Napa Tourist Guide

HELP ME CREATE THE BIGGEST AND BEST LIST OF THINGS TO DO IN NAPA VALLEY!

By now you know that Wally's got your back. I mean, come on, I've helped you avoid booking the rat trap hotel that your cheap buddy at work recommended. I pointed you in the right direction for the best wineries and best food. I even saved you a bit of cash by showing you where all the two-fer-one coupons are. You're vacationing the Local Wally way, seeing all the good stuff and avoiding the bad.

Macaroons at Bouchon Bakery - tried them?

But sometimes I get ahead of myself and get into a bit of trouble. This happened the other day when someone at work asked me why I go to Napa so often - "don't you get bored of the same old thing"? And that's when it happened - I got all cocky and said "there's at least 1,001 things to do in Napa, and I'll prove it by putting them all on my website!" Now I know when I make a mistake, like when I entered the hot pepper eating contest or boasted that I could easily run a marathon and finish in the top 10. All bad ideas, and the thought of coming up with a 1,001 list was quickly becoming my worst idea ever - that is, until I remembered the business principles I have learned for my real job. Yeah baby, it's time to delegate!

Come on, send me your ideas and share them with the world!

So this is where you get to jump in and help me write this section! It's easy - just fill out the form below and click the send button and I'll add the best ideas to the list. Send me as many as you want, get creative, show off your Napa knowledge!

Come on, fill out the form and add your two cents! I'll even lead by example by starting the list. Am I a good manager or what?

1,001 things do do in Napa (before you die).... in no particular order!

1. Eat at The French Laundry
2. Visit the Castello di Amorosa castle and take the 2 hour tour
3. Steal a kiss in the Clos Pegase wine caves
4. Hear live music at Mondavi's Summer Concert series
5. Taste every flavor of macaroon at Bouchon Bakery
6. Get a mudbath at Dr. Wilkinson's Hot Springs
7. Get a first class spa treatment at Auberge du Soliel
8. Spend an entire morning at Domaine Chandon sipping champagne
9. Spend an entire afternoon at Mumm Napa sipping champagne
10. Do the wine pairing tour at Cakebread
11. Stomp grapes at Grgich Hills Winery during crush
12. Test your skills with Smell-o-Vision at St. Supery - can you really smell what's in that wine?
13. Have the Fried Chicken at Ad Hoc

    "The fried chicken at Ad Hoc? You'll never go back to the bucket again!"

14. Get a downtown winetasting card and visit every tasting room in one day
15. Go olive oil tasting in downtown St. Helena
16. Take the Wine Train (come on, you can do it!)
17. Grilled artichoke. Rutherford Grill. At the bar.
18. People watch at the bistro setting at Coppola with a bottle of wine
19. Buy a baguette and cheese at Oakville Grocery
20. Sit at the community table at Bistro Jeanty and meet some new people
21. Stay at Villagio or Vintage Inn just for the champagne breakfast
22. Go to Hall Winery for their email photo booth
23. Take the fun free tour at Frog's Leap Winery
24. Picnic at Rombauer in a secluded shady spot - how romantic of you
25. Take a cooking demonstration at the Culinary Institute of America
26. Have lunch at Auberge du Soleil, the 5 star resort with the 5 star view
27. Try an ahi burger at Taylors Refresher, the drive in done Napa style
28. Meet Jonesy at Regusci Winery, the charismatic server with the Welsh accent
29. Play golf at Silverado Resort
30. Try the mussels made with applewood bacon at Celadon ~ the best ever?
31. Blow the budget on tapas at Zuzu's, downtown's hip and trendy small plate restaurant
32. Order the "Truck Stop Deluxe" at Mustards Grill (meat and potatoes, no vegetables!)
33. Wander the shops at V Marketplace in Yountville
34. Get up early for a hot air balloon ride
35. Stop in at Dean & Deluca just to look at the gourmet foods
36. Hanger steak at Mustards - seriously better than anything at Ruth's Chris!
37. Get lost looking for wineries tucked away in the hills

    "A slow drive through winding roads while searching for a new winery is what Napa memories are made of..."

38. Taste the tomato soup with puff pastry top at Bistro Jeanty
39. Do the reserve tasting at Beringer in the Rhine House
40. Stay at Calistoga Ranch (5+ star resort) and have a private dinner on the lake
41. Meet the crazy people at Frank Family Winery
42. Take the tram to the top of Sterling Vineyards
43. Stop in for oysters at Market restaurant in St. Helena
44. Lunch at the downstairs pub setting next to the fireplace at Martini House on a rainy day
45. Take a silly photo of yourself in front of silly Darioush winery, the most ridiculous winery in Napa
46. Splurge on the $30 tasting at Opus One
47. Visit the movie museum at Coppola's Rubicon Estates....
48. ...and spend the afternoon people watching at an outdoor bistro table next to their wine bar
49. Try some real bbq'd ribs at Buster's Southern BBQ in Calistoga
50. Visit the art collection at Hess
51. Have a picnic at Diamond Oaks Winery, on the hill near Oakville Grocery
52. Try the wines from the winery that beat the French at Stag's Leap
53. Have dinner outside on the patio at Thomas Keller's Bouchon in Yountville
54. Romance in front of the fireplace at the Vintage Inn (the fireplace in your room, not the lobby, please!)
55. See the big wooden barrels at Beringer
56. Get a taco at secret locals only restaurant La Luna Market Taquiera
57. Takeout the combo plate of BBQ at Red Rock Cafe in downtown Napa, another locals only joint
58. Get a free "Lifetime Tasting Card" at St. Supery (be nice and they might give you one)
59. See the Ansel Adams photograph exhibit at Mumm's Napa....
60. And then do the free tour at Mumm's Napa
61. Come in Mustard Festival in Spring
62. Take the cave tour at the original Del Dotto Winery (submitted by Hope from Texas)
63. Arrange a private tasting with Anterra Wines at a local Inn!!! (submitted by Jennifer from Los Angeles)
64. To really appreciate the unique geography and natural beauty of the valley, hike the Palisades trail that climbs up from Calistoga and quickly reveals gorgeous long- distances views. In addition, this trail is one of the best near Calistoga to see raptors, including peregrine falcons.  Hike as little or long as you want, just turn around when you want to go back. (Karen from Menlo Park)
65. If you haven't checked out the pool at Indian Springs Resort and Spa in Calistoga, definitely do so on your next trip there.  You can stay in the cute-cute bungalows or the sleeker, chic rooms in the new Lodge.  Or you can go as a day visitor for a treatment and get free use of the fabulous grounds and The Amazing Pool. (Karen again from Menlo Park)
    
66. ________________________________??????? SUBMIT YOUR IDEAS NOW!!

Now it's your turn.... add your favorite things to do in Napa by filling out the form!

So much to do in Napa... Help me create the ultimate 1,001 Things To Do list!