Planning a trip to Napa Valley? You couldn’t have picked a more perfect choice! Napa Valley, or Napa County, is a picturesque hillside region located to the north of San Pablo Bay in Northern California. This charming town is home to several quaint yet incredibly picturesque small towns (including the eponymous city of Napa), where you’ll find some of the best food, drinks, and activities California has to offer.
Generally, we know Napa Valley for its famous wineries. The region is home to 400+ world-class wineries and California’s prized Cabernet Sauvignon. So while you enjoy some of the world’s finest wines and take in sweeping views of acres of rolling hills, you can also enjoy a nice joint.
So, while you’re preparing your perfect Napa Valley itinerary, don’t forget to stop by the Embarc Fairfield location to grab an edible, joint, or drinkable before you head out for the day. We have everything you need to make your trip planning that much easier — and tastier! We’re right off the freeway exit, so we’re easy to find, and we have tons of parking. So come on in, say hi, and pick up what you need for an epic adventure!
Napa Valley has something for everyone. Whether you’re a foodie on the search for California’s best fine dining dishes or a fast food lover looking to eat at some of the best delis you’ve ever visited, Napa will be a memorable experience for you.
Browse our list of the best food options in Napa Valley.
Loveski is Napa’s beloved “Jew-ish” Deli that combines the age-old, traditional elements of deli food, like bagels, with a uniquely Californian twist. Loveski sources all of its ingredients through local farms and employs local artisans to make sure each dish fully embodies the culture and spirit of Napa.
Owner Martina Kostow (who runs the homegrown Deli with her husband Christopher) brings her Thai heritage to the mix to give you a truly multicultural eating experience.
If you’ve been craving a fresh seafood snack, the Hog Island Oyster Co. oyster bar might just do the trick for you. Also located in downtown Napa in the Oxbow Public Market, this eatery serves freshly caught shellfish for diners to enjoy on the go. All items sold here are caught and harvested fresh each day from Tomales Bay, which is located 50 miles down the coast.
Even better, all of Hog Island’s produce, including fish and vegetables, is sustainably caught and grown, sourced directly through local farms. This makes Hog Island Oyster Co. a green and community-centered business.
So, what’s on the menu? A hand-crafted selection of Hog Island Oysters, Manila Clams, Tomales Bay Mussels, and fresh local seafood to take home and cook.
All these eateries sound amazing, but what about your sweet tooth? We have that covered too. Kara’s Cupcakes is a quaint, local dessert bar famous for sumptuous desserts like cupcakes, pastries, souffle, and much more. The restaurant bakes all of its products in small batches with the utmost care to ensure that you get the same lip-smacking experience in every bite.
If you’re in Napa just in time for the pumpkin season, you might even be able to catch the restaurant’s specialty dish – seasonal pumpkin spice cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. This “pumpkin spice and everything nice” dish has been a customer favorite for years now.
Kara’s Cupcakes is one of the few eateries in Napa that offer nationwide shipping, which means you can try its desserts before deciding whether you’d like to give them a go when you visit the valley.
Started in December 2002 by resident Bettina Rouas, Angele Restaurant aims to bring the warm hospitality and delightful flavors of the French countryside to Napa.
The restaurant is located inside the historic Hatt building along the Napa river and provides stunning views of the place along with its signature authentic French dishes.
The menu here consists of sumptuous “Pour Commencer” appetizers like oysters on the half shell and great “Plats Chauds” Entrees like the Prime New York Steak.
Napa’s Morimoto Bar and Restaurant is a dining experience like no other. Several California restaurants serve Japanese dishes, but few have the eye for detail and all-encompassing ambiance that Morimoto boasts.
For starters, Morimoto houses the only Sake and Japanese Whiskey Bar in Napa. Complete with old-fashioned high-backed chairs, beaded couches, and an open hibachi grill, Morimoto is the perfect Japanese fine dining experience.
The menu includes both Japanese favorites like edamame and dishes with a special Californian twist like the avocado roll.
Located right at the heart of one of Napa’s best, most luxurious resorts (Bardessono Hotel) is Napa’s best-kept secret – Lucy Restaurant and Bar. The restaurant is named after Lucy Bardessono, the family matriarch whose penchant for farming and cooking gave birth to a unique menu.
The restaurant aims to strike a fine balance between timeless luxury (through its fine dining options) and a green “eco-spirit” that believes in caring for nature and the community that depends on it. All produce at the restaurant is obtained through certified organic farming and fishing.
Napa Valley is located in Northern California’s lush countryside. Its incredible natural beauty and year-round Mediterranean climate make it perfect for sightseeing. The place is predominantly occupied by acres of bustling vineyards you can visit for extensive sightseeing and wine-tasting tours. Here’s our list.
Castello di Amorosa is a large winery designed in the form of a 13th-century Tuscan castle. It is the brainchild of 4th generation winemaker Dario Sattui and his deep passion for medieval architecture and his Italian heritage.
Made with more than 8,000 tons of hand-chiseled local stone and nearly one million antique bricks imported from Europe, the castle was built meticulously over 15 years. It was opened to the public on April 7, 2007, and has remained one of Napa’s most unique attractions ever since.
The castle is home to some of California’s most stunning vaulted wine cellars and lush, extensive vineyards that are open for public wine tasting tours.
If you are a wine lover and are looking for some of the rarest, most unique wines in North America, Domaine Carneros is the place for you.
