Napa Tourist Guide

Finding a good hotel that doesn't scare your girlfriend is easy since Local Wally did all the work for you. I'm very picky about where I stay so I visited every hotel in Napa and only put the ones I would stay at on my guide. To view that list, go directly to LOCAL WALLY'S GUIDE TO DISCOUNT HOTELS and search through the listings until you find something you like. Generally speaking, downtown is the cheapest place to stay because it's further away from the action. But don't let that discourage you. While it's true that you won't be stepping outside your hotel door into a vineyard, downtown offers plenty of dining and sightseeing options that are right in the area. That's a good thing, believe me, because after a long day of winetasting it's great not to have to get back into the car and drive just to get dinner.

Just how cheap is a "cheap" Napa hotel?

OK, I won't kid you, it's expensive to stay in Napa. It's not unusual to spend $300, even $400 a night for a high quality hotel. A cheap hotel in Napa is whenever you can get around the $200 range. During off-season prices can drop below that, but be wary of any hotel that is too cheap, especially if it's not in my recommended hotel guide, as many of the "too cheap to believe" hotels are far, far away from the real Napa.

My favorite cheap places to stay downtown are:

• BEST WESTERN ELM HOUSE INN: Not your typical Best Western, this one looks more like a bed and breakfast
• RIVER TERRACE INN: Upscale and trendy, free breakfast, flat screen TVs, a winner
• EMBASSY SUITES: One of the best Embassy Suites I have been to, feels like a real resort

There are other cheap places to stay downtown, but remember, cheap is no good if your wife or girlfriend stomps out and says "I'm not staying here!" after flushing your Viagra down the toilet. No romantic weekend for you. Billy, don't be a hero, just trust your pal Wally. I know the good stuff, and you'll find every decent downtown Napa hotel in my guide.

But don't limit your hotel search to downtown, especially if you are coming off season. Here are some other good choices you should check out.

• HILTON GARDEN INN: OK, it's not in prime real estate, but this new hotel is fresh and clean - and cheap
• MARRIOTT: A bit too boring corporate for me, but if it's cheap enough, it's good enough
• SILVERADO RESORT: Off the Silverado Trail, this resort sometimes will surprise you with its moderate rates
• RANCHO CAYMUS INN: A unique boutique in a perfect Rutherford location, rates often surprisingly good
• DR. WILKINSON: A Calistoga icon, the original mud bath motel, perfect for those with an adventurous spirit

Here's where Local Wally asks you a favor - If you can, book through me so I can keep this site running. My rates are competitive, my booking site is BBB approved, and hey, you're helping the little guy instead of a giant corporation. If this site has helped you plan your trip, then help me keep it running by booking through me. Cool, thanks!

CLICK HERE FOR DISCOUNT NAPA HOTEL DEALS!

Not budget Napa - Or is it?

CHEAP PLACES IN YOUNTVILLE? WELL.... Finally, I always check the rates at these next hotels. Yeah, I know these do not qualify as "budget" hotels in any way, but as some of my favorite Napa places to stay I always check to see if perhaps by some stroke of luck that the rates have fallen back into my price range. These are top notch resorts located in Yountville, arguably the best location for a trip to Napa. Normally super expensive, but if you can get a rate in the $225 range, and it's possible during off season, then grab it! VINTAGE INN: Big jacuzzi bathtubs for two, plush robes, fireplace, full gourmet breakfast included, ahhhhh.... VILLAGIO: Just like the Vintage Inn, only more plush, more beautiful, and even more romantic. Double ahhhh... YOUNTVILLE INN: Breakfast pastries from Bouchon Bakery, upscale rooms with a fireplace, often surprisingly affordable.

LESSON 2: How to winetaste for cheap using two-fer-one and discount coupons
Winetasting can get expensive - really expensive. With some wineries now charging $20 for a tasting, and most charging $10 to $15, this can add up fast. But I'll show you a way to get the most wine for your buck. Below are all the two-fer-one and discount coupons found online. Print them up and you're good to go. And don't forget to grab one of those free magazines in the hotel lobby as they have more coupons there as well. You don't pay rack rate when you stick with Local Wally!

