Best things to do in Napa

Delve into the gourmet culture of a world-famous wine region on a guided tasting tour of Napa Valley. As you admire the lovely scenery of sprawling vineyards and rolling hills, your engaging guide will provide a bit of history behind both big-name and family-owned estates. You can cycle (regular or electric bike) down country trails, hop on the historic Napa Valley Wine Train or Sonoma Wine Trolley, lounge on the comfy seat of a private limo or party bus, or join a walking tour of Healdsburg. Choose from a number of combo tours, some of which include trekking in Muir Woods or a visit to a medieval-style castle. The duration of these tours is flexible, spanning from 60 minutes to 2 days.

Appreciate the breathtaking scenery of a world-famous wine region while floating over its sprawling vineyards and rolling hills during a Napa balloon ride. Climb a comfy basket attached to a colorful hot air balloon and rise up in the air as the sun rises over the valley. The experienced and chatty pilot will gladly answer any questions you might have about the area. After landing safely, celebrate the exhilarating ride with a champagne toast and a buffet breakfast at one of the region's renowned wineries. The tour takes about 3-4 hours.

Taste the sparkling Pinot Noir at Domaine Carneros, or enjoy a cheese plate and a tour around the château. Both the château and the production area are constructed in the French style, making this a more Old World experience than you'll find at other California wineries. For some extra decadence, limousines are available for hire. Almost all of the fruit processed here comes from estate vineyards, and it’s all certified organic.

A stone winery restored in a fusion of traditional and modern styles is home to Hess Persson Estates, featuring mostly large installations along with several paintings, sculptures, and mixed media pieces. Swiss entrepreneur Donald Hess bought these vineyards in Napa Valley in 1978. Walk through the landscaped gardens, underneath wisteria vines, and among contemporary sculptures. While admiring the art, take the opportunity to sip a glass of fine cabernet sauvignon or chardonnay, and nibble on cheeses and truffles served with specialty nuts and seasonal fruit.

Under one roof, Oxbow Public Market features local vendors, specialty food shops, cafes, and an outlet selling organic produce from local farms. The market promotes sustainable agriculture and eating local foods, and it aims to improve the food culture through education and community. You'll find foods like crepes, fresh produce, cheeses, seafood, fresh bread, wine, beer, and much more. You can shop for meal components, including fresh vegetables, meat, or fish, or opt for a full meal from one of the artisan cafes. The small indoor market also has an outdoor seating area next to the Napa River. Since this is part of Napa Valley, don't leave without sampling some wine.

Just a short drive north of San Francisco, Muir Woods National Monument protects a pristine area of about 97 hectares (240 acres) of old-growth redwood forest. Walk among the giant trees, which are some of the tallest living things on the planet. You can choose from several trails, ranging in length and difficulty. For an easy hike through a grove of trees nearly a millennium old, take the short main trail loop. If you feel a little more adventurous, put on pair of good hiking shoes and take the 3 km (2 mi) trail to the top of "Cardiac Hill," which offers unobstructed views of San Francisco and the Pacific Ocean.

Set high up on a hill, Artesa Vineyards & Winery mixes exquisite wines with panoramic views of Napa Valley. Owned by a Spanish family with a winemaking history spanning more than 400 years, the vineyard is best known for producing small batches of handcrafted Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Sit on the terrace with 360-degree views to taste the wines produced on this 141 hectare (350 acre) vineyard, or join a guided tour to learn more about the winemaking process. The tours include a sparkling wine sample to start, as well as a flight of five wines at the finish.

Immerse yourself in the gourmet culture of the country's esteemed wine-producing region by savoring premium wines paired with local fare on a guided tasting tour from Sonoma. Your friendly guide will share with you insider stories about winemaking in Napa Valley, while you take in lovely views of rolling hills on the way to a family-owned vineyard. With so many ways to do this scenic trip--by party bus, limo, bike, wine trolley (a replica of San Francisco cable car), or the famous Napa Valley Wine Train--you'll easily find the one that suits your personal style. In addition to touring celebrated wineries and tasting creative dishes, on some excursions you'll get to visit a medieval-style Italian castle or Alcatraz Island. The duration of the tours is flexible, spanning from 3 hours to 2 days.

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