Last month, we kicked off our summer road trip series, Hit the Road, with an outdoor adventure to Humboldt County . If you checked it out, we’d love to hear about it .
This month, we’re continuing the series with a 60-mile trip to Napa Valley for a quick getaway. From hot air balloon rides to vineyard tours, this area offers a little bit of everything — making it the perfect close-by vacay.
Before you start packing your bags, here’s everything you need to know about the area + our insider recommendations.
- Drive time: ~1 hour from Downtown Sac
- Est. population: 136,207
- Avg. high in winter: 55-60°
🎟️ Things to do
Napa Valley Balloons, Inc.
, 4086 Byway E., Napa
The best way to make sure you see Napa Valley is to book a hot air balloon ride so you + your squad can really drink it all in. The 40-60 minute experience has even been named one of the best in California by TripAdvisor
.
Bothe-Napa Valley State Park
, 3801 St. Helena Hwy., Calistoga
Bring your lunch and a pair of comfortable walking shoes — this dog-friendly state park boasts beautiful redwoods to meander through + larger-than-life Douglas Firs to picnic under. There’s even a pool for guests to cool off in during hot summer days.
Napa Valley Wine Trolley
, 1754 Second St., Napa
Sure, you could plan your own winery tour, but why not see the region from the back of a replica 1890s San Francisco cable car? The six-hour tour visits three wineries + includes lunch at one of the stops.
di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art
, 5200 Sonoma Hwy., Napa
Protected under the Napa County Land Trust, this art park + nature preserve features multiple galleries filled with the works of Bay Area-based artists across its 217 acres.
Napa Valley Gondola
, 700 Main St., Napa
Complete the aesthetic of being in the Italian countryside with wine tasting + a romantic gondola ride for two — or get up to five of your friends to come along.
🍔 Grub to eat
Olive & Hay
, 875 Bordeaux Way, Napa
Located at the Meritage Resort, this Italian-inspired eatery offers farm-to-table dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as a weekend brunch menu.
Heritage Eats
, 3824 Bel Aire Plaza, Napa
Since 2015, Heritage has been serving up twists on classic comfort foods like their O.G. Dirty Fries — waffle fries topped with carnitas, cheese, cilantro + their signature Boom Sauce.
Addendum
, 6476 Washington St., Yountville
This seasonal, lunch-only eatery from renowned chef Thomas Keller is open Fridays and Saturdays for a limited time, but their chicken + pulled pork sandwiches make it entirely worth the visit.
The French Laundry
, 6640 Washington St., Yountville
Oh you fancy-fancy? The French Laundry has been awarded Michelin’s highest rating of three stars since 2007, with chef Thomas Keller offering two tasting menus each day.
Steltzner Vineyards
, 5 Financial Plaza, Napa
During select days in July, Steltzner is offering visitors the chance to enjoy a unique tasting + tour experience, followed by lunch in the vineyard.
🏨 Overnight accommodations
If the wine is flowing enough to turn this quick day trip into an overnighter, here are some spots to stay.
Andaz Napa
, 1450 First St., Napa
This boutique hotel is set in Downtown Napa — within walking distance to the Napa Valley Wine Trolley — has a rustic-chic vibe, wine bars + weekly performances by Bay Area musicians.
Carneros Resort + Spa
, 4048 Sonoma Hwy., Napa
Rent a private cottage or vacation home — even one with an in-ground hot tub — at this luxury resort. Pamper yourself at the spa, get centered with some yoga + top off your relaxation at an adult-only hilltop pool.
La Casita
, Napa
Located in Old Town Napa, this 2 BD, 1 BA bungalow is a short walk away from a plethora of spas, shops + eateries for you and up to five others to visit.
Hotel Villagio
, 6481 Washington St., Yountville
Nestled among 22 acres of Wine Country, Hotel Villagio guests will not only enjoy complimentary bikes to get around, but can indulge in garden-to-glass drinks + check out a pop-up shop from Kollar Chocolates
.
Auberge du Soleil
, 180 Rutherford Hill Rd., Rutherford
Taking inspiration from Southern France, Auberge du Soleil has been one of Napa’s most iconic luxury stays for ~30 years thanks to its breathtaking vistas + elegant architecture.