Guidebook for Napa

Jessica
Guidebook for Napa

Food Scene

Great spot for coffee, breakfast or lunch. Opens early and is conveniently located at the Oxbow Market. Must try their english muffins! Get one of their breakfast sandwiches, or buy a six pack (there's a limit) and make your own in your kitchen.
50 locals recommend
Model Bakery
644 1st St
50 locals recommend
Great spot for coffee, breakfast or lunch. Opens early and is conveniently located at the Oxbow Market. Must try their english muffins! Get one of their breakfast sandwiches, or buy a six pack (there's a limit) and make your own in your kitchen.
Breakfast is our favorite, though they are open for lunch. Love the tater tots, mimosas, just about everything is yummy. Simple, good food.
13 locals recommend
Jax White Mule Diner
1122 1st St
13 locals recommend
Breakfast is our favorite, though they are open for lunch. Love the tater tots, mimosas, just about everything is yummy. Simple, good food.
Amazing sushi, intriguing entree dishes. World class cuisine AND, in walking distance. Right on the riverfront.
88 locals recommend
Morimoto Napa
610 Main St
88 locals recommend
Amazing sushi, intriguing entree dishes. World class cuisine AND, in walking distance. Right on the riverfront.
Great restaurant. Sauces and dishes are amazing! Great wine list too. Of, course.
30 locals recommend
TORC
1140 Main St
30 locals recommend
Great restaurant. Sauces and dishes are amazing! Great wine list too. Of, course.
Spanish tapas with a California twist. No reservations. Great food, local scene. Always lively. Spanish wines compliment their wine list. Also, an easy walk from the cottage.
43 locals recommend
Zuzu
829 Main St
43 locals recommend
Spanish tapas with a California twist. No reservations. Great food, local scene. Always lively. Spanish wines compliment their wine list. Also, an easy walk from the cottage.
Gastro-pub. Another popular spot with locals. Good beer, good food, not expensive. In the heart of downtown. Walking distance from the cottage.
13 locals recommend
Napa Palisades Saloon
1000 Main St
13 locals recommend
Gastro-pub. Another popular spot with locals. Good beer, good food, not expensive. In the heart of downtown. Walking distance from the cottage.
In Oxbow Market. The place to go if you love oysters and don't want to go to their flagship restaurant out at the coast.
31 locals recommend
Hog Island Oyster Co
610 1st St
31 locals recommend
In Oxbow Market. The place to go if you love oysters and don't want to go to their flagship restaurant out at the coast.
In Oxbow Market. Great Mexican food with a gringo twist. All gluten free.
13 locals recommend
C CASA Napa
610 1st St
13 locals recommend
In Oxbow Market. Great Mexican food with a gringo twist. All gluten free.
Solid Italian food, woodfired pizzas. Lively scene. Casual dining with a great atmosphere.
Ca' Momi Enoteca
610 1st St
Solid Italian food, woodfired pizzas. Lively scene. Casual dining with a great atmosphere.
Breakfast/lunch. Good food brings everyone out on the weekends.
28 locals recommend
Alexis Baking Company
1517 3rd St
28 locals recommend
Breakfast/lunch. Good food brings everyone out on the weekends.
12 locals recommend
Peet's Coffee
3678 Bel Aire Plaza
12 locals recommend
8 locals recommend
Starbucks
247 Soscol Ave
8 locals recommend
Iconic burger joint. Garlic fries, shakes, ahi tuna burger. Yum! Also, check out the original location in St. Helena.
106 locals recommend
Gott's Roadside
644 1st St
106 locals recommend
Iconic burger joint. Garlic fries, shakes, ahi tuna burger. Yum! Also, check out the original location in St. Helena.
Great food in St. Helena. Farm to table, seasonal menu. $5 corkage goes to the local schools. Perfect for lunch or dinner outdoors.
79 locals recommend
Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch
738 Main St
79 locals recommend
Great food in St. Helena. Farm to table, seasonal menu. $5 corkage goes to the local schools. Perfect for lunch or dinner outdoors.
Steak and Cabernet Sauvignon. Perfect!
45 locals recommend
Cole's Chop House
1122 Main St
45 locals recommend
Steak and Cabernet Sauvignon. Perfect!
Steak is their specialty, but all the food is solid. Beautiful decor . Wine list has been noted as one of the best restaurant wine lists in the country. Expect to pay for it too.
31 locals recommend
