TRAVEL ITINERARY: How To Plan A Weekend In Napa Valley

I am so excited to share this post about my recent trip to Napa, because I think it’s one of the most beautiful places in the county!  I could visit several times a year and never get bored, plus the scenery and weather are always perfect. Besides, who doesn’t love wine tasting!?

We recently went for a wedding and stayed in downtown Napa at The Westin. There are so many wineries, restaurants, and activities to consider during a visit (which can sometimes get a tad overwhelming when planning your weekend), so I’ve mapped out our recent itinerary to share with you guys if it’s your first time OR looking for new ideas!  Next time we will stay in Yountville or St Helena, but the itinerary below would work no matter where you stay. Napa is pretty spread out, so be prepared to uber/drive often!

THURSDAY NIGHT:

Land at SFO and drive up to Napa.  We landed late, so we grabbed a late dinner at Gott’s Roadside Hamburgers.  It’s not healthy, but it’s famous for its killer hamburger!

FRIDAY:

9 AM– Eat a big breakfast. Trust me, you will need it!  We skipped lunch and had an early dinner after all the wine!

10 AM –  Get picked up by a driver.  Since we rented a car, we used “Be My DD” as an easy option to get around the city safely.  If you don’t rent a car, we heard Beau Wine Tours is fantastic.

10:45 AM– Sterling Vineyards: This was a great way to start the day, because you enjoy a scenic gondola ride and learn how wine is made. We did the silver tasting and it was perfect!

12:30 PM – Alpha Omega: This was my husband’s favorite!  To enjoy the best views, be sure to reserve a table outside by the water.

2:00 PM – Del Dotto St Helena: This is a MUST SEE!  We had an absolute blast here! Our guide at Del Dotto took us into the caves and served wine directly from the barrels.  They are heavy pours, so I suggest you keep this as your last tasting of the day! Plus, they serve hot pizza (YUM) after the tour – you don’t want to miss this experience!

 

DINNER – Goose and Gander is a great spot for a delicious dinner and unique cocktails.

SATURDAY:

BIKE RIDING DAY! –  We rented bikes from Napa River Velo and rode from downtown Napa to Yountville.  It was a bit of a trek, but the route was flat (easy) and beautiful!  If you aren’t staying in downtown Napa, I still highly recommend riding bikes to Yountville – the fresh air and perfect California climate can’t be beat.  There are vineyards along the way where you can stop and explore, and based on our route, we would have stopped at Laird Family and Domaine Chandon… but we were wined-out!  Be sure you leave yourself plenty of time in Yountville, because it’s super quaint and you will have fun exploring.

LUNCH – We grabbed a late lunch at Bouchon – delicious.

AFTERNOON – Following lunch, we enjoyed a wine tasting at Silver Trident Winery.  This winery is decorated with Ralph Lauren home, and i can promise that you will not want to leave without buying the entire tasting room furniture sets!

DINNER – We had dinner at Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch, and this was our best meal of the trip!  Don’t miss the pimento cheese deviled eggs, and be sure to sit outside for a glass of wine while soaking in the beautiful view!

SUNDAY:

MORNING – After a weekend of wine tastings, we took a low-key/healthy route this morning by roaming around Oxbow Public Market for a green juice and breakfast.

MID-MORNING –  We headed into San Francisco to explore the city a little before catching a flight. SF is one of our favorite cities, so I highly recommend exploring if you’ve never been. I also suggest stopping in Sausalito for lunch on your way into the city.

If you want to switch up our itinerary, here are some additional tips for what we plan to do on future trips!

STAY

HARVEST INN – Next time I think we will stay here, because it’s centrally located and very charming!

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ANYWHERE IN YOUNTVILLE – This town is so charming – imagine Seaside, FL but in wine country!

AUBURGE DU SOLEIL – This one is a bit more of a splurge, but gorgeous!

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MEADOWOOD – Luxury hotel and spa – Also a splurge, but beautiful!

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SILVERADO RESORT – Janie stayed here on her visit a couple weeks ago and absolutely loved it!

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EAT

OAKVILLE GROCERY – You should definitely stop and get a sandwich here, trust me you won’t regret it.  It’s also a great place to pick up picnic items.

FRENCH LAUNDRY – If you’re looking for a nice night out, this is one of the top restaurants in Napa. Note: it’s also one of the most expensive spots we’ve found.

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MEADOWOOD – This is another highly recommended spot in Napa. Similar to French Laundry, we suggest saving this for a special night out, as it can be a bit pricey as well.

MUSTARDS GRILL – A delicious farm to table spot that will satisfy any craving.

AD HOC + ADDENDUM – This spot has a daily-changing four-course menu, featuring classic American dishes like fried chicken, pot roast and barbecue. Yum !

DO (WINERIES) 

CAYMUS – Best cabernets! Their garden is beautiful and I could sit here all day.  Just don’t forget to make a reservation!

RAM’S GATE – This is one of the first wineries you’ll pass on the way in from San Francisco, and we’ve visited numerous times. It looks like Restoration Hardware ad (swoon), so it’s very picturesque and you won’t want to miss!

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SCHRAMSBERG – If you like bubbly, this is the place to visit!

DUCKHORN – Janie visited Napa two weeks prior to my trip and she loved the wine tasting on the porch! You can’t go wrong with any of their wines!

JARVIS – Everyone recommends this vineyard, but unfortunately they were sold out and we couldn’t get a reservation. It’s definitely high on my list for next time!

My number one tip to remember is don’t overbook your trip!  We had several reservations, but it was also fun to play it by ear and stop by vineyards during your free time. Some require reservations, but there are plenty of smaller vineyards that allow walk-ins and will keep your trip relaxing.

We hope you enjoy your next trip to Napa! If you have any questions, feel free to shoot us a message – and if you have any favorite spots, let us know! xo