Use this handy guide to find inspiration and recommendations on the many wonderful adventures to experience; wines to savor; and culinary delights to taste. At only 35 miles long and five miles wide, there is a lot packed into this world-class wine region. Whether you’re visiting with your group of gal pals or crew of buddies, these two custom-curated itineraries are sure to please everyone on your list.

Gather your besties and get a taste of the good life with world-class wine experiences, Michelin-starred dining, exquisite spa treatments, yoga overlooking the vineyards, relaxing pool days, and trendy shopping.

••• Stay •••

Napa Valley has a variety of accommodations to suit your girlfriends’ getaway.
Downtown Napa options include modern hotels like Andaz Napa, historic inns like The McClelland House, and charming inns such as R INN Napa  – with shops and dining options all within walking distance.

If your group of gals prefers to experience the enchanting towns and natural beauty up-valley, seek options like the iconic and retro Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort and Spa in Calistoga or the boutique Southbridge Napa Valley on St. Helena’s Main street.

For the ultimate girls’ getaway, consider Carneros Resort and Spa which offers cottage suites, residences, and vacation homes that sleep up to six guests, as well as a variety of experiences and amenities to keep your group as busy (or relaxed) as you’d like. This stunning property is tucked into the rolling hills and vineyards of the tranquil Carneros region of Napa Valley and boasts three world-class restaurants along with a full-service spa, daily morning yoga sessions, and onsite recreational activities such as sabrage lessons. When you return home from the trip you, can show off your new sword skills à la Cameron Diaz.
 

••• Sip •••

Winery Tours & Transporation

Follow this guide and make advance reservations at a few of these spots. Be sure to make arrangements for safe sipping with Beau Wine Tours and Limo Service offering pre-planned routes or custom tours.

Wineries

A trip to Napa Valley isn’t complete without wine tasting! With more than 400 wineries open to the public, you have a plethora of options to get a taste of these world-class wines.

Start your day with bubbles at the French-inspired chateau and gardens of Domaine Carneros. Select from two dedicated sparkling wine flights, a Pinot Noir flight, or a mixed flight to pair with cheese, charcuterie, caviar, or smoked fish.

Enchant the Chardonnay (or Pinot!) lover in your group at Artesa Vineyards & Winery. Insider trivia…This winery served as a backdrop for the girls’ weekend comedy, “Wine Country,” starring many Saturday Night Live greats. The sweeping views, architecture, and hand-made Spanish tiles featured here are second only to the wine.

St. Supéry Estate Vineyards and Winery offers a range of varietals from award-winning Sauvignon Blanc to balanced single-vineyard Cabernets. While on site, explore the art gallery featuring rotating exhibitions.

Wine Tasting Rooms

The downtown areas throughout the valley also offer more than 90 tasting rooms, ideal for many reasons, especially because they are walkable.

Handwritten Wines is a great stop if you’re in Yountville, and in walking distance of Regiis Ova Caviar & Champagne Lounge, the latest concept by Chef Thomas Keller.

Or, enjoy sparkling wines and caviar or Cabernet and chocolate truffles at Chateau Buena Vista, a beautiful, whimsical wine bar located in downtown Napa.

••• Dine •••

Breakfast

A hearty breakfast is key to a day of wine tasting, so take advantage of any offerings at your lodging location or, if you’re in downtown Napa, pop by Loveski Deli  in the Oxbow Public Market for a savory bagel, Contimo Provisions for a mind-bending biscuit coupled with a cup of locally roasted Naysayer coffee, or the ever-popular Bouchon Bakery in Yountville for a decadent croissant and latte.

Brunch

For a relaxed brunch, visit a Napa Valley staple, Boon Fly Café, which serves up fresh juices, regional cuisine, and house-baked goods daily, such as the must-order Boon Fly donuts and, you won’t regret ordering the hearty chicken and waffle. Boon Fly is a short walk for those staying at the Carneros Resort and Spa.

Lunch / Picnic

If you’re seeking a casual lunch or picnic goodies to-go, stop by Oakville Grocery  – centrally located on Highway 29 in Oakville. Sit at picnic tables to leisurely enjoy made-to-order sandwiches, wood-fired pizza, or ready-to-eat salads, cheese, and gourmet snacks. Thirsty guests can purchase a glass or two next door at Oakville Wine Merchants offering an impressive selection of wines, and enjoy the sips while sitting on the patio.

Dinner

Revel in sunset views and pre-dinner drinks at Sky & Vine Rooftop Bar at Archer Hotel Napa along First Street in downtown Napa. Then, walk over to Oenotri for seasonally fresh-made pastas and artisanal pizzas.

