THINGS TO DO
Explore
From exceptional personalized winery tours and tastings, impeccable boutique and gallery shopping, nearby outdoor adventures and recreation, and a feast of award-winning dining experiences, Inn St. Helena is perfectly situated mid-valley for easy access to indulgent excursions throughout the wine country.
Restaurants and Cafes
Napa Valley is a world-class destination for fine dining. Here you will find Michelin-Star restaurants and family friendly eateries ready to indulge your wildest culinary delights. From farm to table, to delicious food truck fare, you will enjoy locally sourced cuisine from a variety of cutting edge chefs who call this valley home.
Cook, Specializing in elegant but straight-forward Northern Italian cuisine – https://cooksthelena.com/
Farmstead, farm to table, classy comfortable meals, good local wines, tasting room, specialty store https://www.longmeadowranch.com/eat-drink/restaurant
Bouchon – (Michelin 1 star) Also owned by Thomas Keller, famed master chef, at a more affordable price, just a few blocks from French Laundry – https://www.thomaskeller.com/bouchonyountville
Press, really good steak house, good wines – http://www.pressnapavalley.com/
Lovina (Calistoga), Upmarket cafe with wonderful reviews, large selection of wine and dishes – http://www.lovinacalistoga.com/
Charter Oak, Californian fare in brick-walled quarters with an outdoor patio. Good cocktails – https://www.thecharteroak.com/
Gott’s Roadside – Roadside Eatery with lots of picnic tables in the front and at the back. Perfect of casual lunch https://www.gotts.com/
Brasswood Bar + Kitchen, Fresh Oysters, pastas & sophisticated Californian dishes in a cozy, elegant space at a winery – https://brasswood.com/
Bistro Jeanty, a true French bistro with lovely food and cozy feel. Excellent prices for the quality of the food. https://bistrojeanty.com/
Market, just 2 blocks from the inn, delicious and mostly organic food, lovely people, service, good wine options and no corkage fee for the first 2 bottles. Nice bar, great ambiance –https://marketsthelena.com/
Goose & Gander, another local scene, with lovely outdoor patio, good cocktails, beautiful and historic setting (building is over 100 years old and the basement bar is very cool and has been in service for almost 50 years). – http://www.goosegander.com/
Now these are the high rent district type restaurants:
The Restaurant at Meadowood – (Michelin 3 stars!) Must book ahead of time. An exceptional dining experience. Superb wines and out of this world service. (temporarily closed due to the recent Glass Fire) – https://www.therestaurantatmeadowood.com/
The Grill at Meadowood (more affordable) yet exceptional
French Laundry – (Michelin 3 stars!) The crown jewel of Napa Valley fine dining, Thomas Keller’s masterpiece. Consider that you have won a lottery if you are able to secure a reservation – https://www.thomaskeller.com/tfl
Auberge du Soleil (Michelin 1 star), French, great wines and service – https://aubergeresorts.com/aubergedusoleil/dine
Wineries
We’ve got wineries by the hundreds. Yes, hundreds. From swanky to funky, come explore the tastings that are right for you. Experience private wine tours, or drive yourself to the multitude of beautiful outdoor spaces, or private, behind-the -scene cellars and caves. Over 95% of our wineries are family-owned and operated. How cool is that?
