Where do you take visitors in the Napa Valley?

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Thursday, August 21, 2008

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By Register Staff

What wineries, what restaurants, what great scenic spots, what special places do you take Napa Valley visitors?

Let everyone know those well-known and the little-known places to show off Napa to those who come to visit you.

42 comment(s)

14obama wrote on Aug 14, 2008 8:44 PM:

" A ride through the valley. Maybe up the Trail and back on 29. I have some secrets too ! "

opiniagirl wrote on Aug 15, 2008 8:42 AM:

" There are many "secret" wonderful places in the Napa Valley - little swimming holes, hole in the wall diners with an amazing dish, scenic hideways that take your breath away, hiking trails leading to woodsy knooks and crannies for private picnics...(or other things...;]...), the BEST coffee EVER, valley views that awe...

Don't give up your secrets locals - it's our only refuge from the tourists!

I take my guests up 29, the wine train, wine tasting and to V Sattui - winery & Castle....I say "that's pretty much it"... if they only knew....lol! "

Pundit707 wrote on Aug 15, 2008 1:27 PM:

" Nevermind the tourists. If you know any great hole in the wall places, I'd like to know. I won't tell. "

comment wrote on Aug 16, 2008 2:24 AM:

" I like sending people to places that represent the real Napa.
Fuller Park on a Sunday afternoon.
The Taco Chavez truck on Coombs Street (great tacos!).
Try the laundramat on Browns Valley Road on a weekend.
As long as you mind your own business, you won't find any trouble at these places. Like it or not, this is the real Napa. It's a side of Napa the tourists never get to see. "

pernodboi wrote on Aug 16, 2008 11:40 AM:

" So many of the wineries now need reservations - I do not approve.

For the adventurous - I recommend getting some fun nibbles at Brown Valley Market, drive up Redwood Rd., stopping at Hess for a snack (view from the parking lot is my fave), driving up to the old resort on Mt. Veeder, maybe stopping at Chateu Pattele (spelling).

I love the Brown's Valley Laundramat! I use the one in Redwood Plaza, now - cleaner machines (and I can go shopping while the cloths dry), but I miss the people in Brown's Valley. "

vocal-de-local wrote on Aug 16, 2008 3:07 PM:

" In the old days, The Indian Springs Hotel and Spa pool, located in Calistoga was open to the public. My family, back to my great grandma's generation, used this facility until they closed down its public access due to a lawsuit. Sometimes we have family members stay at the resort and we come in as guests to use the pool.
We also take people kayaking on Lake Hennessey. There's an area in the eastern part of the Lake which narrows down to a stream. If you're into bird watching, this is an incredible sight. If you're into hiking, Robert Louis Stevenson is a worthy place to visit.

My favorite restaurant within an affordable range is Rutherford Grill. They don't have a corking fee there either. Patio dining on a warm summer night is fantastic. Even in the winter, the outdoor fireplace can keep you warm. They use outdoor heaters too. I've been to many restaurants in the area and this remains my favorite and the one we use most often! For a pricier experience, I really enjoy Auberge. Part of that has to do with its setting.

This year around Christmas time I plan to take guests to the wine caves. "

pernodboi wrote on Aug 16, 2008 3:45 PM:

" vocal-de-local can I be a guest? Sounds like you do things right.

What wine caves do you speak of? "

unicorn327 wrote on Aug 16, 2008 6:49 PM:

" The Yountville Deli is a great place to get a Sandwich, Salads and Coffee rinks. They're located in Ranch Market Too on Washington. Not too far from parks for a great picnic! "

musikluvr wrote on Aug 17, 2008 10:11 AM:

" The wine train for a lunch trip through the vineyards is a real winner. "

Native74 wrote on Aug 18, 2008 12:45 PM:

" One example is a taste of two valleys:

I take them to either the Basque or Artisan bakery in Sonoma before heading on to Jack London Park in Glen Ellen for a morning walk. Afterwards we head over the Oakville Grade into Rutherford for a tasting and tour at Rubicon Estates. By that time a real nibble at the Rutherford Grill is due (if we didn't picnic elsewhere prior) and anything after that is just icing on the cake.

