Napa Valley is home to vineyards sprawled over rolling hills with picturesque backgrounds with its ideal year-round climate. This pot of gold in Northern California is just two hours from San Francisco.
As the wine capital of the United States, it is the second most visited destination in California. The region is a very diverse and welcoming place. The culture of San Francisco felt throughout the countryside. Napa Valley prides itself on not having just one LGBTQ-friendly area, but the entire city is there to be experienced.
This week, we’re taking a look at the Top 10 Must-See and Do Activities in Napa Valley.
1: The best way to dive into wine country is to cycle through the countryside on a beautiful Cycling Tour to experience over 500 wineries, the redwood forest, the Valley’s history, and the beautiful Pacific Coast. This tour offers the most fantastic adventure that Napa Valley offers.
2: If you’re looking to experience a day trip to Napa Valley from San Francisco, take the World Class Wine Tour. This experience allows you to tour the best wineries with tastings included. You will dive into how the wine is made on the Benziger Family Winery, cross the Golden Gate Bridge, a picnic lunch at the vineyard, and see the Marin Headlands. This tour is excellent if your visiting the Bay Area and only have a day to see the highlights of this top destination.
3: The Inn on First is a must-stay for a luxury weekend in the Valley. This Gay Owned destination is the top-rated bed and breakfast in Napa. Owners Jim and Jamie have made it their goal to make the experience a home away from home. Within steps of Downtown Napa, this Inn is in the heart to take in all of the offerings of Napa.
4: Napa Valley is more than just wineries. Head over to Pleasure Cove Marina and get your blood pumping and your feet wet on Lake Berryessa, where you can launch your paddleboard, canoeing, or kayaking that offers a chance to get off your feet into the water.
5: Gain a unique view of the Valley from above in a hot air balloon with amazing sights. Napa Valley Aloft Balloon Ride tours offer a site into hot springs, geysers, volcanic soil, and famous vineyards. The tours are never the same because of the microclimates that change the wind. Just be sure to bring a jacket for the ride.
6: Take a dip in the Calistoga Spa Hot Springs, hot mud pools known for relieving stress, softening skin, and balances your natural pH. The spa has four different pools ranging in temperature from 80 to 104. The signature package is a mud bath, chromotherapy mineral bath, eucalyptus steam bath, and relaxing blanket wrap nap that is great for the soul.
7: Enjoy Napa like the locals in the Oxbow Public Market. From sustainably sourced groceries to artisan coffee, you will find everything in this market to small businesses with their handmade goods. The market was founded on improving local businesses and farms through education and community outreach and doing just that. The experience that you will have at the market creates a feeling like no other.
8: Take a hike to Lake Marie via Skyline Trail in the Skyline Wilderness Park to take in the beautiful Valley and a great fishing hole. In the 1970s, the park was established by a group of citizens that didn’t want to lose the land, and today there are camping, biking, disc golf, and picnicking. You can also catch a glimpse of wildlife, from turkeys to bobcats and mountain lions.
9: Napa Valley is a foodie’s paradise. Be sure to take in all of the tastes that it has to offer. The Q Bar and Restaurant provides a uniquely delicious BBQ in Northern California or head over to The South Side Café that touts all-day breakfast if the wine tasting went late into the night. As delicious as the wine, the restaurants do not disappoint their flavor, presentation, and experience.
10: Like much of the US, Napa Valley celebrates Pride in June. There are various activities each year, but I recommend the tasting at Honig Vineyard and Winery, sip on fabulous Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc with your tasting fees being donated to The Trevor Project the entire month of June.
Are you ready to have an unforgettable experience in Northern California? Schedule an initial consultation to discuss how I can take care of the planning for you, so all you have to do is show up at the airport.
Rainbow Getaways helps members of the LGBTQ community choose, plan, book, and prepare for dentations worldwide. Each vacation is planned to meet your specific needs, so you’ll have a fabulous time on vacation. If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe to the Rainbow Getaways newsletter, so you never miss an update and like or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.