The best areas to stay in Napa Valley for first-timers are the neighborhoods of Napa City, St. Helena, Calistoga, American Canyon, Yountville, Rutherford, and Oakville. These towns are very popular and safe for tourists that offer a wide variety of attractions and amenities.
In this post, I will help you to decide where to stay in Napa Valley for the first time, and for wine tasting.
Napa Valley is located at the heart of Wine Country in California. One of the most popular and important wine-making regions in North America, it features more than 400 vineyards and wineries, spread out over nearly 7,000 acres, and is famous for its prized Cabernet Sauvignon.
Napa City is the best area to stay in Napa Valley for first-timers because it is the heart of Wine Country and it has a wide range of accommodation options for all budget travelers. If you stay here, you will be surrounded by many restaurants, shops, and cafes. Home to the historic Napa Valley Wine Train station, you can easy take a ride to visit vineyards in St Helena.
If you want to stay in an idyllic, small wine-making village straight off of a postcard, then Rutherford and Oakville are both fabulous options. Similarly, if you want to see the area as close to how it originally looked as possible, then the largely undeveloped Calistoga is ideal.
On the other hand, you may be looking for a more built-up location. The eponymous Napa would be the obvious suggestion, as the largest city in the region. That said, there are some intriguing options in St. Helena and Yountville too, with their culinary institute and Napa Valley Museum, respectively.
You may even just want a location that gives you easy access to the area, giving you the option to casually explore it over a long weekend. If that’s the case, consider American Canyon, as it’s home to the region’s airport, as well as having access to mountains and rivers for you to split your time in.
| 💖 Best Area for first-timers: | Napa Town |
| 💎 Best luxury hotel: | Candlelight Inn Napa Valley |
| 🏨 Best mid-range hotel: | Archer Hotel Napa |
| 💰 Best budget hotel: | Hampton Inn & Suites – Napa, CA |
Where to stay in Napa Valley? 7 Best areas and neighborhoods
1. Napa City, where to stay in Napa Valley for first time
Napa City is the best place to stay in Napa Valley for first-time travelers due to its prime location. If you stay here, you will be located in the middle of everything, within walking distance to sights, as well as many restaurants, bars, and shops.
Located just an hour both north of San Francisco and south of Sacramento, Napa is a historic downtown, the largest and principal city in the Napa County Metropolitan Area. It is also the second-largest city in what is known as California’s Wine Country, having been originally incorporated in 1872.
This sleepy downtown has undergone a major renaissance in the last years and is now hosts many luxury lodging, hip wine bars, restaurants, wine tasting rooms, vibrant nightlife, vibrant art scene, great shopping, and beautiful river walks.
As the primary business district in Napa Valley, this is likely the best place to stay for anyone looking for the conveniences of a major city. With a nearby airport, it is also a convenient place to get in and out of the city without any hassle.
The city is dissected by the Napa River, which flows through on its way to San Pablo Bay. Beautiful in its own right, it has been recolonized by beavers in recent years. This makes it a fabulous place to go for a stroll and take in some unique wildlife.
The Napa River is also surrounded by historic buildings, dating right back to the origins of the city. As one of the oldest cities in the area, it is a fabulous opportunity to see what the region would have looked like when it was founded.
Take a walk or bike ride along the river and stop by one of its riverside parks such as Veterans Memorial Park, China Point Park, and Napa Riverfront Green. Rent kayaks and paddles from Napa Valley Paddle, or take gondolas on the Napa River to enjoy the best of scenery.
Some of the options you can find include iconic locations such as the Napa Valley Opera House and Napa State Asylum, which is now known as Napa State Hospital. In addition, you have plenty of smaller, less famous structures to fill out your time.
However, despite all of this, Napa is at the heart of wine country, so that is the primary goal of the majority of the visitors it receives. While not featuring huge numbers of wineries within the city limits, it is one of the most convenient places to stay for when you make your trips to them.
There are some truly amazing places to sit and enjoy the fine wines of Napa Valley, such as Gamling and McDuck, Vintner’s Collective, Vintage Sweet Shop, and the thriving craft brew scene at Downtown Joe’s Brewery on Main Street or Stone Brewing Napa in a 10,000 square-foot iconic building.
