21 Fun Things to Do in Napa Valley Besides Wine Tasting
Are you looking for some activities to keep you busy in Napa Valley? While this area of California is well known for it's wineries, there's more to it than just the wine. In this article, travel enthusiast and California resident Alicia Broggi shares her favorite activities to do when visiting Napa Valley, California!
Last updated: April 11, 2024
11 min read
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Why visit Napa Valley? The obvious reason is the stunning vineyards and excellent wines–isn’t it? Certainly, with over 400 wineries, vineyard tours and wine tastings are the main attraction.
But the same Mediterranean climate that makes this region ideal for growing grapes is also excellent for outdoor adventures! As someone that’s lived in the Bay area for several years, I can tell you that there’s plenty more to do than just wineries alone. And most of the time, a single day in Napa isn’t going to allow you to cover everything.
The outdoor lifestyle is alive and well in Napa Valley and there is also some incredible art to be found. So come, visit, and feel free to enjoy the wine, but also go beyond that…using this list as a guide for your next Napa Valley excursion.
Bike Rentals and Tours
Whether you think of it as earning your next meal, exercise, or just plain fun, riding a bike is a great way to enjoy the beauty of Napa Valley. This can also be a great family activity.
Fat Tire Bike Rentals
Peak Season
Spring and Fall
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Cycling Enthusiasts, Wine Lovers, Outdoor Explorers, Nature Admirers
At Fat Tire Bike Rentals, in downtown Napa, you can rent an e-bike either to strike out independently or with a tour. Guests rave about the bikes and customer service here.
This is not least because the owners, Chris and Justine Pulver, go above and beyond as a habit. For example, their rental bikes can be delivered right to your accommodation. While the bikes come equipped with the essentials (like a helmet, lights, lock, and map), they also come with a small bag of trail mix. What a nice touch!
Fat Tire Rentals offers a range of tour options that include winery visits as well as tours focused on art and history. One big benefit of e-bikes is that they make cycling accessible to more people.
Napa Valley Bike Tours
Peak Season
Spring to Fall (April to October)
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Cycling Enthusiasts, Oenophiles, Nature Lovers, Outdoor Explorers, Fitness Seekers
Here are a few other noteworthy cycling options in the area. Napa Valley Bike Tours, based in Yountville, offers e-bike tours and rentals. Their rentals include non-electronic road bikes, cruisers, and kids’ bikes.
For something in Calistoga, check out Getaway Adventure’s Sip ‘n’ Cycle Experience. Otherwise, Calistoga Bike Shop also offers bike rentals and wine-tasting tours.
Hot Air Balloon Tours
Up, up, and away! For great views and a whimsical experience, try a hot air balloon tour! Briefly you too can be an aeronaut and waft around in a basket.
Napa Valley Aloft
Peak Season
Spring to Fall (April to October)
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Wine Enthusiasts, Nature Lovers, Aerial Adventure Seekers, Couples on Romantic Getaways
The family-run business Napa Valley Aloft offers soaring adventures with an impressive emphasis on safety. Their pilots are FAA certified, and the website boasts about their safety record–which is exactly what I want to see when I’m going to put my life in someone’s hands!
Customers are so overwhelmingly delighted with the ballooning experience here that Napa Valley Aloft has repeatedly received Trip Advisor’s Certificate of Excellence and USA Today’s Readers’ Choice Awards.
In terms of logistics, start times are based on sunrise, so they vary somewhat over the year. You can book a spot on a group tour, or you can book an exclusive flight–say, for a proposal, or even a team-building experience, family reunion, or friendcation.
Food is offered before embarking, and you can purchase breakfast afterward. The main launch site is in Yountville, which is especially convenient for people based there, and there are two other launch sites, in case weather conditions in the area are poor.
As the Napa Valley Aloft website explains, your whole experience with them lasts between 3-4 hours. This includes transport to the launch pad, balloon inflation time, and breakfast (not just the time in the air). FYI, this is not the only hot air balloon company in Napa Valley, and many customers also rave about the competition, Napa Valley Balloons, Inc.
Trains and Sidecars
The local motorized tours are fun unto themselves as well as being a great way to drink and not drive while visiting vineyards. Whether you are visiting vineyards for wine or not, these tours are a great way to make the journey just as memorable as the destination.
