It's always wine o'clock in Wine Country
Welcome to California's Wine Country, where you can drink all the Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon you want without anyone raising an eyebrow. Staying in a Napa vacation rental will put you in the center of all the grape-harvesting and wine-tasting action, and don't forget the golf courses, scenic tours, and excellent restaurants. Go on a hot-air balloon ride and soar over acres and acres of lush vineyards and rolling hills, or head to one of the nature parks for a spot of hiking, horseback riding, and disc golf.
Gourmet grocery-shopping at Oxbow Public Market
If you've got a large enough private art collection, why not open a small museum, right? That's what Donald Hess did, and you can see his collection of contemporary art at The Hess Collection winery. Pop into the historic Napa Valley Opera House, which first opened in 1880, then shop for meats, cheeses, and the freshest produce at the famous Oxbow Public Market. Back home in your Napa vacation rental, assemble the perfect cheese plate and have another glass of vino—you can never have too many of those in Napa—while enjoying views of the valley.
Napa—where you'll find yourself on cloud wine
Not surprisingly, life in Napa centers around wine and the wineries. The Napa Valley Wine Train, which runs between Napa and St. Helena, is an institution. Choose from a variety of excursions on vintage locomotives, and if you're traveling with a significant other, you can affix a memento of your relationship on the love lock pedestrian bridge before boarding the train. Other ways to explore and enjoy the wine country include bike tours, helicopter rides, kayaking or cruises on the Napa River, and a round or two of golf.
Wine not go in the winter to dodge huge crowds in Napa?
The Napa Valley's Mediterranean climate means warm summers and mild winters—overall, the weather will be lovely no matter when you go. August and September are the warmest months, with a high of 80 degrees. It's coldest in December and January, when temps range from 36 to 56 degrees. The harvest season runs from August to October, so if you visit during this time, you'll shell out more money for everything, from accommodation to wine tours. Napa vacation rentals have lower prices in the winter, and don't worry, wineries remain open throughout the year.
Napa's natural beauty—it's not all vineyards
Vineyard visits are the most appealing "nature walks" in town, but there's more outdoorsy stuff to do sans the Cab. Westwood Hills Park has 3 miles of trails that weave through grassy meadows and oak tree groves. If you're trying to log a pre-race practice run, the park's stunning city views will either inspire you to pick up your pace, or cause you to pause for a photo op. From your downtown Napa vacation rental, head west and visit the 217-acre di Rosa Art + Nature Preserve, where some of the exhibits are set in lakeside gardens.
Transportation options to and around Napa
The nearest airport is in Oakland Intl. Airport (OAK), located 40.6 mi (65.4 km) from the city center. If you can't find a flight that works for your travel itinerary, you can also fly into Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF), which is 46.5 mi (74.9 km) away.
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