Napa Valley -- A Love Letter
Above: The main street in Yountville features a beautiful sculpture art walk that is a great way to start the day. Beautiful sculptures up and down the street.
Napa Valley is known around the world as a beautiful serene place with some of the most delicious restaurants, beautiful vinyards and gorgesous landscapes. I'm a local Bay Area girl growing up less than an hour from the Valley and I've been visiting Napa and Sonoma with my family for more than 30 years. In my former life as a PR person, I first fell in love when I had a few clients in the area including working on the opening of the Rutherford Grill back in the early 90s. I got to know the area and enjoy the rolling hills, amazing restaurants, beautiful hiking areas and Lake Berryessa.
My husband and I were married in Rutherford and we have been celebrating holidays here with friends and family since then. I just love it. Today, we are lucky enough to own a home in St. Helena and enjoy it's beauty year round. Many people ask me for my favorite places to visit, stay and eat so here it goes -- enjoy! This blog will highlight some of my favorites where to stay to help you plan a visit. I will do a few more with places to eat and wineries to visit so stay tuned. Best time to visit -- well right now -- it's Harvest Season and the time of year we call California Summer -- the temps are perfect, warm sunny days and cool nights perfect for fire pints and drinking wine. However, anytime of year is perfect for the Napa Valley (or Sonoma) so plan a visit!
Cheers -- lisa lori
Great hats at our store from Bartbridge. 
Where To Stay (alphabetically)
1230 1st St, Napa, CA -- 707-690-9800
In the last 10 years, downtown Napa has been revitailzed with new restaurants, new hotels and tasting rooms -- we had our Napa pop up here at First Street. This hotel has a great rooftop bar and is favored by groups, parties and people who might want to be central and easily walk to tasting rooms, shopping and restuarants. Last year, we had a pop up at First Street Napa and met wonderful local merchants including The Bennington Napa Valley (great wine country gifts) and C'est La Paire Shoes -- check them out and tell them we sent you!
180 Rutherford Hill Rd, Rutherford, CA -- 800-348-5406
Ahhh Auberge, romantic, killer views and everything you could want in a Napa sojourn. Overlooking the Silverado Trail they have a great spa, restaurant and bar. Romance awaits.
400 Silverado Trail, Calistoga, CA -- 707-709-2100
Off the gorgeous Silverado Trail, this brand new hotel has been long awaited in the Valley. Although I've never stayed there, you can never go wrong with a Four Seasons and Calistoga although the most north town on the wine trail has been popping in the last few years with new hotels, restaurants and wineries.
6462 Washington St, Yountville, CA -- 707-967-7900
This was our go to hotel for my husband and I when we visited. Yountville is lovely and home to some of the most incredible restaurants (French Laundry, Bouchon and more). Great rooms, beautiful pool and great outdoor fire pits. Nothing beats a great charcuterie plate and wine outside by the fire pit at the Hotel Yountville. Yum!
755 Silverado Trail N, Calistoga, CA -- 866-942-7442
This is the newest Auberge in the area and it is beautiful. Again, I haven't stayed there but my husband and I recently ate at the restaurant outside by the pool and it was a beautiful setting and great meal. All of the amenities of a big resort.
Amazing Hamachi Crudo below at Solange Resort (yum!)
Beautiful Places -- 707-996-0266
Hotels are lovely but sometimes staying in a home is easiser for a family, reunion, girls weekend etc... For our family holidays, we used a wonderful rental company that helped us find amazing homes. The one glitch -- in Napa County you cannot do short term rentals so there is a minimum 30 day rental, however nearby Sonoma County which is very close by and also very charming doesn't have that same restriction and lovely homes. We've done both and had great experiences.
#visitnapavalley
1300 1st St #313
Napa, CA 94559
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