Napa Valley Wine Train
Peak Season
Fall (September to November)
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Wine Connoisseurs, Romantic Couples, Food Enthusiasts, Scenic Train Ride Admirers
A big hit with guests is the Napa Valley Wine Train. It is a fun, responsible way to visit wineries and get some views. And the views are not only outside. After all, the vintage-chic, restored luxury train cars from the early 20th century are themselves a sight to behold.
They even come complete with mahogany paneling. So go all out and dress for the occasion! Or don’t. That’s also fine. There is no enforced dress code–besides, this is California, home of the casual and free.
There is, though, a restaurant offering gourmet food. When planning your trip, you can choose from different package tours, each with its own emphasis, including gourmet food or stops for wine-tasting at vineyards, of course.
Side Car Tours Inc
Peak Season
Fall (September to November)
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Wine Connoisseurs, Romantic Couples, Outdoor Enthusiasts, Scenic Beauty Lovers
One of the more unexpected ways to get around is by motorcycle sidecar with Side Car Tours Inc. Their sidecars hold two passengers each, which makes for a great shared adventure. Bump along and feel the wind on your face!
Guests claim that the experience is only enhanced by the buzz from wine tastings. Although there aren’t many reviews of these vineyard tours by sidecar online yet, the ones I found were uniformly positive.
Adventures in Photography
With art, some of the greatest adventures take place through shifting your own perceptions. The photography adventure below is designed to do just that. By the end, the hope is that you will see Napa Valley differently, and the wider world.
Art & Clarity
Peak Season
Year-Round
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Art Enthusiasts, Wine Lovers, Cultural Explorers, Photography Aficionados
The professional photographers at Art & Clarity lead an experience called The Art of Seeing. It’s a guided opportunity to build your photography skills while learning to see the beauty of Napa Valley in new ways. It’s led by people whose art, photography, is based on seeing – and capturing – what might otherwise just pass us by.
The New York Times even ran an article calling this one of the top ten photography adventures in the world! So come with your camera, or just the camera on your phone, and leave with skills you can use for a lifetime.
Art Galleries
While in Napa Valley, don’t miss the opportunities to enjoy the art scene–or even to take a painting home with you. You can find annual arts festivals, which range in their focus from jazz to film. One standout festival is the Napa Lighted Art Festival. Below, however, are a couple of year-round options.
di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art
Peak Season
Spring and Summer
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Art Enthusiasts, Contemporary Art Lovers, Cultural Explorers, Outdoor Sculpture Admirers
The di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art features art largely from the Bay Area and Northern California. Expect the boundary-breaking (and at times befuddling) feel of modern and contemporary art. The museum is a bit of a hidden gem, only open Friday through Sunday.
There is a sculpture garden in a meadow outside the museum, which displays some large pieces from the founder’s personal collection. Also, the museum is located on a nature preserve with a 35-acre lake.
The Christopher Hill Gallery
Peak Season
Local Events and Festivals, Wine Country Tourism Seasons, Spring and Summer Months
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Art Enthusiasts, Collectors, Wine Country Visitors Seeking Cultural Experiences
For those wishing to procure some art, check out The Christopher Hill Gallery in St Helena. The owner has curated a lovely second-story gallery that guests find well worth the visit. It’s not only that people enjoy the paintings – though they do – but they also remark on how knowledgeable and pleasant the owner, Mr. Hill, is.
For a sense of the good taste behind the curation in this gallery, check out the website for a wide variety of its paintings (and their prices). On the website, you can also see what exhibits will be on when you are in town.
State Parks
There are certainly many opportunities to re-tox, with all the wine around, so take a beat to detox and get into nature. After all, fresh air, natural beauty, and exercise are an age-old recipe for refreshment! This is another family-friendly option.
Robert Louis Stevenson State Park
Peak Season
Spring (March to May)
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Nature Lovers, Hikers, Outdoor Enthusiasts, Literature Aficionados, Birdwatchers
North of Calistoga is Robert Louis Stevenson State Park. It’s named for the Scottish author – of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde fame – who honeymooned here. If you want to do some preparatory reading, check out his travel memoir about his time here, The Silverado Squatters. In the park itself, you can hike to the top of Mt. St. Helena, which is a highlight (groannnn).
