Weekend at Napa Valley

Are you planning a visit to Napa Valley in California? There are a host of websites and blogs that virtually repeat the same places of tourist attraction, mud baths, spas and wine tasting. It might seem confusing for someone planning their first visit to the wine country in California. However, there is no need to panic. You can plan an enjoyable weekend in the wine paradise with your beloved under the clear skies and shady trees.

For all you know, there is an airport at Napa Valley that invites tourists from far off places. We met a couple who were visiting from Massachusetts to spend a quiet weekend in the green valley. It is also a pleasant drive for those who live in the California State and do not mind hitting the steering wheel of the car for 2-3 hours depending on where you live.

The highway 880 and 29 can be quite busy even during the weekend. Hence, it is a good idea to start early in the day so you can reach Napa Valley by 10am in the morning. There are plenty of outdoor activities that can be planned if you reach the place early. Another important thing that is rarely mentioned is that several stores and restaurants close early in the weekends, around 6-7pm. Hence, you would do well if you plan your day's activities between 10am to 6pm at Napa Valley.

So, where all would you like to visit and what would you do at Napa Valley? By now, you would have a fair idea of the hot air balloon rides early in the morning, wine tasting tours, bike tours and so on. Napa Valley is pleasantly warm from spring time onwards. Hence you would need a jacket only during the evenings. A pair of shorts or pants and a comfortable shirt or tee would suffice for the day time. Wearing shoes or flat sandals can help you walk through the vineyards, hot springs and the downtown in ease.

For those who are interested in knowing about wine making and aging, Sterling Vineyards can be an interesting choice. Though they are a little pricey charging $25 per head for the wine tour, you travel via their tramway which gives you an awesome view of the greenery around the valley. Inside the winery, you are allowed 5 tastings of their different sweet white wines and red wines. The people at the tasting counter are very friendly and patient to answer all your queries about wine-making process.

At the Sterling Vineyard tour, visitors can save a $5 per head by printing out their free online coupon. Hence you would pay a $20 per head in such case. There also plenty of other big and small wineries and wine tasting rooms all over Napa Valley, Calistoga and the wine country. These places can save you from spending additional bucks on wine tour if you are merely interested in tasting wines.

The Old Faithful Geyser of California is much over-hyped. The visitors can be disappointed if they come here with huge expectations. Moreover, there is an entrée fee of $10 for adults. It varies for kids and seniors. However, you can obtain a $2 discount per head if you have a AAA card. If you like to take pictures and the mere sight of mountains, tree, sheep, Lamas, goats and water erupting 40 feet high excites you, this can be an enjoyable experience. There is Sulphur smell around the area owing to the existence of hot springs.

A visit to the Culinary Institute of America can be worthwhile when you are at Napa. They have many interesting displays that can get you good photographs. They also have a restaurant open for visitors which can be a good place to experiment with your taste buds. As for buying wines, the wineries here sell many unique wines that are available only at the winery and not outside. These include the fruity Pinot Gris, Malvasia Bianca and many such excellent wines that are worth the price.

Visiting the Napa Valley can be a fun activity for the weekend. You could bike the place by yourself with your family and dine at restaurants in the Calistoga or Napa Valley Downtown. There are several dining options ranging from American Grills, Italian cuisine, Chinese food and Indian restaurant to satiate your appetite after a long day of touring the Valley.