Page 48 - 2024-2025 Travel Guide to California

NAPA VALLEY
Raising a glass to the good life in Napa Valley
NAPA VALLEY’S
DELIGHTS:
WINE AND
MUCH MORE
VISIT NAPA VALLEY
www.visitnapavalley.com
DOWNTOWN ST. HELENA, below. OPPOSITE
(from top to bottom): Downtown Napa’s
Riverwalk; balloon launch at dawn in Yountville;
Main St., downtown Calistoga; iconic Napa Valley
Wine Train.
Spring, summer, fall and winter. There’s
never an off season in the Napa Valley.
As the mild winter wanes and spring
waxes, Napa Valley bursts with color as
yellow mustard flowers blanket the vine-
yards. Warmer weather in spring and
summer invites leisurely, alfresco picnics
and wine tasting. Autumn brings the crush,
the time for harvest and production of the
world-renowned wines of Napa Valley.
Hundreds of wineries are situated
throughout this prisine valley that is only
35 miles long and 5 miles wide. Each winery
is accessible via the two main arteries of
Napa Valley—Highway 29 and the Silverado
Trail. Amid picture-perfect vineyard
landscapes, tall oaks, rolling hills, and
historic vineyard estates, explore wine and
so much more including Michelin-starred
dining, shopping, biking, spa indulgences,
and simply soaking up the relaxed, laid-
back Northern California lifestyle.
Bustling Downtown Napa
Start your journey in the vibrant city of
Napa. In the last decade, more restaurants,
tasting rooms, art galleries, and boutiques
have made downtown Napa their home,
giving this area a hip and fun vibe. And with
the walkable proximity to a multitude of
options, including scenic strolls along the
Napa River, there is something here for
everyone right in the middle of town. Every
46 2024-25 TRAVEL GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA
B Y L A U R A D E L R O S S O
Saturday, farmers and artists gather at the
lively Napa Farmers Market, a short distance
from an attractive residential district filled
with Victorian-era homes—some of which
have been transformed into boutique inns,
ranging from traditional to modern.
Located in the Oxbow District of Napa,
the Culinary Institute of America’s Copia is
a foodie haven with cooking classes, a
demonstration kitchen, an on-site garden,
and a museum-like exhibit of culinary-
related pieces. Nearby, the Oxbow Market
offers a bustling food hall with a riverside
deck and mouth-watering dining choices
such as C Casa and Hog Island Oyster Co.
The Napa Valley Wine Train is like taking
a trip from another era. Slowly rolling up
the tracks from downtown Napa, you can
explore much of the valley on any number
of excursions, including a seasonal holiday
trip—with Santa!—or even on a “murder
mystery” train ride complete with dinner
and wine. Aboard plush antique Pullman
rail cars, passengers enjoy the vistas and
scenery accompanied by multi-course
meals, wine, cocktails or afternoon tea.
Yountville Foodie Haven
One of the don’t-miss Napa Valley towns is
Yountville, another magnet for foodies. The
French Laundry, the famous Michelin-
starred wonder, is at the top of some bucket
lists, but snagging a reservation takes some
BOB MCCLENAHAN