Things to do in  Napa & Sonoma

Oxbow Public Market—with dozens of restaurants, food stalls, and shops—brings the bounty of Napa’s famed wine, food, and organic produce under a single roof. Open all day, it’s a one-stop shop for great food, to quickly experience the best of Napa Valley, or relax for a moment at this local gathering place before exploring the region.

Located in the world-renowned Carneros wine region, which straddles the Napa Valley, the Madonna Estate is a unique winery utilizing dry-farming production and organic grapes. The vineyard is family-owned and operated by the Bartoluccis, who use a combination of traditional and modern winemaking techniques to produce handcrafted wines.

Among the rolling golden hills of Sonoma County lies the picturesque Jacuzzi Family Vineyards. The tasting room and winery are set in a stunning Italian villa-style building complete with a stone facade, inner courtyard, and sweeping views of the vine-strewn landscape. Coupled with a glass of an Italian varietal, you might just forget that you’re in California wine country.

Fashioned after a 14th-century Tuscan castle, Castello di Amorosa looks like it belongs on an Italian postcard instead of in the heart of California wine country. The Napa Valley winery produces a selection of premium red, white, rosé, sparkling, and dessert wines, but many visitors are drawn by the eight-level structure itself, which includes five defensive towers, a drawbridge, and a moat.

Located at the base of Mount Saint Helena in Napa Valley, Calistoga is known for its laid-back charm, natural hot springs, and volcanic-ash mud baths. In addition to numerous spa resorts, Calistoga also offers proximity to world-class wineries and plentiful restaurants, boutiques, and art galleries.

Located in St. Helena, V. Sattui Winery dates back to 1885 and produces small-batch wines with a focus on organic and sustainable farming practices. Learn more about about how its wines are made on a tour of the Italian-style property, or stop by for a tasting.

Situated among rolling hills in the Carneros region of Sonoma, Gloria Ferrer was the first sparkling wine house to plant roots in the area back in the early 1980s. Today, visitors can sip flights of bubbly on a spacious patio overlooking the vineyards, or head underground on guided tours of the estate’s expansive wine cellars.

Set in the legendary Napa Valley, Sutter Home Family Vineyards has grown from a small business established in 1948 to the second-largest independent, family-run winery in the US. Now producing more than 20 varietals, they were the first winery ever to make white zinfandel. Sutter Home wines are known for quality at an affordable price point.

Whether it’s food, art, shopping, or wine you’re after, it can be found at this specialty marketplace in the Town of Yountville. Formerly one of the wine country’s first estates— Groezinger Winery—this boutique shopping complex is now a Napa Valley landmark. It was first restored and converted to stores, galleries, and restaurants in 1968.

Sample and enjoy wines with a view at Viansa Sonoma Winery. Located at the summit of Sonoma Valley, the winery offers panoramic views over its property, which includes 33 acres (13 hectares) of estate vineyards and 97 acres (39 hectares) of natural wetlands, home to a number of indigenous waterfowl.

Known for growing organic grapes and using sustainable farming practices, Benziger Family Winery attracts visitors with its open-air tram tours that show off the beautiful property spread across the hills of Sonoma County. The winery is set in the town of Glen Ellen, making it easy to visit from both San Francisco and Napa.

If you’re looking to shake up your wine tasting experience then Raymond Vineyards may be the place for you. With a variety of tasting rooms—including a colorful cellar and luxurious red room—plus tours and experiences to choose from, the winery offers a unique glimpse into their biodynamic practices that’s perfect for any wine lover.

Napa Valley’s Domaine Chandon, which is most famous for producing a French-style sparkling wine, dates back to 1973. Come to celebrate a special occasion or just because you love an excuse to drink bubbly. The winery also makes pinot noir, rosé, and other varietals of still wine.

California's Russian River is one of the longest rivers in the San Francisco Bay Area, beginning in Mendocino County and cutting through Sonoma County on its way to the ocean. The area is famous for its wine and farm-to-table cuisine, and in warm weather the river is a hotspot for outdoor adventures like canoeing, swimming, and fishing.

Safari West is a 400-acre (162-hectare) private wildlife preserve located in Santa Rosa, California. The park focuses on species native to Africa and is home to more than 800 wild animals, including cheetahs, Cape buffalo, zebras, rhinos, and giraffe.