THE LIST BELOW WAS UPDATED 2/1/2010 . Click on the orange links and you can print the coupons before you leave. Watch out for some limitations such as weekend exceptions. And if you find an expired coupon or find one I missed, make sure you email me to let me know.

• BEAULIEU VINYARDS: Don't be ridiculous, I know you're thinking "but that BV wine is crap!" but you need to stop here to see what they can really do. Conveniently located next to Rutherford Grill, an essential lunch stop, head over and taste the real Beaulieu wines and you'll never buy their budget BV stuff again.
• BELL WINE CELLARS Two "grape to glass" tastings for the price of one, starting in the vineyard and ending in the reserve tasting room.
• BLACK STALION WINERY : Nice newer winery on the Silverado Trail, a great first stop as you explore the "other" side of Napa and much nice with a two-fer-one.
• CAKEBREAD CELLARS : An essential Napa stop and so much nicer with a $10 off coupon! Great wines and super nice smaller "tours" get you an intimate visit with one of my favorite wineries.
• CHAPPALET WINERY : Smaller boutique wineries often have the best tastings, though they can get expensive. Chappalet is perched high above the valley and you can use this 50% off coupon to make the normal $25 tasting fee much more palatable. Call ahead for reservations.
• CASTELLO DI AMOROSA: Now you can thank me because I just found you a two-fer-one for the famous Napa Castle! You've seen it on Travel Channel, you've read about it in magazine articles, now come experience one of the essential Napa destinations. I love this place so much I took my Mom here for her birthday! Absolutely incredible, you won't believe your eyes.
• CHARBAY WINERY: Charbay not only makes wine but spirits as well, which is pretty cool if you've never visited a place that makes vodka, whisky, or specializes in ports.
• DOMAINE CHANDON: Remember this - you start every trip to Napa with a trip to Domaine Chandon, one of the most beautiful settings and maker of some fine sparkling wines. There's something about being there when it's not crowded in the morning, overlooking the green rolling hills and sipping a cool glass of "champagne". Nothing like it, essential stop.
• FRANCISCAN: Ten bucks off a tasting for two, not bad, especially for a place as good as Franciscan. Great wines, and terrific staff. Very friendly place, plus a great picnic spot.
• GIRARD WINERY: Located right in Yountville is the Girard tasting room. Looking more like a wine bar than a winery, it's a perfect place to stop and sip as you begin your journey. Cool music, some great wines, worth checking out.
• GOOSECROSS CELLARS : Two for Ones on weekdays, and a free Wine Basics Class every Saturday at 10:30- just call ahead at 800-276-9210 to make a reservation.
• HALL WINES: A small boutique winery that has some great modern art sculptures, a free digital email photo booth where you can send a shot of yourself back home, a terrific picnic area under the trees, and some great wine made all the better at two-fer-one prices.
• HANNA: I used to have a dog named Hanna so when I saw this stuff at Trader Joes I had to try it - and I liked it! You will too when you visit using this FREE tasting coupon.
• HESS COLLECTION: A bit out of the way but you have to check out this guys art collection. If you like contemporary art as much as you like wine (and I know you like wine a lot) then you will not be disappointed!
• LOUIS M. MARTINI WINERY: I know what you're thinking. Sure, you've seen Martini wines at your grocery store, and you probably equate it to low end wine. But they also make some higher end stuff as well, and hey, it's two-fer-one so stop complaining.
• MUMM NAPA: There's something to be said about kicking back at Mumm on the Silverado Trail as the sun goes down, sipping a cool glass of sparkling wine - especially when you used your Two For One Coupon. Lots to see there as well, from free tours (YES, FREE) and the free art gallery that features prints by Ansel Adams and other artists. Don't miss this one!
• O'BRIEN ESTATES: I love checking out smaller, family run wineries. O'Brien Estate Winery offers a personable and friendly alternative to the giant corporately owned wineries. Two-fer-One makes it all the better!
• RUTHERFORD HILL WINERY : Up the hill from Auberge du Soleil, a perfect picnic spot and great tours of the cave, and now half off tastings.
• SEQUOIA GROVE WINERY : A beautiful winery amongst the sequoias, the tasteful tasting room celebrates natures wonder with lots of wood. A two-fer-one and a 10% off purchase coupons makes stopping here a no-brainer.
• STERLING VINEYARDS : Five bucks off the tram ride to the top of the hill makes this stop more palatable. OK, I already told you I'm not a huge fan of Sterling but if you just gotta ride the tram - and the view is nice at the top - at least save a few bucks doing it!
• V. SATTUI WINERY: Sure, I told you earlier that V. Sattui can get more crowded than Woodstock on a Summer's day, but I have no pride when it comes to saving a few bucks! And V. Sattui, the same guy behind the famous Napa castle winery Castello di Amorosa, makes some pretty good wine and the setting is picture postcard beautiful.
• WILLIAM HILL ESTATE WINERY: Off the Silverado Trail (near the Silverado Resort), stunning views and a delightful staff. You want to have a good time and experience a small winery? Then stop by William Hill - it might become one of your favorites. It's appointment only, but a quick email to TastingRoom@williamhillestate.com will do the trick.
• WHITEHALL LANE WINERY: A small, family owned winery in the Rutherford area, winner of Best Winery in St. Helena for 2009 by a local TV station.
• WINERIES OF NAPA VALLEY: Located in downtown Napa area, think of this as a wine shop where you can sample many wines from various local wineries. OK, it's not exactly the same thing as winetasting in a winery, but who can argue with a two for one coupon? Stop complaining, you big baby!