In recent years, First Street and Main Street have seen significant growth and investment. Numerous bars, shops, restaurants, hip wine tasting rooms, and stylish boutiques hotels have been erected, offering all manner of styles and cuisines. This makes it perfect, no matter your budget or tastes.
One option in particular that stands out is the Napa Mill Complex. A historic guest house, at the heart of downtown, with plenty of amenities and attractions, it is a great place to stay to combine luxury with an authentic feeling of your location.
Other places of interest are Oxbow Public Market, a great place for food and wine; Napa Farmers Market on each Saturday; the art deco Uptown Theatre and Blue Note Napa in the historic Napa Valley Opera House for a concert, and McKinstry Street Station.
If you love art, you can visit an open-air art museum with several outdoor art displays, Napa Art Walk, First Street Napa: Artist Alley for murals and art installations, and the two-mile Rail Arts District Napa (RAD Napa) that runs parallels with the beginning of Napa Valley Wine Train tracks.
The Napa Valley Wine Train departs from Downtown Napa Station is a unique opportunity to taste the wines. it’s a 3-hour round trip to St. Helena and stops at several wineries.
Napa Town has a wide range of accommodation options from bed and breakfast, budget hostels to luxury resorts.
Stay in Napa Town if you are interested in the history of the region; you want to take strolls along the river and see some incredible wildlife; you want a huge range of shops, bars, restaurants, and hotels; you are traveling on business or want to stay near the airport; you want to stay at the heart of Napa Valley.
Best places to stay in Napa Town:
Archer Hotel Napa This 4-star hotel is the best mid-range hotel in Napa Town, within walking distance from Napa Valley Opera House in Napa; also close proximity to Uptown Theater, Morimoto Restaurant, Napa Skateboard Park, The Olive Press, and Robert Mondavi Winery. Each room has a flat-screen TV, a minibar, a private bathroom with free toiletries, slippers, and a bathrobe.
Candlelight Inn Napa Valley This adults-only Napa Valley bed and breakfast is located close to the Napa Valley Wine Train, the Napa Municipal Golf Course, Napa Valley Hot Air Balloons, Napa Valley College, The French Laundry, and Mission San Francisco Solano. It offers rooms with a private bath with a bathrobe, free WiFi, a flat-screen TV with a DVD, and free wifi.
Hampton Inn & Suites – Napa, CA This budget hotel features a pool with a hot tub and fitness center. There is also a free daily hot breakfast buffet. It’s close proximity to Uptown Theater, Morimoto Restaurant, Oakland International Airport, and Oxbow Public Market. It features rooms with a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a coffee machine, and free wifi.
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2. St. Helena, popular place to stay in Napa Valley for wine and food
Napa Valley’s Main Street, St. Helena, is a short way north along US 29, a little over 4 miles from Rutherford. However, we begin to get back to the more heavily populated areas here, with St. Helena having a population of a little over 6,000 people.
St. Helena is a fabulous place for people to go to drink and learn about wine. That’s because the city is located at the very center of the eponymous St. Helena American Viticultural Area.
The area contains an incredible 416 Vineyards, which cover almost 7,000 acres. Among the closest to the heart of the city, you will find popular destinations like the Beringer Vineyards, Duckhorn Vineyards, Newton Vineyard, and Charles Krug Winery, as well as countless other smaller, lesser-known vineyards and wineries.
As with many of the places on this list, St. Helena also has a reputation for culinary excellence as well. This makes it a great place to not only sample wine but also to enjoy a good meal with it and learn which foods pair best with each wine, to ensure you get maximum enjoyment from each sip.
Perhaps nothing demonstrates this point as well as the presence of The Culinary Institute Of America At Greystone. This is where some of the best aspiring chefs in the country, or perhaps even the world, come to learn and hone their skills.
Attached to the institute you will find both The Gatehouse Restaurant and The Bakery Café by Illy. The former features current students preparing contemporary food, made with local ingredients, while the latter offers sandwiches, salads, soups, pastries, bread, coffees, espressos, and teas.
This makes it a great place to try some fabulous food and drink while spending less than you would if having them prepared by fully qualified chefs.
Another prominent establishment in the area is Napa Valley College. Featuring another cooking school itself, there are a number of other courses taught here to almost 7,000 students. This makes St. Helena an ideal place to stay if you are, or are visiting, a student of the college as well.
