A First Timer's Guide
to Napa Valley

Day 1

Settle In & Start Sipping

Your inaugural visit to Napa Valley should start in the heart of things — right in the middle of Downtown Napa. Head first to the Napa Valley Welcome Center, located on First Street. There, you’ll find all the information you need for a magical wine country experience, and our experts at the Welcome Center will be happy to offer recommendations or special offers. Plus, you can shop a bounty of Napa Valley-themed goodies, any of which are sure to make the perfect souvenir to remember your time here.

Once you’ve stopped in at the Welcome Center, it’s a short walk to the Oxbow Public Market, where you can grab a light lunch as you plan your next steps. Browse stalls offering everything from artisanal olive oils to new and used books, then pop over to Hog Island Oyster Co. or Bar Lucia for some bites and a glass of wine, so you’ll be fueled up and ready to go.

A trip to wine country means a luxurious experience from top to bottom, and that includes where you’ll be resting at night. There are dozens of fantastic lodging options around the Valley, so no matter which you choose, you’re in for a treat. For your first visit, we recommend heading to the Bardessono Hotel & Spa in Yountville. The hotel embraces the spirit of Napa Valley in every aspect of its design and amenities – and prides itself on sustainability, garnering a Platinum LEED certification. Even the smallest rooms feature 250-square-foot terraces where you can enjoy the region’s year-round stunning weather. 

Situated in Yountville, it’s also an ideal location for easily exploring the rest of the Valley. And Yountville itself is nothing to ignore — it may be small, only hosting around 3,000 residents, but each square mile is full of wine country charm, and the whole town is entirely walkable. You’ll find a number of exceptional wineries here, such as Priest Ranch, Cornerstone Cellars, or the Hill Family Tasting Room. If you’re a fan of bubbles, the iconic Chandon is only a short drive away.

Since it’s only your first day, we recommend saving the French Laundry, the area’s most famous restaurant, for another evening when you haven’t spent the whole day running around. Tonight, try one of Yountville’s more casual options, such as Ciccio, where you can enjoy a delectable wood-fired pizza. Be sure to get plenty of rest, because tomorrow will bring even more adventure around the Valley.

Day 2

The Heart of Wine Country

The only thing better than waking up in California’s beautiful wine country? Waking up here and heading out to enjoy some of Oprah’s (that’s right, that Oprah) favorite English muffins for breakfast. Model Bakery, a longtime favorite of Valley residents, has a Yountville location just two minutes down the road from the Bardessono, and a visit to this patisserie is sure to start your day off on the right note. 

Now that you’re caffeinated and full of bready goodness, stop by the Napa Valley Museum in Yountville. The museum will give you a good historic overview, from the first pioneer winemakers in the 19th century to the phenomenal growth of the region in the last 50 years. In addition to the photos and artifacts in the permanent collection, the museum hosts temporary exhibits focused on local artists.

From there, hop in the car and head south to the “big city” of the Valley, the city of Napa. You may have explored a bit of it on day one, but there’s much more to uncover. One of the best parts of any vacation, if you ask us, is doing a little souvenir shopping, and we’ve got the perfect place for it. Spanning three buzzy blocks in the heart of Downtown Napa, First Street Napa is an ever-vibrant hub for shopping, dining, and, of course, wine tasting. Known for its locally-owned boutiques and independent restaurants and wineries, the district is home to a variety of adorable shops, like C’est la Paire for chic boots and handbags, Antiques on Second for one-of-a-kind vintage finds, and Copperfield’s Books to snag a juicy new read. Honey Whiskey Boutique, as well as nearby Tay & Grace, offer up beautifully curated women’s clothing and accessories, so you can look like a true Napa Valley local while you’re here. 

Here in Napa Valley, you’ll find art of all kinds at every turn. For instance, Napa’s Seguin Moreau is home to fourth-generation master cooper Douglas Rennie, an artisan who crafts wooden barrels used to age some of Napa Valley's finest wines. The cooperage isn't open to the public, so he encourages visitors to seek out such barrels at wineries like Opus One Winery, Far Niente Winery, Nickel & Nickel, and Duckhorn Vineyards. 

If you do make your way to Opus One or Far Niente, you’ll find yourself in Napa’s Oakville neighborhood, where you can try something a little out of the ordinary and enjoy an olive oil tasting at Round Pond Estate in Rutherford. Take their Garden Tour to soak in the sunshine, too.

