Calistoga Ranch

Local restaurants

You’re close to a glut of Napa’s world-renowned eateries, but you’ll still need a car to ferry yourselves between them. If you want to sample the famed fare at Thomas Keller’s French Laundry (www.frenchlaundry.com), you’ll need to book a month or two in advance and be sure you have a deep wallet – the set menu starts at more than US$240 a head. Also needing advance notice, La Toque (www.latoque.com) in downtown Napa has an always-excellent menu of Valley victuals, featuring a wide , coupled with a carefully considered wine selection. Go Fish (www.gofishrestaurant.com) in St Helena is predictably seafood-centred, with a wide range of sushi and sake. Cole’s Chop House (www.coleschophouse.com) in Napa serves 21-day dry-aged steaks alongside a classic American cocktail menu. On the same street, Celadon (www.celadonnapa.co) has a friendly neighbourhood atmosphere, shabby-chic looks and a Mediterranean menu with real respect for its ingredients.

For a full list of eating and drinking recommendations in Napa Valley, check out our Napa Valley eating & drinking guide

Worth getting out of bed for

The Napa Valley is the heartland of America’s wine production and there are close to 300 wineries to sip your way through – reservations are essential. Connoisseurs should head for Swanson (www.swansonvineyards.com) in the Oakville District; the exclusive Altamura winery (www.altamura.com) in Wooden Valley; or Kuleto Estate (www.kuletoestate.com) in St Helena. Aside from wining and dining, there’s no shortage of decadent diversions in Napa. Drift above the vineyards in a hot-air balloon (www.balloonrides.com), hire a bike and cycle around the region sampling the wines as you go – Getaway Adventures organises group tours (www.getawayadventures.com) – or enjoy the scenery on horseback (www.triplecreekhorseoutfit.com). For big-city thrills, San Francisco is an hour away.

For a full list of recommended activities in Napa Valley, check out our Napa Valley destination guide