2-fer-1 at Halls...

Free cave tours at Clos Pegase

Domaine Chandon, 2-fer-1

LESSON 3: Yes, there are still a few free tastings and free winery tours!
Free winery tours and free tasting's have become rare and possibly may be extinct in a few years - unless you do your part by visiting them and thanking them for providing this valuable service to the financially challenged wine lover.

• CLOS PEGASE: An eclectic art sculptor collection makes this a great stop. Add a free tour at 11:30 and 2:00 every day and it's a winner. And as a bonus, you'll even get to tour their extensive wine caves. Very cool. The tastings afterwards are optional and cost $10 and up.
• FRANK FAMILY WINERY: No tours, but free tastings during the week ($10 on Friday through Sunday) poured by irreverent servers who called this the "crappiest winery in Napa" on our last visit. It's all in jest, of course, but you can't help but enjoy a visit to Frank Family. New tasting room means they lose the "crappy" title - it's now a gorgeous craftsman house. And yes, their wines are excellent, from the sparkling to the reds.
• FROG'S LEAP WINERY: One of the best tours in Napa, made all the better since it's free. You'll walk around the vineyards, sipping as you go, making this one of the most delightful stops in Napa. Don't forget to call to make an appointment (800.959.4704). (UPDATE 2/2010: Walk-ins are now charged $15 to taste but a tour and tasting is still free as long as you call ahead).
• MUMM NAPA: A full blown 45 minute free tour that takes you from grapes to bottle. They also have a terrific free photography exhibit featuring the works of Ansel Adams as well as other artists. And when it's time to sip, the tastings start at a very reasonable $6 for 3 flutes of sparkling wine.
• ST. SUPERY VINEYARDS : OK, it's a self-guided tour but it features the unique "smell-o-vision", a gizmo that lets you smell the flavors that lurk in various wines. If you ever were confused when people say things like "do you taste the cedar in this Cab?", you need to check this out. A great art exhibit, also free. Tastings cost $10 and up, but if you're nice they might give you a free Lifetime Tasting Card, allowing you come back again and again for free. It pays to be nice!

And that's not all! For a terrific experience at no additional cost, head over to GRGICH HILLS during crush time in the Fall and you'll get to take off those shoes and stomp some grapes just like in the famous I Love Lucy episode! Some wineries make you join their club to do this sort of thing, but Grgich includes it in their $10 tasting fee to any guest who wants to give it a go. Call to make sure they are stomping that day (707.963.2784). And wait, you'll even get a free "I stomped at Grgich Hills" pin, a momento you will cherish forever.

