1. Stay in Yountville. We stayed at Napa Valley Lodge, and it was AMAZING. This place is priced very economically, and this lodge offers a complimentary “continental” breakfast each morning. I’ve never seen a continental breakfast that included prime mimosas, warm dishes, and fresh waffles. Say what?! This hotel is charming, quaint, and the best accommodation to stay at in the most gorgeous little town in all of Napa Valley: Yountville.
2. Eat at Bouchon. Our first night after checking in to the best hotel, we were tired from traveling all day, but we didn’t want to waste a minute of our valuable vacation time, so we hopped into our car and drove two minutes down Yountville’s main road. We had made a reservation and dined at Bouchon, a Thomas Keller restaurant, and it was fantastic. It probably would have been better had we not been delirious, but it made for a fun evening out. You’ll definitely want to try this French bistro. There is also Bouchon Bakery next door, so don’t miss it!
3. Lunch at Bottega. Bottega is also located in the center of Yountville and is an Italian restaurant owned by Food Network’s Michael Chiarello. The food was delicious. We sat out in the patio, and enjoyed the wonderful ambiance and good eats.
While you’re there, be sure to check out the amazing shops in The V Market Place and take a stroll through Yountville. It really is a picture-perfect town.
4. Visit Robert Mondavi for a wine tasting. After lunch at Bottega, we headed down the St. Helena Highway to enjoy some wine from one of my mom’s favorite vineyards. We didn’t do a tour, but we did enjoy a flight and had the best service. We sat on the patio to enjoy the warm fall sun, and the setting was just right for a sunset chat.
5. Have oysters and champs at Hog Island Oyster Co. Later that night, after wine tasting, we finally ventured into Napa proper for some oysters and champagne. Hog Island Oyster Co. is located in the Oxbow Public Market and is a fun, little dive where reservations aren’t needed. You can sit inside, bar style, or sit out on the patio.
6. Travel along St. Helena Highway and eat at Gott’s Roadside in St. Helena. The next day, we ventured north for more wine, and being spontaneous, we stopped when we saw a long line of people at what looked like an old-fashioned burger joint. It did not disappoint. I loved the outdoor dining and the cute picnic tables. P.S. St. Helena Highway is where you can find the Welcome to Napa Valley sign. You’ll want to pull over at some point to take that classic picture.
7. Visit Castello di Amarosa. After our burger pit stop, we continued north to Calistoga to this most amazing vineyard. Castello di Amarosa is a newer winery in the area, but it was styled after a 13th century Tuscan castle and vineyard, and you really do feel like you’re in another world. We chose to do the guided tour and wine tasting, and it was a great experience. I highly recommend visiting and touring this castle and vineyard. The views are breathtaking.
8. See the view from the Bistro & Bar terrace at Auberge du Soliel. On our way back to Yountville from the castle, we took a detour to see the sunset from Auberge du Soliel. While we didn’t dine at the Michelin-rated restaurant that the resort offers, seeing the view from the terrace was quite beautiful. We had planned on brunching here, but time ran out on us. This is a place you don’t want to miss when you’re in the area.
9. Enjoy a wine tasting at Girard Winery’s Tasting Room. After a day of site-seeing, we were happy to be back in Yountville and walked around a bit. We stopped in for a wine-tasting at this very nice tasting room right across the street from our hotel. I do have to say that this was probably my favorite wine during our entire trip. We sampled a flight, and I loved every wine offered. So much so that I joined the wine club. What kind of Napa trip would it be if you didn’t get suckered into one wine club, right? However, I’m still waiting on my shipment.
10. Eat at Ad Hoc. Last but not least, we ate dinner at yet another Thomas Keller restaurant on our final night in Yountville. We ended our trip with a bang. This was by far my favorite meal during our vacation. Ad Hoc is a casual restaurant offering comfort food. The menu is fixed, offering four courses, and changes daily. It’s served family-style, but there were hardly any left-overs because the food is that amazing. So good, so good (Jimmy Fallon voice).
We were able to celebrate my mom’s birthday properly and sang happy birthday to her, because she was treated with a complimentary birthday dessert. Yummo.
Our trip was too much fun. We really did have the best time, and I’m sure this will not be our last trip to Napa Valley. I hope to return to do all ten of these things again. But for now, the memories are tucked happily away in my grateful heart.
I’ve always wanted to stay in Napa – your photos make me REALLY want to go next year!
It was definitely on my bucket list, and I’m so thankful I got to go. It was just as amazing as I’d hoped. :)
I've always wanted to stay in Napa – your photos make me REALLY want to go next year!
It was definitely on my bucket list, and I'm so thankful I got to go. It was just as amazing as I'd hoped. :)
Wow, that looks gorgeous! Definitely would love to visit there sometime!
