🍷 NAPA VALLEY
If you only read one thing for your first trip to Napa Valley, this will have you covered.
Table of Contents:
GENERAL
This is not an exhaustive Napa guide. These are my recommendations for an easy first trip.
You’ll definitely need to rent a car for this trip. I suggest using Turo —it's essentially the Airbnb of car rentals. They offer excellent prices and a wide variety of models, plus the whole process is seamless.
The main towns you’ll likely explore: Napa, Yountville, St. Helena, and Calistoga.
Once you decide where you’re staying, plan your activities around that area to avoid spending excessive time driving from the northern to the southern parts of the valley.
WHERE TO EAT
Yountville
Yountville is the bougie small town of the valley where fine dining is an art form. There are a few cute shops, a Pilates studio, and a hair salon, but most of the attention is definitely on Thomas Keller's culinary playground (ad hoc, addendum, Bouchon, Bouchon Bakery, The French Laundry, La Calenda).
Aside from The French Laundry, the best dinner spots in the town:
⭐ Ad Hoc - What happens when a Michelin-starred chef applies his expertise to classic dishes. It’s a changing menu, but think foods like buttermilk fried chicken and lobster mac n cheese. Plus the option to add caviar.
Bouchon Bakery - for coffee, breakfast, or lunch
St. Helena
St. Helena has an inviting main street filled with coffee shops, jewelry stores, a well-loved independent bookstore, furniture shops, and an Elyse Walker (if that gives you a sense for the town)! Definitely don’t miss Carter and Co on your stroll.
⭐ The Charter Oak - One of my favorite meals in Napa. For lunch of dinner. If you go for lunch, request a seat in the courtyard.
Oakville Grocery - a high-end grocery shop with wood-fired pizzas and plenty of delicious prepared foods. A good place to stop for a snack on the road.
Station - A good casual lunch
Gott’s Roadside - The original location for this famous, old-school burger spot
Auberge du Soleil - An Auberge resort 10 minutes from St. Helena. I’d recommend grabbing a drink on their deck to experience the views!
Other Restaurants
Angele - great dinner or lunch spot beloved by locals in Napa
WHERE TO STAY
Stanly Ranch, Auberge Resorts Collection ($$$) - South Valley & close to some great hiking trails, as well as Napa town. You’ll probably spend most of your time at the resort pool or at a vineyard in the nearby region. For an ultimate, relaxing trip.
Bardessono ($$$) - The more luxury option in Yountville. It’s conveniently located in the town of Yountville, so if you stay here, it could be nice to walk to and from dinner each night since Yountville has some of the best restaurants in the valley anyway.
The Estate Yountville ($$) - A really quaint hotel that has exactly everything you need, but is not over the top. The service is great. The rooms are really large and luxurious and there’s a pool and spa on the property. They also have e-bikes you can take out for the day. Conveniently located, if you’re interested in Yountville dining.
Carneros ($$$) - For a hotel say where you never want to leave the property. For an ultimate, relaxing trip.
Francis House ($)
MacArthur ($)
VINEYARDS
You can’t go wrong with any of the vineyards in the regions, but here are some that I’ve been to or have been strongly recommended to me:
Donum Estate - You’ll get to experience one of the largest private sculpture collections in the world, in addition to the wine tasting.
Quintessa - A sophisticated tasting in a cool space. Incredible grounds!