For those staying at the north end of the valley, dine on seasonal American comfort food at Market in St. Helena and stroll over to Goose & Gander for a night cap and girl talk in the speakeasy-esque basement cellar. With unique concoctions and interesting combinations, the mixology at Goose & Gander is next level.

After a perfect day of wine tasting, head over to Brasswood Bar + Kitchen for a delicious farm-to-table dinner. Be sure to order the “off-menu” hand-pulled mozzarella – a cheese lover’s dream dish.

For an unforgettable fine-dining experience, take in the panoramic views and one of the region’s best seasonal tasting menus at the Michelin-starred The Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil in Rutherford. This dining experience is like a symphony, perfectly orchestrated, poised, and refined. You will leave wishing every meal could be so lovely.

••• Play •••

Use the special time with your besties to explore an activity or adventure that will leave you reminiscing for years to come. Napa Valley features a variety of special events year-round – anything from live music to winery parties to breathtaking adventure.

Take in the incredible scenery by sky with an early morning hot air balloon ride with Napa Valley Aloft Balloon Rides, or by land when you continue the wine tasting journey on the Napa Valley Wine Train.

If shopping is a favorite pastime, explore the boutique shops of St. Helena’s Main Street or the fun mix at First Street Napa. There is something for every budget and every taste – whether it’s a cute boho hat or an exquisite designer dress – Napa Valley has style!

••• Relax •••

To wind down, relax, and refresh, try wrapping up your epic girls’ trip with some mindfulness, yoga, and spa rituals.

Start your Saturday with meditation and outdoor yoga against the serene backdrop of soaring redwoods and vineyard views at Harvest Inn, offered from May to October.

Then, take it easy with a soak in Calistoga’s mineral springs and mud baths. Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs offers geothermal mineral pools, soaking tubs, and CBD and aromatherapy experiences. While there, take in some delicious food options at the onsite restaurant, House of Better, which features a nourishing menu of Southwestern-inspired fare.

Guests of Carneros Resort and Spa can explore one of many expert massage treatments offered at the well-appointed, lux spa. After your treatment, continue the calming vibes by lazily lounging at the Hilltop Pool, the heated, year-round, adults-only pool at the resort. Here, you can reset, relax, and regroup with your girlfriends in one of the cabanas and order a round of refreshing beverages.

While best known for world-class wines and one-of-a-kind winery experiences, Napa Valley is also a foodie haven featuring anything from taco trucks to Michelin-rated establishments and many restaurants in between.
And, there is plenty of room for other activities, too. With multiple golf courses; hand-crafted beers and spirits from local breweries and distilleries; hip music lounges; and plenty of outdoor adventures, there is much to be explored here in Napa Valley.

••• Stay •••

Napa Valley has a range of accommodations for your guys’ getaway.

Downtown Napa options include well-appointed hotels such as the Archer Napa and The Westin Verasa Napa that are in walking distance to restaurants, breweries, and urban wine tasting rooms.

Golf aficionados might plan a stay at the Silverado Resort and Spa, which is home to two championship PGA golf courses redesigned by legendary golf Hall-of-Famer, Johnny Miller. Centrally located in Napa Valley, Silverado is also the perfect launching point to wineries, outdoor adventures, and dining.

For an epic guys’ getaway, consider the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley. Choose from individual guest rooms or the villas which feature three and four bedrooms with fully equipped kitchens, BBQ grills, private backyard spaces, and more. This exclusive property is tucked into the northeast corner of the valley, next to vineyards, hiking trails, and downtown Calistoga.

••• Sip •••

Winery Tours & Transporation

Follow this guide and make advance reservations at a few of these spots, or hire a winery tour operator to make all the arrangements for you.

Pure Luxury Transportation offers custom private tours for a day of safe sipping. All you have to do is enjoy and have fun.

Wineries

A winery tasting is almost mandatory on a trip to Napa Valley, and with more than 400 wineries open to the public, your group will find a spot that matches your tastes.

Start your day with a Pinot Noir flight at Saintsbury in Los Carneros before heading up valley to taste and collect world-class Cabernets from producers like Pine Ridge Vineyards in the Stags Leap District, Beaulieu Vineyards in Rutherford, or Heitz Cellar, AXR Napa Valley, or Faust  in St. Helena.

Clif Family Winery (of the Clif Bars) in St. Helena offers a range of tasting flight options that can be enjoyed with seasonal grub from the food truck onsite.

Go off the grid in a Humvee for a Vineyard Tour & Tasting with Maxville Winery that navigates the rugged ridges of the Chiles Valley estate. Or, explore Hess Persson Estates vineyards via a tour on ATVs.

Wine Tasting Rooms

The downtown areas throughout the valley also offer more than 90 tasting rooms, ideal for many reasons especially because they are walkable and many are open later in evening.