PRESS
587 St Helena Hwy
31 locals recommend
Steak is their specialty, but all the food is solid. Beautiful decor . Wine list has been noted as one of the best restaurant wine lists in the country. Expect to pay for it too.
Everything from food to service is fantastic. But I always end up getting the lobster risotto with meyer lemon and truffle....
18 locals recommend
Redd Restaurant
6480 Washington St
18 locals recommend
Everything from food to service is fantastic. But I always end up getting the lobster risotto with meyer lemon and truffle....
Sister restaurant to Redd. More casual with an Italian influence. Woodfired pizzas, great cocktails. During brussel sprout season (winter) get the brussel sprout salad on a bed of warm burrata. When it's not in season, just get the burrata.
15 locals recommend
Redd Wood
6755 Washington St
15 locals recommend
Sister restaurant to Redd. More casual with an Italian influence. Woodfired pizzas, great cocktails. During brussel sprout season (winter) get the brussel sprout salad on a bed of warm burrata. When it's not in season, just get the burrata.
Open for dinner only. Simple, homemade pastas, pizzas. Very good food and atmosphere. If the line's too long, head over to R&D Kitchen for a drink while you wait.
22 locals recommend
Ciccio
6770 Washington St
22 locals recommend
Open for dinner only. Simple, homemade pastas, pizzas. Very good food and atmosphere. If the line's too long, head over to R&D Kitchen for a drink while you wait.
If you happen to be in Yountville and want delicious breads and pastries, Thomas Keller's bakery is worth the wait and cheaper than the French Laundry. Much cheaper.
55 locals recommend
Bouchon Bakery
6528 Washington St
55 locals recommend
If you happen to be in Yountville and want delicious breads and pastries, Thomas Keller's bakery is worth the wait and cheaper than the French Laundry. Much cheaper.
Classic French bistro cuisine. Don't go if you are on a diet.
43 locals recommend
Bistro Jeanty
6510 Washington St
43 locals recommend
Classic French bistro cuisine. Don't go if you are on a diet.
Beautiful space, both indoor and outside. Another popular spot with locals, especially at the bar. Consistency of high quality service and food aren't always on point. Yet the restaurant continues to pack in the crowds.
72 locals recommend
Bistro Don Giovanni
4110 Howard Ln
72 locals recommend
Beautiful space, both indoor and outside. Another popular spot with locals, especially at the bar. Consistency of high quality service and food aren't always on point. Yet the restaurant continues to pack in the crowds.
Eat at their Michelin star restaurant or, my personal favorite, go to the much more casual and equally delicious bar just on the other side. Same great views. Perfect for a meal or just a drink.
30 locals recommend
Auberge du Soleil Restaurant
30 locals recommend
Eat at their Michelin star restaurant or, my personal favorite, go to the much more casual and equally delicious bar just on the other side. Same great views. Perfect for a meal or just a drink.
Good solid burgers (or veggie burgers) that melt a ton of cheese on top of the burger. Delicious treat. No frills.
Squeeze Inn Hamburgers
3383 Solano Ave
Good solid burgers (or veggie burgers) that melt a ton of cheese on top of the burger. Delicious treat. No frills.
May through October. Tuesday and Saturday Mornings at the movie theater parking lot. Stock up on local berries, stone fruits, veggies and shop for knicknacks
6 locals recommend
Napa Farmers' Market
1100 West Street
6 locals recommend
May through October. Tuesday and Saturday Mornings at the movie theater parking lot. Stock up on local berries, stone fruits, veggies and shop for knicknacks
If you're looking for Michel Star cuisine in Calistoga, this place is great.
32 locals recommend
Solage, Auberge Resorts Collection
755 Silverado Trail N
32 locals recommend
If you're looking for Michel Star cuisine in Calistoga, this place is great.
Part of the Houston's group. This place has great big dark booths, the smell of meat sizzling, great salads as well. Free corkage is a bonus.
50 locals recommend
Rutherford Grill
1180 Rutherford Rd
50 locals recommend
Part of the Houston's group. This place has great big dark booths, the smell of meat sizzling, great salads as well. Free corkage is a bonus.

