The Napa Valley center is about 1 mile east of Napa Valley Museum and 1 mile southeast of Napa River Ecological Reserve.
Napa's enviable climate makes it a year-round destination for wine lovers, wine country weddings, girls' getaways, and romantic weekends. The area basks in more sunny days (and fewer rainy ones) that most places in the United States. Winters average in the 50s, but can dip into the low 30s, and Napa's warm summers hover in the mid-80s.
Visit from January through March if you're looking to snap some photos of the yellow mustard that blooms on the dormant vines. You can book a 3-hour guided tour with a photographer to ensure you get the perfect shot.
Everyone looks forward to Arts in April. The block of more than 50 events includes favorites like BottleRock and Festival Napa Valley. If you plan to visit for the events, be sure to book well in advance to secure accommodations. September and October is "crush" season when the vineyards pick the grapes and begin to craft the next new vintages. The air is said to smell of wine, so you can really soak it in!
Military and government workers will find special discounts at Hotel Indigo Napa Valley, located just minutes from the Oxbow Public Market and Robert Mondavi Winery. The spacious contemporary hotel can accommodate large groups, too. You'll get the best group discounts here during July and from January to February.
Guests love Hotel Indigo's cleanliness and conveniences, from its pet-friendly property to the in-room fridges and flat-screen televisions and free Wi-Fi. Guest rooms also come equipped with safes, desks, and phones with free local calls. Dine on-site at the hotel restaurant or bar and lounge, and be sure to check out the outdoor pool, spa tub, and fitness center.
If you're looking for a cozy, well-rounded hotel near downtown Napa, consider the Napa Winery Inn. The air-conditioned guest rooms feature refrigerators, free Wi-Fi, and cable television, as well as your own coffee and tea maker and daily housekeeping service. During your stay, you can also look forward to dips in the spa tub and seasonal outdoor pool and the daily complimentary cocktail reception. You can also wake up to a hot and cold buffet breakfast each morning to fortify you for a day full of wine tastings in Napa Valley.
If you're in Napa Valley for the wine, you won't have to go far to find it. To help you map your tasting route during your visit to Napa Valley, stop into the Napa Valley Welcome Center in downtown Napa to pick up free maps, guidebooks, and a few word-of-mouth tips from the Center's friendly concierge team.
Starting in Yountville, you won't want to miss a stop at Domaine Chandon for some sparkling wine and family-owned Stewart Cellars. On your way to Napa, stop into Oxbow Market to shop for local gifts and enjoy lunch before checking out Opus One, Duckhorn, Nickel & Nickel, and Far Niente, each of which displays old-fashioned wooden barrels in their impressive tasting rooms. To visit other area vineyards, be sure to call ahead or check online for tour times as many are open by appointment only to allow ample time for growing and wine production.
Don't miss a visit to Berringer Vineyards, the oldest vineyard to operate continuously in the area, starting in 1879. The oldest winery title goes to Charles Krug, founded in 1861. Chateau Montelena Winery is another famous vineyard well known for its award-winning Chardonnay, which historically has outperformed French competitors. If you'd like to know more about these forerunners of the area and how Napa evolved over the years, visit the Napa Valley Museum in Yountville.
If you only have time to book a single excursion, you might consider the Napa Valley Wine Train, which takes passengers on a magical six-hour journey by rail to visit three well-known wineries. Along the way, you'll enjoy a four-course meal, tours, and tastings.
If you've ever dreamed of becoming a sommelier or running your own winery, you can learn how to do that at the Napa Valley Wine Academy. Here, you can earn WSET certifications (Wine and Spirits Education Trust) or simply take a course or two geared to the enthusiast. You'll be learning from the best!
Come for the wine, the award-winning food, a wedding, or a weekend in the beauty of nature. Indulgent experiences await in Napa Valley, the destination for the traveler with a taste for the best.
Below are reviews of the city of Napa Valley, CA from an actual visitor's perspective.
Love Old Napa, Silverado Trail, wine train, Oakview Grocery and all of the vineyards!