Napa Valley is bustling with activities all summer long. With vineyards growing the best Cabernet Sauvignon, bistros serving an array of culinary delights, and tasting rooms showcasing award-winning wines, the valley is the ideal destination for a summer trip.
Here are some ideas for how to make the most of your visit.
What to do in Napa
Whether you’re here for a few days or a few weeks, the community in Napa Valley has so much in store for you.
Taste the best Cabernet Sauvignon in California
Napa Valley is the happy second home for the best grape in the world: Cabernet Sauvignon. Here in the valley, Cabernet soaks up the sunshine all year long, and so should you. Visit world-renowned vineyards, reserve tastings, and and attend special events held at the wineries throughout the season.
Explore the St. Helena wineries to get a sense for how different Cabernet Sauvignon tastes at the northern end of the valley. What a difference a shift in climate can make!
Go on a hot air balloon ride
What better way to see the beautiful valley than from a bird’s eye view? Take in the landscape and picturesque vineyards from the sky in a hot air balloon ride. Flights will take you 3,000 feet into the air for unmatched mountain and vineyard views.
Explore the outdoors
Napa Valley is home to many parks and nature preserves. Visit the Bothe-Napa Valley State Park, home to the farthest inland coast redwoods in a California state park. Or bring your binoculars to the Skyline Wilderness Park for hiking, camping, and a visit to the native plant garden. Avid hikers will love the 5-mile summit of Mount Saint Helena at Robert Louis Stevenson State Park.
Treat yourself to the thriving food scene
Napa Valley is known for its impressive culinary scene. Many restaurants feature locally-sourced ingredients and wine pairings. Some popular restaurants to try include The French Laundry, The Restaurant at Meadowood, and Bouchon Bistro.
For casual fare, don’t miss local favorites like Gott’s Roadside and Grace’s Table.
Attend a summer festival
The rolling hills of Napa Valley are alive with the sound of music and festivities all summer long. Enjoy the Napa Valley Jazz Festival, BottleRock Napa Valley, and the Napa Valley Film Festival.
The picturesque hills of Napa are the perfect setting to eat local food, drink local wine, and scout for local art with friends.
Taste your way through St. Helena wineries
Are you planning a brief visit? At the northern end of the valley, St. Helena is a special part of the Napa experience. Enjoy our community for a day or two and get a feel for what it’s like to be a local to beautiful Napa Valley.
Many St. Helena wineries lead the way in sustainability, inspiring innovative and unconventional approaches to classic grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc.