Ah, Yountville – small in size but big on flavor, it’s one of our favorite little pockets of the valley. Often referred to as the culinary capital of Napa Valley, Yountville is home to some of the region’s best restaurants — as well as a swath of luxury accommodations, a world-renowned art scene, and walkable wine tasting rooms.

Not sure where to begin your Yountville adventures? We’ve got you covered with a three-day itinerary that taps into the very best things to savor, share, and discover in Napa Valley’s smallest town. The small wine-growing region of Oakville (it’s not officially a town) surrounds Yountville, so of course, we’ll explore that too.
 

Day 1

Yountville is the ideal Napa Valley town to explore on foot, and on day one you’ll be embracing the art of passigiata and exploring at a slower pace (bonus points for being a sustainable traveler!).

Morning

Start the day off right with coffee and pastries at Bouchon Bakery – it’s best to get there early to beat the daily lineup of hungry travelers!

Coffee in hand, it’s time to explore the Yountville Art Walk, a collection of 35 large-scale works from local and world-renowned artists dotting the downtown. You can download a map and tune into the audio tour, or opt for a guided Art Walk experience with a Yountville local.

After a walk through town, stop by Madeleine's Macarons for a late morning treat. The husband and wife team, inspired by their daughter Madeleine, handcraft the most delicious macarons (which are also super Instagrammable). Be sure to try their Coffee & Macaron Flight featuring four drinks paired with four classic macarons.
 


Afternoon

Lunchtime! Stroll over to La Calenda for authentic Mexican cuisine from Chef Kaelin Ulrich. While Chef Kaelin is from Oaxaca, the traditional fare at La Calenda casts a glance across a range of regions, including the Baja Peninsula, the Nayarit coast, and Veracruz. The colorful patio is a lively lunch spot, and the fish tacos are the stuff Yountville dreams are made of. Be sure to also try the restaurant’s own handcrafted house beer, “El Chefe” a Mexican lager brewed with California corn by Berryessa Brewing Company.

Book a tasting at nearby Priest Ranch Wines, where you can delve into the joys of food and wine pairing with the Bacon + Wine Experience (we’re pretty firm believers that bacon makes everything better). This tasting pairs four distinct thick cuts of pork belly with four wines that have been selected to enhance the flavors of one another perfectly.

Check into Hotel Yountville – the perfect home base for exploring Yountville on foot. Relax in their romantic guest rooms, complete with fireplaces and outdoor living space. Take an afternoon dip in the pool or rent a daybed cabana for ultimate poolside comfort.
 


Evening

Gourmet dining in Yountville dates to 1977 when Philippe Jeanty opened the restaurant at Domaine Chandon. Today, enjoy Chef Jeanty’s French fare at Bistro Jeanty, which has been a Yountville favorite since opening in 1997. Be sure to try the tomato soup with puff pastry – we know locals that visit weekly for their tomato soup fix!

Before turning in for the night, enjoy a post-dinner stroll along Washington Street, which is aglow with twinkling lights and alive with the sounds of visitors and locals alike enjoying a taste of the good life.
 


 

Day 2

On day two you’ll dive deep into the history of Yountville. According to the town’s website, during the early part of the 1800s, the area that now makes up Yountville was owned by Mexico. George C. Yount received an 11,887-acre land grant from the Mexican government in 1836 and was responsible for planting the first grapes in Napa Valley in what is now Yountville.

Morning

Grab a coffee and pastry at Honor Market, and then stop into the Napa Valley Museum Yountville for a history and art fix to start your day. The museum has three galleries dedicated to local history, world-class art exhibitions, and a showcase space for local artists. Check out their current art exhibits, which always showcases interesting photographers, painters, sculptors, ceramicists, writers, surfboard artists, glass artists, and so many more.

For a glimpse into the history of George Yount and other early pioneers of the valley, head to the 1881 Napa Wine History Museum at the Oakville Wine Merchant. The museum honors the rich history, legacy, and heritage of this world-famous winegrowing region, and also serves more than 30 Napa Valley wines by the glass, allowing visitors to taste wines from each of Napa Valley’s 16 different appellations in one spot (you can also see soil samples from each appellation while you sip!). Located next door is Oakville Grocery, the oldest continually-operating grocery store in California. Pop in if you’re looking for takeaway lunch or bottles of wine, or for tasty snacks to take home!
 

