Earlier in May I took my mom on an early Mother’s Day girls trip to Napa Valley. While France and Italy are known as the wine capitals of the world, the wine capital of the United States is Napa Wine Country. We flew out of Nashville on an early morning flight and got into San Francisco around noon. From there we picked up our rental car and headed to Napa Valley Wine Country! The drive was an hour and a half but depending on traffic can take longer to get there.
After a rainy April in Nashville, some California sunshine was much needed and felt so lovely. There was no May Gray and we had the best getaway and experience. It was my mom’s first time to Napa but I had traveled to Napa a few years back for a quick day trip. It was fun getting to go to more restaurants, wineries, and regions on this girl’s getaway and I’m sharing everything we did on our girl’s trip below.
Girls Trip to Napa
Where to Stay
Our home away from home on our girls trip to Napa was the River Terrace Inn. We had a spacious Riverview Deluxe King with a king-sized bed, sofa, mini fridge, jacuzzi tub, and views of the beautiful river and property. It was the perfect location because it was so close to everything. You’re a short walk from the Oxbow Public Market, Wine Train, Hot Air Balloon Pickup, and downtown Main Street in Napa.
You can walk or take one of the rented bikes for a spin. While it’s perfect for exploring, it’s also a great spot for some downtime. We spent time on our balcony drinking coffee or having a delicious breakfast at Alba, the property’s restaurant. I highly recommend staying here!
Where to Eat
Angele Restaurant & Bar – This French restaurant was so cozy and the food was incredible. We met some friends here who live in Napa and had a great time catching up and enjoying the cuisine. Make a reservation and try the French Onion Soup.
Grace’s Table – Grace’s Table is a restaurant that celebrates flavors from around the world like Italy, France, and the Americas. Try the Crab Cakes, Devil’s Food Cake, and Cassoulet with Duck Confit.
The CIA at Copia – The CIA (Culinary Institute of America) lets you explore food and beverages through a variety of dining experiences with hands-on classes, shopping, and more. The Grove is the restaurant we enjoyed and the menu is inspired by their gardens and the Mediterranean. They have different pizzas featured each week, pasta night, and an amazing brunch on the weekends.
Model Bakery – We had to go here because they are famous for their English Muffins! You can buy coffee and pastries to go or get a six-pack of muffins to bring home. We did both and spent most mornings coming by for a delicious treat.
Wine Girl – If you’re on a girls trip to Napa and need a truly Instagrammable spot, stop by Wine Girl. The entire space has such a vibe from the porch swing outside, the decor, the swings inside, and the pink cups. They have a lot of great wine and frozen drinks. Make reservations for your girl gang!
What to Do
Have a Flight at the Be Bubbly Champagne Bar – While Napa is known for its wine bars and tasting rooms, Be Bubbly has the unique concept of a champagne bar! Not only are the champagne and charcuterie to die for, but they also have the cutest decor and such a fun vibe. We asked the bartender to pick our champagne flights and tried some delicious champagne and sparkling wines. This is one place in downtown Napa you have to stop by and check out.
Walk Around Oxbow Public Market – I mentioned Model Bakery above but it’s right next to the Oxbow Public Market. The market has a variety of restaurants and shops and is also fun just to walk around and check out. Come and get some spices, oysters, or olive oil and eat at restaurants like Gott’s Roadside, Live Fire Pizza, and C Casa.
Explore Downtown Napa – Downtown Napa was a short walk from our hotel and easily walkable. We had a drink at Wine Girl Napa, stopped at several boutiques, wandered a local bookstore, and stopped at a few tasting rooms.
Go on a Hot Air Balloon Ride – One thing I wanted to cross off my bucket list for this trip was riding in a hot air balloon. I talked my mom into it and we booked with Balloons Above the Valley. Luckily the pick-up spot was right next to our hotel, so when we had to get up early we didn’t have to go far. We went on a perfect day and we had the most beautiful views of Napa. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and think everyone should do it.
Ride the Wine Train – If you want to try a bunch of different wines and not travel to all the different wineries, take a ride on the wine train. There are different train journeys to pick from that are different lengths and have different features with food and number of stops. We didn’t get to do thi so many different people said to pack a lunch and go split a bottle.
Wineries to Visit
Rombauer Vineyards – The first winery we visited on our girls trip to Napa was Rombauer. The grounds are filled with gardens and flowers with picnic tables scattered in with perfect spots of the view. Bring a picnic with your favorite snacks and order a bottle of white. And don’t forget to see their cool wine cave.
Del Dotto Wines – If you want to feel like you’re transported to a luxurious Tuscan villa, you’ll be in heaven at Del Dotto. The property is stunning and every last detail is peak luxury. Even their wine cave is made of materials all brought over from Italy. Take a tour of their spacious wine cave and when you’re done, head over for lunch or dinner. We tried a little bit of everything from their menu, my favorite was the pepperoni pizza!
Markham Winery – We went to Markham in the morning on a weekday and had the place to ourself. We got a great history of the winery, the wines they make and also some wine tasting and serving tips. My favorite kinds of wine were their delicious reds. The interior and exterior is also so modern and sleek, make a reservation and enjoy your time!
Viansa – We took a day trip to Sonoma and visited three wineries that were right next to each other. First up was the lovely Viansa Winery, Estate and Italian Marketplace. Get a table outside and enjoy your tasting with views of the rolling hills of Sonoma.
Jacuzzi – Jacuzzi is next to Viansa and the sister company of Cline Cellars. Jacuzzi is a family owned winery in Sonoma that was opened to honor the Jacuzzi patriarch, Valeriano. The stonework and design of the building is a tribute to the Italian Jacuzzi home. When you come for a tasting you also enjoy bread from a local bakery and olive oil from the Jacuzzi property. I recommend enjoying your tasting from the Grand Piazza.
Cline Cellars – The last winery we visited on our girls trip to Napa was Cline Cellars. Cline is an old horse farm that is not only home to the winery but also where the Cline family raised their seven children. In addition to the Cline brand, the Cline children have wine labels of their own – The Sneak, Farmhouse, and Gust. Come enjoy a tasting and go on the self guided walking tour on the race and historic sites.
What would you do on a girls trip to Napa? Share with me in a comment below!
Fun times with an amazing girl.