Sebastiani Vineyards in nearby Sonoma, CA was by far my favorite winery. It is rich in history and the wine is wonderful. I lugged a whole case of Limited Edition Late Harvest, all through the SF airport to get it home to Indiana..now that is love.

Posted By Eden Welty on January 7, 2008, 9:19 AM

DEFINITELY take some time to go across the bay to San Francisco where the "must see" attractions are endless -- theres the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Golden Gate Park, and my personal favorite, the Japanese Tea Gardens.

Posted By Vanessa O'Donnell on January 7, 2008, 10:47 AM

Talk to people, tell them where you're from and why you're visiting. In one winery, I found the pourer was also originally from Boston, MA. When we told him we were on our honeymoon, he took us behind the scenes for a private look at their crypt.

Plan to visit wineries off the beaten path (busy Highway 29). The famous places are expensive and get very crowded. In the Russian River valley, you still can find wineries where tasting is free, no one is waiting over your shoulder, and you can chat for an hour with the owners.

Posted By Josh on January 7, 2008, 12:06 PM

I loved Sausalito. Such a quaint little town, with lots of shops, restaurants and a beautiful view of the bay. Also, for any Nascar fan, there's always the racetrack in Sonoma!

Posted By Janie Diederich on January 7, 2008, 12:08 PM

The 5 Star Meritage Resort and Spa in Napa is wonderful. The Meritage has superb facilities and a 20k SF wine cave. Heaven!

Posted By Peter A Bender on January 7, 2008, 12:13 PM

You must eat at Redd! It's located in Yountville and well worth the money. Another must is Taylor's Refresher. Great fun to sit outside, drink shakes and eat a yummy ahi tuna burger or a super tasty blt. Be sure to check out Miner Wines on Silverado Trail. Fantastic winery, definitely my favorite. Also Mumm is fun to visit as well for a change of pace. Woodhouse Chocolate in St. Helen is also lovely and a good place to buy gifts for others (in addition to wine, of course!). Plus the town is super sweet and has some lovely little boutiques along the main street. They also have a nice farmer's market just behind the grade school, but not sure of the dates and it may not open until late spring. Have a great time (it's hard not to in Napa).

Posted By Leah on January 7, 2008, 12:20 PM

How about a drive up to Calistoga for a mud-bath? There are several great hot springs hotels there that offer the service - it is a trip and a kick if you've never done that - follow it up with a massage and you'll be a total noodle for the rest of the day.

Hot air balloon rides are also abundant in Napa - another fun experience - and a different way to see the wine growing region.

Posted By Carol White on January 7, 2008, 12:31 PM

My husband and I went to Sonoma for our honeymoon this past September. We only went to Napa once for dinner at The French Laundry - truly a once in a lifetime experience, but I'm still not sure it was worth the exuberant price. I do highly recommend taking a drive through the Russian River valley, stopping at Armstrong Redwoods Preserve, then continuing on to the coast to see the sea lions sunning themselves in Jenner.

Posted By Timi on January 7, 2008, 12:37 PM

I would recommend doing a hot air balloon trip over Napa. It's absolutely beautiful to do in Napa, and if you have never gone up in a hot air balloon, what an amazing experience! I went with Napa Valley Balloons and had a great time. http://www.napavalleyballoons.com

As far as restaurants, the Oakville Grocery is a good place for a quick bite.

Posted By Megan McGinnis on January 7, 2008, 12:44 PM

I have spent many times in Napa and Sonoma valleys and each time there is something new to do. If you truly are a wine lover and want to have wines from the region, the best place to buy them is at the Napa Wine Store right in Napa. I now have them send me a lot of the wines that I cannot get outside the valley on a regular basis. The wineries usually only have the wine of the year and they sell it full price.

Also, what is fun for a newcomer (in the summer or warm weather) is to go to Sattui Winery where they have all types of cheese, meats, bread, desserts, etc., and you can have a picnic (with one of their bottles of wine that you pick) outside on picnic benches. Fun time for couples or families. It is in Napa Valley on the main road.