Hungry yet? The day is winding to a close, and that means it’s time for a culinary experience only Napa Valley can offer. Tonight, head to Compline Restaurant in Downtown Napa, where you’ll be treated to a seasonally-driven menu of exquisite eats alongside expertly selected wines.  

Day 3

Discovering a Rich Tradition of Culinary and Viticultural Excellence

Today, we encourage you to spend some time in St. Helena, where Napa Valley’s winemaking history truly began — specifically, at the Beringer Vineyards, which opened in 1876 and remains the area’s oldest continuously operating winery. Taste some wines and spend some time exploring the mansion, a stunning recreation of the Beringer family home on the Rhine River in Germany. 

For lunch, St. Helena’s picturesque Main Street has a variety of restaurants to choose from, whether you’re searching for casual fare or a more upscale, sit-down experience. Grab small plates and sandwiches at the Harvest Table, for instance, or go all-out and head to the Gatehouse Restaurant at the Culinary Institute of America’s Greystone campus. The campus itself is absolutely breathtaking, and a meal there is sure to be a one-of-a-kind experience. The restaurant is run entirely by the CIA’s current senior class of hopeful culinary professionals, so you will be waited on and cooked for by some truly incredible young chefs. You’ll be contributing to their education and you get a great meal out of it — it’s a win-win. 

After a filling meal, it’s time to taste some wines. Charles Krug Winery is Napa Valley’s oldest winery established in 1861 (because of periods of inactivity, it cedes the "continuously operating" distinction to Beringer). Turn a leisurely afternoon into a truly luxe experience and book one of their private cabanas, where you’ll then be able to sample a number of exclusive estate wines, only available on-site. You can also check out Crocker & Starr and Louis M. Martini Winery, both of which offer similar private cabana experiences. Be sure you’ve booked your reservations in advance — these places are by appointment only, and the reward for your preparedness will be an intimate, personalized experience you’re sure to never forget.

In keeping with today’s luxe vibe, tonight is a great night to head to Thomas Keller’s The French Laundry in Yountville. Again, we want to stress that reservations are absolutely necessary, as far in advance as possible. This restaurant is one of the most iconic in the country, having been visited regularly by the likes of Anthony Bourdain and the governor of California. The French Laundry is the pinnacle of creative Napa Valley culinary, and every night offers something unique. (Fun fact: during Anthony Bourdain’s visit, he jokingly asked Thomas Keller if he would be allowed a cigarette break during his meal. In answer, Keller procured Bourdain’s preferred brand of cigarette and created an on-the-spot dessert for him: a Marlboro-infused coffee custard. Bourdain was suitably embarrassed, and absolutely loved it.) The nine-course tasting menu isn’t cheap, but this is a meal you will remember for the rest of your life. Recently, they also started offering exclusive, chef-led culinary garden tours, so be sure to add that to your reservation to get the full experience. 

Day 4

The Last Hurrah

It’s your last day in the Valley, and you’ll want to end it on a strong note. Hit the ground running and start this morning with a visit to the Chateau Montelena Winery, which made Napa Valley history in 1976. Though the region has been a thriving winegrowing region since the 19th century, Napa’s wines were not considered on-par with the likes of France and Italy — that is, until 1976, when the “Judgement of Paris” took place. The competition pitted several California white wines against well-regarded French ones, and, in a win we’re still celebrating today, the expert judges decided Chateau Montelena’s 1973 Chardonnay was the clear best. Today, the winery’s tasting room is open daily and offers a lovely backdrop for tasting some of these iconic wines. 

At your next stop, you'll have an only-in-Northern-California experience: a soothing mud bath in Calistoga. This West Coast spa town has drawn visitors to its hot springs since the 19th century, and a variety of spas, from basic to luxurious, cater to those who want to experience a "bath" in the warm mineral-rich mud that leaves your body relaxed and your skin glowing. Calistoga Spa Hot Springs offers a dip in the volcanic-ash mud, followed by a deep-tissue, sports, or Swedish massage, among other treatments. Afterward, you can bask in the afterglow of such a relaxing experience, and lounge by the pool. Don’t worry — dozing off is common, and encouraged. 

Fresh from your afternoon nap, stick around in Calistoga for one last dinner before you head back to Yountville for the night. “Up-Valley” favorites include Lovina, which offers a chic bistro menu highlighting fresh, seasonal produce grown at a variety of local farms. Or, head to Evangeline, which features a surprising number of Creole-inspired, New Orleanian dishes, which you can enjoy on their patio, surrounded with orange trees.