Napa Valley Information - hotels, restaurants, golf, weather, maps & more

Located just to the north of the famed San Francisco Bay Area and just to the east of equally as popular Sonoma County, is the world famous Napa Valley. While you don’t have to be a wine lover to enjoy a vacation to the Napa Valley, it sure helps if you are! Almost all of the main activities in the Napa Valley region revolve around wine in one way or another. Wine tasting here is almost a sport, with dozens and dozens of different wineries offering numerous selections for each tourist to choose from. You can take advantage of one of the many winery tours that service the entire valley region. Choose from a tour bus, a personal car or even a limousine! Money is no object in Napa, so no matter how eclectic your tastes might be, you will be able to find the unique vacation package for you.

But the Napa Valley has so much more to offer than simply wine. Perhaps no section of the United States has more spas and health facilities in such a concentrated area. And the best part is, you don’t have to be wealthy to enjoy them. Most of the various spas here offer economy packages that are perfect for those folks visiting the Napa Valley on a budget.

The entire region north of San Francisco is also dotted with championship golf courses. In the Napa Valley alone there are dozens of highly respected courses just waiting for you to explore. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially during the busy season.

Perhaps the favorite activity in the Napa Valley is simply being outdoors in one of the most beautiful and temperate climates in North America. It never gets very cold here, ideal for growing grapes, and the gentle rolling hills and scenic vistas make Napa a great place to simply take a drive through narrow country roads or to strap on a backpack and hit the trails.

Napa has become the default wine capital of the United States, but that doesn’t mean you have to be a sommelier to enjoy it. Practically every winery in the Napa region has informational classes or sessions on wine, from beginners to experts. You can learn everything from how to make wine at home to how you identify a cabernet from a Shiraz.

If you want to study up even further, visit the COPIA Cultural Center for Wine, Food and the Arts. This is a must visit spot if you want to experience the true flavor of the Napa Valley region. Learn everything you ever wanted to know about wine, including how the Napa area started on the path towards world wide wine domination.

And don’t forget, once you are in the Napa Valley region, you are only a short drive away from the multitude of attractions available in the San Francisco Bay area, including the beautiful California coastline.

Napa Valley is one of the prettiest spots on the map, so what are you waiting for? Start packing and let’s go!