Naturally Napa Valley

Yountville is to Napa Valley what Bray is to Berkshire: bursting with culinary excellence. Thrice-Michelin-starred chef Thomas Keller’s restaurant the French Laundry (+1 707 944 2380) has a mighty reputation and a waiting list to match. Skip the wait at Keller’s informal Yountville bistro, Bouchon (+1 707 944 8037); reserve an alfresco table and fill up on flawless French-flavoured fruits de mer. No room? Buy still-warm bread from Bouchon Bakery (+1 707 944 1565) next-door.

Don't go home without

… noticing that not all natural wonders come in bunches: Napa boasts a forest of petrified redwoods (www.petrifiedforest.org); and Calistoga is home to one of only three ‘old faithfuls’ in the world, a geyser that erupts with reassuring regularity. Try a volcanic mud bath while you’re in town (www.calistogaspas.com); it’s more edifying.

Getting there

Don't know how to get to Napa Valley? Whether you want to fly, drive or float in by hot-air balloon, we tell you the best way, with local travel tips, too.

Planes: Direct flights from the UK land at San Francisco’s International Airport (www.flysfo.com), which is a little more than an hour’s drive from the southern end of the valley.
Trains: You can dine as you admire the splendid scenery if you travel on the somewhat touristy Napa Valley Wine Train that runs the length of the valley (www.winetrain.com); you’ll still have to drive from San Francisco, though.
Automobiles: A car is ideal for getting around the valley, and handy for getting here in the first place, although during the autumn harvest the main roads can crawl with tourist traffic. All the same, this is great driving country; treat yourself to a convertible and let the wind rush through your hair.

Hotels