Napa River Tour Highlights
April 18, 2016
Pedal Boat
September 8, 2019
Enjoy Napa Valley
The Napa Valley Bachelorette Party (why I originally wrote this guide!)
It was a Wednesday night when a lady called me in a panic. She was part of a bachelorette party visiting Napa Valley that was due to be arrive on a Friday night. They ony had One Day In Napa Valley. The maid of honor had not done a thing and all they had was a hotel room. I was the first person she called. So what I did was set up an itinerary of what I would do if somebody was visiting me here in the Napa Valley. For the last few years this list has been exclusively for the guests on my tours. Now for the first time I am offering it to all visitors of the Napa Valley. Over the years this list has expanded to include many other activities beyond the original itinerary.
Here you will find my personal recommendations for not only Wineries but also restaurants, lodging, hiking, camping, shopping, and an awesome time here in the Napa Valley. Basically this list will save you a ton of time planning your trip to the Napa Valley.
My Personal Recommendation for a One Day Napa Valley Tour
Many locals will give you a ton of opinions about wineries. There are over 400 tasting rooms here in the valley. I do not believe anybody has visited them all. This list will help you sort through the masses.
Most of the winery tasting rooms do not open until 10 or 11 AM. So I always recommend people start off the day with the Napa River History Tour, this followed by a winery stop, lunch, a couple more wineries then dinner. Complete this day tour by visiting these wineries and eateries.
Justin’s One Day Tour of the Napa Valley Itinerary
Complete this loop in order and you will have an awesome day tour of the Napa Valley.
Napa River History Kayak Tour with “Enjoy Napa Valley”
Reservations Required, Meet at 100 Riverside dr, Napa, CA 94559
Peju Province Winery
Wineries company
8466 St Helena Hwy, Rutherford, CA 94573
Giugnis Deli (lunch stop)
( An awesome deli )
1227 Main St, St Helena, CA 94574
Orin Swift Cellars
( a couple of store fronts north of Deli ) OPTIONAL
1325 Main St, St Helena, CA 94574
(707) 967-9179 (this is really good though)
Castello di Amorosa
Napa’s Castle:
4045 St Helena Hwy, Calistoga, CA 94515 (this place is awesome)
Open today · 9:30 am – 5:00 pm
I have been to their Halloween party a few times. It is hard to beat a castle for Halloween and the haunted house goes to the dungeon of the castle. It is the most kid friendly of all the wineries-though it is 5 and up.  It has an awesome gift shops for both adults and children.
Personal recommendation:
Try Castello di Amorosa’s “Fantasia” for Sangria. Cut up fresh fruit and fill a pitcher with the fruit and Fantasia.
Let the flavors infuse in the refrigerator for a few hours on a summer day -yummy!
I have heard a few locals say “The castle is cool but their wine is not good.” This is not true. They do not make the big Napa Valley Reds that we are often  acustom to here however, they do create some absolutely brilliant white and rose wines. This place is worth a visit and is at the top of my list.
Mumm Napa
End the day with some Bubbly!
(sparkling wine/champagne)
8445 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA 94558
Great views, wonderful staff, lovely sparkling wine.
Reynolds Family Winery
One of my favorite boutique wineries.
Make an appointment- Reservation Required!
3266 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA 94558
Dinner in the Napa Valley
Velo Pizza
This become my families default place for birthday parties and get together’s.
807 Main St, Napa, CA 94559
Or a little more fancy
Ristorante Allegria
1026 1st St, Napa, CA 94559
There are so many awesome wineries here it was hard to pick just a few for this tour.  This is the list of places that I probably would take people visiting me if I only had a day to visit wineries with them. I recommend limiting your wineries to three or four a day at most. Many people are not prepared for the high alcohol content in our wines.
This is the end of my recommended Napa Day Tour.
Other Napa Valley Recommendations
Here is a list of many other things to do here in Napa.
Malfatti: Â (A food unique to Napa)
Ca Momi
(Napa’s best Malfatti IMO but only sometimes available as a special)
Also excellent deserts..if you like whiskey they have an excellent whiskey from Sonoma.
Industrial-chic enoteca
1141 1st St, Napa, CA 94559
Open today 11AM–10PM
Lawler’s
(Traditional Malfatti for Takeout)
2232 Jefferson St, Napa, CA 94559
Open today 9AM–10PM
Lawler’s Liquors – Italian – Napa, CA
Clemente’s
(Malfatti for takeout)
Traditional Napa Malfatti
Located inside Vals liquor store.
1531 3rd St, Napa, CA 94559
Closed Monday’s
Beer in the Napa Valley?
