A Guide: The Perfect Day Trip in Napa
The Napa Valley is a world-class wine country destination, complete with some of the finest wines in the entire world. A thriving culinary scene is a perfect addition to the wine and breathtaking mountain views this area has to offer.
The weather in this area is incredible for pretty much the entire year. Napa Valley is hard to beat when talking about places that are fantastic for day-tripping.
If you plan on taking a trip to Napa or the San Francisco area, you have to plan a day trip to wine country. This short guide can help you plan the perfect sample of this world-renowned wine taster’s Graceland.
…And the Wine is Bottled Poetry
That quote is from a famous welcome sign in the Napa Valley that highlights a sample from Robert Louis Stevenson. The quote perfectly encapsulates the entire atmosphere of Napa Valley – wine and art. Listed below are some of the must-see attractions you need to make time for when you’re in the area.
Napa Mill
Napa Mill is a collection of restaurants, a few boutiques, and a bakery. At the end of the building is the Napa River Inn, which is perfect for lodging if you plan to make your trip an overnight visit.
Yountville Napa Valley
This stop is located just north of Napa, right off of Highway 29. A little town called Yountville – well, it’s more like a village – features a humble collection of shops, galleries, and culinary artisans. Kollar Chocolates is a must-stop if you’re in Yountville. They’re famous for the candy and chocolate offerings if you have a sweet tooth.
Downtown Napa
Highway 29 runs directly through the center of Napa Valley, starting in the actual town of Napa and winding to Calistoga to the north. Napa is located at the southern end of the valley and has a picture-perfect downtown area with beautiful art shops, boutiques, and breathtaking old homes.
Oxbow Public Market
This market is located on First Street in downtown Napa. You’ll find all sorts of local artisan food booths and a collection of different restaurants. Oxbow Public Market is right up your alley if you like stopping in for novelty foods like summer sausage and smoked cheeses.
Bouchon Bakery Yountville
Yountville is a tiny town that has a lot to offer visitors. It’s very friendly for foot travelers, and it has beautiful 360-degree views of all the vineyards. The town is also home to highly-rated restaurants such as Thomas Keller's The French Laundry and Ad Hoc. These locations are famous for delicious bread, sandwiches, and sweets
Oakville Grocery
Another tiny town in the valley, Oakville is home to Oakville Grocery, a quaint old market with a historical feel. This is the perfect place to go if you need picnic supplies. They have several homemade salads and other offerings.
The biggest problem with Napa Valley is trying to fit everything into one day trip. However, if that’s all you can manage, don’t forget to check out the places listed above! If you are looking for the top wineries in Napa Valley, look no further than ELLMAN. They are partnered with winemaker Andy Erickson and are one of the best family wineries in Napa Valley. ELLMAN offers private tastings and special mailing lists for their standing allocation wines. Check out their wines here, or sign up for our mailing list. See what sets Andy Erickson wine apart, by checking out one of the oldest family-owned vineyards in Napa Valley today!
Check out these other great resources to learn more about Napa Valley:
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