Posted By Mary Ryden on January 7, 2008, 12:52 PM

Benzinger and Imagery were the wineries we would go back to first on our next visit. A day trip - at least - out and around lake Tahoe is a must! Wait for a clear day. For a longer -than- a- weekend tri, head to King's Canyon Nat'l Park.

Posted By Wendie Salisbury on January 7, 2008, 1:00 PM

If you're unsure about your knowledge of wines and/or wine tasting protocol, I recommend visiting the COPIA center and taking a wine tasting class prior to heading out to the wineries. The COPIA gardens are lovely, and the restaurant, Julia's Kitchen is excellent.

Another fun activity is taking the Wine Train for lunch. You get to eat & drink wine without having to drive, and its an easy way to get an overview of the Napa Valley.

Posted By Sue Fischer on January 7, 2008, 1:08 PM

We were supposed to eat dinner at a highly-rated restaurant about 45 minutes from Napa and it was absolutely pouring rain. I was the designated driver and 6 months pregnant, so we chose Martini House instead. We had a memorable meal, got a reservation on short notice and the staff was amazing.

Posted By Logan on January 7, 2008, 1:15 PM

Head over to Sonoma County for everything that makes Napa delightful -- at conservatively half the price (especially restaurants!). Two good choices: Flavor at Courthouse Square (Most entrees available in 2 sizes; one for sensibly sized portions, the other for the grossly obese) and Riviera, off Montgomery Street (great food and service reminiscent of today's Northern Italian restaurants).

Posted By Judith Weber on January 7, 2008, 1:29 PM

My wife and I have been there many times. We like Bouchon in Yountville for lunch. Mustards is also very good. Reservations at both a must.
Cakebread cellars has a tour included with the tasting, but call to reserve a time.
I am not a fan of V. Sattui because it's always so crowded, like a cattle car, even though I like their wines.
The Silverado trail is less crowded, and has a number of very good wineries, especially as you get further North. Couvaison and Duckhorn are recommended. Also, Phelps but call ahead.
Check out the Napa Valley web site and map out a plan, but don't try and do much in a day. Just relax and enjoy. Generally, the people working the tasting rooms are very knowledgable and helpful.

Posted By Tom on January 7, 2008, 1:34 PM

While recently visiting Napa area for the first time, my husband and I stumbled upon the Charles Shultz (Peanuts) Museum in Santa Rosa. It made a nice break in the winery tours.

Posted By Donna on January 7, 2008, 1:36 PM

Obviously get to San Francisco and see the sights (Golden Gate, Alcatraz, Cable Cars etc...)and go to Viansa winery in Sonoma. I'm not a wine person (my wife is!!) but even i loved this winery. Nic eshop full of foods and accessories and a beautiful view to enjoy while you have lunch.

Posted By Jim Klinker on January 7, 2008, 1:45 PM

You must take the hot air balloon ride and visit Chateau Montelena in Calistoga and the Ferrari-Carano winery in Healdsburg which is a mini-Hearst Castle site with fountains, sculpture and beautiful flower and outstanding wines

Posted By John D. Moore on January 7, 2008, 1:45 PM

My husband and I recently visited Napa Valley for the second time. It's one of my absolute favorite places! I completely agree with Leah - eat at Redd and Taylor's Refreshers, and buy chocolate at Woodhouse Chocolates. Terra in St. Helena is another terrific restaurant. There are so many wonderful restaurants and wineries. Have fun.

Posted By Kim on January 7, 2008, 1:47 PM

St. Helena Olive Oil Company has an olive oil tasting store on the main street in St. Helena. Great fun! They have small and large containers of olive oil products for sale.

Posted By Patsy Maddox on January 7, 2008, 1:53 PM

We are surprised readers are recommending San Francisco Bay places like Sausilito, etc.
The question was Napa area not the Bay!

Our favorite Napa wineries are Silverado for the short tram ride to a panoramic hill overlooking the valley and Beringer for its German chateau.

