Napa & Sonoma Valleys, CA
The twin valleys that constitute California’s most famous wine country are, together, the second most visited attraction in the state (only Disneyland is more popular). Though they’re just an hour’s drive northeast of San Francisco, the regions’ vine-covered hillsides—lush green in spring and summer, golden in fall—are reminiscent of Tuscany, and home to nearly 400 wineries (producing mostly Chardonnay, Pinot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot varietals). On the western side of the region, you have Sonoma County, where people still drive pickups and cold fingers of fog run all the way up the valleys from the sea to create amazing cold-weather wine varieties. Head east for the world-class wineries of Napa County, which offers up truly out-of-this-world fine dining and plenty of open spaces for an afternoon picnic or hike.
Milk & Honey Tip
One of the best ways to get around Napa to get to enjoy several wine tastings is by hiring a private car for the day. Uber works too!
Eat
Cole’s Chop House is located at the heart of the downtown area, and has a lovely bar area, and a wonderful terrace that is great for eating in the summer. The steaks are at the heart of the menu, while the range of Napa Valley wines really does pair well with the meals on offer. Set in a stone farmhouse surrounded by organic gardens, The French Laundry serves up an unforgettable culinary experience. This spot is an institution for the best of the best cuisine in Napa, so be sure to book a reservation well in advance. FARM at the Carneros Inn is a great place to eat if you enjoy al fresco dining, with a lovely terrace that offers a nice place to eat with views out over the valley. Naturally, it enjoys a great selection of wines, while the variety of cocktails on offer are also very good.
Play
The Napa Valley Wine train from Napa to St Helena is one of the best ways to explore the valley, and offers a wonderful taste of what the area has to offer. The train partners with four wineries and offers five tours so you can ensure a beautiful journey as you pass through wonderful scenery and enjoy excellent dining on board. The scenery of the Napa Valley is green and beautiful and when it comes to the best way to see it, soaring over the hills in a hot air balloon certainly has to take the cake. Book a sunrise hot air balloon ride for an experience you won’t forget.
Sleep
Hotel Healdsburg [Boutique]
Hotel Healdsburg is a full service luxury hotel that bucks the faux-rustic trend in favor of sleek modern design. Guest rooms are spacious and smartly decorated, with wood floors and Tibetan rugs, and most open through French doors onto private balconies with views of the town square or the hotel gardens. Bathrooms are impeccably designed, modern, with six-foot soaking tubs of grey stone and separate walk-in showers. For leisure, there’s a sixty-foot outdoor pool and a well-equipped fitness center, as well as a full-service spa, using all-natural custom-blended products. There are sixty wineries within ten minutes of Healdsburg, and an untold number of restaurants—but the hotel’s own restaurant, the Dry Creek Kitchen, happens to be one of the best.
Carneros Resort [Luxury]
Carneros Resort and Spa is surrounded by 28 acres of grapevines, fruit trees and picturesque farmland. The luxury Resort has 94 charming cottages and suites and six luxurious private homes clustered throughout the property. Inspired by Napa’s working countryside with farm-style architecture and an indoor-outdoor feel, the individual cottages are set up in small neighborhoods. Cottages have various amenities including fireplaces, indoor-outdoor showers, individual hot tubs and French doors leading to landscaped gardens. The property is home to three restaurants, a market, a high-end exclusive boutique, two pools and Spa at Carneros.
Calistoga Ranch [Experiential]
Tucked into a private canyon outside the historic town of Calistoga, the 47-room resort is located on a 157-acre site marked by ancient oaks, majestic hills, a rock-hewn stream and private lake. Calistoga Ranch has taken the utmost care to preserve the integrity and beauty of the valley’s stands of ancient oak trees, lake and streams, with each lodge sited to maintain its natural state. Each cedar-shingled guest lodge consists of a series of bungalows connected by decks, trellised walkways and expansive outdoor living areas, with minimal impact to the pristine natural setting. Calistoga is one of the country's original spa towns, and the resort’s AUBERGE Spa beckons spa lovers with its mineral-rich waters, which flow into the Healing Waters soaking pool, reserved for guest use only.
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