ITINERARIES
Day Trip Dream in Napa Downtown
Here's a sampling of Ideas for making the most of a day in Napa.
Start the day with a yummy breakfast or brunch. Many of Napa Downtown's 30-plus restaurants are all set to serve the early bird. Pick up a flavor-filled fruit muffin or warm croissant from the Alexis Baking Company whose fresh baked goods are known throughout the Valley. Or stop by the Napa General Store and try their signature homemade granola and chocolate-filled beignets while enjoying the view of the Napa River or their cozy fireplace. While at the General Store you can also shop for hand-crafted products -- oils, soaps, stemware and decanters -- from area artisans,
• Ready for a bit of shopping? Napa Downtown is a delightful place to browse, with a just-right selection of antiques, apparel, exquisite jewelry, home furnishings and one-of-a-kind arts and crafts.
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• It's time for lunch at one of Napa Downtown's many dining options, fine dining to picnic fare. There's California cuisine that is among the region's finest (and its best-kept secret) at Celadon which started the downtown district's foodie renaissance a decade ago as well as world-class ribs and beef, zesty Italian, tasty Cajun and elegant French food.
For a complete list of restaurants.
• Walk off your lunch with a self-guided walking tour of the charming neighborhoods and historic sites of Napa. In fact, Napa boasts more pre-1906 structures than any other Bay Area city. They add character and charm through their Italianate, Victorian Gothic, Spanish Colonial, Classical Revival, and Art Deco styles. Pick up a walking tour map at the Napa Downtown Association at 1556 First Street, Suite 102, or at the Napa Convention and Visitors Bureau at 1310 Napa Town Center. Also, make sure to stop by the Napa Valley Historical Society in the Goodman Library at 1219 First Street to leam more about the region's robust past.
• Take a break and have a seat at one of Napa Downtown's wine tasting bars. Here, you can sample rare and boutique wines from Napa Valley and around the world.
Purchase a Taste of Napa Wine Card for $20 and you can taste wines at participating establishments for as little as 10 cents.
• Dinner and a show will wrap up your very full day. Enjoy a fine meal, a light snack or dessert in one of Napa's more than 40 restaurants, followed by a performance at the
Napa Valley Opera House. Built in 1879, the beautifully restored Italianate Victorian theatre offers an intimate 500-seat setting for a range of performances, including musicals, original plays and concerts.
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Weekend of Wine, Food and Fun in Napa Downtown
There's no better remedy for a stress-filled workweek than a relaxing weekend spent in Napa Downtown and the surrounding Napa Valley. Less than 50 miles and an hour's drive from San Francisco, Napa Downtown is the first stop for visitors as they travel up Highway29 through the Napa Valley, which means less time in traffic, more time for fine wine, food and fun.
Here's a sampling of Ideas for taking a weekend getaway to Napa.
• Check into your accommodations in Napa Downtown. Whether you're staying at one of the charming inns or B&B or a local hotel, you can be assured your stay will be a pleasurable experience.
• View the scenic Napa Valley in elevated style aboard the elegant, fully "glass-topped" 1947 Pullman Vista Dome Dining Car. Hop aboard the
Napa Valley Wine Train and enjoy their signature 3-hour excursion with meals freshly prepared in the Vista Dome Car's own specialized kitchen. Enjoy a 4-course luncheon and a welcome glass of Napa Valley's premier sparkling wines as you survey the manicured vineyards and unique architecture of Napa Valley's wineries. Other options are also available.
• Your dinner -- or dessert -- awaits. Dining choices abound in Napa Downtown! Whether you are in the mood for appetizers, a multi-course dinner, after-dinner drinks or a scrumptious dessert, you can find it here.
Saturday Morning
• Begin your day sipping champagne while you glide silently above Napa Downtown. Ballooning over the Napa Valley is most certainly one of the most memorable ways to see the picturesque hills and valleys and beautiful vineyards of the area. There are a number ballooning companies to choose from www.napavalley.com/thingstodo/ballooning_skydiving/featured.html.
• Stay afloat as you spend the better part of your day winetasting at your favorite collection of Napa Valley's amazing variety of world-class wineries.
Saturday Afternoon
• On your way back to rest up at your inn or hotel, take a stroll around Napa Downtown and browse for gourmet food and wine items, beautiful jewelry, antiques and more. Then, cap off your day of wine tasting with a visit to one Napa Downtown's wine-tasting rooms where you'll find rare and boutique wines from Napa Valley and around the world, along with experts who will tell you about them.
• Time for a nap. Then get ready for the evening's entertainment.
Saturday Evening
• Is your mouth watering? Time to dine at one of Napa Downtown's eateries. Select from our renowned version of California cuisine as well as rich Italian, spicy Cajun and aromatic Asian. Click here.
• Make a date with the Napa Valley Opera House. Dating back to 1879, this beloved and beautifully restored historic site is the place to be on Saturday night in the Valley. Enjoy a play, comedy act or musical performance in the theatre's intimate 500-seat setting. Listings.
Sunday Morning
• Enjoy breakfast or brunch in the beautiful outdoors at one of Napa Downtown's charming breakfast spots.
• Take a walk and soak up some of Napa Downtown's history. One of the area's best-kept secrets is that Napa is home to the most pre-1906 structures in the Bay Area. Stop by the Napa Downtown Association for a self-guided walking tour map. Pick up a walking tour map at the Napa Visitors Center at 1310 Napa Town Center.
• You've seen it on foot - now check it out on water. The Napa River is a diverse ecosystem and an easy canoe or kayak ride. Napa Valley Adventure Tours will outfit everyone, from beginner to experienced paddler, and give you all the tips you need for a fun, safe day. You'll enjoy one of the most beautiful parts of the Napa Valley.
