The Ultimate Napa Valley Travel Guide: Where to Stay, What to Do, & What to Pack
April 13–17

We spent five days road-tripping through Northern California, and it ended up being one of our most memorable trips to date. We started with a night in San Francisco, then made our way through Napa Valley—exploring vineyards, eating so well, and soaking up all the wine and sunshine. Oh, and we got engaged!! Here’s a full rundown of where we stayed, what we did, and what to pack if you're planning a similar trip.

Where We Stayed

San Francisco – Hyatt Regency San Francisco
We stayed here our first night after landing. It’s in a great location by the water, and easy to get to everything. Perfect for a short city stop before heading into wine country.

Yountville – Napa Valley Lodge
We stayed here for the rest of the trip and loved it. The room was cozy (fireplace included), and the complimentary breakfast was fantastic! Fresh pastries, fruit, eggs, and coffee. The location made it easy to get around Napa without spending hours in the car.

What We Did

Dinner at New England Lobster Market & Eatery – San Mateo
Right after landing, we stopped here on the drive north. We had the best lobster corn chowder, and Chad tried an oyster for the first time… and immediately spit it out 😂. Casual and super tasty!

Golden Gate Bridge Detour
The next morning, we made a quick stop at the Golden Gate Bridge before heading into wine country. One of those bucket list stops you just have to do.

Dinner at Bottega – Yountville
Our first night in Napa we had dinner at Bottega. Great pasta, cozy vibe, and a good way to kick off the trip.

Day 2: Tuk-Tuk Wine Tour with Laces & Limos
We spent the entire second day doing a wine safari through Laces & Limos. Lisa, our driver, was amazing—she helped us plan our route, took photos, and made the day easy and fun.

Ru Vango Vineyards – This is where Chad proposed during our picnic! Lisa helped photograph the whole thing and captured it perfectly.
Artesa Winery – Gorgeous views and modern vibes. We loved walking around the property and tasting a mix of reds and whites.

Dinner at Bouchon Bistro – Yountville
Food was great in the moment… but I ended up getting seafood poisoning later that night (99% sure it was the mussels). So maybe skip those, but otherwise a cute spot with great service.

Day 3: Sterling Vineyards
For our last day of wine tasting, we went to Sterling Vineyards. You take a gondola ride up to the winery (which was really fun and had amazing views), then we did their cheese and wine experience. I did a library tasting and Chad did a cabernet one. We ended up sharing all of it (double the wine tasting!)

Dinner at Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch
Our last dinner in Napa was hands down our favorite of the trip. I had a creamy potato leek soup and Chad got a burger. Everything was so fresh and flavorful, and the vibe was cozy but still lively. Definitely recommend making a reservation here.

Back to San Francisco – Pier 39 + Fog Harbor Fish House
The next morning we packed up and drove back to San Francisco for a few hours before our flight. We checked out Pier 39 and grabbed lunch at Fog Harbor Fish House, where we had the best fish and chips of our lives while watching sea lions sunbathe on the docks.

What to Pack for Napa

Layers – Temps change a lot throughout the day. Bring jackets, cardigans, and clothes you can layer.
Comfortable Shoes – You’ll walk through vineyards, gravel paths, and small towns. Leave the heels for dinner.
One or Two Nice Outfits – Something casual but elevated for dinner or tastings.
Sunglasses + SPF – You’ll be out in the sun most of the day.
Wine Travel Insert or Shipper – If you’re bringing bottles home, pack accordingly.
Book Reservations Early – Most wineries and restaurants require advance bookings—especially in spring and summer.