Dr. Wilkinson's Backyard Resort and Mineral Springs, a Member of Design Hotels Press Room
A Guide to Napa Valley, California Wine Country’s Crown Jewel
You don't come to Napa Valley to be the first. The region has been well-established for about as long as wine has been commercially produced in California. What you come here for is just about everything else—farm-to-table cuisine, prestigious wines, historic hot springs, and design-driven hotels (not to mention its gentle mountain ranges and rippling river that can be admired via hot air balloon or leisurely hike). Despite lacking any sort of under-the-radar quality, it's still a destination with ceaseless appeal.
First and foremost, the Napa Valley AVA (American Viticultural Area) is home to some of the most coveted wineries in the country. It runs about 30 miles north to south but only five miles at its widest point, which lends itself well to providing a diverse range of climates that allow for a breadth of wine varieties to be made here. The towns where you'll spend most of your time exploring are Napa, Yountville, St. Helena, and Calistoga, with a total of 17 sub-appellations (nested AVAs) comprising the broader Napa Valley AVA. Getting around is best conquered by car, but if you're wine tasting you'll need to look into transportation via taxi or a private driver; Uber and Lyft aren't so reliable in these parts.
Though a visit to Napa requires nothing more than a desire to slow down and savor, there are a number of new and noteworthy openings across food, wine, and accommodations that justify prioritizing a trip to Northern California right now. Below, your complete guide to Napa Valley.
What to Do
And if you're in search of self-care, the area of Calistoga has long been known for its hot springs and natural mud baths. In the late 1800s, tourism boomed as visitors learned of Calistoga's geothermal properties and now there are several spas with treatments centered around these rich minerals. Side note: the recently reimagined mud baths at Dr. Wilkinson's Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs should be on your radar.
Due to its Mediterranean climate, there's no terrible time to visit Napa Valley with regards to weather (though it can get nippy in the winter). But as with any major tourist destination, choosing when to visit depends on your priorities. Do you want to avoid crowds? Hoping for lower hotel rates? Interested in seasonal activities like harvest dinners? A few callouts to consider below.
High Season (June to October): Plenty of sunny days and lush vineyards, which create a picture-perfect setting for wine tasting. Harvest season falls within this time period (August to October), bringing with it unique programming for visitors. Expect higher prices, larger crowds, and more difficulty getting reservations.
Low Season (December to February): While the weather is cooler, rain is likely, and the vineyards are arguably less scenic, there are much better hotel deals, fewer crowds, and cozy tasting room experiences. It's also a much easier time of year to snap up covetable reservations.
Shoulder Season (March to May; November): Both spring and late autumn offer fewer tourists and lower hotel rates than high season. While the weather can be unpredictable during both of these shoulder seasons, spring brings wildflowers and November's foliage can be quite lovely to see if you time it well.