If additional tastings are in line all goes out the window and a car is hired... "

vocal-de-local wrote on Aug 18, 2008 2:25 PM:

" pernodboi, I wanted to attend the Carol in the Caves Winter Soltice Program on Dec. 15th/16th at Hans Fahden Vineyard but I think they are sold out! I'll probably have to order tickets earlier next year. "

elb wrote on Aug 18, 2008 9:22 PM:

" Comment,
It's been a rather serious day, today. It was fun to read your recommendations. I believe they deserve a full spread in the next issue of the Napa Valley Life magazine. "

marine1/1 wrote on Aug 19, 2008 9:07 AM:

" comment: I would also add the Napa flea market or a drive down river street to your list. Perhaps some strawberries or a ice cream from one of the many push carts? "

be nice wrote on Aug 20, 2008 11:27 PM:

" lets show tourist the best of napa "

tlitbhw wrote on Aug 21, 2008 1:59 PM:

" For a great panoramic view of the valley drive your guests to the top of Oakville Grade then continue west to Mt Veeder Road and to Hess Winery. The Napa Land Trust park is 4 miles past Hess, great for hiking and solitude. Check park hours.

Another fantastic view is up Atlas Peak road past William Hill Winery. "

jpcrash wrote on Aug 22, 2008 5:10 AM:

" wow...a laundromat as a place to send out of towners. Is this town really that lame. Not wanting to share your "secrets" and your locations to visit. Don't even post. Flea Market...are you serious...

Thanks to those who posted actual places that are nice to visit. "

psychochik wrote on Aug 22, 2008 9:23 AM:

" Wine Train ?? Really ?? Thats the last place I would send a guest. Overpriced and not really good food.

Sorry, I take my guests to places like Vallergas for a sandwich, then to Alston for a short hike to the benches for a fun view and nice place to eat said sandwiches, followed by a drive up Dry Creek, over to the crossroad and up to St Helena or Calistoga, hit up some of the shops or eateries and then back down the trail with a shot up to Angwin then past Berryessa, stop at Turtle Rock for some eggrolls and some genuine company, then back into Napa, we go downtown, shoot some pool at Billcos, enjoy some drinks at Henrys and then calll it a day.

Real Napa is NOT the Wine Train. "

nan03 wrote on Aug 23, 2008 8:31 AM:

" I am a "guest" in Napa at times and I like going to "Asia Cafe" for a good meal. "Butter cream Bakery" for a really good cake. see family and friends. Just drive around and see the changes,(some not so good) "

psychochik wrote on Aug 23, 2008 5:56 PM:

" Asia Cafe is awesome, food is great and the family that runs it is ultra nice. "

newsworthy wrote on Aug 23, 2008 6:20 PM:

" I choose from the many wonderful places listed in the newly published book "Romantic Napa Valley" written by the 3rd generation Napan, Autumn Millhouse! "

supernova8610 wrote on Aug 23, 2008 11:22 PM:

" I like to recommend Taylor's Refresher to eat, or Rutherford Grill. Then depending on what types of things they like to do, I either tell them to go to certain wineries, hiking places (Bothe State Park), Lake Berryessa, the Geysers, or historic places (like the Bale Mill). "

make napa better wrote on Aug 24, 2008 8:48 PM:

" Do you notice a lot of these comments tell out of towners to "Take a Hike"

lol, just an observation "

napablogger wrote on Aug 24, 2008 11:22 PM:

" Taylors? I have been there three times and every time my food wasn't cooked, the last time my burger was actuallly still frozen in the middle and I gave up on the place. Has that happened to anyone else? Maybe it was wild fool bad luck and I should try again, if I can get my wife to go as she had the same experience.

I like the Hess winery, awesome, and the cave tour at Rutherford Hill winery my guests always love. Then you hit the bar at Auberge for a great view and burger.

The bar at The Farm is great, for tourists or locals. The Farm is the main restaurant at the Carneros Inn.

To see locals the best restaurants are Uva and Cuvee. And Don Giovanni but I don't like that place much. "

finewine wrote on Aug 25, 2008 8:01 AM:

" The Hess Collection was my first winery and remains my favorite! I LOVE V. Sattui's new castle, that's a great place to take visitors! I like having lunch in Yountville with friends. I think Yountville is a nice "charm" to the Napa Valley!

