Napa Valley is a lush, 35-miles-long and 4 miles wide valley in California with vineyards, rural scenery and charming towns. Napa Valley is everyone's favorite wine tasting vacation getaway, but did you know that the valley is also home to unique attractions such as the Petrified Forest, the Old Faithful Geyser of California and Safari West wildlife preserve?
Located about one hour from San Francisco, Napa Valley is an ideal weekend vacation destination, whether you are looking for a romantic spa vacation or a family trip idea.
Napa Valley Wine Train
Tour the local wineries, have a picnic in the summer, attend wine tastings and see the Napa Valley from the comfort of the Napa Valley Wine Train. Combine a ride through the scenic Napa Valley with a gourmet meal aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train. The train departs from the town of Napa, travels to St. Helena and returns back to Napa on the 3-hour trip.
Before you board the train, there is a pre-boarding wine tasting. The Napa Valley Wine Train operates daily. For a detailed schedule, call 707-253-2111 or 800-427-4124. Rates aboard the train range from $77.50 to $150, depending on the type of a meal and train car choice. For more information, visit www.winetrain.com.
Napa with Kids
Take the kids to on an African safari tour at Safari West, visit the Petrified Forest and watch geyser eruptions at the Old Faithful of California. Other vacation activities include hot air ballooning, golf, horseback riding, biking, tennis and boating.
Watch an eruption of the Old Faithful Geyser of California. This geyser in Calistoga erupts regularly, shooting hot water 60 to 100 feet into the air. There is a gift shop, an exhibit hall, a snack bar and a picnic area. The geyser can be seen daily from 9am to 6pm. Admission is $8 for adults, $3 for children ages 6 to 12, and free for kids under 6 years of age. www.oldfaithfulgeyser.com.
Shopping and Dining
Visit the towns of Napa, St. Helena and Calistoga for a selection of shops, restaurants and museums.
The Napa Valley Spas
Whether you want to visit a day spa on your Napa Valley vacation getaway, or stay at a full-service spa resort, there are a number of options. Napa Valley is home to famous vineyards, eco-friendly hotels and luxurious spas. Solage Calistoga offers upscale studios and an outdoor pool with cabanas, perfect for relaxing in the sun.
In Calistoga, Indian Springs specializes in therapeutic mud bath treatments as well as massages and facials.
Calistoga Ranch features spring-fed mineral pools, wet/dry treatments, and programs for well-being. Guests can take a tour of the vineyard and get treatments at the spa. Each guest room has a private hot tub on the outdoor deck, great for a honeymoon vacation.
The luxury Spa at the Carneros Inn in Napa offers therapeutic massage, aromatherapy massage, pre-natal massage, the Carneros Healing Gem and Stone Massage. Read about California spas.
Where to Stay
Napa Valley is home to a selection of unique inns, hotels and vacation resorts, including the Harvest Inn, Carneros Inn, Calistoga Ranch, the Napa Valley Lodge and the Auberge du Soleil.
Sonoma Valley is another famous wine country vacation getaway. Stay at the 55-room Hotel Healdsburg, the luxury MacArthur Place, The Farmhouse Inn, Vintners Inn or the European-style Les Mars Hotel.