LESSON 4: How to eat cheap in Napa without resorting to fast food Hell

• TAYLOR'S REFRESHER: A drive-in hamburger joint done Napa style with gourmet burgers and side orders like garlic or sweet potato fries. The ahi burger is expensive at $14, but it's worth it from bite one, and the regular burgers with an order of fries cost no more than what you'd pay at a Red Robin or Applebee's. Beer and wine, along with shakes and Cokes. Picnic tables in back. $5 corkage fee, which includes them providing the wineglasses.
• BOUNTY HUNTER: It's a wine bar that also has food, and really good food at that. Located in downtown Napa, this is the home of the famous Beer Can Chicken dinner for two ($24). Served with salad and bread, it's a lot of food for a cool price. Ribs, pulled pork, these guys know how to BBQ.
• BUSTER'S SOUTHERN BBQ AND BAKERY: Exceptional BBQ in Calistoga served at exceptionally cheap prices. A full rack of pork ribs for $10.50, served with garlic toast and 2 sides (baked beans, cole slaw, macaroni or potato salad, etc). Pulled pork or tri-tip sandwiches for $7.50, you just can't go wrong with this ultra casual eatery when Buster is at the grill. Picnic table casual, don't be looking for the valet to park your car.
• PIZZARIA TRA VIGNE: It's a sister restaurant to the more popular, and more upscale, Tra Vigne - you know, the place that Food TV guy Michael Chiarello used to own. He's long gone, but the casual foods here are still favorites with locals. Small pizzas that look more like a large, large pizzas even larger, it's easy to feed two on a <$20 budget. A bottle of house chardonnay or cab for $20, no corkage fee, pool tables, this is a great place to get some great food on a budget.
• RED ROCK CAFE AND BACKDOOR BBQ: Now we're talking local's only dining. This downtown Napa place doesn't make too many foodie lists, but it's always packed with locals who know a good deal when they see - and taste - it. Eat in at the tiny cafe with eight tables and a bar, or take out and have a glorious picnic. Burgers for $6.50, or be a big spender and upgrade to a HUGE pulled pork or tri-tip sandwich with fries for $11.95. The "backdoor" is for takeout - a combo plate of bbq'd ribs, chicken and tri-tip with choice of 2 sides will set you back only $18.95, big enough to split. If you like BBQ, you're not going to be disappointed at Red Rock. $1 corkage fee - now that's a good deal!
• LA LUNA MARKET AND TAQUERIA: 1153 Rutherford Road, Rutherford, across the street from Rutherford Grill. Home to authentic Mexican take-out food like huge carne asada burritos. This is where the vineyard workers go to get good food at a cheap price. Get a burrito or some tacos to go, lay out that blanket you took from the hotel, open a bottle of wine and you're good to go. Less than $10.

LESSON 5: How to plan the best picnic in Napa
A picnic is not only classic Napa, it's also a good way to save a few bucks. Be aware that wineries will not take too kindly if you show up to use their facilities and open up a bottle of Two Buck Chuck. Most require you to buy a bottle of their wine if you intend to use their table, and that seems fair enough. So here's how to set up the ultimate budget Napa picnic.

Oakville Grocery is the place...

for picnic supplies....

an essential stop

First, let's stock on on provisions. You might want to bring a little cooler along on your trip today, or at least a bag of ice from the hotel. You're going to need essential Napa picnic foods like a baguette, some cheese, perhaps some salami with gourmet mustard, and some bottled waters - don't forget the waters! If you're still driving into Napa, the cheapest place to get your picnic foods is at Trader Joe's (3654 Bel Aire Plaza, Napa, 707.256.0806) or next door at Whole Foods (3682 Bel Aire Plaza, Napa, 707.224.6300). If you're near Yountville, Ranch Market Too! (6498 Washington St. Yountville, 707.944.2662) is a small market with a good deli. If you're on the Silverado Trail, the best place to stop (only place to stop?) is the Soda Canyon Store (4006 Silverado Trail, Napa, 707. 252.0285), again a small store with a good deli. And of course, there's Oakville Grocery, the famous "country store" that's been serving Napa for the past 120 years. With lots of pre-made sandwiches, a full deli, a diverse cheese counter and lots and lots of olives, this is my favorite stop for gourmet picnic food. If you've passed all of these options and find yourself near St. Helena, Dean & DeLuca (607 South St. Helena Highway, St. Helena, 707.967.9980) is a gorgeous store - a foodie's paradise with the huge meat counter, full deli, and lots of gourmet food options. Grab some food, and don't forget the napkins!

