a0<\/p>\n
Jokes aside, if you fancy a little time away from the grape varieties, head over and ramble the Napa Art Walk.<\/p>\n
In 2009, the first Napa Art Walk exhibition started, and it became a biannual event that\u2019s a totally great way to explore the city.<\/p>\n
Free maps on the Napa Art Walk are available in different locations like 600 Main Street, Napa River Inn, and Napa Valley Welcome Center (and online, obviously).<\/p>\n
Plus, you can also experience the Napa Art Walk audio tour which was recorded by the artists themselves.<\/p>\n
Read more: Best things to do in Monterey<\/strong><\/p>\n8.) Safari West<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Promoting conservation and environmental education activities, Safari West has a great aim to share knowledge and empower people to think about sustainability and what they can do to help the environment, right in the heart of Sonoma.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Around a thousand animals are currently living in Safari West and even stay overnight. Well worth a little gander if you\u2019re heading across with younger members of the family. After all, vineyards can only be so interesting to kids!\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Afterwards, and along your drive across Napa Valley and the surrounding region, make sure to stop off at Ledson Winery.<\/p>\n
Perched near Santa Rosa, the estate is totally beautiful and it\u2019s one of the best things to do in Napa Valley as you\u2019re around Sugarloaf Ridge State Park.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more: Best national parks in California<\/strong><\/p>\n9.) Palmaz Vineyards<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
One lovely winery in Napa Valley is the Palmaz Vineyards. Not only that, they serve up some tasty Cabernet Sauvignon and it\u2019s well worth visiting whilst in the valley.<\/p>\n
With over 50 acres of land, it\u2019s a pretty expansive but cosy winery that has some tasty wines to try on your route around Napa Valley\u2019s top spots.<\/p>\n
Not only that, Palmaz Vineyards has a cool (and practical) subterranean wine cave. The impressive underground dome is used for fermentation and the wine-making process that is totally unique to Pamaz. We love it!\u00a0<\/p>\n
Also, don\u2019t forget, you\u2019ve got the Shadybrook Estate Winery that\u2019s just down the road, too. You can easily partner both (or more) in one visit.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more: Best things to do in California<\/strong><\/p>\n10.) Castello di Amorosa<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Now, one of my favourite wineries in Napa Valley has to be Castello di Amorosa. With its castle, you\u2019ll be forgiven for thinking that you\u2019ve arrived in the rolling hills of Tuscany.<\/p>\n
For an easy way to visit, book this guided tour to Castello di Amorosa which departs from San Francisco. It\u2019s such an easy way to visit and the wine tours are just out-of-this-world.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The whole history behind the castle and the winder vineyards is just incredible. In fact, I\u2019d go as far as saying it\u2019s one of the best vineyards to visit in Napa Valley that you really shouldn\u2019t miss.<\/p>\n
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Just be sure to book this tour in advance. Tours fill up fast at peak times in Napa Valley. Honestly, photos don\u2019t do this vineyard justice.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Fancying a little break from the vineyards (who\u2019s ever said that)? Then get yourself over to the Petrified Forest. It\u2019s totally easy to visit on a day trip from Sacramento or San Francisco and well worth stopping by if you\u2019re in the Napa Valley area.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Open daily, it\u2019s one of the best things to do in Napa Valley to see some of the largest petrified redwood trees. Over millions of years, the trees fossilised and, in turn, almost look like rocks.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once here, be sure to check out some of the small hikes and rambles around the park. Some take around 20 minutes and are pretty easy for families.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more: Best things to do in California<\/strong><\/p>\n11.) Bale Grist Mill and Bothe-Napa Valley State Park<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Oh, and don\u2019t forget, just shy of Bothe-Napa Valley State Park, Bale Grist Mill State Park is one of the best things to do in Napa Valley whilst after exploring Castello di Amorosa.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Here, you will find the 36-foot water wheel and grist mill which was initially built back in the 1800s. Long ago, before the wine arrived in Napa Valley, the mill was used to help grind local corn and wheat crops for the flourishing area of California.\u00a0<\/p>\n
To learn more, you can head on historic tours and milling demonstrations that are held most weekends.<\/p>\n
Read more: Best things to do in California<\/strong><\/p>\n\n14 Very Best Places In California To Visit<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n