It is fun to drive slowly around the valley and discover your own special places.

Posted By ray anderson on January 7, 2008, 2:10 PM

For food, I highly recommend Tra Vigne. The entire meal was amazing and the menu selections are seasonal and cater to meat eaters and vegetarians alike! Reservations are a must as we saw people turned away to the cantinetta.

For wine, Sullivan, a family owned winery. The owner, Sean Sullivan, came out and greeted us and remembered me from a phone conversation. The wine is amazing, in the "Rutherford Bench." 2nd best was Frog's Leap - an organic vineyard with a LEED - Silver certified building. Their vineyard was amazing and the people are super friendly.

We also hit Caymus, Rubicon, Miner, and several others, but the two mentioned above were by far the most memorable.

Posted By Megan on January 7, 2008, 2:45 PM

I would definitely check out Round Pond Estate's olive oil tour. It is a nice change of pace after visiting so many wineries. They even have a tour where you get to sample all of the oils and vinegars they make with cheeses and vegetables. Definitely a fun time!

Posted By Maureen on January 7, 2008, 2:50 PM

Lunch or dinner at the Culinary Institute in St. Helena is a really special experience.

Also, for a change of pace from wines, how about a tour of the Jelly Belly factory nearby. I think it's in Vacaville. The samples are delicious and the tour is fun. The nearby Budweiser brewery tour is less fun although the samples are generous.

Posted By Lisa on January 7, 2008, 2:53 PM

Rutherford Grill is where you'll find locals enjoying themselves and great food.

Take a hike - Bale Grist Mill State Park and several city parks in Napa are terrfic - eg. Skyline and West Hills.

Posted By Bill on January 7, 2008, 3:00 PM

There's a new vegetarian restaurant in Napa that has been getting lots of press. It's called Ubuntu and it is right downtown. It's a little pricey, but creative. We enjoyed our lunch. Some of the best restaurants in the U.S. are in closeby Yountville if you can get in.

Posted By David McGrath on January 7, 2008, 3:36 PM

You're in luck! The Mustard Festival runs 2/2/08-3/29/08 -- mustardfestival.org

Speaking of food, I always enjoy COPIA, and now Oxbow Public Market is right there, too. (There's a Taylor's Refresher at the market, btw.)

I'll skip my fave wineries since you say you have that covered, but here are some of my fave things to do in the area:

Safari West Wildlife Preserve & Resort, Santa Rosa

Cornerstone Gardens, Sonoma

Jack London State Park, Glen Ellen

Have a great time!

Posted By CaliforniaTouristGuide on January 7, 2008, 5:20 PM

Napa/Sonoma is full of wonderful things to do. Jack London State Park in Glen Ellen has picnic tables & trails and rarely crowds and Chateau St. Jean just up the road is beautiful with grassy lawns and picnic tables and sometimes free summer concerts. The Glen Ellen market in town has great sales on good wine and a very helpful staff as well as good food for picnics.
Check out the SF Chronicle ads for hotel/resort specials, some midweek off season deals are fantastic. Current special is a new resort on the Napa river at the Vino Bello Resort begin at $129 for a spacious studio + a botttle of wine. AAA also lists some very good specials in their magazine VIA. Napa itself is now a fun place to visit with several very good restaurants, shops and tasting rooms. If you are travelling midweek in the off season you can sometimes snag last minute specials at the visitors center in town. We often check out what B & B's are offering half off prices and have stayed at some wonderful Inns.

Posted By travelmystic on January 7, 2008, 5:34 PM

After living in St. Helena for 8 months, its hard to pick just one favorite restaurant, but I do love the Calistoga Inn for brunch on a warm, sunny day. The outdoor terrace is adorable and the food is unpretentious and not too pricey (unlike many other places in the Valley). Oakville Grocery is another great place to check out- it is a tiny specialty foods shop with delicious foods.

A great place to stay is the Wine Country Inn in St. Helena. It's a cute bed and breakfast with free daily tastings in the afternoon and beautiful views of surrounding vineyards.