It’s the highest mountain in the area, so you can get sweeping views! The provisions are minimal, though, so don’t expect to find trash cans, latrines, or drinkable water at this park.
Bothe-Napa Valley State Park
Peak Season
Spring (March to May)
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Nature Enthusiasts, Hiking Lovers, Outdoor Adventurers, Wine Country Explorers
The Bothe-Napa Valley State Park is between Calistoga and St Helen. It has 10 miles of hiking trails, redwood forests, a creek, a swimming pool, and overnight accommodation ranging from private cabins to yurts to campsites.
Skyline Wilderness Park
Peak Season
Spring (March to May)
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Nature Enthusiasts, Outdoor Adventurers, Hikers, Birdwatchers, Mountain Biking Enthusiasts
On the outskirts of the city of Napa, Skyline Wilderness Park has a popular trail system with views. It includes the 2.5-acre Martha Walker Native Habitat Garden, which showcases almost 200 species of plants native to California. There is also a lake. For those seeking accommodation, there are tent and RV camping options.
Kayak Adventures
Sometimes you just need to get on the water. Kayaking through the waterways of Napa Valley offers a fresh perspective on the area, and a refreshing opportunity to burn some energy. This is another family friendly option.
Enjoy Napa Valley
Peak Season
Harvest Season (Late August to October), Spring and Summer (April to August)
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Wine Enthusiasts, Gastronomy Lovers, Couples Seeking a Romantic Getaway
Enjoy Napa Valley comes highly recommended for guided kayak tours. These include the Napa River History Tour and the Kayak Ghost Tour. The tour guide, Justin, specifically gets strong reviews. Tour bookings are for two hours, and while the first hour is dedicated to the tour, the second hour is free for independent paddling around.
Now, some guests complain that during the tours there is not a lot of paddling–mostly just sitting. It’s up to you to decide if it is satisfying enough to then make up for that in the latter half of your time on the water. If you are looking for a more vigorous form of exercise, consider a rental with no tour.
Napa Valley Paddle
Peak Season
Late Spring to Early Fall (May to September), Summer (June to August)
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Nature Enthusiasts, Outdoor Adventurers, Paddleboarding Enthusiasts, Wine Lovers
Another kayak rental option is Napa Valley Paddle. They also offer lessons and paddleboard rentals. Although they don’t offer in-person tours, led by guides, you can get an audio guide to take with you on your rental.
Olive Oil Tastings
But back to the food. In a Mediterranean climate, it only makes sense to try the olive oil. This is potentially another family friendly option, but call first to make sure children are welcome when you book for a tasting.
Round Pond Estate
Peak Season
Harvest Season (August to October), Fall (September to November)
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Wine Connoisseurs, Oenophiles, Luxury Seekers, Nature Lovers, Photography Aficionados
Round Pond Estate boasts of being “one of two working olive mills in Napa Valley”. They produce their oil on-site, in addition to growing their own olives. You can learn about the oils and red wine vinegars they produce by participating in their educational Olive Oil Tasting.
Alternatively, they offer a more robust Gourmet Experience where you can learn about the production process in greater detail and enjoy “small bites” of prepared foods with your tasting.
Grove 45 Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Peak Season
Harvest Season (Fall)
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Gourmet Cooks, Culinary Enthusiasts, Food Connoisseurs, Health-Conscious Individuals
Mother-daughter-owned and operated, Grove 45 Extra Virgin Olive Oil offers tastings of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and rosé wines. Their olive oils are produced from a range of olives, including their own. You can book tastings here.
The Olive Press
Peak Season
Harvest Season (Late Fall)
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Culinary Enthusiasts, Olive Oil Connoisseurs, Food Lovers, Wine Enthusiasts
The Olive Press at Oxbow Public Market offers a variety of samples that has guests raving about the outstanding selection. If you wish to travel beyond Napa Valley, The Olive Press has another tasting room in Sonoma, where their olive mill is located.
Cheese Experiences
Especially if you find yourself bringing home bottles of wine, it’s only right to pick up some cheese to go with it. Upon reflection though, does one really need an excuse to buy cheese? Along with the option highlighted below, a wide variety of cheeses can be found at Oxbow Public Market.