Drinks & Nightlife

Wine and beer bar with small bites. This place is packed before the dinner rush and late night. Very popular with locals, especially those in the wine business. Chances are, you'll be rubbing elbows with a winemaker or two (they'll probably be drinking beer). Very friendly, knowledgable staff. Occasional DJs for late night music.
24 locals recommend
Cadet Beer and Wine Bar
930 Franklin St
24 locals recommend
Wine and beer bar with small bites. This place is packed before the dinner rush and late night. Very popular with locals, especially those in the wine business. Chances are, you'll be rubbing elbows with a winemaker or two (they'll probably be drinking beer). Very friendly, knowledgable staff. Occasional DJs for late night music.
Long list of wines to choose from including good quality pinot noir and Cabernet Sauvignon. Located just outside downtown St. Helena, their property is a treat to just walk around. Huge art collectors, the winery is filled with interesting art installations both inside and out.
27 locals recommend
HALL St. Helena
401 Saint Helena Highway
27 locals recommend
Long list of wines to choose from including good quality pinot noir and Cabernet Sauvignon. Located just outside downtown St. Helena, their property is a treat to just walk around. Huge art collectors, the winery is filled with interesting art installations both inside and out.
Small, organic vineyard. Excellent wines, vineyard setting. Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Woman owned/winemaker Pam Starr knocks it out of the park. Purchase expected.
Crocker & Starr
700 Dowdell Ln
Small, organic vineyard. Excellent wines, vineyard setting. Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Woman owned/winemaker Pam Starr knocks it out of the park. Purchase expected.
This place gets packed, especially on weekends, but it's beautiful and the table service for sparkling wine and small bites like caviar, cheese, and smoked salmon, are a treat. Line up a sampler tasting or just get a glass of Le Reve and soak in the view of Carneros.
66 locals recommend
Domaine Carneros
1240 Duhig Rd
66 locals recommend
This place gets packed, especially on weekends, but it's beautiful and the table service for sparkling wine and small bites like caviar, cheese, and smoked salmon, are a treat. Line up a sampler tasting or just get a glass of Le Reve and soak in the view of Carneros.
Pinot noir, chardonnay, seasonal rose. Beautiful vistas of the Petaluma Gap. Not far from Napa, or Sonoma. Best on a warm, sunny day. Purchase recommended.
51 locals recommend
Scribe Winery
2100 Denmark St
51 locals recommend
Pinot noir, chardonnay, seasonal rose. Beautiful vistas of the Petaluma Gap. Not far from Napa, or Sonoma. Best on a warm, sunny day. Purchase recommended.
Dive bar. The surly attitude is free. Late night Yountville you'll be drinking with an interesting mix of tourists and industry folk.
8 locals recommend
Pancha’s of Yountville
6764 Washington St
8 locals recommend
Dive bar. The surly attitude is free. Late night Yountville you'll be drinking with an interesting mix of tourists and industry folk.
Established and acclaimed organic winery in St. Helena. Owner/winemaker Cathy Corison makes the amazing Kronos--a Cabernet Sauvignon from old vines in the Rutherford Bench/St. Helena appellation. Taste in the winery. If you like older wines, try and arrange a library tasting.
8 locals recommend
Corison Winery
987 St Helena Hwy
8 locals recommend
Established and acclaimed organic winery in St. Helena. Owner/winemaker Cathy Corison makes the amazing Kronos--a Cabernet Sauvignon from old vines in the Rutherford Bench/St. Helena appellation. Taste in the winery. If you like older wines, try and arrange a library tasting.
Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons. If you want to do a formal sit-down tasting that shows how much soils affect the flavors of wine, this one's for you. By prior appointment. Purchase recommended.
8 locals recommend
Nickel & Nickel
8164 St Helena Hwy
8 locals recommend
Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons. If you want to do a formal sit-down tasting that shows how much soils affect the flavors of wine, this one's for you. By prior appointment. Purchase recommended.
Winery collective. Great spot to try wine from a variety of producers and regions in a convenient and enjoyable location in the heart of Yountville. Purchase recommended.
