Experts weigh in on how to best experience the famous California wine region.

Top 5 Cant Miss

Go to a wine tasting.

Note that many wineries require advanced bookings and that these activities can be quite expensive.

A hot air balloon peacefully soars over a vineyard in Napa Valley, California.

Credit:BDyksen / Getty Images

A few treasured tastings to kick off your research includeFaust Haus,Cliff Lede Vineyards,Duckhorn, andDarioush.

Splurge on a Michelin-starred meal.

Enjoy a rejuvenating mud bath in Calistoga.

Wine tasting room

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Visit the di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art.

She calls the 217-acre art park, with its galleries, gardens, and 35-acre lake, especially stimulating.

Works by modern Northern California artists are provocative and varied, says Johnson.

aniel Gribble takes instruction from Tyler Vorce (right) while working in the kitchen at The French Laundry

Gabrielle Lurie / San Francisco Chronicle / Getty Images

Do a day trip to Lake Berryessa.

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The natural wonders of Napa Valley never cease.

Ride the Napa Valley Wine Train.

A woman soaks in the mud bath at Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort and Mineral Springs

Courtesy of Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort and Mineral Springs

The historic Pullman rail cars have been fabulously restored, offering riders a taste of slow travelmeetsculinary tourism.

Join a grape stomp.

Sattui Winerypractices the old-fashioned tradition during its October Crush Party.

Exhibits at di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art in Napa Valley..

Courtesy of di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art

Experience Christopher Kostows cooking.

Dont missCiccio," says Jeffers.

Go kayaking.

Lake Berryessa in Northern California

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Half and full-day kayak rentals are available off the dock downtown, says Morrow.

Its a great way to be active and take a break from wine tasting.

Visit Oxbow Public Market.

Wine Train, Napa Valley, California, North America (

Hoberman Collection / Universal Images Group / Getty Images

The vibrant gathering spot offers crowd-pleasing dining options for every taste and budget.

My favorite is wait for it [Christopher] Kostows amazingLoveski Deli.

The Ruben sandwich will change your life.

Crushing or press ripe grapes by fit in boots. Pressing grapes to make wine old style.

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Enjoy a hot air balloon ride.

Several area operators offer awe-inspiring hot air balloon rides over the verdant valley.

Experience regenerative agriculture and grape-growing.

A peek inside the kitchen at The Charter Oak Restaurant in Napa Valley

Courtesy of The Charter Oak Restaurant

For instance, many growers use regenerative agriculture with their grapes and other produce.

Book a special wine tasting.

Take a hike.

People kayaking in the river

Adrian Rudd / Travel + Leisure

Thankfully, there are plenty of beautiful hiking trails to trek in Napa Valley.

Listen to live music.

There, performers might include pianists Garrick Ohlsson and Paul Lewis, or the Takacs Quartet.

The Oxbow Public Market is a mixture of food stands, shops and restaurants in downtown Napa, Ca.

Michael Macor / The San Francisco Chronicle / Getty Images

Go shopping in St. Helena.

His favorites include Erin Martinsavant-garde atelier M, Dione Carstons shopTrick Pony, andElyse Walkers clothing boutique.

You wont find a chain store anywhere near St. Helena, he adds.

Grape vine in Napa

Alessandra Amodio / Travel + Leisure

Picnic by a waterfall.

Take a scenic drive or detour.

She is particularly fond of drives from the north after a hike atRobert Lewis Stevenson State Parkon Mt.

Tasting table with a view of Napa Hill at Promontory Winery

Courtesy of Promontory Winery

St. Helena, one of the few places in the region with snow in winter.

“Stop atViaderto catch some really special scenery.

Strap in for a spin class.

Lake Hennessey in the hills east of St. Helena, California

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Casey Millers gym has a mean spin class, among other personal training and classes, he says.

A little sweat is always welcome before wine and lunch the following day.

Dine where the locals do.

Atmosphere during the 2023 BottleRock Napa Valley festival at Napa Valley Expo on May 28, 2023 in Napa, California.

Tim Mosenfelder / Getty Images

Morrow adoresIl Posto Trattoriafor Italian comfort food,Kitchen Doorfor American-Vietnamese fusion andZuZufor Spanish tapas.

Jeffers enjoys visitingGotts Roadsidefor its ahi tuna poke tacos.

Check out the Napa Art Walk.

St. Helena, Napa Valley, California

Peter Burnett / Getty Images

Courtesy of the City of Napa

What’s better than a free public art trail?

Explore Napa Valley’s breweries and distilleries.

The region is also known for its burgeoning brewery and distillery scene.

Linda Falls in Napa Valley, California

Courtesy of Land Trust of Napa County

Cars driving down the road in Napa

Alessandra Amodio / Travel + Leisure

Shot of a young woman working out with an exercise bike in a exercising class at the gym

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People enjoying a meal at Kitchen Door in Napa Valley

Courtesy of Kitchen Door

Napa Art Walk in California

Courtesy of the City of Napa

Napa Valley Brewing Company at the Calistoga Inn Restaurant & Brewery

Courtesy of Calistoga Inn Restaurant & Brewery