Did you know that throughout the fall, it’s almost always warm enough in the Napa Valley to walk around with a jacket? Even in mid-November, temperatures in this Mediterranean-like climate typically stay in the sixties. So that leaves plenty of things to do in Napa Valley to enjoy one of America’s most awe-inspiring wine-country destinations inside and out. And our Napa Valley Bed and Breakfast, in the heart of Napa, is the perfect place to begin, and end, your adventure-filled autumn outings. Book your room today.
10 Incredible Things to Do in Napa Valley
Napa Valley is wine country, first and foremost, and many of the fall activities in the region involve a glass of a local vintage, whether or not it’s the main event. Here are some of our favorite things to do in Napa Valley:
- Fall is Harvest Season in Napa Valley and with that comes crush parties and harvest dinners. Here are some of the harvest celebrations you can catch this 2023 fall. For the good old winery tours, check out our top-ten list, and especially recommended is a visit to the Hess Collection in Napa, where you can appreciate good art and good wine at the same time. Try the Taming the Lion experience, where you get to play winemaker for a day and come up with your own blend to compare against the Hess’s signature red.
- As gorgeous as Napa Valley is on the ground, it’s the panoramic view from the air that really puts its breathtaking beauty in perspective. On a clear day, you can see forever — well, the ocean, San Francisco Bay, and the Sierra Mountains, at least, as well as the awe-inspiring greens and patterns of Napa Valley wine country. That’s why hot-air balloon rides around the region are so popular, and even with pandemic-related restrictions, there are a handful of purveyors ready to give you and your spirits a literal lift. If you’re booking a hot air balloon ride through one of our packages, we partner with Napa Valley Balloons. Another great choice is Balloons Aloft.
- If a one-stop shopping experience of sampling the best of Napa Valley food, drink, and more appeals, then plan a visit to Oxbow Public Market in Napa, especially its outdoor deck with breathtaking views of the Napa River. This 40,000-square-foot feast for the senses is just as good for a morning stroll and a cup of coffee as it is for dining out or gathering your own locally sourced fine-dining ingredients for a feast of your own creation.
- Great wineries and great architecture tend to go hand in hand, and Napa Valley is no exception. Some of the more snap-worthy sites in the region include Chateau Montelena in Calistoga, which fairly drips with the English Gothic castle-gatehouse atmosphere. It is home to a winery and tasting room, and while tours have been on hold, tasting visits are still allowed by appointment, affording an up-close-and-personal look at this photographer’s dream. Also, open in Calistoga, and just as visually dazzling, is Castello di Amarosa. In St. Helena, check out the Ehlers Estate, which balances newer design touches with Old World charm. Like Chateau Montelena, it dates back to the 1880s, and visits are also by appointment only.
- Fall is just as great a time as spring or summer to enjoy the Napa River, and there are a number of ways to experience it on your own with rental equipment or as a part of a tour—by kayak, by canoe, by gondola, or by paddleboard. Enjoy Napa Valley is just one provider of a variety of equipment and tours; book here.
- The Napa Valley Wine Train appears set for a return on November 5th. The 36-mile round trip between Napa and St. Helena offers food and drink as awe-inspiring as the views. Choose from a number of tour packages, depending on your area of particular interest, and book here.
- Napa Valley is wine country — but it isn’t just wine country. Be it in Napa, Calistoga, or St. Helena, a number of distinctive craft brewers and liquor distillers call it home as well. Here’s a list of them. Especially recommended by those in the know are Fieldwork Brewing in the Oxbow Public Market and Hanson of Sonoma Distillery in nearby Sonoma, best known for its grape-based organic vodkas.
- Good meals and drinks are easy to find in the Napa Valley — and good desserts too. Especially chocolates, because they make for great wine pairings. One can’t-miss gift destination for those with a sweet tooth is the Napa Valley Chocolate Company, which offers truffles, bars, caramels, sponge candies, and more.
- Like to golf? You have ten clubs/courses to pick from around the Napa Valley. Check this list to see what suits your scenic needs and skill level.
- Calistoga is world-famous for the rich water that comes from its unique geothermal and volcanic features, and for the mineral and mud baths those features produce. As a result, there are spas all over the Napa Valley, just waiting to help you wind down after a day of eating, drinking, and touring. Check here or here for one near you, or one that suits your particular wants and needs.
The Perfect Inn for Things to Do in Napa Valley
Our Napa Valley Bed and Breakfast, just minutes from downtown Napa, is the perfect place to begin and end a day of searching out things to do in Napa Valley. Or simply taking in Napa Valley’s scenic beauty, especially striking in the full flush of fall color, from our patio or by our pool. Check out the classic, timelessly romantic appeal of our beautiful guest rooms and book a room at the Candlelight Inn today.