Napa Valley needs no introduction. It has been long known to be one of the world’s best wine producing regions, and draws visitors from all over the world throughout the year. Spend 2 days in Napa and you won’t want to return home. Napa is filled with miles and miles of vineyards across hundreds of wineries throughout the entire valley, and wine isn’t the only thing that the valley has to offer. It is filled with luxurious hotels, spas, galleries, Michelin-starred restaurants and shopping.
While you can never go wrong visiting during any time of the year, the best time to visit Napa is August through October, when harvest is in full swing. The temperatures are just fantastic to enjoy your day outside. Expectedly, this timeframe is the most expensive time to visit Napa, but is absolutely well worth it. If you need a bit of inspiration to know how to spend 2 days in Napa, read on!
2 Days in Napa Valley – Where To Stay
Let me start by saying that the hotels and resorts in Napa Valley are expensive; in fact everything in the region including food and drinks is expensive. There are several luxury hotels in the Napa Valley that you can choose from, we prefer staying either in Calistoga or St. Helena when we want to spend 2 days in Napa, but you can’t wrong in staying in the downtown area of Napa as well. If you are a wine enthusiast and are looking to try as many wines as possible, then St. Helena is perfect for you. If this is purely a relaxation vacation and are looking for spa resorts, then Calistoga is where you want to be.
If this is your first time in Napa Valley or want the best of everything including restaurants and wine tasting, then downtown Napa is your ideal location. So, choose based on where your interests are. All of these towns are within driving distance of each other, so you can easily visit them even if you are not staying there. Do not forget to book your accommodation several months ahead in advance, since everything sells out really quickly.
2 Days in Napa Valley Itinerary
Day 1: Wine tasting and more wine tasting.
Head to our all-time favorite winery in the entire region, the Castello di Amoroso Winery. The winery is a 14-century Tuscan inspired castle in Calistoga, and I guarantee you will love this place the moment you set your eyes on it.
From its grounds to its courtyards to its wine tasting cellars to the breathtaking views of Napa Valley, you will be in awe of this magnificent structure and the experience that it offers. There are several wine tasting offerings and tours to choose from, including a completely private experience of the Castello, so indulge yourself in some exquisite wines that the Castello produces. You can easily spend several hours here exploring the castle and its grounds; don’t forget to take home some of their world-class wines from their store.
Head to the town of Calistoga and have lunch at any of their restaurants; there are many many options to choose from.
Continue your exploration of world-class wine tasting by visiting any of the famous wineries in Calistoga – the Chateau Montelena and the Bennett Lane are two excellent options that you can try. Honestly, the region is filled with so many classic wineries that you just can’t go wrong visiting any of them.
By now, you must have had more than your fair share of wine for the day, so time to head back to your hotel and relax, before heading out for dinner. If wine is your indulgence, head to Italy! Check out our blog post on the best cities in Italy for vacation and you can never go wrong with any of the wines that are served in Italy!
Day 2: Ride on the Napa Valley Wine Train.
Drive down to the heart of Napa for a ride on the Napa Valley Wine Train. This is one of the finest ways to experience the valley and is a must visit on any trip to the region. These tours are extremely popular as they are generally around 3 hours long (they also have longer tours) and include a multi-course culinary experience along with wine as well, so book early! They will take you to the famous Napa Valley Welcome Sign, so capture as many memories as you can.
After an enjoyable ride on the train, visit the historic Robert Mondavi Winery. Reservations are required for their wine tasting experiences, so make an appointment ahead of time. Rest of the day is for you to relax at your hotel or explore the galleries and shops depending on where you are staying.
Need Help Planning Your Vacation?
As you can see, Napa Valley is your doorway to exploring one of the world’s best wine regions. If you are looking for ideas on how to spend 2 days in Napa or a luxe 7-10 day vacation to anywhere in the world, email us and we can help put together a custom itinerary just for you and your family!