How to Find Hotels In Napa Valley, California

Napa Valley, California is America's wine country. Visit for the world-famous dining, romantic vistas or the unforgettable wine tastings.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A computer with Internet access to make your reservations

Know Your Destination

1. Know that Napa Valley, California is located just north of the Bay Area. Oakland and San Francisco are a short drive away.

2. Admire the lovely geography, including Hood Mountain to the west and the Mayacmas Mountains to the north. Robert Louis Stevenson State Park can be found on Mount St. Helena, the highest peak in the region.

3. Sample a local Cabernet Sauvignon, considered the finest varietal produced in Napa Valley, California. Your hotel concierge can recommend local vintages to try, as well as suggest wine tasting venues.

Organize Transportation

4. Fly into one of the small local airports, Angwin Airport or Napa County Airport, or choose one of the three major airports located 50 to 60 miles away. Oakland International Airport and San Francisco International Airport are respectively 50 miles and 55 miles to the south. Sacramento International Airport is 60 miles to the east.

5. Take a romantic train ride. Arriving by Amtrak is an unusual and fun way to travel.

Choose Your Hotel or Alternative Accommodations

6. To book accommodations, contact Napa Valley Conference and Visitors Bureau at [phone] or visit their Web site (see Resources below).

7. Choose a B&B or inn. These alternative accommodations outnumber the area hotels almost two to one.

8. Watch your wallet and reserve affordable accommodations at a mid-level inn or hotel. Prices will hover around the three-figure range.

9. Unwind by staying in a spa hotel. Rooms in health-oriented spa hotels average just over $100 a night.

10. Live it up at a luxury hotel. Accommodations will cost several hundred dollars a night, but honeymooners and other romantics consider it well worth the price.

Local Information and Attractions

11. Hop aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train. Choose from theme rides (like the murder mystery train ride) or the standard ride, which features stunning scenery and--of course--wine.

12. Enjoy the tastings and tours offered by a large number of local wineries, including the Robert Mondavi Winery (which sometimes hosts music concerts) and the Niebaum-Coppola Winery (which is co-owned by "Godfather" filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola).

13. Slather on mud or unwind in the steam at a local Napa Valley spa. Ask whether your hotel offers discounts at any local spas.

Tips & Warnings

• Watch your wine intake. Just a glass could mean the difference between an unforgettable evening or an unbearable hangover.