Napa Valley, California – 16 Wonderful Things to Do

California is home to many of the most popular tourist cities in the United States. From Hollywood to Los Angeles, the state is flourishing with tourists year-round. Although those cities are great, a Napa Valley holiday is much calmer and more scenic.

Napa Valley is known as the wine capital of California. Within its 30-mile area, over 400 vineyards decorate the hills. In addition to the wineries, Napa is famous for its stunning views and endless attractions.

Whether you’re interested in wine tastings, local art, or experiencing California nature, Napa Valley will impress you. To help you create the perfect holiday itinerary, we’ve listed 16 of the best things to do in Napa Valley.

16 Fantastic Things to Do in Napa Valley

1. Wander at the Skyline Wilderness Park

Although Napa Valley has built-up sections of shopping malls and attractions, it is still surrounded by nature. Visiting the Skyline Wilderness Park is a great way to explore the natural areas around the bustling valley.

The park was founded in 1979 after citizens of Napa Valley were concerned that the land was sold to a private organisation. They worked together to turn the area into a park for everyone.

The park features over 25 miles of trails for hiking and gardens blooming with local plants. Camping sites and an RV area are also open to visitors. If you’re looking for a break from the city, checking out the Skyline Wilderness Park is perfect.

2. Ride the Napa Valley Wine Train

The Napa Valley Wine Train is a modern experience rooted in the area’s history. The 100-year-old trail cars that used to lead to Calistoga, California, have been converted into luxurious spaces that take guests on a 30-mile trip to St. Helena and back.

The Napa Valley Wine Train offers multiple different experiences. It is a full-day, 6-hour ride that features stops at some of the best wineries in the area and a 4-course meal created with local meats and produce.

Many 3-hour experiences are also available. These can include complementary wine, meals with up to 7 courses, and stops at local vineyards. With great food and excellent views, riding the Napa Valley Wine Train is a must for any holiday.

3. Take a Kayak Tour

Guided kayak tours on the Napa River are a great way to learn about the area’s history and have fun doing it! The tours are led by experienced guides who ensure everyone is safe and staying in the group.

The kayak tours are designed for all skill levels and last up to 2 hours. As the group paddles along the river, the guide provides information and history about Napa Valley. There is so much to learn, from stories about local legends to details on the best vineyards. 

4. Explore the Castello di Amorosa

Regarded as one of the most stunning structures in the Napa Valley area, Castello di Amorosa is a winery inside an authentic 13th-century Tuscan castle. Made from over 8,000 tons of Californian stone and 1 million bricks imported from Europe, it is a must-see attraction in Napa Valley.

Inside the castle, tastings and tours are available with a reservation. Each tasting includes 5 wines from the vineyard and the opportunity to explore the castle on a self-guided tour. Handmade chocolates and charcuterie boards complement the wines.

For an even more exquisite experience, guided tours of the castle are a great option. In addition to the wine tasting and treats, groups are led through the building by a wine expert. This tour includes the production area, cellars, and even the castle’s torture chamber.

5. Take a Bike Tour

One of the best ways to explore Napa Valley and the excellent local wineries is to take a bike tour. More intimate than a road trip, bike tours are a great way to bond with your travel partners. The push bikes and eBikes help you get around Napa and make the journey a fun experience for your group.

Self-guided bike tours allow you to explore the countryside at your own pace. They include tastings at local vineyards, a gourmet picnic lunch, and a pick-up service for any purchases you make along the way.

Guided bike tours are another option for pedalling around Napa Valley. These tours range from 4 to 7 hours, including visits to local wineries and breweries. A gourmet lunch is included in the experience, and your guide will tell you all about the area’s history.

6. Attend an Olive Oil Tasting

There are only 2 olive oil mills in Napa Valley, but the quantity does not equal the quality! Round Pond Estate sources its olives from trees imported from the Mediterranean to produce delicious, high-quality olive oil.

The tastings can last up to 90 minutes as their experts tell the stories and history of the estate. A selection of olive oils, red wine vinegar blends, and pieces of bread is available to groups as they learn about Round Pond Estate, its unique production methods, and how they’ve brought a Mediterranean speciality to the USA.

7. Go Paddleboarding

Another great way to explore the Napa River is on a paddle board. Self-guided paddle board tours can last up to 3 hours as you go down the river. GPS audio guides are available to give you insight into the area, wildlife, and history as you explore.

Guided paddleboarding tours are also a great way to spend a day in Napa Valley. One of the most popular guided tours is the Full Moon Paddle. Starting just before dusk, groups paddle along the river to watch the sunset and moon rise over the California hills. It is a beautiful view that you’ll remember.

8. Explore the Bothe Napa Valley State Park

Established in 1960, Bothe Napa Valley State Park is home to the farthest inland redwoods within a state park. The park is open daily from 8 am to sunset and is a perfect place to explore and enjoy the natural scenery.