St. Helena is also home to Pope Street Bridge, the oldest stone bridge in Napa County, Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park, the 19th-century St. Helena Catholic Church, Robert Louis Stevenson Museum, and McKinstry Street Station where you can catch the Napa Valley Wine Train.
Stay in St. Helena if you are, or are visiting, a student at one of the schools located here; you want to sample incredible food for a reasonable price; you want to be located at the heart of the St. Helena American Viticultural Area.
Best Places to Stay in Napa Valley in St. Helena:
3. Calistoga, where to stay in Napa Valley for hot springs and mud baths
Calistoga is located 8 miles north of St. Helena but is still just 36 miles from where we started. Located at the very north end of Napa Valley, you are on the edge of wine country in Calistoga. Don’t worry though, there are still plenty of wineries within a short drive for you to enjoy.
In fact, this is one of the best places to experience the area as it would have traditionally looked. That’s because there are no freeways, just two-lane roads in and out of town, while fast-food chains are also banned. This allows it to offer a very traditional experience.
However, this is one of the few locations in Napa Valley where wine isn’t the main attraction. The town’s name is a combination of California and Saratoga Springs in New York, as both feature prominent hot springs. Calistoga is known as spa heaven with mud baths, massage therapy, & body treatments available at any spa or resort in a one-mile radius.
This draws people from far and wide, who want to experience a unique way to unwind. A local spa offers massage therapy, special body treatment for guests called a mud bath, where you are completely immersed in hot, volcanic ash.
There is also an artificial geothermal geyser, known as both Little Old Faithful and Old Faithful Of California, designed to resemble the legendary Old Faithful geyser in Yellowstone National Park.
For history buffs, you even have the Napa Valley Railroad Depot, a historic station from the early days of the railroad, that is a California Historical Landmark.
All of this makes Calistoga an incredibly well-rounded destination, where your trip doesn’t rely on wine, but where you’ll get to enjoy some all the same.
Calistoga has many budget-friendly accommodations, you will find small hotels, B&B, hot springs resorts, or luxury lodging.
Stay in Calistoga if you are interested in a historic rail depot; you want to see an artificial geyser; you want to be on the outskirts of wine country and see how it would have once looked; you want to enjoy some treatments at the hot springs.
Best Places to Stay in Calistoga:
4. Yountville, heart of the Napa Valley with Michelin restaurants
Located just 9 miles north of Napa City, Yountville is smaller village than Napa City but it more of nicer hotels and world class restaurants including French Laundry, Bistro Jeanty, Ad Hoc, REDD, Bottega, and Bouchon/Bouchon Baker. If you want a village feel closer to the winéries, with fine dining and luxury lodging, Yountville is better than Napa City. But you want more of a nightlife scene, Napa City it better than Yountville.
Yountville was named after early pioneer George C. Yount. It is the home of the Napa Valley Museum. Hosting exhibitions, collections, and educational programs, it is the number one place to learn more about Napa Valley. You can see examples of the art, culture, and way of life that make this part of the world so famous.
Despite its rich history, there is one thing that stands out above everything else. That is the fact that Yountville is the location of the very first vineyard in the Napa Valley. In an area frequently visited by wine enthusiasts, many will want to experience the place that started it all off.
In modern times, Bespoke Collection is the major wine producer in the area. It comprises two wineries and vineyards, Blackbird Vineyards and Recuerdo Wines. These produce some of the finest wines around and are a perfect example of what’s available in Napa Valley.
In addition, the company also owns Ma(i)sonry Napa Valley, a wine, art, and design gallery. Based in a building constructed in 1904 and listed on the National Register Of Historic Places, it gives you the opportunity to combine the wine, art, culture and history of the Napa Valley in a single destination.
In a similar vein, wine isn’t the only luxury item the town is known for, as it also has a reputation for gourmet, fine dining. Its most famous restaurants, The French Laundry and Bouchon Bistro, both feature Michelin stars and have won numerous awards, including “Best Restaurant In The World”.
Having started building the reputation for gourmet restaurants in 1977, it now features enough Michelin starred restaurants that it works out to more than 1 star per 1000 residents. That’s more stars per capita than anywhere else in the United States.
For those looking for more attractions, there are a number of other locations of note in the city as well. The Lincoln Theatre Napa Valley gives you the chance to see performances by the Napa Regional Dance Company and Symphony Napa Valley in a historic building.
