Great, budget-friendly reasons to add extra days to your next visit
There’s nothing like a trip to The Napa Valley to lift your spirits, nurture body and soul, and banish the work-day blahs. The Valley’s natural beauty, perfect weather, unique communities and wealth of great wines and extraordinary food are the ideal ingredients for a thoroughly enjoyable visit.
Internationally designated as one of the “Great Wine Capitals of the World,” a distinction given to only eight of the planet’s wine producing regions, The Napa Valley is best appreciated over several days. Whether a returning guest or on your first visit, there is plenty to experience for those who wish to slow down and “taste the cabernet”!
So, take a look at these “Insider’s Tips” and plan to add a few extra days to your Napa Valley itinerary. “Live like a local” and take part in these uniquely Napa Valley – and wallet-friendly activities …
Insider’s tips on getting the best of Napa Valley
Looking to book a trip to Napa Valley or California? Check out the tripatlas.com/new Trip Builder where you can request a quote from over 104,000 travel agents who are waiting to offer you the best prices on trips to California!
Cheers! St Helena. On the first Friday nights from May to October, head to Main Street St. Helena for the “Cheers! St. Helena” street fair 6-9pm, where over 50 Napa Valley wineries are pouring in over 50 locations. Attending CHEERS! is free for everyone although a single taste is $5 or a nightly pass costs $35/person. Go to www.cheerssthelena.com for more.
Oxbow Public Market. Join local residents for great deals on spectacular food and wine and head to the City of Napa’s newest local haunt, The Oxbow Public Market for local’s nights on Tuesdays. Receive special prices at the Oxbow Wine Merchant & Wine Bar on private label wines, draft beers and artisanal cheeses and enjoy fresh Oysters for $1 during happy hour at the popular Hog Island Oyster Bar. Visit www.oxbowpublicmarket.com for more.
Saturday strolls in Calistoga. Calistoga has their “Saturday Stroll” featuring tastings and live music the first Saturday of the month, 1-5pm late spring – November; Tickets for wine tasting are $25 for two and the music is yours for the listening. Visit www.calistogavisitors.com for more.
Taste Napa Downtown. Enjoy tasting some of the Napa Valley’s best wines for just 10 cents at 14 different tasting rooms in downtown Napa with the “Taste Napa Downtown” tasting card. The card is available for purchase for $20 at The Napa Valley Visitor Information Center in Napa Town Center and also provides savings on corkage fees at many downtown restaurants and area lodging. For more information visit www.napadowntown.com.
Events and festivals year-round in Napa Valley. Between the fall Harvest and Christmas, there are many seasonal and unique activities to discover and enjoy, such as Yountville’s Festival of Lights (which begins the day after Thanksgiving and runs through New Year’s Eve), the Napa Valley Tractor Parade of Lights in Calistoga, and concerts at area parks and wineries. To find out more about the different celebrations and events offered visit www.LegendaryNapaValley.com.
Dining in St. Helena. Visit Brix restaurant for its new “Brix Unpaved” series, which offers dining experiences showcasing the different “street foods” of India, Thailand, and Italy. Created by Executive Chef, Anne Gingrass-Paik, the “street food” festivals will be held in the Brix Gardens the first Thursday of each month starting Aug. 20, 2009. Tickets are priced at $35.00 + tax. For more information, visit www.brix.com.
Napa Valley mustard season. One of the most beautiful times to visit The Napa Valley is during the Mustard Season, January – March, when the Valley’s vineyards and fields are filled with brilliant shades of green and gold from the blooming wild mustard plants. In celebration, the region hosts an annual Mustard Festival that offers special food and wine events, musical performances, art exhibits, and more. Festivals begin January 27 – March 30, 2010. For more information, go to: www.mustardfestival.org.