You are wondering what to do in Napa Valley in case you’re here only for a day as a part of your weekend getaway. It is still possible to enjoy the sights and tastes that the Napa Valley offers even in a day, although you may want to pick and choose the sights and tastes you enjoy.
You may want to start the day with a bang. How about sunrise hot air balloon flight? If you choose Balloons Above the Valley (BATV) to take care of that, you’ve made the right choice! We offer a variety of sunrise hot air balloon and wine tours, but since you’re spending a day in the Wine Country, we suggest you book our base package, the Sunrise Balloon Flight & Champagne Brunch.
For only $209 a person, package includes a pre-flight breakfast, a one-hour hot air balloon flight, and a post-flight brunch with champagne or sparkling wine.
Wake up to the delicious breakfast of freshly baked pastries and Starbucks coffee before being led to the launch site. At the launch site, you will get to witness the last steps of inflating the giant balloons before you settle into the spacious wicker baskets.
Once the balloon leaves the ground, you’ll be in for the ride of your life! You’ll rise above the trees and drift away in the crisp morning air. You’ll find yourself floating above the gently rolling hills, the neat rows of lush vineyards, the occasional morning fog — all this for your unobstructed viewing pleasure! Our experienced, licensed pilots will amiably chat about and point out other interesting sights as you gently float along.
After the hot air balloon lands, you and the other guests will be led to a champagne brunch. Raise a toast and celebrate the successful and wonderful flight over a hearty and delicious seasonal brunch. The experience will tantalize your eyes as well as your stomach!
No day is complete in Napa without visiting the wineries. You probably want to make the most of your self-initiated wine tours, so you might as well visit wineries that offer more than just wine.
Castello di Amorosa is one of the popular wineries in Napa. The 170-acre property is like no other because it is a real castle styled in 13th century Tuscan architecture (although it was built in the 20th century). It has a drawbridge, moat, defensive towers, a great hall, knight’s chamber, and even a torture chamber. Castello di Amorosa will truly help you step back into the medieval period.
You likely do not want to miss going to Beringer, one of the oldest existing wineries in the valley. Founded in 1875, it is located in the Napa city of St. Helena; not surprisingly, it is listed in the National Register of Historical Places, making it truly a California historical landmark.
If you love art and wine we have good news for you. There are several wineries that also double as an art haven. Check out Artesia, The Hess Collection, Mumm, Cliff Lede Vineyards, and Peju Province which are some of the wineries that are also geared for art lovers. Some of these wineries, like The Hess Collection, also function as a full art gallery, while the others are dotted with artworks spread throughout the premises.
It doesn’t mean that, with all the wineries mentioned, you will want to pack the rest of the day with visiting wineries. We are offering suggestions on which wineries you may want to visit for your day in the area. Speeding up the visits at too many wineries will make you lose your appreciation on what wine tours are really about, and the scenic drives between them. It’s recommended that you should pick one winery tour and one wine tasting session for a Napa day tour. You can have a picnic lunch or snack at one of the wineries that you plan to visit. The best place to find delicious lunches and other things you need for a picnic is the Oakville Grocery or the Sunshine Foods Market in St. Helena. They offer delicious artisanal treats, delis, salads, sandwiches, and boxed lunches.
So if you’re ever wondering what to do in Napa when you’re here for just a day, you’ll be surprised that there are lots of fun activities in store for you, from wine tours to hot air ballooning.