or the Model Bakery.Īfterward, stroll across the river to First Street Napa. It's a good spot for a light lunch from places like Hog Island Oyster Co. Visit the Oxbow Public Market to peruse its selection of produce, gifts by local craftsmen, and outposts of popular restaurants. It's only a few minutes by car to Napa, the "big city" in the valley, with a population of 80,000. In addition to the photos and artifacts in the permanent collection, the museum hosts temporary ones focused on local artists. The museum will give you a good historic overview, from the first pioneer winemakers in the 19th century to the phenomenal growth of the region in the last 50 years. Tonight you'll try one of Yountville's more casual options like wood-fired pizzas at Ciccio, or maybe Mustards Grill, an institution that has been serving California cuisine for more than three decades, in a casual low-key setting.īefore you drive south to the city of Napa, stop by the Napa Valley Museum in Yountville. Save the French Laundry, perhaps the area's most famous restaurant, for another evening when you haven't spent the day traveling. A number of wineries have tasting rooms here, so you don't have to get back in your car if you want to visit Chandon for a glass of bubbly or Stewart Cellars, a family-owned winery with a tasting hall at the opposite end of town-but don't worry, a walk the whole way across town is a short one in Yountville. Yountville makes a great base to explore Napa Valley, and the compact town, with fewer than 3,000 residents, also has plenty of charms of its own.
Signature treatments at the hotel's spa incorporate Chardonnay oil and other wine-based ingredients. Even the smallest rooms feature 250-square-foot terraces where you can enjoy the area's enviable climate. The hotel embraces the spirit of the Napa Valley in every aspect of its design and amenities-and prides itself on sustainability, garnering a Platinum LEED certification. There's even a beautiful bathroom with fresh flowers so you can freshen up for the big day ahead.Ĭheck in to the 62-room Bardessono in Yountville this afternoon. There, you can fine-tune the details of your trip with local experts, pick up maps, take a selfie in front of the wine barrels, and score special offers from wineries. An inaugural visit to Napa Valley should begin with a stop at the Napa Valley Welcome Center in downtown Napa.