Napa Valley Travel Guide

Above is a shot from the patio while sitting at Oakville Grocery for some lunch during winery visits in 2021.

While I prefer to visit as many places as I can verses repeating a destination – The Napa Valley is an exception. I have been here 5 times as an adult and it won’t be the last. Below are some of my favorite places to stay, eat and drink in the Napa Valley area!

STAY:

• Napa Valley Lodge – Right in downtown Yountville, this hotel is walkable to coffee and restaurants. It also boasts and incredible courtyard you could relax and read in for hours!
• The Estate Yountville – Also in downtown Yountville, this Virtuoso property is right across the street from where the hot air balloons take off each day at sunrise. I had clients stay here a couple months ago!
• Rancho Caymus Inn – Just up the road in Rutherford, this boutique hotel has cozy rooms and a great pool and hot tub. Not to mention an incredible selection of breakfast burritos and salsas at the market across the street!
• Stanly Ranch – The closest to downtown Napa, this Auberge Collection hotel is all about indoor/outdoor features, incredible food and personalized service.
• Solage – A little further north in Calistoga is the beautiful Auberge Collection hotel with a fun modern vibe and a spectacular spa.

EAT: 

• Model Bakery – There are multiple locations of the famous Model Bakery (their english muffins were an Oprah Favorite thing!!) 
• Gott’s Roadside – Feeling hungover from all the wine?! Check out the incredible burgers at the famous Gott’s Roadside.
• Honor Market – Great small coffee shop/market in downtown Yountville.
• Botegga – Great Italian food also in downtown Yountville.
• R&D Kitchen – This is a test kitchen for all the incredible Michelin star restaurants so you know you are going to great lunch or dinner options!
• Brix – A short drive from anywhere in the Napa Valley, this is a great place to get lunch and have an amazing view of the Napa Valley/Vineyards if you ask for a patio seat!
• Mustards Grill – This is one of the oldest and most incredible restaurants in Napa. The Pork Chop is a must!
• Rutherford Grill – Just up the road from Yountville in Rutherford this is a great lunch spot with amazing salads.
• Station – Right up the road in St. Helena this gas station converted to breakfast/coffee shop has incredible breakfast sandwiches, pastries and coffee. I love this place so much I have a picture of it framed in my dining room gifted to me by my dearest friend and partner in wine, Maggie!

DRINK: 

If you like bubbly:

• Schramsberg – Just up the road to Calistoga is one of the oldest wineries in the Napa Valley that makes exceptional sparkling wine. They do an amazing cave tour and sparkling tasting.
• Chandon – This is walkable from downtown Yountville (my favorite area to stay when I’m here)! Another all sparkling facility to enjoy!

If you like experiences or food pairings:

• Del Dotto – They have two locations but the Piazza Del Dotto has a really exceptional cave tour and barrel tasting. They also have an option to do a cave tour then a food/wine pairing (I’ve done it three times and it’s incredible.) Del Dotto is also a great place for a variety of wine – they have everything from sparkling to sauvignon blanc to chardonnay to pinot to big Napa cabernets!

If you just want good wine:

• Ghost Block – This is another great place for a wine tasting with a variety of white and reds. They are a very affordable price point for Napa as well! They have in indoor tasting room as well as a little garden area out back. I’ve been many times and always had a great experience.

This list is only a FRACTION of the incredible places and recommendations I have to share about the Napa Valley. If you have been dreaming of exploring this amazing destination reach out today so we can get your trip planned!