Does the act of planning a getaway leave you stressed? Ever come back from a trip feeling like you need a vacation from your vacation? Well, Napavalley.com is here to help. Planning a trip away shouldn’t feel like a burden. With the tools available on our site, guests can plan, click and book their visit to wine country all in one simple place. Check out our tips below for using our website to plan the perfect trip – one that is sure to leave you happy, refreshed and thirsting for more.
First off, Where Do You Want to Visit?
It’s no surprise that wine country is a big place. With over 500 wineries and innumerable lodgings, restaurants and activites there are
experiences to be had for every type of vacationer. But don’t let that intimidate you! We’ve made it easy to choose a location that fits your needs. From our landing page, hover over our Towns tab to
get an overview of some of the most popular destinations in the area. Our menu will lead you to pages specifically dedicated to the 6 different locations – complete with hotels, itineraries, restaurants and guides all laid out and ready to go. Since there’s so much variety, think about what you want your trip to focus on. Wine, of course, is good anywhere in the Valley, but if spa trips are more your style check out
Calistoga and their famous hot springs, or head over to Yountville for a Michelin Starred evening at the
French Laundry. Whatever you have in mind, there’s a destination nearby that caters to you.
How to Get Here
No matter where you are coming from, the valley’s central location provides an abundance of travel options for any budget. There are
five airports near Napa Valley and each one has unique benefits for out of town travelers. While the San Francisco International (SFO) airport might appeal to some, its expansive size and hub for activity can often lead to delays. Lucky for you, air travel isn’t the only way into the valley. Napa also boasts a variety of car services, tours and limo companies that pick guests up from various locations within and outside of the general wine region. Not to mention, Napa Valley has its own unique
wine train. And while the train’s range is slightly limited(and more for drinking than destinations), check out our
Transportation tab at the top of the Napavalley.com home page for additional suggestions.
Where to Rest – Lodging
Even the most gung-ho wine enthusiast needs a place to lay their head after a long day. No matter what type of accommodations you prefer, from a rustic bed and breakfast to the ultimate in luxury resorts, Napavalley.com has a suggestion for everyone. On our main page, the
Lodging tab will lead you in the right direction. Choose one of the categories by hovering over the tab or click the main header to take you directly to our lodging page. Narrow your options even further by selecting a specific location or type of residence. The map provides a nice visual, giving a great overview of the specific location of each venue.
Scroll down to the bottom of the page to see our
featured recommendations. But don’t keep your opinions to yourself! Sound off by tweeting, emailing or sharing on social media. Check out special offers on specific hotel listings for great deals only available for Napavalley.com readers and our top recommendations marked with
Premier Partner tabs. We’ve integrated TripAdvisor reviews directly in our listing pages, so finding opinions from unbiased guests is just a click away.
How to Things To Do
Now that you’ve decided your location, picked a place to stay and figured out how to get here – the fun can begin! It’s time to choose where to go and what to see. For this, the Things to Do tab on our main page is your best bet. Here you’ll find a collection of winery recommendations, outdoor activities and entertainment options tailed for your needs. For a complete list, check out our official
Things to Do page, where you can narrow down your options even further. For outdoor enthusiasts we always recommend
Napa Valley Bike Tours, a company that offers scenic trips around the valley led by a local guide, or take an eye opening ride with
Napa Valley Balloons. There’s no better way to see the miles of vineyards that hundreds of feet in the air.
For music lovers, check out Silo’s Music Roomin downtown Napa.
Itineraries for a Week or Just One Day
The beauty of pre-planning a vacation is that all the little details are taken care of before you even leave home. Less worry, means less stress. Less stress means a better vacation for all. Let us take the guesswork out of your next trip by using one of our
guided itineraries. Under the
Trip Tools menu on our home page, you’ll find a plethora of travel planning guides to point you in the right direction for whatever you might have in mind. Are you a sucker for Chardonnays? Look over our
Chardonnay Lover’s Weekend Guide to Napa Valley. Feel like a taste of history? Then the
Napa Valley Historic Winery Two Day Guide might be your best bet. For one day or several, our itinerary page will point you in the right direction for an exciting, well planned adventure.
Wineries to Sip and Savor
Now, onto the real reason to visit wine country – the wine! Napavalley.com is a great tool to plan your visit, but also makes deciding on which vineyard might best suit your taste. Using the dedicated
Wineries tab at the top of our home page, takes viewers do a dedicated map to the surrounding area. Use the markers to the left to narrow down wineries that may be open during your stay, need appointments or offer complimentary tastings. If the thought of all those varietals leaves your head spinning, look no further than our recommended winery lists at the bottom of the page. Here you’ll find details like
The Best Wineries for Newcomers a great post dedicated for those just looking to get their feet wet.
Final things to Consider When Planning a Trip
While all this planning might seem a little overwhelming, in the end it’s really all about having fun. Napavalley.com along with our associate websites,
Sonoma.com and
WineCountry.com are the best resources for planning the cornerstones of your trip. Yet as in all things, remember to leave a little time for spontaneity. So whether you plan to escape for a day or a weeklong adventure, use our tools to help you craft the perfect getaway.
Nicole McLaughlin is a food and lifestyle writer from California. When she’s not in the kitchen testing her latest recipes, you can find her out exploring the wonders of fermentation in San Diego’s vibrant craft beer scene.
Author
WineCountry Collective
WineCountry is made up of a dedicated and passionate team of wine, food, and travel aficionados. We diligently explore regions, both near and far, to curate the best ideas and resources. Whether you're musing over your next wine escapade, planning a romantic weekend away, embracing the Wine Country lifestyle at home, or are simply looking to be entertained for a moment, trust us to be your comprehensive guide.