The Vine Trail Bike Path gives more active visitors the chance to explore the vineyards on two wheels and get a little exercise while they take in the sights. You even have a couple of famous cemeteries, the George C. Yount Pioneer Cemetery and Veterans Grove Memorial Cemetery, where you can see the resting places of some of the city’s most famous people.
Speaking of which, it is worth noting that Yountville is also the location of the Veterans Home Of California. The largest of its kind in the United States, it houses almost 800 aged and disabled veterans. In fact, it is so large that almost one-third of the town’s population lives on its grounds.
Other attractions for you to explore include Napa Valley Performing Arts Center, Yountville Art Walk, V Marketplace, Napa Valley Balloons, and Napa Valley Museum.
Another great thing to do in Napa Valley is taking the air balloon ride at sunrise with Napa Valley Balloons or Napa Valley Aloft. It is a truly memorial experience when viewing the valley from the 3,000 feet above the valley.
Stay in Yountville if you want to visit the oldest vineyard in Napa Valley; you are a fan of cycling; you want to visit come historic cemeteries; you are interested in the art, history, and culture of Napa Valley; you enjoy dining in gourmet, Michelin starred restaurants.
Best Places to Stay Napa Valley in Yountville:
Vintage House at The Estate Yountville this 5-star luxury hotel is a French country-style hotel and features a swimming pool and a spa. Located within walking distance from The French Laundry Restaurant, also close to Napa town centre, the Napa Valley Opera House, and San Francisco International Airport.
Napa Valley Lodge this 4-star mid-range hotel is located in the heart of Napa Valley, Napa Valley Lodge offers on-site spa treatments and a continental Champagne breakfast. A heated outdoor pool and hot tub are featured. Each luxurious room includes free WiFi. Close to Robert Mondavi and Domaine Chandon wineries, and Napa Valley Bike Tours, V Marketplace, and Lincoln Theater.
Maison Fleurie, A Four Sisters Inn this budget bed and breakfast is in Yountville, California, minutes from Napa Valley area wineries. The inn offers a full daily breakfast and afternoon wine and hors d’oeuvres. Platypus Wine Tours, the Napa Valley Wine Train, and The Krug Event Center are within short ride away.
5. American Canyon, easy access to San Francisco
American Canyon is north of San Francisco Bay and the southern tip of Napa Valley and gradually works our way north along US 29. Formerly known as Napa Junction, it lies on the banks of the southern part of the Napa River, just before it empties in San Pablo Bay.
American Canyon is not only one of the youngest cities on this list but is also one of the only ones that aren’t overly known for wine production. That said, it is still bordered to the north by many of the vineyards and wineries on the outskirts of Napa.
This is an area where visitors can enjoy the great outdoors in a number of different ways. For starters, the aforementioned river and bay are just a short distance away. Featuring a nature reserve as well, they are a great place to get out on the water and experience the local wildlife.
In a similar vein, the city is also located in the foothills of the Sulphur Springs Mountains. Containing hiking trails and mines, as well as the habitats of a number of endangered animals, it gives you the opportunity to explore and exercise to your heart’s content.
For the less adventurous of you, there is even the Chardonnay Golf Club. What better way to enjoy your time in low-profile wine country than by playing around on the greens, before retiring to the clubhouse to enjoy a glass of the beverage it is named after.
As an added note, American Canyon is located less than 10 minutes from Napa County Airport. This makes it the perfect place to stay for anyone who is worried about missing their flight or simply doesn’t want to have to drag their bags all over the place.
Be sure to check out the American Canyon Wetlands Trail offers good views of the wetlands and nature points. Wetlands Edge Park is mutual by the Napa County Regional Park & Open Space District and the City of American Canyon.
Other attractions nearby are Glass Beach, Napa Valley Casino, Newell Open Space, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, and the Jelly Belly factory in Fairfield which are family-friendly attractions.
Stay in American Canyon if you want to stay near the airport on a budget; you want to play a round of golf; you want to explore the trails, mines, and wildlife of the mountain; you want to spend a lot of time around the river and bay.
Best Hotels in American Canyon: Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Napa Valley-American Canyon, an IHG Hotel is located off Highway 29, this hotel is 14.5 km from the Napa Valley Wine Train. It features an outdoor pool and hot tub and serves a daily hot breakfast buffet. All rooms have free WiFi. Also close to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Chardonnay Golf Club, Eagle Vines Golf Course, and Empress Theatre.