Follow Wally to the best Napa picnic spots!

Follow the path to secret picnic spots at Rombauer

If you're traveling on Highway 29, stop at Diamond Oaks Winery, a small winery located high on a hillside overlooking the valley. You'll exit on Oakville Grade (near Oakville Grocery) and drive about 5 minutes up the hill. The winery will be on your left. Once there, you'll find lots of picnic tables and oak trees, a beautiful location and view. You're required to buy a bottle of their wine to use their grounds, but they have a decent chardonnay for $16 - not a bad deal. Note that it can get really busy on a weekend in Summer, so if that's when you're visiting then head instead to Rombauer Vineyards, located north of St. Helena. Also located high on a hill but on a road less traveled, you'll find lush green gardens and tall pine trees. Follow the secret paths until you find your perfect spot for a picnic. Rombauer Vineyards also has great wine caves, so if you have the time and budget consider dropping a few bucks to visit. Tastings are $10 per person, but you get to keep the big wine glass. If you like big buttery California chardonnays, this is the place.

Another good spot, though not necessarily a secret spot as it's recommended by nearly every concierge, is Rutherford Hill. It's right up the winding street from the 5-star resort Auberge du Soleil and has a number of picnic tables with, yes, stunning views of the valley. I also like the bistro tables outside the wine bar at Coppola's Rubicon Estates. Rubicon was once the home to Inglenook and is a gorgeous setting, looking more like something you would find in Europe than Northern California. It's expensive to get into Rubicon ($30) but it's well worth it, and your entry fee is good for 3 days. Finally, if all you want is a place to grab a bistro or picnic table to eat your sandwich, I like stopping at either Hall Winery on Highway 29, or Regusci Winery on the Silverado Trail. Both are scenic spots, and because these wineries are a bit less well known, it's less crowded there as well. Hall has bistro tables under a grove of oak trees, and Regusci is an old stone building that has sort of a Tuscany feel. Both solid picks.

I guess I wouldn't be Local Wally if I didn't tell you the place to absolutely avoid - V. Sattui Winery will come up again and again as the place to have a picnic, which is fine if you like to picnic in a setting that feels a lot like Knott's Berry Farm on a busy day. I'll admit that it's a lovely setting if it wasn't so crowded, but you can't picnic there unless you buy their food and wine, and I've never seen it not packed to the gills with tourists fighting for a parking space and then fighting for a picnic spot. The big draw here was free wine tastings, but that is a thing of the past now. Woodstock was less busy than V. Sattui on a Summer day, so be forewarned.

LESSON 6: Learn to relax and enjoy your time in Napa

It's easy to get all caught up with schedules and agendas when you visit Napa. You want to see it all so you rush around just to check the boxes. But that's a big mistake. Instead, accept that you can't see it all and that you'll need to come back again and again. Take your time and explore the country roads, getting off the main Highway 29 and just driving through the vineyards. Wave to the poor people on the Wine Train (haha), pick some grapes, steal a kiss. You see, wine tasting in Napa isn't just about hitting wineries, it's a state of mind. So what that can't afford dinner at Bouchon? Go to Bouchon Bakery instead and indulge on a $2 macaroon. And don't worry that you can't afford a cooking class or even a meal at the Culinary Institute of America. Stop in anyway and browse the displays for free. You see, not everything in Napa has to be expensive to be good. Slow down and let that guy in the giant Escalade pass you as you pull off the road and lay out a blanket under the oak tree to enjoy that fresh baguette and cheese you got at Dean & Deluca. You'll be experiencing a part of Napa that many miss. This might be Napa on a Budget, but hey, it doesn't look so bad, does it?

This is Budget Napa, which looks surprisingly like Essential Napa!