The heart of the Napa Valley Wine Country, Yountville is the perfect place to make your base for your wine-country outing. Also home to some of the best restaurants and eateries in the world, this tranquil, sylvan town is a place where you need to make plenty of space in your tummies to explore the region’s gastronomy. This former stagecoach stop features tons of wine-tasting rooms and tours, as well as boutique vacay rentals that make your stay in this dreamy town a memorable one. From touring vineyards to gorging on Michelin-star food, here are the best things to do in Yountville, California.
1. Feast your eyes on exclusive art at ÆRENA Galleries & Gardens
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
History and modernity come together at the luxurious ÆRENA Gallery, which is housed in a rustic, historic downtown Yountville building and is home to some amazingly interesting paintings, photography, and sculptures. Featuring works of both master artists and the upcoming younger set, this gallery has permanent collections while also hosting rotating exhibitions and can be booked for corporate events, benefits, and parties as well. A gorgeous green outdoor space is the perfect setting for indulging in some mingling and dining.
ÆRENA Galleries & Gardens
Address: 6795 Washington St, Yountville, CA 94599
Website: ÆRENA Galleries & Gardens
Opening hours: 10am - 6pm (daily)
2. Visit the play area at Yountville Park
If you’re looking for a place to spend the day out with your kids in town, then Yountville Park on the northern edge is a beautiful verdant destination. It has lots of shaded areas, all of which have benches for families to sit and enjoy their picnic lunches without the sun beating down on them. The venue also has restrooms. However, what makes it a lot of fun for children is the grassy playground in the middle, making this park an amazing destination to spend a relaxing day with the family.
Yountville Park
Address: 2900 Lincoln Ave, Yountville, CA 94599
Website: Yountville Park
Opening hours: 6am - 8pm (daily)
3. Grab some tee time and a delicious lunch at Vintners Golf Club
Not only is the nine-hole Vintners Golf Club Northern California’s most premiere golf destination, but it was also awarded the title of the best up-valley golf course by Napa Sonoma Magazine. Play a round of golf on amazing, pristine greens perfect for a day out under the sun. After tee time, let the aroma of delicious food guide you to the scenic setting of Lakeside Grill, where old-fashioned pub grub is served up in a sophisticated way, complete with refreshing beverages and a gorgeous, jaw-dropping view.
Vintners Golf Club
Address: 7901 Solano Ave, Yountville, CA 94599
Website: Vintners Golf Club
Opening hours: 7am - 5pm (daily)
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4. Sample premium Bordeaux-inspired wines at Cliff Lede Vineyards
Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, and the greats, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc—Cliff Lede Vineyards offer all these and more. This massive 25,000-square-foot (2,322-square-metre) winery and cave system in Yountville features both a wine-tasting room as well as an outdoor area, where guests can sip on excellent wines while looking at gorgeous views of the Napa Valley. Cliff Lede even features a luxury inn on-site for those who wish to stay on the lovely property.
Cliff Lede Vineyards
Address: 1473 Yountville Cross Rd, Yountville, CA 94599
Website: Cliff Lede Vineyards
Opening hours: 10am - 4pm (daily)
5. Try melt-in-the-mouth pastries at Bouchon Bakery
Reminiscent of a classic French boulangerie, acclaimed chef Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Bakery is Yountville’s pride and joy. Originally a source of pastries and fresh bread for Keller’s other restaurants, Bouchon Bakery quickly rose to stardom for treats inspired by the famed chef’s life back in France. Dig into seasonal tarts, chocolate eclairs, baguettes, macaroons, fresh-baked pastries, rolls, bread, cookies, coffee cakes, muffins, and more. Sip delicious espresso and coffee while tucking into lunch items such as salads, sandwiches, and quiches.
Bouchon Bakery
Address: 6528 Washington St, Yountville, CA 94599
Website: Bouchon Bakery
Opening hours: 7am - 7pm (daily)
6. Take along your children to Napa Valley Museum
On the grounds of Veterans Home of California in downtown Yountville lies the gem that is Napa Valley Museum, giving visitors a glimpse into the geology, history, and people that make up the exciting, diverse Napa Valley. Comprising three galleries—the History, Spotlight, and Main sections—this thoughtfully designed museum features stories and art from multiple creators and time periods across Napa Valley history. Families with kids can check the events calendar as the museum often features special activities and crafts workshops for children.
Napa Valley Museum
Address: 55 Presidents Cir, Yountville, CA 94599
Website: Napa Valley Museum
Opening hours: Wed - Sun: 11am - 4pm (closed on Mon - Tue)
7. Go on a Secret Garden Tour on the Hill Family Estate
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by Hill Family Estate on Tuesday, March 23, 2021
The origins of the Hill Family Estate date back to 2001. The estate has more than 10 Napa Valley vineyards in its kitty today, producing a wide array of signature wines—including Zinfandel, Sauvignon Blanc, Rose, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon, among others. Book a vineyard package that includes a Secret Garden Tour, allowing you to explore the beautiful verdant farms of the Hill family. The estate even features an eclectic salon-style room where you can indulge in a tasting experience as well.