Check out my virtual tour about the best places to stay in Napa Valley:
6. Oakville, good area in Napa Valley for Cabernet lovers
Continuing north from our previous destination, we are now going to look at a location known as Oakville. With a population of less than 100 people, it is easily one of the smallest locations on this list, as well as one of the least populated towns you are likely to visit in general.
However, the reason it makes this list is that it is probably just the kind of destination you would be expecting when taking a trip into the heart of Wine Country. Since 1993 it has been recognized as a distinct appellation; a legally protected area where prominent types of grape are grown for wine.
The town is surrounded by dense groves of dark green valley oaks, which is where its name derives from. This creates a truly rural atmosphere, which allows you to escape from city life for a while during your stay.
The vast majority of the economy in the area is based on wine production, with almost every family that lives here being involved in one way or another. At present, there are 24 wineries in the area, which, based on the population of the town, would mean a maximum of 4 people working at each winery, without them hiring outside help of course.
Among the range of wineries in the area, you will find a number of historic and distinguished locations. The most prominent options include the Robert Mondavi Winery, Opus One Winery, and the wineries of Screaming Eagle and Heitz Wine Cellars.
With these and numerous others, it makes it an absolutely perfect destination for those who truly want to spend their entire trip exploring the wineries of the area. Covering only 1.36 square miles, you can easily spend your entire trip wandering from vineyard to vineyard, sampling the best wines the area has to offer.
That said, for those who don’t want to spend the whole time walking, you also have the Napa Valley Wine Train. Running from Napa to St. Helen on the same route the original steam train ran in the 19th century, it is a fabulous way to see the sights and have a historical experience in between drinks.
Stay in Oakville if you love Cabernet Sauvignon; you want to spend your entire trip roaming between vineyards; you want to stay in an incredibly rural, lowly populated destination; you want to ride on the Napa Valley Wine Train.
7. Rutherford, great area for fan of Rutherford Dust Cabernet
Our next stop is just 2 miles further north from Oakville, in a town called Rutherford. While not as famous as the previous destination, it largely resembles Oakville in many ways, as you may expect from two destinations so close together. This includes featuring an almost identical population.
It is again a place with numerous reputable wineries, including the Beaulieu Vineyard, Grgich Hills Estate, St. Supery Estate Vineyards And Winery, as well as the Elizabeth Spencer and Inglenook wineries. What makes these wineries different to its neighbor though, is the distinctive “Rutherford Dust” soil that the grapes are grown in.
This has helped them to develop a style of wine known as Rutherford Dust Cabernet. A full-bodied red wine, it is a must try for any cabernet fans, or fans of wine in general, during their trip.
For those who want to experience it in all its glory, Round Pond Estate is a fabulous place to spend an afternoon. You can book yourself in for a wine tasting, where you can sit on the stunning terrace, sampling the vintages, learning about how they are made, and finding out inside information, such as the best foods to pair with each wine.
Speaking of food, some of the eateries on offer in Rutherford are another of the town’s big selling points. First, you have the Rutherford Grill. Known for its delicious food and extensive wine list, you can enjoy your meal and drinks while surrounded by incredible scenery.
Then, you also have the Auberge Du Soleil. Originally created in 1983 by famed Californian designer Michael Taylor, it has grown from humble beginnings as a fabulous restaurant to become one of the most stylish and exclusive resorts in the area. In fact, in 2013 it was ranked 5th on the “top 10 resorts in the U.S.” list by Conde Nast Traveler magazine.
All in all, this makes Rutherford a fabulous place to stay for those who want to enjoy some legendary and unique wines, all the while surrounded by stunning, rural scenery.
Stay in Rutherford if you want to stay at one of the best resorts in the country; you want to attend a stylish wind tasting and find out more about what you are drinking; you are a fan of “Rutherford Dust” Cabernet; you prefer a rural destination with a small population.
Best Places to Stay in Napa Valley in Rutherford:
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Overall, Napa City is the best area to stay in Napa Valley for tourist, especially for first-timers due to its prime location. It also offers wide range of lodging, shopping, dining, and nightlife. If you stay here, you also has easy access to many wineries and vineyards.