The Perfect Day In Napa Valley
No matter the season, a visit to Napa Valley is always ready-made for a fun adventure. Outside of just wine-tasting (which we fully support) here’s how we spend the other parts of our day enjoying all that our home in Wine Country has to offer.
Take A Sunrise Hike
Starting the day with a little bit of exercise will build your strength for the real work of the rest of the day (eating and drinking) so muster your eyes open for a early morning hike to get the blood flowing. Grab a coffee and head out to a local go-to trail at Skyline Park and watch the sunrise over the hills.
Start With Breakfast
Ok so maybe you won’t be heading to the French Laundry (or maybe you are, in which case, still go here) but you won’t want to miss out on visiting the iconic Thomas Keller locale, Bouchon Bakery in Yountville. Centered in the quant downtown Yountville, grab as many croissants and pastries as you can. You’ll want to try them all. But get there early, because the line is often out -the-door once the other wine country visitors rouse themselves for a day of tasting by 10AM.
Snap a picture by the Welcome To Napa Valley sign
Yes, it is ok to bring out the touristy side of yourself here. As you’re driving up Highway 29 the iconic Welcome To Napa Valley sign is posted on the left side of the road, just after you pass the town of Yountville. Pull on over and snap a selfie to make everyone back home jealous of your perfect day in Napa Valley.
Try Your New Favorite Bottle Among The Vines
Breakfast was important, but don’t let anyone fool you. Snacks are the most important meal of the day in wine country. And while Napa is seemingly filled with places to eat….the minute you start heading out on CA29, there is definitively no snacks and we can’t have that.
If you’re making the rounds tasting at wineries, stock up on treats at the legendary local Oakville Grocery for sandwiches, waters and plenty of delicious artisan snacks. We are also digging the new Gary’s Wine and Marketplace in Napa that boasts an impressive cheese selection!
Finding a place to picnic can be challenging, as often Napa Valley land use restrictions prevent wineries from allowing picnicking on the grounds. But a select few places in Napa will allow it, including the grounds at V. Sattui and a list of a few others will let you bring baskets to your heart’s desire
Keep Your Eyes Peeled For Iconic Vineyards
What we love about Napa is the equal parts glamour and humble grounds, as you’ll see some of the most iconic wineries as you pass by along the side of the road doing what they do best: serving guest and growing vines. Keep your eyes peeled as you drive by the scenery and you might recognize your favorite vineyards.
We love the G3 Vineyard in the Rutherford region of Napa, where we source Poseidon Cabernet Sauvignon from. Our Broken Rock Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon also yields from Napa on the eastern side of the Valley near Soda Canyon and Atlas Peak. The fruit from these regions are plush, deliciously ripe and juicy, and walk a delightful balance of ready-to-drink or perfect-to-age. If you’re driving by, be sure to tag us on Instagram, we love seeing our vines in “the wild!" on your day in Napa Valley!
Dinner in Downtown
There are certainly no shortages of great places to dine in Napa. If you’re finding yourself ready to indulge in a super special night, make reservations at The Charter Oak or Farmstead and Long Meadow Ranch for a truly Napa Valley fine dining experience.
Going from something more casual? Bounty Hunter Rare Wine & BBQ in downtown Napa is available seating is first-come-first serve (get the beer can chicken) or Gott’s Roadside for a great burger and fries.
If you’re feeling completely stuffed from a full day of eating and drinking (hey, it happens) make dinner some light appetizers on the rooftop of the Andaz Downtown with views of downtown Napa from below. You can also head to a local’s favorite spot, La Taberna for tapas and maybe catch a peek at a famous local winemaker enjoying a break.
Whether you’re in Napa for a couple days or a week, this recipe is the perfect rinse and repeat for as many days as you need to feel fully indulged in Wine Country Lifestyle and your ideal day in Napa Valley.
4 Coastal Getaways We're Dreaming Of
The best things in life are experiences and travel is something that truly nourishes the soul. Add a little bit of wine and you have the kind of experience that inspires and uplifts...especially from an ocean view hotel along the California Coast.
At Sea Bird Wines we are dedicated to helping preserve our marine habitats, because we believe you can’t have great wine without a health ocean influence. We source our fruit from Sonoma and Napa counties where the coastal influence from the Bay Area provide cool misty mornings. As a result, the bright acidity and playful fruit that comes as a result is what we love about our region.
The profits from each bottle of Sea Bird Wines gets donated to non-profit organizations like 4ocean and International Bird Rescue. These agencies are dedicated to preserving coastal marine life habitats so the ocean stays healthy…which means we can continue making great wine.
When we’re dreaming of a getaway, you can bet we’re grabbing a bottle and heading along the California coast. Here are a few of our favorite places to grab a beach blanket (and perhaps a sweater for that Pacific breeze) and sip on a bottle of Sea Bird as the waves roll in.
Nick’s Cove in Tomales Bay
Unplug and head to the coast in Tomales Bay, located over an hour outside of San Francisco. You’ll make your way past wine country (and perhaps drive right past the Sangicomo Family Vineyards if you drive through Petaluma!) to the most peaceful boutique on the water, NIck’s Cove.
We fell in love with these remodeled waterfront bungalows that will allow you to truly feel removed from the world, if only for a weekend.
Bring some cheese, crackers and charcuterie along with a bottle (or two) of Sangiocomo Robert’s Road Vineyard Pinot Noir to sip on your patio dock. Better yet, order up some room service oyster plucked straight from the bay.
Cavallo Point in Sausalito
At the foot of the Golden Gate bridge, we love the ethos of Cavallo Point. Dedicated to both a luxurious stay as well as a green and socially responsible lodging thanks to their Certified LEED Gold Status. Bonus points for being both close to the city, as well as just a short drive up to Napa & Sonoma Wine Country.
Bring along a bottle of Broken Rock Cabernet Sauvignon as the fog settles in along the Sausalito waterfront and the lights from the Bay Bridge and Golden Gate twinkle in the mist.
Carmel Valley Ranch in Carmel By The Sea
Catch us at the Vineyard Oak Suite with outdoor tub and all; we love the sustainability practices at Carmel Valley Ranch.
A special nod to their acres of lavender used to create their own aromatherapy bath amenities. When you’re sitting on the deck sipping on a chilled glass of Sangiacomo Robert’s Road Vineyard Chardonnay you can almost smell a waft come over you. You can even experience the Bee Life on the Carmel Valley Ranch Organic Farm. A little fresh honeycomb sounds like the perfect addition to our cheese board.
Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego
The most iconic hotel in SoCal deserves to meet our signature Cabernet Sauvignon named for the King of the Sea; enjoy the historic seaside charm while you sip and swirl Poseidon G3 Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon on the Pacific edge of Coronado Island. The Hotel Del’s legendary past of over 130 years hosting celebrities, royalty and families alike is the perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine with a nod of history.
Wherever your wanderlust takes you….we hope you have a corkscrew and a bottle of Sea Bird Wines with you to enjoy Great Vines To Great Times to whatever ocean view hotel you find along the way.