Napa Valley Museum Yountville


Afternoon

Next, head just up Highway 29 to Mustards Grill for a classic wine country lunch. Cindy Pawlcyn's 'deluxe truck stop' has been a Napa Valley landmark for over 30 years, serving up classics that have earned a cult following from locals and visitors alike. The Mongolian pork chop is famous for a reason, and if you’re in the mood for comfort food, try the “mighty meatloaf.”

It’s time for wine! Soak up a little bit of Oakville history with a visit to one of Napa Valley’s oldest wineries, Far Niente Winery. The winery was established in 1885 by John Benson – a forty-niner of the California gold rush and uncle of the famous American impressionist painter, Winslow Homer. The building itself is a piece of art designed to astound the eye and the palate, as it functions as a gravity flow winery, gently moving the grapes through each stage of production. The name “Far Niente” comes from an Italian phrase that romantically translated means, “without a care,” and it’s been carved in stone on the front of the building since 1885. Book an alfresco tasting overlooking the stunning gardens to enjoy scenery straight out of a storybook.

Check in to Maison Fleurie in downtown Yountville, which is the oldest hotel in Napa Valley. Once a lively hotel and saloon (and bordello, according to some local stories) stopover for gold-seeking railroad travelers, Maison Fleurie was built in 1873 as the Magnolia Hotel, constructed of stone from local quarries. The inn's lavish gardens, overflowing with roses and other colorful blossoms, led to its new name "Maison Fleurie" which means “flowering house.” The property features 13 cozy suites and offers complimentary bike rentals for exploring Yountville.
 

Mustards Grill


Evening

For dinner, make a reservation at Michelin-rated The Restaurant at North Block. Enjoy refined California cooking featuring locally-grown ingredients. Rotating with the seasons, the menu features meat and vegetarian dishes infused with raw and smokey elements, in addition to wood-fired pizzas.

Insider Tip: If you're out and about in Yountville for a nightcap, check out the late night bar here.
 


 

Day 3

It’s your last day in Yountville, and it’s time to check some things off that bucket list and splurge a little!

Morning

First on the schedule is a sunrise hot air balloon ride – trust us, it’s well worth the early morning wake-up call. Floating over the splendor of the valley is a bucket list experience you’re sure to dream about long after your visit. Take off from Yountville with either Napa Valley Aloft or Napa Valley Balloons.

Follow your balloon ride with a wine tasting at JCB Tasting Salon. This one-of-a-kind tasting room and retail store is curated and created by Jean-Charles Boisset. Wine flights are served in JCB Baccarat crystal. Wines are also available by the glass or bottle.

Next, head over to the Silverado Trail for a VIP Tasting at Cliff Lede Winery. Take in sweeping views of Poetry Vineyard from the luxurious outdoor lounge while being guided through a selection of single vineyard, appellation series, platinum or library wines.
 


Afternoon

It's time to check into The Estate Yountville in downtown Yountville. The Estate has two unique luxury hotels with different personalities – the charming and social Hotel Villagio, and the chic and sophisticated Vintage House. Take advantage of their "Yountville Stroll" experience, which includes an exclusive VIP wine tasting for two people at some of the best wine rooms in town, along with a map and unique audio tour of the vibrant art in the Yountville.

After dropping your bags, indulge in pre-dinner snacks and bubbles at Thomas Keller’s Regiis OVA Caviar & Champagne Lounge in downtown Yountville. Guests are encouraged to order caviar and roe by the gram or tin to enjoy alongside their small plates. Servers help to curate the experience, suggesting caviar pairings based on flavor, texture, and value. Menu highlights include Daniel Boulud Smoked Salmon with Meyer lemon schmear and bagel wafers, and Hass Avocado Mousseline, with a Hass avocado purée served with heirloom corn tortilla chips.
 


Evening

For your last meal in Yountville, head to dinner at Bottega Napa Valley, for bold Italian flavors with a wine country twist. The pasta is handmade perfection and the menu is always changing, but don’t miss the burrata appetizer. Bottega is also known for their negroni – we love the Pink Panther!