8 locals recommend
RH Yountville Wine Vault
6725 Washington St
8 locals recommend
Winery collective. Great spot to try wine from a variety of producers and regions in a convenient and enjoyable location in the heart of Yountville. Purchase recommended.
Bubbles! And, a great tour. One of the best tours in Napa Valley--and best sparkling.
35 locals recommend
Schramsberg Vineyards
1400 Schramsberg Rd
35 locals recommend
Bubbles! And, a great tour. One of the best tours in Napa Valley--and best sparkling.
Made famous in the opening of Falcon Crest, this old winery at the base of Spring Mt. offers a beautiful setting to drink delicious wine. Go for the entire experience. Cab, Sauvignon Blanc. Purchase recommended.
Spring Mountain Vineyard
2805 Spring Mountain Rd
Made famous in the opening of Falcon Crest, this old winery at the base of Spring Mt. offers a beautiful setting to drink delicious wine. Go for the entire experience. Cab, Sauvignon Blanc. Purchase recommended.
Formal sit down tastings or more casual tastings in the garden in summer months. Beautiful property. Dry farmed vineyard. Great wines, location, and good value. Cab, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc are my favorites.
19 locals recommend
Frog's Leap Winery
8815 Conn Creek Rd
19 locals recommend
Formal sit down tastings or more casual tastings in the garden in summer months. Beautiful property. Dry farmed vineyard. Great wines, location, and good value. Cab, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc are my favorites.
One word. Zinfandel!
Robert Biale Vineyards
4038 Big Ranch Rd
One word. Zinfandel!
Between Calistoga and St. Helena, this newer winery has amazing views, space, and the wines are top notch. Thomas RIvers Brown is the winemaker. Cab, Sauvignon Blanc, big blend, all are yummy. Appointment only. Purchase strongly recommended.
Mending Wall Winery
3730 Silverado Trail N
Between Calistoga and St. Helena, this newer winery has amazing views, space, and the wines are top notch. Thomas RIvers Brown is the winemaker. Cab, Sauvignon Blanc, big blend, all are yummy. Appointment only. Purchase strongly recommended.
The first winery established on Pritchard Hill, it's still the best deal up there. Family owned since the 1960s. Go for the wine and the setting. Appointment only. Pritchard Hill Cab is amazing, though they make great Cab Franc, Merlot, and Chenin Blanc too.
10 locals recommend
Chappellet Winery
1581 Sage Canyon Rd
10 locals recommend
The first winery established on Pritchard Hill, it's still the best deal up there. Family owned since the 1960s. Go for the wine and the setting. Appointment only. Pritchard Hill Cab is amazing, though they make great Cab Franc, Merlot, and Chenin Blanc too.
The setting is a Craftsman style building with a wrap-around deck looking out on the vineyard. Just north of the town of St. Helena, this is one of the most respected Merlot houses. Dan Duckhorn sold the label nearly a decade ago, yet the winery continues to make good wines. Go for their single vineyard Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon. You can also sample Goldeneye, their Pinot Noir label from Anderson Valley.
20 locals recommend
Duckhorn Vineyards
1000 Lodi Ln
20 locals recommend
The setting is a Craftsman style building with a wrap-around deck looking out on the vineyard. Just north of the town of St. Helena, this is one of the most respected Merlot houses. Dan Duckhorn sold the label nearly a decade ago, yet the winery continues to make good wines. Go for their single vineyard Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon. You can also sample Goldeneye, their Pinot Noir label from Anderson Valley.
Small producers. Intimate tasting experience. Make some of my favorite pinot noir (Burgundian style) and chardonnay with fruit primarily from Sonoma County. Similar in style Littorai in Sonoma. Purchase expected with small producers such as these.
7 locals recommend
Failla Wines
3530 Silverado Trail N
7 locals recommend
Small producers. Intimate tasting experience. Make some of my favorite pinot noir (Burgundian style) and chardonnay with fruit primarily from Sonoma County. Similar in style Littorai in Sonoma. Purchase expected with small producers such as these.