Hill Family Estate
Address: 6512 Washington St, Yountville, CA 94599
Website: Hill Family Estate
Opening hours: 10:30am - 6pm (daily)
8. Sip on rich wines at the charming Girard's Tasting Room
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
For the past four decades, Girard’s Winery has been producing award-winning wines, employing fermentation methods in small batches and careful blending techniques reflecting the traditions and flavours of the gorgeous, sweeping Napa Valley. With indoor and outdoor tasting areas, Girard Winery’s charming, chic-rustic tasting room is the perfect place to soak in the balance and richness of Girard’s wines, which include Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Petite Sirah, Merlot, Malbec, and Cabernet Franc, among others.
Girard's Tasting Room
Address: 6795 Washington St, Yountville, CA 94599
Website: Girard’s Tasting Room
Opening hours: 11am - 7pm (daily)
9. Shop to your heart's content at V Marketplace
A two-level, open-air brick structure resembling several quaint cottages put together in a neat lego-esque manner surrounded by fields of gardens and vibrant flowers—the historic V Marketplace is as enticing and eye-catching from the outside as it is on the inside. This popular shopping hub in Yountville features retail accessory and clothing boutiques, a chocolatier, a wine shop, art galleries, and even a hot-air balloon booking office. Pick up rare Bohemian showpieces, luxury apparel, and souvenirs for back home. Take a break from all the walking and shopping by dining at the many restaurants and fast-food joints.
V Marketplace
Address: 6525 Washington St, Yountville, CA 94599
Website: V Marketplace
Opening hours: 10am - 7pm (daily)
10. Relish wood-fired pizzas at Ciccio
A rustic setup resembling a marketplace, with a wood-fired oven in the back—the Italian restaurant of Ciccio brings a wonderfully nostalgic twist to dining in the Napa Valley. Focusing on using local produce, Ciccio’s menu features four to six delicious wood-fired pizzas, including potato and sage; white pie with salsa verde and anchovy; jalapeno salami, honey, and buffalo mozzarella; morels, ramps, and taleggio; and Margherita. The menu also features some delectable options for soups, pasta, and classic Italian appetizers and entrees as well. Yum!
Ciccio
Address: 6770 Washington St, Yountville, CA 94599
Website: Ciccio
Opening hours: Wed - Sun: 5pm - 9pm (closed on Mon - Tue)
11. Book a wine-tasting experience at Stewart Cellars
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Perhaps you’ve heard... Napa County tasting rooms and wineries are closing all indoor operations to help reduce the...
Posted by Stewart Cellars on Wednesday, July 8, 2020
Downtown Yountville is home to family-owned Stewart Cellars, a winery evoking memories and images of a wine village. It features three old-world stone structures and boasts an acclaimed wine collection and an equally well-known baroque tasting room known for its massive tasting bar, vaulted ceilings, cylindrical hanging lights, and the wonderful views it offers of the green, ivy-covered courtyard. Sourcing wine grapes from some of Sonoma’s and Napa Valleys’ best vineyards, the wines on the menu include two Cabernet Sauvignons, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay—be sure not to miss them!
Stewart Cellars
Address: 6752 Washington St, Yountville, CA 94599
Website: Stewart Cellars
Opening hours: 11am - 6pm (daily)
12. Enjoy a hot-air balloon ride over the Yountville sky (from USD 250.0)
See Napa Valley with a bird’s-eye view by hopping on a hot-air balloon for an unparalleled experience. Head to the charming V Marketplace, from where you will take off with a total of 12 people, then wait as the gorgeous wine-growing area of Napa Valley comes into view. Spy stunning vistas of Vaca Range, the Mayacamas mountain ranges, and the magnificent Mount Saint Helena as you climb higher and higher. If you’re really lucky and the sky is absolutely clear, you might even be able to see the San Francisco skyline! On foggy Yountville mornings, you can take off from Paradise and Pope valleys.
Napa Valley Aloft Hot Air Balloon Ride
Duration: 3 to 4 hours
13. Watch a wonderful dance performance at Lincoln Theater
If you love dance, theatre, music, and wine, the state-of-the-art Lincoln Theatre in Yountville with its stellar lineup of performances is a must-visit. Located on the grounds of the huge 900-acre (364-hectare) California Veterans Home, this 1957-opened theatre, a.k.a. the Napa Valley Performing Arts Center, is the nation’s oldest and now sees extremely skilled international, national, and local artists go up on the stage every week to showcase their talents. The theatre even plays host to the California Symphony and TEDx Talks.
