The rolling hills of Napa are famous all around the world and whilst many of us know Napa Valley as wine country, I’m here to tell you that it is so much more than just a place to drink fine wines. Of course, with over 400 wineries in the region I’m not denying that it is a huge part of Napa culture, but after spending three glorious days here in October I can honestly say that there are so many other reasons Napa Valley should be on your travel list.
I wanted to go over some of my favourite things to do and see whilst in Napa, and what we’d add to our list for next time around.
Firstly, of course, whilst in NV you should absolutely take some time to explore the wineries, vineyards and tasting rooms. If you’ve already read some of my other California posts, you’ll know that I was incredibly overwhelmed when attempting to research which vineyards to book and as such I stumbled across the lovely, family run Laces and Limos team. Laces and Limos is a unique touring experience in Napa Valley run by a team of experienced guides who will take you on a personalised journey through the vines on their little Tuk Tuks. If you have no idea where to start, I’d highly recommend getting in touch with L&L to discuss options and the best vineyards for your personal tastes.
Book Laces & Limos here: https://www.lacesandlimos.com/
If you’d rather book your own tours, I did some googling and found this great list of the best vineyards in Napa.
The next thing I’d recommend adding to your list is taking a flight in one of Napa’s beautiful hot air balloons. Obviously if you’re deathly afraid of heights, the idea of a hot air balloon may not be for you. Hot air ballooning is a once in a lifetime experience like no other. The feeling of gliding through the air whilst watching the sunrise over the hills of Napa is something I’ll cherish for a lifetime. We booked with a great company called Napa Valley Balloons Inc. who organised everything from pre-flight coffee and pastries to bubbly after we landed. These guys also offer a free concierge service for those of you who choose to book with them. The concierge gives you an opportunity to chat with a Napa local and discuss ideas about what you could do during your visit. They even work with several wineries and can assist booking tours and tastings. Click here to book.
When you’re not tasting wine or taking flight, take the opportunity to explore Downtown Napa. There’s something for everyone on Napa’s main street from local boutique shops, big brand names and a variety of bars and restaurants you’ll have a hard time deciding where to go first.
I couldn’t tell you why, but Downtown Napa was one of our favourite spots out of everywhere we visited in California. The locals are incredibly welcoming, the shops and buildings are full of charm and the streets were quiet, calm and extremely well kept. If I had to describe it in one word, I’d probably choose luxury.
If you get a chance, take a short drive from Downtown Napa to the enchanting little town called Yontville. This area was our absolute favourite, so much so that I’ve been non-stop looking at the property market since we arrived home in late October. We didn’t get to spend a lot of time here but from what we saw, we were sold. Picture the prettiest streets lined with gorgeous, unique buildings and homes. Art sculptures scattered around the town, buildings covered in climbing foliage and fairy lights and best of all, it’s home to the infamous Bouchon Bakery and Bistro where there’s always a line halfway down the street for their delicious baked goods.
Another unique way to experience Napa Valleys’ gorgeous scenery is on their legendary wine train. (Disclaimer: Debs and I opted out of this activity as 1. We both get occasional travel sickness and 2. Honestly it comes with a hefty price tag depending on the option you go for and we chose to do the hot air ballooning instead. Let’s face it, we’ll be returning to Napa at some point so it’s just been added to my ever growing travel list).
Anyway, the wine train offers the opportunity to be wined and dined on the most beautiful, restored train whilst taking in glorious views of the hills, vines and vineyards.
If you manage to be blessed with good weather on your trip, book yourself a bike tour with Napa Valley Bike Tours. These guys have over 36 year’s experience running tours in the area and have a variety of options to choose from.
Lastly, one more activity I think is worth mentioning is taking a hike around the region. Napa is an incredibly beautiful spot and is home to a tonne of trails to explore. Check out the official NV website to find out more about trails and walks.
(Another disclaimer! We didn’t actually do the last two on the list as we had just three days in NV and honestly the wine, the hot air balloon and bouchon came before everything else! Haha).
Debs and I hope that you have the best time in Napa Valley! We’d love to hear if you get a chance to do any of the things on our list: DM us on Instagram to chat about your upcoming or post travels!
Becca x
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