Domaine Carneros is a heritage estate winery and chateau that specializes in méthode traditionelle i.e., authentic, traditional method sparkling wine. They also produce special estate Pinot Noir. The chateau here consists of an expansive outdoor terrace that overlooks a gorgeous hillside. We recommend visiting around sunset for the perfect wine-tasting experience.
If you want to make your visit to Napa a truly relaxing getaway, you must visit the place’s famous hot springs. Located at the heart of Upper Napa Valley’s Calistoga, the charming Calistoga Spa allows you to unwind amidst Napa’s natural beauty with your favorite bottle of wine by your side.
These hot springs here originate from deep underground reserves, which makes them extremely rich in important minerals. If you’re looking to spend a peaceful weekend in Napa away from the concrete jungle lifestyle, Calistoga is the perfect place for you.
While you can certainly explore Napa well on foot or in tuk-tuks or other rented vehicles, none of them compare to the valley’s breathtaking hot air balloon rides. Several places in the valley offer hot air balloon rides that take visitors over Napa’s picturesque landscapes for a bird’s eye view of the valley.
Napa Valley balloons can cost you $200+ per person when using shared balloons, whereas private balloon rides cost close to $2000.
Sure, Napa Valley is a world-famous wine-producing region, but don’t let that outshine the place’s numerous other treasures.
The Napa Valley Distillery is a true Napa landmark and the oldest distillery in the area. Family-owned and operated by Arthur and Lusine Harutunian, the distillery produces several artisanal top-shelf spirits and bottled cocktails that have received several industry accolades.
If you want to truly experience Napa’s culture and camaraderie to the fullest, be sure to visit Oxbow Public Market. Oxbow is a locally renowned open-air market that hosts several wine and food shops, seafood restaurants and some of Napa’s best eateries. You can also shop for authentic local spices at Whole Spice here.
But what can you do besides wine tasting and sightseeing in Napa Valley? Are there any fun shows or events that are held nearby? Yes! Napa is also home to a bustling artistic community. Here are a few of the most fun things to do.
The Napa Valley Performing Arts Center is a heritage performing arts space where numerous local and world-renowned artists put on performances regularly. The place also houses several fine arts training programs that work towards encouraging and sustaining arts and cultural education in the county.
The center’s new ‘Game Changers’ program is an exclusive speaker series that has hosted several world-renowned actors, artists, and performers like Cuba Gooding Jr, Bill Murray, Will Ferrel, and Dev Patel.
The center’s flagship event is called Symphony Napa Valley, which is an extensive opera troupe made up of some of the most talented professional musicians in Northern California.
The di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art is one of Napa Valley’s most famous art galleries. The center strives to promote and preserve local art through engaging community experiences like exhibitions and elaborate art shows.
di Rosa houses a permanent collection of Northern Californian art and several temporary exhibitions that are often open to submissions from talented local artists.
Like the Napa Valley Performing Arts Center, the di Rosa Center also houses educational and training programs that help inspire curiosity and creativity among youngsters in the valley.
One of Napa’s satellite towns, St. Helena, houses a peculiar yet charming attraction. The town is home to a museum dedicated to Scottish novelist Robert Louis Stevenson. Along with its several temporary exhibitions, the museum holds the world’s largest collection of Robert Louis Stevenson memorabilia which has been on public display since 1969.
The collection is made up of three primary exhibits viz, The Norman H. Strouse Collection, The Angel Collection, and The Austin Strong Collection. If you’re a history/literature buff, the RSLM is the perfect unlikely activity for you to indulge in while you visit Napa Valley.
If you’ve read/heard about Napa Valley before, chances are you know of this iconic driving route too.
The Silverado Trail (named so because of the quicksilver mines that once crowded the area) is an incredibly scenic 30-mile or so long road that runs right along the eastern edge of the wine country. The road is shaded by an oak canopy and dotted with numerous wineries on either side.
Feel free to stop at these along the way and enjoy some great wine tastings as long as you have a designated driver or private car service!
Several resorts, lodges and other places that provide accommodation in Napa Valley also allow guests to rent bikes to explore the beautiful valley. You can opt for a guided bike tour which will ensure that you visit all of Napa’s prime spots, or simply rent a bike and explore the California wine country at your own pace and convenience.
With near-perfect weather almost all year round, Napa Valley is teeming with wonderful outdoor activities for you to try. One of the valley’s most beloved activities is the Napa Valley Gondola.
Boat rides ranging from 55 minutes to a couple of hours take you around Napa’s many lakes for a reasonable fee. Napa Valley’s gondola rides are sure to put a smile on your face and transport you to Venice’s lovely canals.
Napa Valley’s balmy, Mediterranean climate makes it the perfect summer getaway. The best time to visit Napa corresponds to the region’s harvest season, i.e., August through October. During this time, the vines and trees here are in full bloom.
You can expect large groups of tourists and visitors here during the time so making travel and accommodation bookings beforehand would be a good idea. You can visit Napa between March and May if you’d like to enjoy the climate but want to avoid the tourist rush. This is just before the peak summer rush, but you might still be able to catch some of the valley’s lush spring greenery.
Whether first-time visitors, planning your next trip or just a large group planning a fun day out, Napa Valley has something for everyone! And don’t forget to stop by the Embarc Dispensary on your way out of town — we’ll have everything you need to make your perfect Napa Valley trip complete. See you soon!