Tank Garage Winery is a great stop if you’re in Calistoga and a short walk to Calistoga Depot, where you can refuel with artisanal sandwiches, wood-fired pizza and coffee.

The Alpha Omega Collective Tasting Room in downtown Napa is conveniently located nearby some of the valley’s best fried chicken at The Dutch Door.

Breweries

Beer lovers can taste the craftsmanship of California beers by following the Napa Valley Ale Trail, which features local breweries. Find it at visitnapavalley.com.

Distilleries & Cocktail Lounges

If premium distilled liquors are more your speed, plan a visit to Napa Valley Distillery in downtown Napa to taste the assortment of locally-sourced, hand-crafted spirits. Feel like trying your hand at mixology at home? Be sure to stock up on the distillery’s interesting array of bitters for your home bar.

If brandy is your go to after dinner digestif, don’t miss the California Brandy House for an educational tasting of premium brandy such as the rich, aged Germain-Robin.

••• Dine •••

Kick off your day with a hearty breakfast at Sam’s Social Club in Calistoga or a casual pit-stop for breakfast sandwiches at Model Bakery located at Oxbow Public Market in Napa and on St. Helena’s Main Street or at
Mini Model in Yountville.

Casual lunch seekers can find sandwiches, coffee, and baked goods at Gary’s Napa Valley in St. Helena or inventive bowls and tacos at Heritage Eats in Napa.

Or, for burgers, fries, and classic milkshakes, stop by Gott’s Roadside in St. Helena or downtown Napa. This iconic open-air burger joint knows how to make a burger, plus offers up some fun and inspired tacos like ahi poke crispy tacos and seasonal twists such as Mexican street corn and soft-shell crab sandwiches.

For a meal that is slightly more leisurely, enjoy the incredibly authentic farm-to-table fare from Farmstead Restaurant at Long Meadow Ranch in St. Helena. Be sure to bring your appetite and order the ribs. Finish your evening at Brasswood Bar + Kitchen for a cigar and glass of whiskey, port, cognac or absinthe that can be enjoyed in the courtyard.

For those staying at the north end of the valley, enjoy alfresco dining and fresh brews at Calistoga Inn Restaurant & Brewery in Calistoga.

Or, if you’re in the south valley, indulge in an exquisite dining experience with The Chef’s Tasting Menu and wine pairing at La Toque located at The Westin Verasa Napa in downtown Napa. And, don’t be fooled by the words “tasting menu,” the food is plenty and the tastes are outstanding.

••• Play •••

Golf

With easily accessible golf courses up and down the valley, there is certainly an option for all skill levels. At the south end of the valley, your foursome can tee off at Chardonnay Golf Club or Eagle Vines Golf Club, both located in American Canyon.

Or, get in a quick nine at Vintner’s Golf Course in Yountville and then head over to nearby Washington Street for your choice of eats in downtown Yountville – often referred to as the restaurant capital of Napa Valley.

If you aren’t bringing your own clubs, guests of the Silverado Resort and Spa can utilize the premium Callaway Club rentals onsite and hit the links for an unforgettable round with the guys.

Hiking & Biking

If a good hike is on the docket, there are multiple trail options across the valley — such as Oat Hill Mine Trail and Bothe-Napa Valley State Park in Calistoga and Skyline Wilderness Park, an 850-acre wilderness area east of downtown Napa. Or, let someone else lead the way and book a Hike & Beer Tour to experience a five-hour adventure with amazing views of Napa Valley followed by brews and food at a local gastropub. It’s a great way to get outside and enjoy Napa Valley’s temperate weather and beautiful landscape.

If biking is more your speed, cyclists can take the Napa Valley Vine Trail for a leisurely ride, or opt for inclines and vineyard views along Silverado Trail. Road bike rentals are available with Napa Valley Bike Tours and Rentals at two locations - Napa and Yountville – or get some powered wheels at Napa Valley eBikes.

Knives & Axes

Learn how to properly throw a tomahawk axe at New West KnifeWorks in St. Helena. While onsite, shop the highly lauded, American-made knives which are the perfect combination of function and aesthetic.

Cardroom

Finish your adventurous day with a visit to Ace & Vine, where you can try your luck with a game of cards, watch live sports on one of the many hi-def big screen TVs, or just relax on the 4,500-square-foot deck overlooking the Napa River while enjoying some light bites and a drink.

Music

If you’re looking to round out the night with live music, there are plenty of options in Napa Valley. Catch some tunes after dinner at Blue Note Napa, where world-renown performers are on deck or stop by JaM Cellars for post-dinner, late-night jam sessions.

To get the most of your time in Napa Valley, advance reservations are encouraged. For more news and information, go to the website for Visit Napa Valley, the destination marketing organization servicing the entire Napa Valley.

www.visitnapavalley.com