Posted By Lauren on January 7, 2008, 8:39 PM

I visited Napa last October and went to the Di Rosa Preserve. Here's an excerpt from their website: "Art & Nature provides opportunities for creative enrichment and enjoyment of art and the environment throughout the year. A gift to the public from passionate art collector, Rene di Rosa, the Preserve houses nearly 2,200 works of art in all media by more than 900 artists from Northern California, possibly the largest collection of its kind." It blew my mind!

Posted By Sharon Lidz on January 8, 2008, 12:45 AM

I'm wonder why nobody has mentioned Mumm in Rutherford. While on a nursing travel assignment in Napa that was a regular spot for me to sip flutes of champagne and gaze out to the vineyard turned yellow and red from the crisp winter then stroll through the art gallery just off the patio....hmmm lovely.

Posted By jacqueline kincaid on January 8, 2008, 12:50 AM

We absolutely loved Zuzu, an amazing tapas restaurant in downtown Napa. It waas our best meal for a 10 day California trip. And the Silverado tour is wonderful; the tram, beautiful outdoor terrace with amazing panoramic views, etc.

Posted By Rich on January 8, 2008, 8:04 AM

I go back every year in February for a LONG weekend! I always stay in Yountville at either the Villagio or the Vintage Inn - they are sister properties and I love staying there. The staff is fantastic, the rooms are great...and they have wonderful breakfast buffets every day.
As far as a winery...we always prefer the smaller ones. A few years ago we fell in love with the Frank Family winery. The staff was amazingly friendly & the wines were incredible. Our most recent find (and our new fave) is Grgich Hills. Again, it's about the staff being so incredible...and the wines too! Didn't try a wine we didn't like!

Posted By Sydney on January 8, 2008, 1:57 PM

If you can afford the extra cost, rent a convertible. The weather in Napa is almost always gorgeous, and it's so beautiful that you'll be glad you did.

There are a lot of great wineries when you get off the beaten track. Silverado Trail is the best way to avoid congestion on route 29, and you'll find less tourists on the east side of the valley.

Try some of the private tours, or call to arrange tastings at wineries that are "by appointment only". You'll have a much more personalized experience, and it's more likely that you'll get an opportunity to taste reserve wines.

Long Meadow Ranch (Rutherford) "Backroads" tour includes a great look at how organic/biodynamic farming is changing the way wineries operate these days. LMR not only makes wine, but grows their own beef and produces their own olive oil. Very worthwhile tour!

Head up to Calistoga for an unforgettable experience: the volcanic mudbaths. A wide range of spas can fit any budget. Calistoga is also home to some fantastic restaurants, which are much easier to get into than some of the overcrowded areas further south in the valley.

If you like outdoor activities, take a hike! Napa is lush with natural beauty, and what better way to see it than on foot? Several state parks are in the area.

Clear Lake is about an hour north of Calistoga. It is actually an older wine-growing area than Napa, but Prohibition turned it much more agricultural than vinticulture. Today, visitors describe the area as "Napa like it used to be", and it is home to at least two dozen up-and-coming wineries, including Ceago, the outstanding biodynamic winery owned by Jim Fetzer, and great local discoveries like Tulip Hill Winery. Well worth a day trip or longer from Napa!

Posted By Cheryl Lemanski on January 8, 2008, 2:24 PM

My husband and I just spent our honeymoon in wine country in October - we loved EVERYTHING about Sonoma, but were a bit less excited by Napa. It tends to be extremely crowded, so I would definitely agree with the suggestion to stick to things that are "off-the-beaten-path". Two of our favorites in Napa - Elizabeth Spencer (a small winery in Rutherford with VERY personalized attention!) and the Jean LaFitte private tasting at Swanson Vineyards (in Oakville).

Posted By Shari on January 8, 2008, 2:37 PM

We celebrated my 50th Birthday last year in Napa. A favorite spot in town is Bounty Hunter Wines. The owner, Mark, is a transplanted Southerner & has delicious barbeque. The wine selection is unmatched.