https://napavintners.com/wineries/wineries_napa_neighbor.asp
Beringer Winery – Located on an absolutely beautiful property, Beringer Winery gives you the option to tour the ground yourself or with a guide. There is a gift shop available to purchase your favorites before or after your tasting. A reservation is recommended. https://www.beringer.com/
Sattui Winery – Started in 1885, V. Sattui has been a favorite among travelers. If you love gardens, architecture, art and wine tasting, this is a wonderful option. https://www.vsattui.com/
B Cellars – Their new tasting room just opened up on the Oakville Cross Road. This is a great food and wine pairing experience and one of the best deals. https://www.bcellars.com/
Silenus Vintners: A new tasting room that just opened featuring 14 wineries that don’t have tasting rooms of their own. The wines represented are fantastic. They do require a reservation https://silenuswinery.com/
Del Dotto: A fantastic barrel tasting tour. This tour is also about 1-1.5 hours. You will get the opportunity to taste 8-10 wines right out of the barrel, while learning how the different types of oak barrels from all over the world affect the wine inside them. This tour takes place inside hand dug wine caves! https://www.deldottovineyards.com/
Alpha Omega – Fantastic wines and great staff. Definitely do your tasting on the patio overlooking their pond and fountain. https://www.aowinery.com/
Casa Nuestra: A small kind of hippy place with some friendly dogs and goats. https://www.casanuestra.com/
Summers: Up in Calistoga, this place has a gorgeous backdrop with their picnic area. https://summerswinery.com/
Bouchaine (off the beaten path, lovely place, fantastic people….I love these guys!) https://bouchaine.com/
Ceja (Another great, small family run winery in Carneros also has a tasting room downtown within walking distance) https://www.cejavineyards.com/
Hagafen: Small place with great staff. Stop in and let Anya or TJ know I sent you (Only Kosher winery in the Valley) https://www.hagafen.com/
Artesa: Great views, beautiful grounds https://www.artesawinery.com/
Frank Family: small, fun tasting room. Great people and some of the best wine in the Valley https://www.frankfamilyvineyards.com/
Terra Valentine – Enjoy a bottle of wine at a 600-1000 ft. elevation in the spring mountain district. The climate is a little warmer but the views are spectacular. https://www.terravalentine.com/
Prager Portworks – A smaller family owned winery with a good selection of ports. A reservation is highly recommended before visiting. http://www.pragerport.com/
Cakebread– Enjoy a wine tour with the smell of fresh herbs and flowers that they grow around their visitor center. You can also pair your wine with a food tasting offered by their in-house chef. https://cakebread.com/
Rutherford Hill (Beautiful views)- Learn about the history of Napa while tasting a wide variety of wines. https://www.rutherfordhill.com/
Merryvale Vineyards – The wonderful staff at Merryvale takes you through a tour of their inside facility. It is a must see. The atmosphere is a western-ranch style, very cool and modern. https://www.merryvale.com/
Chateau Montelena Winery – Gorgeous stone building covered in vines by the lake. Chateau is a fan favorite offering wonderful wine tastings that keep people going back for more. https://montelena.com/
Spring Mountain Vineyards – If you have children under the age of 21, they are welcome to come and hang out while you enjoy learning about the different wines in and around their beautiful historic building. https://www.springmountainvineyard.com/
Yao Family Wines – Found by basketball player, Yao Ming. This winery features many Chinese wines that have been valued for ages. If you enjoy tasting the history of Chinese culture, visit Yao Family Wines. https://www.yaofamilywines.com/
Clif Family Winery – A nice extra that many wineries do not have is a food truck. Clif Family owns their own food truck located on the property for you to enjoy during your visit. https://www.cliffamily.com
Trinchero Napa Valley – Cabernets are a hit at Trinchero. The ambience is delightful and the service is always top notch. The design of the winery is beautiful with plenty of unique decor. It’s a must see for those who have an eye for interior design. https://www.trincheronapavalley.com/#
Caymus Vineyards – Imagine wine tasting in a beautiful garden surrounded by hummingbirds and fresh flowers. They are a nature lovers paradise. The grounds are well kept and the wine is fantastic. https://www.caymus.com/#/visit-us
Sterling Vineyards (temporarily closed)- Sterling is kid friendly and a great place to bring children. Located on a huge property where you take a ski lift to the building. Take a tour from building to building to get a taste of the different wines while learning the history of Sterling Vineyards. https://www.sterlingvineyards.com/en-us
Burgess Cellars – Located off a beaten path, Burgess Cellars is known for keeping the bar high in the wine business. https://burgesscellars.com/
Materra Wines – A smaller but very environmentally friendly winery. The wine is fantastic and the staff here is truly wonderful! https://www.materrawines.com
Cosentino Winery – Chocolate, cheese, and popcorn are offered during your tasting to cleanse your palate in between wines. You can make a reservation for tasting or wine by glass. https://www.cosentinowinery.com/
Ladera Napa Valley – The spectacular wine and customer service at Ladera is the reason many people choose to visit their winery. Their cabernet is a must try. https://www.laderavineyards.com/
Raymond Vineyards – A unique vineyard. Visit with the animals, sign up for their club and visit their “red room.” The style is more club-like with multicolored lights and decor. https://raymondvineyards.com/
Screaming Eagle – You must join their wait list that has no definite time frame of getting accepted to visit their winery. https://www.screamingeagle.com/
Schramsberg – Choose their cave tour then sit under the tree canopy enjoying your favorite bottle of wine. It’s a must go for sparkling wine enthusiasts. http://www.schramsberg.com/
Grgich Hills Estate – Wonderful wine selection, fun tour guides, and beautiful scenery. What more could you ask for in a winery? https://www.grgich.com/
Stony Hill Vineyard – If you like breathtaking views, dogs, and white wines, I recommend Stony Hill. The view is one of the best you’ll see in Napa Valley and you may even get to meet the dog “Lefty.” https://www.stonyhillvineyard.com/
Acme Fine wines – Acme Fine Wines in St. Helena, California, is your go-to spot for discovering amazing, hard-to-find wines. With a friendly and knowledgeable staff, they’ll help you pick the perfect bottle. Right in the heart of Napa Valley, it’s the perfect place to explore and enjoy some truly special wines.
