New Year, New You, Napa Valley Awaits.

Ahhh…that hard-to-describe lightness and joy we feel at the promise of new beginnings. It’s an exciting feeling – the anticipation that goes hand-in-hand with exploration and new adventures. And, the start of a new year often poses a perfect time to get started with something new. Come along to explore all the things to do in Napa Valley, because here, there is so much to discover and experience. Say cheers to the year ahead and to discovering something new for you!

Get Skilled

Always finding yourself serving as the go-to source among your friends when it comes to wine recommendations. Then, consider taking your skills to the next level by enrolling in a wine education course at the Napa Valley Wine Academy. With over 30 fun, informative modules, learning about wine (and sampling some, too) has never been easier.

Enjoy experimenting with foods and unique ingredients? Try a hands-on cooking class led by professional chefs at the Silverado Cooking School. Using seasonal produce directly from the school’s farm, novice “chef” students can learn techniques and recipes. After your session is complete, invite your friends over to impress them with your new kitchen prowess.

Get Active

Staying in Napa Valley at the start of the year but don’t want to wait to incorporate an active start to your new year? No problem! With many, many options to get active, you can start just about anywhere. In fact, the Napa Valley Vine Trail is an awesome paved and car-free pedestrian path which is ideal for walking, running, skating, and cycling. Anywhere you decide to drop in on the path is perfect – safe and clean, and, did we mention the views? Well, those are outstanding!

For long-distance runners looking for a unique destination to compete in a marathon, the famed Napa Valley Marathon offers an incredible race route along the Silverado Trail from Calistoga to Napa. Take in scenic views of vineyards and world-renowned wineries on the shuttered road for a quiet Sunday morning race. Register for the Napa Valley Marathon taking place March 5, 2023, to make it a weekend of running, sipping, and savoring!

Maybe you need to ease into the active lifestyle. That’s great, too! With an e-bike from Fat Tire Bike Rentals, you only exert a tiny bit of effort. The rest of the “work” is handled by these battery-powered rides. And, the team at Fat Tire will even bring the bike to you! So, go ahead and stay on the Vine Trail or pick any other great spot in Napa Valley to start riding into your new lifestyle.

Get Adventurous

Ready to test yourself in 2023 and try something new and exciting? How about a beautiful and perfectly orchestrated hot air balloon ride that takes you to new levels…figuratively and literally! With Balloons Above The Valley or Napa Valley Aloft, hop “on-board” one of the large baskets and get carried away. You’ll enjoy a bird’s eye view of the beautiful vineyards, hills, and valley plus, you can maybe check something off your bucket list of adventurous endeavors.

If you prefer staying closer to the ground, consider another type of adventure. With Napa Valley Paddle, you can get outfitted with a paddle and a board and work your way down the Napa River. While not strenuous, don’t be fooled by this seemingly “easy” activity – it requires balance and will definitely give you a good core workout!

Get to Eating Better

At House of Better located at Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs in Calistoga, the Creative Director, Trevor Logan, takes healthy food options to the next level. This is the place where wellness and happiness meet and even though the menu is inspired by comfort foods, you can take comfort in knowing that there is no guilt associated with these delicious meals. Want to learn more about eating for health? Join their series of complimentary educational classes, “New Year, New-trition, New You,” to discover more about cleaner foods, good nutrition principles, supporting gut health, and building immunity. Classes take place at 6pm on January 12, February 16, and March 9 – email to reserve your spot.

Have you decided that, with the start of this new year, you were going to eliminate certain ingredients from your daily diet? Perhaps going gluten-free is a goal. If so, try anything from C Casa and you are already winning! Not only is everything on the menu fresh and delicious, it’s entirely gluten-free. And, pizza lovers, fear not! At Azzurro Pizzeria e Enoteca, the GF pizza dough and pastas are delicious. Numerous eateries across the valley offer GF options and breads, so you will never feel like you’re missing out. Eat well and feel great – bon appétit!

Get Centered

Make this your year to get grounded…even while you’re on vacation. On Saturday mornings, beginning in April and running through November, Harvest Inn in St. Helena offers a morning wellness practice for both visitors and resort guests. It doesn’t get more serene than this – practicing yoga in an idyllic setting among the vineyards and redwood trees. Yoga in the vineyards is a great way to start any day and not miss a beat on your new year’s resolution to get more centered. If you're seeking even more nourishment for the soul, consider their Daylong Wellness Retreat on February 5th for yoga, meditation, journaling, healthful meals, and a mindful wine tasting.

For more yoga options in Napa Valley, try Auberge du Soleil, Alila Napa Valley, Solage Calistoga, and Carneros Resort and Spa.

Perhaps you consider yourself a Napa Valley regular or perhaps this new year marks your first time in Napa Valley and you want to mark a number of firsts. Regardless, of the number of trips you have logged or the number of new things you want to explore, something new awaits you here and you deserve to discover and experience it. So, check out what’s new in Napa Valley. After all, it is a new year…and a new you!