Lincoln Theater
Address: 100 California Dr, Yountville, CA 94599
Website: Lincoln Theater
14. Admire the Domaine Chandon vineyards
A dreamy vine-covered gateway welcomes you to the gorgeous winery of Domaine Chandon, nestled on the grassy hills of Yountville, which blends quality fruit from California with the best French winemaking practices. The historic, slightly dated building is rustic-chic at its best, complete with huge open French windows looking out to the vineyards with Adirondack chairs for quaint alfresco dining. The grounds of the winery feature works by talented local artists, such as the mushroom garden built entirely out of rocks. Head to Domaine Chandon to sample its amazing wines, while admiring the wonderful vistas and digging into some great American-style food on offer.
Domaine Chandon
Address: 1 California Dr, Yountville, CA 94599
Website: Domaine Chandon
Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)
15. Sample wines during happy hour at Cosentino Winery
For nearly four decades, Cosentino Winery in Yountville in the heart of Napa Valley has been hosting tastings of its excellent lineup of fine wine on its lovely ivy-covered patio complete with comfy chairs and couches. If you visit during the happy-hour event it hosts during the week, you can sample four wines for only 15 USD! Reserve a tour at this winery, where the food pairings are delicious and patrons are offered different tasting menus. Sip on the wonderfully tasty varieties as the docent explains to you details about the wines of Cosentino and the Napa Valley region.
Cosentino Winery
Address: 7415 St Helena Hwy, Yountville, CA 94599
Website: Cosentino Winery
Opening hours: 10am - 6pm (daily)
16. Indulge in the Yountville Art Walk on Washington Street
How about strolling along the streets of charming, quaint Yountville, while admiring beautiful outdoor sculptures scattered all over town? Indulge in the docent-led Yountville Art Walk, which takes you on a walking tour of the 40-odd outdoor sculptures and works of art around the town, with most of them focused around Washington Street. If you like a piece of art or two, you can even buy it, for most of them are up for sale, with the proceeds going to artists of the local art community. PS. Don’t miss the cutesy stone mushroom forest!
Yountville Art Walk
Address: Washington St, Yountville, CA
Website: Yountville Art Walk
17. Try some sushi at R+D Kitchen
If you’re craving some classic American cuisine and sushi, the upscale R+D Kitchen is where you need to go. Complete with lovely alfresco dining on an expansive front porch, R+D Kitchen is a great spot to dig into some delicious fare, whether you’re a food lover or a picky eater. The sushi served here is to die for, and sushi lovers will particularly love the rainbow sushi rolls and sandwiches, as well as the crunchy shrimp and macadamia roll, which you can have by opting for a nigiri combo. Other must-try food items on the menu include chicken meatballs, meatloaf, chicken sandwich, and ribs. Then wash it all down with some amazing cocktails.
R+D Kitchen
Address: 6795 Washington St, Yountville, CA 94599
Website: R+D Kitchen
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11:30am - 9:30pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 10pm; Sun: 11am - 9:30pm
18. Take a stroll at The French Laundry Culinary Garden
Right across from the coveted Napa Valley dining spot of The French Laundry lies The French Laundry Culinary Garden, where many of the vegetables used in the restaurant kitchen are grown and reared. A beautiful rock walkway in the middle of the culinary garden allows visitors to wander around and explore, and there’s even have a map showing which crops are being currently grown on the property. The garden also has a hoop house for tender seedlings, bee areas, as well as a chicken coup for gathering farm-fresh eggs for egg-based delicacies, making this the perfect setting for garden-to-table dining.
The French Laundry Culinary Garden
Address: 6639 Washington St #6601, Yountville, CA 94599
Website: The French Laundry Culinary Garden
19. Enjoy French cuisine at the three-star Michelin restaurant, The French Laundry
Housed in a historic, rustic cottage circa 1900, renowned chef Thomas Keller’s premier restaurant The French Laundry is elegant, expensive, and very, very exclusive. The French Laundry not only has won tons of awards but is also continuously featured among the top 50 restaurants in the world. What makes this 1978-established restaurant so exclusive is that it features two entirely different nine-course tasting menus—traditional French with hints of modern American palates, with none of the dishes featuring the same ingredients more than once! PS. Getting a reservation at this much-renowned spot is a challenging task, which partly makes it the zenith of Californian dining.
The French Laundry
Address: 6640 Washington St, Yountville, CA 94599
Website: The French Laundry
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 5pm - 8:45pm; Fri - Sun: 11am - 12:30pm, 5pm - 8:45pm
A Napa Valley holiday in Yountville
A potent blend of art, history, vineyards, nature, and gastronomy, Yountville makes for the perfect base for your Napa Valley vacay. So pack your bags and head to the heart of the region, and make this tranquil town your home as you explore the gorgeous rolling greens around.
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