NO/MA House Café and Collective – Located in a cozy setting, it offers delicious coffee, tasty bites, and a welcoming atmosphere for people to gather and collaborate. Whether you’re there for a meeting, a casual hangout, or an event, NO/MA House Cafe and Collective is the perfect place to connect and unwind.
Tasting Room
The Saint – Quite a cozy and special place. Owners Heidi and Scott are lovely people. Great wine list and the building was a bank in the 50s. A block and half away from our inn. https://www.thesaintnapavalley.com/
Orin Swift – Very modern, simplistic tasting room with affordable wine selection. https://www.orinswift.com/
The Prisoner Wine Company Tasting Lounge – Beautiful building with large wine selections, great staff, and nice setting. A favorite among travelers. https://www.theprisonerwinecompany.com/
Acme Fine Wines – A smaller wine store with many wines outside of CA. A great place to go if you like to try new things. https://www.acmefinewines.com/
Wine Tours and Transportation
We are about an hour drive north of San Francisco. Several major cities such as Oakland, San Jose, Sacramento and San Francisco have airports conveniently located nearby. There are a variety of transportation options to the Napa Valley, including limousine services, airport shuttles, rental cars, Uber, Lyft and public transportation.
Eye on Wine tours – Tour the wineries you have in mind with a local of Napa Valley. Enjoy many different activities and a completely customizable itinerary with your driver. http://www.eyeonwine.com/
Wine. Travel. Photography – Customize your itinerary based on your likes and interests and have a professional photographer photograph your day. https://www.winetravelphotography.com/
Napa Valley Bike Tours – Enjoy a bike ride with your friends and family enjoying beautiful Napa Valley and visiting the wineries on your itinerary. https://napavalleybiketours.com/
Beau Wine Tours – Two day tours with a private driver who knows all of the ins and outs of the wineries in Napa Valley. https://www.beauwinetours.com
Evans Transportation – Do you need transportation from the airport and/or a private tour of Napa Valley? Evans Transportation does both! https://evanstransportation.com/
Specialty Shops
Woodhouse Chocolate – Treats, coffee, and gifts! Woodhouse chocolates has it all. A delicious shop we use ourselves to treat our guests. https://www.woodhousechocolate.com/
Sunshine Foods Market – A full service specialty grocery store established in 1975. Very friendly staff. A great place to pick up some unique hard to find, or local fine food items. https://www.sunshinefoodsmarket.com/
Napa Valley Olive Oil Company – Bring home local oils made in Napa Valley for your next meals at home. https://www.nvoliveoilmfg.com/
Oakville Grocery – Founded in 1881, Oakville has many options of local grown and made products. https://oakvillegrocery.com/
Fideaux – Do you have furry loved ones back at home? Fideaux has many accessories, treats, and gifts to bring back to them after your visit. https://fideaux.net/
Napa Soap Company – Local, eco friendly products made here in Napa Valley. Bring home homemade soaps and gifts for friends or family. http://www.napasoap.com/
Pennyweight – If you like shopping, Pennyweight has many different gifts and products from watches and jewelry to home decor. https://pennyweightnapavalley.com/
Activities and Attractions
St. Helena Chamber of Commerce Visitor’s Center – One-stop shop to find what’s happening in St. Helena. https://www.sthelena.com/events/category/st-helena-events/chamber-events/
The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone – (not doing public tours at this time) Visit The Grove and Lunch Box for a tasty bite to eat. You can book classes to learn how to cook like a pro! https://www.ciachef.edu/cia-california/
Napa Valley Wine Train – Eat and wine taste your way through the valley by train. I recommend reading their FAQ page before booking. https://www.winetrain.com/
