Visiting Napa

Where to stay, eat, and drink

Where to stay

Napa is not cheap to stay in, and I think that it’s worth trying to stay close to downtown if you’re visiting. The downtown core is very small and walkable, with lots of good food and drink options.

Food

All of our favorites. So much good food in Napa, so just because something is not on this list doesn’t mean it’s not worth visiting.

Mexican:

Pub food:

Breakfast:

Coffee:

Seafood:

Italian:

Finer dining:

  • Torc
  • Enclos up in Sonoma. Fixed course fine dining, pricey but worth it for a special occasion. Likely on their way to a Michelin Star.

Other:

Up valley:

Non-wine drinks

There are some great breweries in town:

Spirits:

  • Napa Distillery makes good stuff - lots of brandies, some interesting cordials and pre-made cocktails. Their main location is closed after a fire (opening again Fall 2025) but they have two locations in town: The Club Room and Arbaretum. Recommend the Club Room for a tasting experience and Arbaretum if you just want a cocktail.
  • The Bitter Bar and The Fink are good spots for late night drinks.

Night life:

  • Bilco’s is the place to be for townies. Pool hall and a big beer list, usually crowded on the weekends.
  • Downtown Joe’s is another townie bar, open late.
  • The Andaz hotel has a bar/restaurant on the roof.

Wine tasting

We don’t get out a ton to taste, but these are our favorites:

  • ZD wines a little bit up valley, but probably our favorite Napa wine.
  • Bouchaine out in Carneros has a lovely outdoor tasting area.
  • Sleeping Giant, also out in Carneros.
  • Schramsberg for sparkling wine. Cool to tour the caves, and Kaitlin’s parents’ grapes are in the J Schram.
  • Stags Leap Cellars. Beautiful location.
  • Domaine Carneros Good sparkling wine and has a beautiful building.

Some options in town:

Or in Sonoma:

  • There are a lot of tasting rooms around the plaza in Sonoma:
  • Bartholomew Estate Vineyards and Winery. This winery is in the middle of Bartholomew park and it’s a great place for a hike, picnic and a glass of wine. They also offer guided 45-minute horseback rides through the vineyards for $140 per person. (Horseback ride includes a bottle of wine). They also offer bottles to go that you can take for a picnic in the park.

Activities

There’s good hiking around:

  • Skyline park at the southeast end of town. Can put together anywhere from 3-8 mile loop, great views of town and south to the bay. Recommend the Skyline trail for the best views
  • Lake Hennessey from Moore creek park. Can either hike up the creek and loop up to the ridge or if you’re up for something longer head down to the bluff above the lake.
  • For something flatter, Wetlands park down in American Canyon has a nice loop right next to the water.

If you want to go out to the coast, Point Reyes station is nice. Some things to do:

  • Cowgirl creamery. Delicious cheese and a fun spot for lunch or a snack
  • Heidrun Meadery. Hiedrun makes sparkling mead (honey wine), tastings $20/flight, table reservations are good for an hour and a half. You are allowed to bring a picnic to enjoy while you are visiting.
  • Point Reyes National Seashore. Beautiful spot for a hike

Or, Tomales Bay for some seafood:

Changelog

  • 2025-5-29: Add breakfast and coffee
  • 2025-5-28: Added recommendations from Kaitlin - more wineries, Point Reyes, Tomales bay, Di Rosa
  • 2025-5-26: Created the page