Activities at the park range from hiking and cycling to horseback riding and swimming. The park has nearly 10 miles of trails to explore across 12 different loops. Camping areas are also available for anyone wanting to spend a night under the redwoods.

9. Visit the di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art

Since opening in 1997, the di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art has inspired both locals and visitors to Napa Valley. The museum aims to combine art and nature through its multiple galleries, sculpture gardens, and lake.

The museum hosts exhibitions for local artists and has a permanent collection of mid-20th-century and early-21st-century pieces created by artists from Northern California. The art is continuously rotated so that all the pieces are on display.

Guided tours are offered at the museum twice a day. These tours take guests through the galleries and provide information about each work of art. Guided hikes through the sculpture garden and around the 35-acre lake are also popular with visitors.

10. Ride in a Hot Air Balloon

Hot air balloon rides are unforgettable experiences. They offer a unique sky-high view of Napa Valley. The flights take off at sunrise and give guests the opportunity to admire the area’s rolling hills and deep valleys.

There are many different hot air balloon ride options. The base package includes the flight and a guide detailing the area’s history. Other options include wine tastings, bike tours through Napa Valley after landing, or a large basket accommodating 10 or more passengers.

11. Adventure at the Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park

Although the mill was first built in 1846, the area did not become a state park until the 1920s. Today, the Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park takes visitors back in time to explore what life was like for early Napa Valley pioneers.

The park’s main attraction is the original 36-foot water wheel used at the mill. Restoration of the water mill was completed in 2020, allowing visitors to see it in action. The mill is of enormous historical and current significance for the area. It served as the social centre of Napa Valley as settlers came to use the mill.

In addition to the water wheel, the park offers hiking trails. The trails lead visitors through the forests of Napa Valley. Along the way, they pass the Pioneer Cemetery, the first church built in Napa Valley, and local wildlife.

12. Explore Haunted Napa Valley

If you’re interested in exploring the most haunted areas in Napa Valley, check out the Napa Ghost Tours. These tours last 2 hours and take guests on a nighttime walk through the city streets. The tours begin at 8 pm and are sure to be hair-raising.

During the tour, each guest is given ghost-hunting equipment to help them explore and connect with the spirits in Napa Valley. The tour leads through the old Red Light District of the city and features stories about those who worked there and of patients in the old Napa Asylum.

13. Go on a Horseback Tour

Horseback riding tours are a great way to explore the natural hills and scenery of Napa Valley. The guided tours take groups through wine country, up mountains, and down to the beautiful lakes in the area.

The tours range from 1 to 3 hours long, depending on which areas are visited. As the horses take the group through the trails, the tour guide gives information about Napa Valley and tells stories about its history. Horseback tours are a splendid way to spend a day around Napa.

14. Check out a Distillery

Although Napa is known as wine country, it also has some of the best distilleries in the USA., The family-run Napa Valley Distillery was the first to open after Prohibition ended in the United States.

The owners’ goal at the distillery was to create something different from their competitors. This goal resulted in creating unique and rare spirits made in small batches using exquisite ingredients and generations-old techniques. 

Tasting tours are hosted 7 days a week at Napa Valley Distillery. Guests are invited to try flights of their award-winning spirits and enjoy an educational tour of the distillery grounds. These events are a must-do for anyone interested in fine spirits.

15. Soak in a Natural Hot Spring

Napa Valley is home to some of the largest hot spring pools in the United States. The Indian Springs Resort’s hot spring mineral pool is Olympic-sized, making it perfect for swimming, bathing, and enjoying.

Four on-site geysers feed mineral water into the pool, which stays around 35°C year-round. In addition to the hot spring pool, the resort offers a spa, restaurants, picnic areas, and more to explore. 

16. Go on an Art Walk

Enjoying the beautiful weather is easy in Napa Valley. One of the best things to do while out and about is to visit the Napa Art Walk, a programme designed to showcase public art from local artists.

The art walk is constantly changing. Each year, a new theme is selected, and new works of art are chosen to be on display. In addition to being fascinating, some of the art on display is also for sale. The sales proceeds go towards funding the following year’s art walk.

A downloadable app provides more information about each art piece on the walk. Users can choose which statue they want to learn more about on the app. The artists themselves have provided audio giving insight into each piece.

Napa Valley is Full of Exciting Things to Do

For anyone visiting California, Napa Valley is a must-visit destination. Just 1 hour outside the capital city of Sacramento, it is in a great location and features attractions and places to explore.

Napa Valley has something for everyone, from high-up sights to gourmet olive oil tastings. No matter which locations and attractions you include on your itinerary, a trip to the wine capital of California will be one to remember.

If you’re planning a trip to California, check out our list of the 15 best beaches in San Diego.