Napa area - besides wineries?

[jeromedawg]

Hey all,

Last minute request but we're heading up to Napa tomorrow for half a day and were wondering what the must-dos are in the area besides wineries (and hot air balloons for that matter). Any suggestions? It's just my wife and I and our infant. The toddler will be at home with the grandparents... we wanted a short 'getaway' so it'll do. We'll be trying Ad-Hoc for an early dinner and heading back to the Eastbay after.

[WSUCoug1994]

Although not directly in Napa - I would go to Safari West and Armstrong Woods.  You could also take a drive through the area - Healdsburg, Russian River, Bodega Bay etc.

[jeromedawg]

Although not directly in Napa - I would go to Safari West and Armstrong Woods.  You could also take a drive through the area - Healdsburg, Russian River, Bodega Bay etc.

Thanks! Was looking for anything more local to Napa proper or Yountville. The places you recommended are close to an hour or more away, which I suppose isn't too bad to kill time if we want to just drive... that might be a little rough though coming off the 7-8hr drive up just a couple days ago from SoCal haha

[surfhb]

Considering the type of forum this is, are you asking for cheap things to do?   There are none.   

Unless you stop and get a sandwich and people watch in the park you will be paying some $

Just my opinion, but the Napa area has to be the most overrated shithole in the state.    I second the Healdsburg, Russian River, Bodega Bay  idea and see some beautiful California Country instead.    That' or just drive up into the hills for a picnic

MOD NOTE: Please use details and facts, not hyperbole and insults, to make your point. Thanks!

[WSUCoug1994]

I am not sure if you are into biking on your brief escape but the bike riding around Napa is epic and flat :).

[Dicey]

Safari West is crazy expensive. Despite the naysayers, Downtown Napa has its charms and the surrounding area is lovely. There are lots of easy hiking trails, and lots of the wineries have beautiful gardens, which don't require an entry fee.

This should help you get started:
https://www.napatouristguide.com/best-napa-wineries-picnics/

[jeromedawg]

I am not sure if you are into biking on your brief escape but the bike riding around Napa is epic and flat :).

Safari West is crazy expensive. Despite the naysayers, Downtown Napa has its charms and the surrounding area is lovely. There are lots of easy hiking trails, and lots of the wineries have beautiful gardens, which don't require an entry fee.

This should help you get started:
https://www.napatouristguide.com/best-napa-wineries-picnics/

Thanks - I did see some people biking around and that looks like fun... a little tough with an infant at this stage though. We ended up just walking around downtown and finding places just to lounge under the shade (Veteran's Memorial Park) and walked a little around China Point Park before driving up to Yountville. Found the Yountville Community center and discovered the gym inside and asked if we could shoot around for a little so that was fun - it was nice and cool in the gym too :) It was a pretty relaxed time overall - most of it was just strolling around semi-exploring. The food was the most expensive part but that was part of the reason we went too. Figured we'd 'splurge' a little since we barely ever do stuff like this.

[surfhb]

Considering the type of forum this is, are you asking for cheap things to do?   There are none.   

Unless you stop and get a sandwich and people watch in the park you will be paying some $

Just my opinion, but the Napa area has to be the most overrated shithole in the state.    I second the Healdsburg, Russian River, Bodega Bay  idea and see some beautiful California Country instead.    That' or just drive up into the hills for a picnic

MOD NOTE: Please use details and facts, not hyperbole and insults, to make your point. Thanks!

I'm sorry, is this the Boglehead forum now?

[bognish]

Unless they have put in bike trails since my last visit, I would not recommend riding bikes on the shoulders of the road in an area where the main attraction is drinking wine. There are a lot of tipsy drivers in Napa and the surrounding valleys.

[Dicey]

I am not sure if you are into biking on your brief escape but the bike riding around Napa is epic and flat :).

Safari West is crazy expensive. Despite the naysayers, Downtown Napa has its charms and the surrounding area is lovely. There are lots of easy hiking trails, and lots of the wineries have beautiful gardens, which don't require an entry fee.

This should help you get started:
https://www.napatouristguide.com/best-napa-wineries-picnics/

Thanks - I did see some people biking around and that looks like fun... a little tough with an infant at this stage though. We ended up just walking around downtown and finding places just to lounge under the shade (Veteran's Memorial Park) and walked a little around China Point Park before driving up to Yountville. Found the Yountville Community center and discovered the gym inside and asked if we could shoot around for a little so that was fun - it was nice and cool in the gym too :) It was a pretty relaxed time overall - most of it was just strolling around semi-exploring. The food was the most expensive part but that was part of the reason we went too. Figured we'd 'splurge' a little since we barely ever do stuff like this.

Your mustachian skills served you well. Sounds like you figured out your own fun and created a unique experience a bigger pile of money couldn't buy.

[Dicey]

Considering the type of forum this is, are you asking for cheap things to do?   There are none.   

Unless you stop and get a sandwich and people watch in the park you will be paying some $

Just my opinion, but the Napa area has to be the most overrated shithole in the state.    I second the Healdsburg, Russian River, Bodega Bay  idea and see some beautiful California Country instead.    That' or just drive up into the hills for a picnic

MOD NOTE: Please use details and facts, not hyperbole and insults, to make your point. Thanks!

I'm sorry, is this the Boglehead forum now?

Your comment was off the rails and now you're questioning the mods?