Castello di Amorosa – ‘The Castle” – A beautiful 13th century Tuscan castle winery where you can book a wine tasting (by reservation only) or go to one of the many events they put on during the year. https://castellodiamorosa.com/
The Cameo Cinema – Need a more relaxing stop? Cameo Cinema is always playing great movies! https://www.cameocinema.com/
Mad Fritz Brewery – For those who are tired of the wine and need a great beer! http://www.madfritz.com/
St. Helena Cyclery Bike Rentals – Whether you’re a beginner or an avid bike rider, you can cycle your way around town, to wineries, or just enjoy the view around Napa. https://www.sthelenacyclery.com/
St. Helena Farmers Market – A Friday morning tradition! https://sthelenafarmersmkt.org/
Robert Louis Stevenson Museum – If you’re a fan of Stevenson, or even if you’ve never heard of him, this is a neat place to visit. https://stevensonmuseum.org/
St. Helena Fitness – https://www.sthelenafitness.com/
Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park – Bale Grist takes you back in time. You can learn about the fascinating history or even go on a hike. https://napaoutdoors.org/parks/bale-grist-mill-state-historic-park/
Hot Air Balloon Rides – A must do attraction! Enjoy a hot air balloon ride over the valley. You won’t regret seeing these views. https://napavalleyballoons.com/
Calistoga Spas, Hot Springs and Mud Baths – A relaxing way to spend a day on vacation! https://visitcalistoga.com/directory/directory-category/calistoga-spas-mud-baths/
Golden Haven Natural Hot Springs – Another great spa to help you relax during your stay. http://www.goldenhaven.com/
Wine Shipping – All American Mail Center – Did you find your new favorite wine here? Ship them back home quickly and easily through wine shipping. https://napamailcenter.com/
Christopher Hill Gallery – If you have a love for art, you must visit the gallery. https://www.chgalleries.com/
Music, Festivals & Nightlife
Sky & Vine Rooftop Bar – There are so many things to do here, it’s a must visit while you’re here! https://donapa.com/thingstodo/sky-vine-rooftop-bar/
Bounty Hunter Wine Bar & Smokin BBQ – A nice place to enjoy some Napa BBQ and wine! https://www.bountyhunterwinebar.com/
Oxbow River Stage – (Open June – October) – Many different artists perform throughout the year. It’s a fun way to spend a night out. https://www.oxbowriverstage.com/
(Annual) Napa’s Christmas Parade (Certain Dates in November & December) – Bring the kids to enjoy some holiday spirit if you’re visiting during the holidays! https://donapa.com/event/napa-christmas-parade/
(Annual) Napa Valley Film Festival (November 10-14, 2021) – The film festival is fun for all ages. It’s very neat what they show here. I recommend checking it out if you’re here in November. https://www.napavalleyfilmfest.org/festival/film/
(Annual) Napa Lighted Art Festival (January 8-16, 2022) – A lighted art walk, lantern parade and hot air balloons, this is a 9 day festival that is great for all ages. https://www.visitnapavalley.com/events/annual-events/napa-lighted-art-festival/
Napa Valley Marathon (March 6, 2022) – Don’t quit training for that marathon! Come to Napa and enjoy the scenery while running to the finish line! https://napavalleymarathon.org/
Napa Valley Women’s Half Marathon (March 20, 2022) – Don’t quit training for that marathon! Come to Napa and enjoy the scenery while running to the finish line! http://napawomenshalf.events/
(Annual) BottleRock Festival (May 27-29, 2022) – A favorite among guests! Enjoy wine, food, beer and music. If you enjoy festivals, you don’t want to miss this. https://www.bottlerocknapavalley.com/home/
(Annual) Festival Napa Valley (July 15-24, 2022) – If you love opera or want to experience what opera is like, join in to the Festival Napa Valley. https://festivalnapavalley.org/
(Annual) Napa Truffle Festival (January 2023) – Truffles, wine, friends and family, this is a highly favored festival. https://www.napatrufflefestival.com/