Napa Valley - hints and tips

My last little bits will hopefully help to make your trip a little easier, a little more enjoyable and very memorable.

Visit mid-week. There's a lot less traffic and some hotels have lower rates which means more money for food, wine and fun activities.

Speaking of food, wine and fun activities...my idea of a perfect fit would be dining at French Laundry or one of the other fine restaurants in the area. If you don't have a reservation and decide on a whim (sounds familiar), head over and prepare to wait - most likely, they'll fit you in. But don't quote me on that, always have a back-up just in case! :)

Try using Silverado Trail as your north-south driving route. It's more scenic and less crowded.

Rutherford Hill Winery's picnic area has a great view, and is nearly empty when picnic areas on the main highway are packed. My ideal picnic? ***Baguette, at least 3 cheeses, fresh fruit and of course, a great bottle of wine*** As a courtesy to the winery, buy a bottle of wine from them to enjoy with your picnic (they'll open it for you if you don't have an opener).

By the way, a great place for picnic goods is Sunshine Market on Main Street in St. Helena (pronounced Hel-EE-na) which is about 30 minutes north of Napa. You'll find an excellent selection of cheeses, fruits and baked goods. Don't forget to grab napkins and utensils while you're there.

While in St. Helena, check out Steve's Hardware for fun kitchen tools and gadgets ranging from tiny tart pans to the biggest wooden spoons you've seen in real life - I'm talking Harry Potter movie style.

PS - If you're near Yountville in the morning (about half way between Napa and St. Helena), stop by Gordon's for coffee with the locals...it's a great way to learn more fun secrets of the area.

Napa Valley - more than just wine

If you've exhausted yourself with the wineries, there are plenty of other fun activities to check out while in the area.

I mentioned COPIA in an earlier post and it's a must see! It's the perfect place to learn about the area and have the chance to mingle with other visitors and experts. COPIA is a non-profit that began in 2003 offering a variety of things to explore including art exhibitions, edible organic gardens, films, concerts, etc. Whether you're a home cook or a gourmet chef, a wine novice or connoisseur - there's something here for everyone. Oh...and if you have time to stay for a bite, Julia's Kitchen is a must (that's Julia, as in Julia Child...now you see what I mean!).

Another way to experience the area and still get out and active is through a bike tour. Check out Wine Country Bikes located outside of Napa in Healdsburg for a variety of tour options and get a chance to see wine country in a whole new way!

If you have the chance, there are hot springs in Calistoga and I found a great deal on mud baths. These are so fun for a group and romantic for couples. Click here to check out the deals at Golden Haven Hot Springs Spa & Resort.

Last but not least, another tasting. But wait, it's not what you think! Try an olive oil tasting - thanks to Giada and her latest travel show, I learned about Round Pond Vineyard which offers olive oil tastings and it looked so fun...and yummy too! The vineyard is located about 14 miles north of Napa so keep that in mind when planning your travels. I have this one on my personal list for my next trip. It's the wannabe foodie in me. :)

PS - thanks Kell for the tip on Giada's show, it definitely came in handy!

Napa Valley - you take a napa, you don't move to Napa!

It's not easy to find an affordable place to stay in Napa, so here are my thoughts:

Now of course, if you're really on a budget you can look to the chains like Best Western, etc. And honestly, if that makes it easier for you to be able to spend more money on the enjoyment of the trip itself (wine tours, tastings, nice meals) then by all means, splurge where you will get the most out of it! :) Personally, I wanted the full overall experience so my recommendations are a variety of options on the lower end of the pay scale - because believe me, you can spend a fortune on a BEAUTIFUL room or you can look to the list below for some great choices that won't break the bank.

Old World Inn has gotten rave reviews from both the media and past guests. It's a darling bed & breakfast located in Downtown Napa within walking distance to the shops, restaurants, COPIA (The American Center for Wine, Food and the Arts) and the fabulous Wine Train. The rooms start at $139/night which is an amazing deal considering all of the amenities and the location. Be sure to check the Web site, they have great specials!

Wine Valley Lodge is slightly outside of Downtown Napa but it's a great deal and close enough that you can still experience the town - a few blocks farther than Old World Inn. The rooms are rather bland and simple but if you are just viewing it as a place to stay, you will be just fine. It's set up like the old motels where it's all one level and the rooms open up to the pool. The rates are really reasonable, I just checked Expedia and it was only $80/night.


For those who plan to be more in the Sonoma area, check out Sonoma Creek Inn, the rates are as low as $79 in the low season...what a steal!


And just for fun...if you have a group - De Mar House is so charming, I just couldn't resist. It's an adorable Victorian home located in Old Town Napa. It has 3 bedroom suites and rents out the entire home for groups. It holds up to 8 people so it's perfect for a bachelorette party or weekend wine tour. And to give you an idea, it's only $525 per night for 8 people on a weekend night (the higher priced nights) - that's a GREAT deal when you break it out per person. :) Hint to my girlfriends...feel free to organize one of your bachelorette parties or a girls weekend there - I'll be sure to be the first to reply YES.

Napa Valley - just a little taste

When you go, I would suggest planning ahead of time for what kind of trip you'd like. For example - is this a learning trip? Do you want to understand how wine is made and learn about the different scents and tastes of different wines? Is this a trip devoted to specific wineries? Are there some that are on a "these are my favorites" list that you MUST visit? Are you a fan of only white wines or only red wines? Or...is this a casual wine tasting? For me, I'm all about the casual so I chose to look for good deals on tastings and spend a little extra money on travel so I can enjoy the wine and not be concerned about the ability to drive later. :)
Since the trip can be pricey, I look for free tastings (very hard to come by) which are listed below. I've also included a few that aren't free but pretty close.

• Downtown Napa wine tasting - "almost free" just buy a Taste Napa Downtown card for $20, it allows you to taste at any of the ten downtown Napa tasting rooms for only 10 cents a glass
  
• Rombauer Vineyards - it's free but I know a few people that have visited and had a very difficult time leaving without at least a bottle...PS try to visit on a weekday since weekends can be very busy
  
• V. Sattui - the tasting is free but it can be very busy...go figure!
  
• Sequoia Grove - now...even though you didn't technically visit the site, I will pass on the knowledge that if you mention you saw a "Two For One Tasting" offer on winecountry.com - you can enjoy a bit of a nice discount
  
• Robert Mondavi - along the same lines as above, here's a coupon for two for one
  
• Hess Collection - another two for one!
  
• Chandon - one last two for one, just click here

Another good tip is if you choose to go to a winery that does cost a bit more - buy one glass and share. :)

Napa Valley - hello wine country!

I would say that this location needs no introduction and is one that I'm thrilled to be writing about since I've grown to really appreciate and enjoy wine over the years. Located north of San Francisco and the Bay area - depending on where you fly in and are driving from, it can be 1-2 hours. When booking a flight, check the airports in San Francisco, San Jose, Sacramento and Oakland. The fastest drive is from Oakland or Sacramento.

Even if you don't know anything about wine or aren't a huge wine fan, the scenery is gorgeous and is an ideal getaway that feels like you're in another country with the convenience of a (hopefully) affordable flight. Be sure to check the weather for the time of year you are planning to visit - the temps dip to the 50s and 60s in the winter months and reach into the 80s during the summer months.