Posted By Julie Miller on January 8, 2008, 2:38 PM

A little known tidbit on the Napa Valley - A college is nestled in the hills 8 miles east of St. Helena. Many of the college students are employees of the restaurants/shops of the valley I am an alum! Pacific Union College owns hundreds of untouched acres that even hosts the Napa Valley Dirt Classic in April. Depending how active you want to be the trails just off the girls' dorm parking lot or Las Posadas Road are wonderful for biking or hiking. For budget accomodations only 8 miles away from St. Helena, the girls dorm offers guest rooms for less than $100/night double occupancy. See www.puc.edu for details.

I would also recommend as posted taking Silverado Trail to avoid congestion off Hwy 29. Sunshine foods Market in St. Helena is great for a quick bite or picnic food. There's always the wonderful Dean and Deluca on Hwy 29. The eclectic stores of St. Helena are always fun to browse and shop. Do not miss Guini's in St. Helena Main Street. The sandwhiches are a local favorite! Say yes to Guini juice on your sandwhich. Gillwood's in Napa/St. Helena is a breakfast/brunch local fav. Some restaurants and wineries, give a discount for "locals" so it's helpful if your local friends do the purhcasing for you. You have to mention/ask for it, it's otherwise not advertised.

Posted By Smyrna Tuburan on January 9, 2008, 2:05 AM

Some of my favorite places for dining is Bouchon in Yountville and The French Laundry (Res. in advance). A day visit to Calistoga for a mud-bath (spa) with brunch at the Calistoga Inn. Sit outside next to the river. The Hot Air Balloon ride and the Wine Train ride is a must! If you have time, Sonoma is a very quaint town to visit.
Don't worry about visiting S.F. That should be on your list for your next visit to Napa.

Posted By Donna on January 9, 2008, 3:03 AM

We loved out meal at the Culinary Institute of America's (CIA) at Greystone in St. Helena. It was a bit of a splurge for us but the food and wine were superb. These are experienced chefs who are increasing their skills and we reaped the bounty! By the way, we were disappointed in Taylor's.

Posted By Phyllis McLennan on January 11, 2008, 2:51 PM

UVA, 1040 Clinton St.
Napa

"Where tourists congregate in great numbers, there are always a couple of excellent restaurants the locals know and the visitors don't. Uva (cork in Italian) is a bit hard to find, and the owners seem to like it that way. One of the few places offering soothing jazz based music five nights per week, Uva features Italian comfort food that is prepared with the freshest ingredients, and impossible-to-ignore weekly specials based on local, seasonal, and organically farmed produce. The pizzas and pastas are all special, and the wine list offers wonderful California selections, but some terrific Italian buys as well. You might want to start with the fried basil risotto balls filled with Teleme cheese, and served with a spicy marinara sauce. It will put you in the mood for everything else." This is a review on Sallys-place.com and it is right on the money. We loved this restaurant!!

Posted By Sharon Ruble on January 14, 2008, 12:59 PM

We have so many beautiful State Parks near the Napa Valley. Each are well worth a visit, especially after indulging in the wonderful wines and food to be had in Napa.
One of our favorites (I'm fortunate enough to live 30 miles away from Napa) near St. Helena is the Bothe-Napa Valley State Park. The park rises from the valley floor to about 2000 feet elevation, and is fully developed along one side, wild and rugged on the other. A host of wild life makes the park it's home.

Posted By Barbara Fredericks on January 14, 2008, 2:16 PM

Yes, Napa/Sonoma can be done on a budget. Before going, I often visit a website called www.econcierges.com to print FREE tasting offers and discounts on hotels, spas, wineries and restaurants. In this economy any deals help.

Posted By Jennifer Anderson on May 11, 2009, 5:28 PM

The most wonderful place in Napa is Flora Springs Winery, I just love it the beautiful tasting room, the vineyards just superb. thanks to Napa Tours guide who made my tour wonderful.

Posted By Janet on March 1, 2010, 7:16 AM