Looking for a vacation in California, but not crazy about the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles? If you’re a mom who is finally getting that girl’s weekend you desperately need, look no further than the picturesque Napa Valley.
At Last, It’s Time to Uncork
Back home, you may open a bottle with your book club, but in the Napa Valley, wine is a way of life. In fact, there are more than 400 wineries in Napa Valley, and the first grapevines planted there date back more than two hundred years. The first official vineyard and winery was established in the mid-1850s.
Today, the state of California turns out most of the wine in the United States, and Napa alone sees more than 3.5 million tourists annually. But most of the vineyards in Napa are family-owned, and visitors can’t get enough of the inclusive atmosphere and scenic beauty. Cheers!
Wine Tours
We’ve all heard about “wine snobs” and to be fair, selecting and recognizing good wine can be intimidating. But there’s no need to be an amateur sommelier when visiting Napa. In reality, with so many vineyards and so much to do, you won’t have a chance to be the least bit self-conscious about your wine knowledge.
If you really want to let go and have fun, join a guided tour – just catch an Uber from Marriott Napa Valley and meet up with your group. You’ll visit the most famous American vineyards, from Robert Mondavi, a true Napa Valley institution, to Inglenook, owned by legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola.
However, you shouldn’t worry about getting too touristy; there are plenty more lesser-known wineries you can drop by, namely on the less-traveled Silverado Trail.
More to Do
If you don’t want to dedicate your entire trip to getting tipsy, Napa is still a great destination. Pristine natural landscapes are perfect for hiking, biking, running, and other more physical activities. There’s also quite an art scene in Napa, and galleries and museums lay everywhere waiting to be explored.
If you want something more leisurely, Napa offers many resorts, spas, and chances to have a good old-fashioned Napa Valley picnic. Luxury hot springs, massages, mud baths, facials, and more are prized by many who flock there as often as they can.
Napa Valley is also a great place to enjoy real food – true farm-to-table cuisine. In fact, if you’re going purely by Michelin stars, Napa Valley is the best wine region on the entire planet to eat. That said, there are plenty of down-home grills and diners that are affordable and family-friendly.
There are also a whole schedule of fairs and festivals to be enjoyed, as well as a safari park and a casino.
So if you want to relax, kick back with a glass, and enjoy nature without missing out on the finer things in life, Napa Valley is the place. If you’re long overdue for a break, start researching packages now – this is one trip you won’t forget.