It is even more beautiful in person. :)
wow gorgeous! I love California, can’t wait to go back:)
This was my second time to California, but the first time I went I was 15. We loved it and will definitely be back!
Wow, that looks gorgeous! Definitely would love to visit there sometime!
wow gorgeous! I love California, can't wait to go back:)
Oh my gosh, this trip looks Ah-mazing!! You ladies all have such an awesome sense of style and can I just say your sister is rocking that fanny pack!! ;) I need a weekend like this with the girls I love :)
Thanks, friend! It was so much fun. And thanks so much for that compliment. I keep telling my sister that she needs to start a fashion blog. We get it from our momma. ;) I treasure these kinds of weekends that is for sure. Hope you’re having a fun weekend off! Xoxo
Oh my gosh, this trip looks Ah-mazing!! You ladies all have such an awesome sense of style and can I just say your sister is rocking that fanny pack!! ;) I need a weekend like this with the girls I love :)
It is even more beautiful in person. :)
This was my second time to California, but the first time I went I was 15. We loved it and will definitely be back!
Thanks, friend! It was so much fun. And thanks so much for that compliment. I keep telling my sister that she needs to start a fashion blog. We get it from our momma. ;) I treasure these kinds of weekends that is for sure. hope you're having a fun weekend off! Xoxo
Who’s that hot girl in the white? Dang.
Just some girl I know. ;) She’s pretty special, huh?
Your trip looks like so much fun! I think i need a good getaway trip like this! So glad you enjoyed yourself!!!
Thanks, Alycia! It was a blast. I recommend a trip, no matter how big or small, to all mamas. It was much needed. :)
Who's that hot girl in the white? Dang.
Just some girl I know. ;) She's pretty special, huh?
Thanks, Alycia! It was a blast. I recommend a trip, no matter how big or small, to all mamas. It was much needed. :)
Wow! It looks like a lovely vacation! Your family is definitely your family… lots of resemblance there!
I would love to go to Napa Valley… one day. You had me sold at wine, then at French Bistro! Yuuuum!
My grandfather’s last name from his adopted family is Girard. I wonder if there’s any relation there?
Thanks for sharing these beautiful moments (and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop)!
Wishing you a lovely weekend.
xoxo
Wow! It looks like a lovely vacation! Your family is definitely your family… lots of resemblance there!
I would love to go to Napa Valley… one day. You had me sold at wine, then at French Bistro! Yuuuum!
My grandfather's last name from his adopted family is Girard. I wonder if there's any relation there?
Thanks for sharing these beautiful moments (and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop)!
Wishing you a lovely weekend.
xoxo
So sorry I never saw this comment! Yes, we do resemble each other quite a bit. You should see my mom’s four sisters. It’s crazy. :)
I definitely want to go back again! It’s a beautiful place.
Hope you are having a great week!
So sorry I never saw this comment! Yes, we do resemble each other quite a bit. You should see my mom's four sisters. It's crazy. :)
I definitely want to go back again! It's a beautiful place.
Hope you are having a great week!
What a list! Thank you for posting- Helping me plan my upcoming trip :)
Awesome! I hope you have a great time! It really is a beautiful place, and there are a ton of things to do. I can’t wait to go again. :)
What a list! Thank you for posting- Helping me plan my upcoming trip :)
Awesome! I hope you have a great time! It really is a beautiful place, and there are a ton of things to do. I can't wait to go again. :)
Castello di Amarosa is breath taking! I was there in early November and I left a piece of my heart out there! Calistoga was charming, loved all the shops! Its definitely worth revisiting as much as possible!
Absolutely! I hope to go back again this fall. ;)
Castello di Amarosa is breath taking! I was there in early November and I left a piece of my heart out there! Calistoga was charming, loved all the shops! Its definitely worth revisiting as much as possible!
Absolutely! I hope to go back again this fall. ;)
Thank you so much for making us one of your top 10 things to do in Napa Valley! We’re so glad you had such a great time on your tour and tasting this past November, and we loved seeing your beautiful photos from your visit! Thank you again from all of us at the Castello, and we hope to see you back in Napa Valley soon!
So happy that you found my blog post! We loved our trip to Napa, and we especially loved Castello! We can’t wait to get back. :)
So happy that you found my blog post! We loved our trip to Napa, and we especially loved Castello! We can't wait to get back. :)
Have only done about half of these, but this is a great list!! Excellent reference for a wine loving first timer!
We are here in Napa for a year. Leaving in a few days. You nailed every one of the places you mentioned. I do know this trip was a few years ago. There are a couple a new spots that you would love. Michael Chiarello has another new eatery. I am sorry you did not visit the CIA, Culinary Institute of America……………to die for in every way.
I hope to be back soon! I’ll definitely look into both of those! :) Thanks, Barb!