We have a saying here in the wine country. “it takes a lot of beer to make good wine.” As you can imagine when you’re working crush and have 16 hour days, The last thing you want to do is smell or see any more wine. Here are a few places to enjoy a good old fashioned beer.
Downtown Joe’s
Bilco’s
Gift Shops
Inti
A unique destination in downtown Napa. It’s the perfect place for seeking exotic gifts.
1139 1st St, Napa, CA 94559
French Food
Angele
Riverfront bistro with a patio serving rustic French fare & creative cocktails in an old boathouse. Not a huge fan of their lunch but love their dinners. Approximately $29 per plate for dinner-Highly recommended.
540 Main St, Napa, CA 94559
Mexican Food:
If you are visiting from out of the country it is a must that you try the Mexican food here in California. If you’re visiting from any part of the United States that does not have good Mexican food it is also highly recommended. The other thing is that Mexican food can I help keep your trip on budget. It is often very affordable.
Downtown:
Don Perico
Relaxed family-owned Mexican restaurant with a sunny patio offering traditional dishes & drinks. Lunch Specials…
1106 1st St, Napa, CA 94559
North Napa
Villa Corona
(some of Napa’s best Mexican food IMO)
Casual mom-&-pop counter serve featuring tacos, burritos & other Mexican bites, with patio seating.
Bel Aire Plaza, 3614 Bel Aire Plaza, Napa, CA 94558
For Margaritas:
Compadres
Easygoing eatery offering Mexican (kind of) dishes along with California wines, and margaritas, plus a patio with river views.
505 Lincoln Ave, Napa, CA 94558
Up Valley
La Luna Market and Taqueria
takeout
1153 Rutherford Rd, Rutherford, CA 94573
Napa Valley Pizza:
Pizza Dine in:
Velo Pizza
807 Main St, Napa, CA 94559
I like the  “Wine Maker Pizza”
They also have an artichoke hearts appetizer that is really good
Pizza Delivery:
Papa Joe’s Pizza Napa
1121 Lincoln Ave.
Napa CA 94559
Chicago Style, if you like a lot of toppings order the Supreme.
Napa Valley Breakfast:
Napa General Store
Located in the “Hatt” building.
540 Main St #100, Napa, CA
Jax White Mule Diner
(Creative and delicious breakfast menu) 707.812. MULE (6853); 1122 A. First Street, Napa, CA 94559
Buttercream Bakery (IMO the best breakfast in town)
American, 50’s style bakery, pink-striped bakery that serves breakfast & lunch. The best Maple Bars and you can even get a Maple bar topped with a slice bacon. Classic American breakfasts such as biscuits and gravy. It gets busy on the weekends but worth the wait.
2297 Jefferson St, Napa, CA 94559
Napa Valley Brunch:
Celadon
Basalt
Burgers:
Norman Rose Tavern
Neighborhood pub with locally sourced food in specializing in burgers & microbrews.
1401 1st St, Napa, CA 94559
Gott’s Roadside
Creative burgers as well as beer and wine.
644 1st St, Napa, CA 94559
Open today 10AM–9PM
Seafood/Sushi
Most of the Italian and French places will have a “Fish of the Day” but here are the places that specialize in seafood.
Morimoto’s
Eiko’s
Hiking in the Napa Valley:
Also here is a small, great little hike here in Napa. It only takes about 15 to 20 minutes to get to the top and it is not so big that you have to worry about getting lost or worry about bringing supplies. The other thing about it it is a really quick hike so you can easily do it at the beginning or the end of your day.
Westwood Hills Park:
3107 Browns Valley Road
Longer Hikes:
Boothe State Park
Redwoods, swimming pool, camping
3801 St Helena Hwy, Calistoga, CA 94515
Open today Open 24 hours
Robert Louis Stevenson State Park
is a California state park, located in Sonoma, Lake and Napa counties
4774-, 4824 Lake County Hwy, Calistoga, CA 94515
Skyline State Park
Wilderness park offering hiking, biking & equestrian trails, camp sites & a native plant garden.
Lake Marie Up road up, Skyline to Buckeye trails down. Bring snacks and plenty of water.
2201 Imola Ave, Napa, CA 94559
Napa Valley Lodging
When I travel I like to be able to walk everywhere once I get there. Therefore several of these are located in downtown so that you can walk to restaurants and wine tasting rooms.The exception on this list is the place that is most affordable.
It is still A very short drive to downtown. It also has a great restaurant for margaritas across the street and a nice walking trail along the river that starts at the location.
River Pointe
White House Inn
Napa River Inn
Andaz
The Westin