Cheri Fels
Yountville "

supernova8610 wrote on Aug 25, 2008 8:26 AM:

" I've always had fully cooked burgers at Taylor's. "

napablogger wrote on Aug 25, 2008 10:37 AM:

" thanks SuipeNova8610 "

msinformd wrote on Aug 25, 2008 1:31 PM:

" napablogger is right! "

msinformd wrote on Aug 25, 2008 2:00 PM:

" We've all heard about the mustard, but where can I get a good hot dog? "

mickeyfan69 wrote on Aug 25, 2008 4:16 PM:

" Since Walkers closed I would like to know a great place for a hot dog too.
We used to send visitors to Coppolas winery then heard they were charging 25.00 to go on grounds. It was a nice place to go even if some of the group didn't like wine, alot to see. Then across the street to Rutherford Grill for Ribs and blue cheese chips. yum. A can't miss place to go, the Olive Oil Barn at end of Charter Oak in St. Helena. He slices cheeses with piano wire, great fresh salami hanging in chubs. Picnic area in the yard to have your snack or go up to the park in St. Helena. "

mickeyfan wrote on Aug 25, 2008 4:42 PM:

me123!!! wrote on Aug 25, 2008 9:32 PM:

" Comment: or take a nice stroll (not drive) down Jefferson St. around 3:00 when Napa High gets out of school! or have a shopping spree at the Los Morenitas Shopping center or in the Pueblo center!!! wow amazing Napa is a glorious place now! "

lakeco wrote on Aug 25, 2008 10:11 PM:

" some of you mentioned taylors, i haven't been there for 25-30 years and for good reason. ya hit the nail on the head napablogger "

be nice wrote on Aug 25, 2008 10:56 PM:

" one winery i must tell people to visit is frank family vineyards is small great wine and a good service they really take good care of people "

msinformd wrote on Aug 27, 2008 11:25 AM:

" Be nice, speaking of franks, do you know where I can get a good hot dog? "

cathyodom wrote on Aug 28, 2008 10:03 AM:

" Hot Dogs: Vallerga's now has an outside hot dog stand on the weekends from 11AM-7PM. I haven't tried it yet, maybe this weekend. We loved Walkers! That was a great place, all the wonderful movie posters and pictures on the wall, retro lunch boxes, the robot from "Lost in Space". They had small hot dogs for kids, and sausages (Polish, Italian, Bratwurst) for the adults, and had licorice, ice cream, bottles of Sunkist, Root Beer. I miss it!!! "

Shawana wrote on Aug 28, 2008 4:54 PM:

" It's nice we can have such a "frank" discussion! "

msinformd wrote on Aug 28, 2008 5:03 PM:

" Cathy,
Thanks for the tip. Maybe I'll see you there Saturday. Hope they have everything we need (weenied)! "

chunk wrote on Aug 28, 2008 5:04 PM:

" A good hot dog is from the cart on Soscol in front of the Yamaha dealership just north of Silverado trail.
I don't know where I'd take a visitior to Napa. I guess on a bike ride up in Alston or upvalley. Maybe a game of disc golf at Skyline. I'd probably just plan something out of town because there is more to do outside of Napa. "

dreluvwine26 wrote on Aug 28, 2008 8:16 PM:

" Marine 1/1:

Thanks for the great suggestions, but you forgot that it's Harvest here in the Valley and vineyards are going to be humming with "those people"... You know, the lazy, overpaid and overcompensated "people" that are such a burden on all of us... Gee, I think I'll have a class of cab..... "

raybo wrote on Aug 29, 2008 12:37 AM:

" To the county line. "

napadad wrote on Aug 29, 2008 4:12 PM:

" Well lets see, theres the geyser, the petrified forest, hennesey hikes are great in winter when the eagles are nesting, skyline hikes, friday night concerts and chefs have been OK spring and fall drives up one side of the valley and down the other to see the vineyards, walkin or swimming at the Vets home or Bothe park. Boating on the napa river and out into the sloughs is a favorite as is birdwatching around the valley. "

ADark1 wrote on Aug 30, 2008 1:09 PM:

" I'm not telling! LOL

If I do they'll only send more!

hahahahaha!

Seriously, comment has it right...plus a few places of my own. I DO send them to the place my fav canadian works though, when its time to leave and they want to buy wine and not get robbed! "

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