The Napa Table
Peak Season
Year-Round
Weather
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Wine Enthusiasts, Gastronomy Lovers, Culinary Explorers, Food and Wine Connoisseurs
The Napa Table is a great go-to cheesemonger. It’s a little shop with big ambitions. As their website says, “We’re reinventing the way our society approaches food (and life!) by sharing the art of slowing down, savoring and connecting with what, who and how we eat.”
One of the ways they do this is by offering a variety of cheese tastings. Those include Cheese 101, Taste of California, Taste of France, and Cheese and Chocolate.
Breweries and a Distillery
The fermented drinks on offer in Napa Valley go beyond wines. If you are so inclined, consider checking out the beers and cocktails. Just remember the old adages (like “beer before liquor, never been sicker; beer before wine, feeling fine”) and stay well. Stay safe and drink responsibly!
Fieldwork Brewing
Peak Season
Year-Round
Weather
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Craft Beer Aficionados, Beer Enthusiasts, Social Drinkers, Friends Seeking a Laid-Back Hangout
Fieldwork Brewing is a Berkeley-based brewery with locations around the wider Bay Area. They have a convenient location by Oxbow Public Market in downtown Napa and offer a delivery service if your accommodation is within a 5-mile range. Visitors love the beers as well as the comfortable, laid-back vibe.
St Clair Brown Winery and Brewery
Peak Season
Harvest Season (August to October)
Weather
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Wine and Beer Enthusiasts, Connoisseurs of Craft Beverages, Culinary Explorers
St Clair Brown Winery and Brewery is a women-run melange that makes both wine and small-batch beers on-site. Guests especially enjoy sitting in the culinary garden.
If there has been poor weather, or if it is predicted, call in advance to confirm that the garden will be open. This small enterprise is conveniently located in downtown Napa.
Napa Valley Distillery
Peak Season
Year-Round
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Wine and Spirits Connoisseurs, Cocktail Enthusiasts, Lovers of Craft Distilleries
Napa Valley Distillery was founded with the mantra, “Make it different” (echoing Ezra Pound’s famed phrase, “Make it new”). This is a zany place where you can get gin, brandy, whiskey, and cocktails.
By way of critique, though, some guests have found the sales tactics off-puttingly aggressive, even dubious. Other guests have been nervous about the area of town in which the distillery is located.
Relaxation Spas
A final recommendation for detoxing and relaxing: visit the spa. There are many spas to choose between, and some will be more convenient depending on where you are based. One of the big factors, in my choice to highlight the one below, was that it offers treatments using Calistoga’s hot springs and mud.
Spa at Solage
Peak Season
Fall (September to November), Spring (March to May)
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Wellness Enthusiasts, Spa Lovers, Relaxation Seekers, Couples Looking for a Romantic Retreat
The Spa at Solage offers an extensive, luxurious array of spa treatments, with highlights that draw on Calistoga’s famous hot springs and mud. This is the place to go if you want to get muddy in a context that feels clean, well-managed…anything but grubby.
Expect to find a full range of massage treatments and even reflexology treatments. The thing to come for, though, is Solage’s signature “mudslide”.
The “mudslide” is a treatment that deconstructs the traditional mud bath and serves it up with flair. You get a three-part experience. First, there’s “the mud”, now mixed with essential oils, which you can select between before painting yourself with a thin layer in a private room.
Second, comes “the waters”, a private soak in Calistoga’s mineral water. Third, and last, is “the rest” stage, which is an opportunity to relax in a “state-of-the-art sound chair” that vibrates.
Key Takeaways
In 2022, the San Francisco Chronicle – the primary Bay Area newspaper – ran a series of articles on Napa Valley’s evolution as a brand and destination. They asked whether this was still the leading location for tasting America’s wines, and a great travel destination.
Family vineyards have been bought up by corporations, and the cutting-edge entrepreneurs who first made a name for this place have passed away. So it is not the same “Napa Valley” you would have experienced sixty years ago. But it is still a place committed to the enjoyment of food and wine, and “the good life”, without the distractions that come with the hustle and bustle of big cities.
What I’ve tried to highlight is also that the expansion of Napa Valley brings new opportunities for enjoying the physical landscape and agricultural riches. From hot air balloons to e-bikes to art museums, there is much to enjoy here beyond the wine that made the region famous.