Great Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir at the top of Spring Mountain. It's worth the drive, though give yourself ample time to get there and get back. There are a number of great wineries in the area, if you want to explore. Private tasting, purchase expected.
Barnett Vineyards
4070 Spring Mountain Rd
Great Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir at the top of Spring Mountain. It's worth the drive, though give yourself ample time to get there and get back. There are a number of great wineries in the area, if you want to explore. Private tasting, purchase expected.
On a beautiful warm day, sit out on the patio. Good Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc. Open until 6pm during peak season if you're looking for a solid place to end a day of wine tasting.
10 locals recommend
Alpha Omega Winery
1155 Mee Ln
10 locals recommend
On a beautiful warm day, sit out on the patio. Good Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc. Open until 6pm during peak season if you're looking for a solid place to end a day of wine tasting.
Great place to select a tour. The olive oil tour is widely popular. The setting of the tasting is a huge area perched above the vineyards. Great views. Also, one of the few places that specializes in food pairings and lunches, though book well in advance.
8 locals recommend
Round Pond Estate
875 Rutherford Rd
8 locals recommend
Great place to select a tour. The olive oil tour is widely popular. The setting of the tasting is a huge area perched above the vineyards. Great views. Also, one of the few places that specializes in food pairings and lunches, though book well in advance.
Wine and food pairing in a stylish setting.
Swanson Vineyards Salon
1077 Dunaweal Lane
Wine and food pairing in a stylish setting.
Pinot Noir from Sonoma and Argentinian Malbec. Great wine and food pairing if you want to do something extra special. Appointment required. Purchase expected.
6 locals recommend
Paul Hobbs Winery
3355 Gravenstein Hwy N
6 locals recommend
Pinot Noir from Sonoma and Argentinian Malbec. Great wine and food pairing if you want to do something extra special. Appointment required. Purchase expected.
Phenomenal wine Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Chenin Blanc. Biodynamic. Appointment required and purchase appreciated.
7 locals recommend
Littorai Winery
788 Gold Ridge Road
7 locals recommend
Phenomenal wine Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Chenin Blanc. Biodynamic. Appointment required and purchase appreciated.
Old Vine Pinot Noir just on the northern edge of the town of Sonoma. Standard bearer for these varieties. Appointment required and purchase expected.
15 locals recommend
Hanzell Vineyards (tours and tastings by appointment only)
18596 Lomita Ave
15 locals recommend
Old Vine Pinot Noir just on the northern edge of the town of Sonoma. Standard bearer for these varieties. Appointment required and purchase expected.
Beautiful tasting room with a great lineup of wines right on the plaza in downtown Sonoma.
18 locals recommend
Pangloss Cellars
35 E Napa St
18 locals recommend
Beautiful tasting room with a great lineup of wines right on the plaza in downtown Sonoma.

Arts & Culture

One of the more interesting museum experience. Great artwork, with a focus on outdoor sculpture art.
54 locals recommend
di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art
5200 Sonoma Hwy
54 locals recommend
One of the more interesting museum experience. Great artwork, with a focus on outdoor sculpture art.

Shopping

Outdoor outlet. Get everything from Rayban sunglasses to Coach purshes. Something for everyone if the shopping bug bites you.
62 locals recommend
Napa Premium Outlets
629 Factory Stores Dr
62 locals recommend
Outdoor outlet. Get everything from Rayban sunglasses to Coach purshes. Something for everyone if the shopping bug bites you.

Essentials

63 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
3682 Bel Aire Plaza
63 locals recommend
49 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
3654 Bel Aire Plaza
49 locals recommend

Getting Around

Budget Car Rental
476 Soscol Ave
http://www.ridethevine.com/vine
Soscol Gateway Transit Center station
625 Burnell St
http://www.ridethevine.com/vine

Parks & Nature

Great trails, beautiful vistas. A trail for every hiking level.
47 locals recommend
Skyline Wilderness Park
2201 Imola Avenue
47 locals recommend
Great trails, beautiful vistas. A trail for every hiking level.