Welcome to Napa Valley
Napa Valley is exactly what you expect when you think of Wine Country: hillside chateau wineries, bold Cabs, vast expanses of perfectly ordered grape vines, grassy slopes speckled by the tungsten sun, restaurant dinners that go on for hours, and some of the finest and most luxurious small-scale boutique hotels anywhere in California.
Top experiences in Napa Valley
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Napa Valley activities
Muir Woods and Wine Country, Lunch Option from San Francisco
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, CaliforniaPhoto stopDuration: 10 minutesStop At: Muir Woods National Monument, Mill Valley, Marin County, CaliforniaThe primeval home to old growth Coastal Redwoods, some at least 1,200 years old. The tallest is 258 feet high. We optimize the time you spend on the trails of Coastal Redwoods by arriving before the crowds. You’ll spend just over an hour enjoying California’s native flora and fauna, taking in giant ferns, moss-lined creeks, fresh bay leaf-scented air from the many Laurel trees and squirrels, blue jays and deer if you’re lucky.Duration: 1 hourPass By: Palace of Fine Arts Theatre, San Francisco, CaliforniaMonumental structure originally constructed for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition in order to exhibit works of art presented there.Stop At: Sonoma Plaza, Sonoma, Sonoma County, CaliforniaLunch stopDuration: 1 hour
Napa Valley Hot-Air-Balloon Ride with Sparkling Wine Brunch
Meet your guide inside Domaine Chandon Winery in the heart of Napa Valley, and start your sunrise hot-air-balloon experience with a pre-flight snack of coffee, tea, orange juice, and pastries. Then, head out to the launch field with your group to watch your brightly colored balloon inflate. Listen to a comprehensive safety briefing, and then step inside your balloon’s basket with your expert pilot. Each basket holds a maximum of 16 people, and there’s plenty of room for you to sightsee comfortably as you soar up and away.Have your camera ready to capture bird’s-eye views of Napa Valley’s rolling hills as you softly glide through the early morning skies. As you pass over pristine vineyards, your pilot talks to you about Napa’s captivating landscape. Hear how the vines change from emerald green to a rusty gold according to season, and learn about the different wineries in the area below you.After approximately an hour in the air, your pilot gives you instructions for a smooth landing. Once back on the ground, make your way back to Domaine Chandon Winery, and sit down inside its prestigious restaurant for your lavish breakfast of eggs, bacon, sausage, and cottage potatoes. Fruit salad and muffins, as well as coffee, tea, and orange juice are also included.Relax while enjoying this classic American buffet breakfast and, after receiving your souvenir photo, toast your group with a glass of sparkling Domain Chandon wine — it’s the perfect way to celebrate your Napa Valley balloon flight.
Napa and Sonoma Wine Country Small-Group Tour with Lunch
After pickup from your San Francisco hotel, relax on the 1-hour ride north to beautiful Sonoma Valley. Aboard a luxury van, your experienced guide will show you the best of California wine country during your day trip.You'll visit at least two of Sonoma Valley's top wineries and sample vintage wine in their tasting rooms. Learn all about the art of wine making as you sip a variety of fine wines and mingle with your small group.At midday, enjoy a leisurely lunch at the Plaza Bistro, a gourmet restaurant in Sonoma, before continuing to Napa Valley. A scenic ride to Domaine Chandon will offer stunning views of vineyard-studded hills. When you arrive, toast with a glass of bubbly at a specially reserved table and savor the last of your wine country tour. Wineries you may visit include Viansa Winery, Cline Cellars, Larson Family Winery, Homewood Winery and Jacuzzi Family Vineyards. At the end of the day, sit back and relax on the ride back to San Francisco.Please see the Itinerary section below for a sample lunch menu.
Napa Valley Wine Train to St Helena with Gourmet Lunch
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Napa Valley Wine Train, Napa, Napa Valley, CaliforniaTravel through the lush Napa Valley countryside and be transported back in time. Back to the romance and luxury of the golden age of train travel of the early 1900s, when guests explored the trains beyond their private quarters. Back to a time when a journey was meant to be savored from start to finish. Guests aboard the Gourmet Express experience both dining and lounge service, with some courses of your gourmet meal served in each car.Heading North, first seating guests begin their journey in the dining car, enjoying their fresh Sonoma greens or soup du jour and choice of entrée—roasted tenderloin of beef, lemon thyme roasted chicken, or gemelli pasta among them—followed by dessert with complimentary coffee or tea in one of the lounge cars on the return trip.Second seating guests sample appetizers and beverages in one of our lounge cars en route to St. Helena, and choice of soup or salad, entrée, and dessert on the way back to the station. Fresh California gourmet meals are crafted by Executive Chef Donald Young and his passionate culinary team in one of three onboard kitchens. Located immediately next to each dining area, guests are encouraged to explore the Train and visit the kitchen cars and see our chefs in action.Choose the Gourmet Express for lunch, when the sun is bright and high in the sky. Or for something even more romantic, join us onboard for evening dinner. In the spring and summer, the long, warm California twilight means that when you take your Wine Train journey, Napa Valley’s vineyards are bathed in beautiful, golden hour sunlight for most of the way, with the opportunity to see some spectacular Napa sunsets. In the Fall and the Winter, when the train departs after sunset, you will experience the romance and adventure of an antique train traveling through the dark, starlit Napa Valley night.In the spirit of traditional rail seating, you may share the experience—and a table—with another party. Need a bit of privacy? Private seating is available in the Champagne Vista Dome on dinner trains and some private tables (for two) are available on lunch trains.Duration: 3 hours
Napa Valley Wine Train with Wine Tasting, Lunch, Vineyard Tour
Board the Napa Valley Wine Train in Downtown Napa and travel north through gorgeous Napa Valley. As you admire views of wine country, you'll be served a gourmet 3-course meal prepared to your specifications. The highly acclaimed onboard restaurant prides itself in using fresh ingredients and sustainable produce, as well as humanely raised meats and line-caught or farmed fish (see below for a sample menu).You have the choice of three itinerary options, listed below. Please check in 30 minutes prior to boarding. All transfers and tastings are included.
Napa from San Francisco: Wine Tasting, Vineyard Tour, Lunch
Head to the Ferry Building in San Francisco on the morning of your tour. Depending on the day you select, you’ll take the ferry (Mon-Fri) or a bus (Sat-Sun) to Vallejo, where you’ll then hop on a shuttle and travel north to Napa.Board the Napa Valley Wine Train in downtown Napa and journey north through beautiful Napa Valley wine country. You'll be served a gourmet 3-course lunch prepared to your specifications from the highly acclaimed onboard restaurant, which uses fresh ingredients, sustainable produce, humanely raised meats and line-caught or farmed fish (see below for a sample menu).Choose from three different itineraries, listed below. Please check in 30 minutes prior to departure. All transfers and tastings are included. After your winery tour and train ride, you'll be taken back to San Francisco.