Napa Valley: A Trip for All Ages

California’s Napa Valley offers a combination of activities, attractions and scenic beauty. A recent trip to the towns of Napa and Calistoga with my husband and our two daughters proved that these elements make the area an ideal vacation spot for families traveling with adult children.

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Wine and Dine

Napa Valley is made up of five towns that include Napa and Calistoga, as well as Yountville, St. Helena and American Canyon. Some 58 miles north of San Francisco International Airport, it is home to more than 400 wineries and over 90 tasting rooms.

Nicholas Bunnell, Travel Sales Manager for AAA Northeast, has visited the area twice.

“These trips allowed me to explore the rich wine heritage, offering a blend of wine tasting experiences and gourmet dining,” he said.

Visit Napa Valley, the local tourism board, has an excellent online tool for finding the perfect winery for tours and tastings based on your favorite wine, budget and desired amenities.

The iconic wineries that dot the region were just the beginning of our “family time” activities during our trip to Napa Valley.

We enjoyed “The Evolution of Elusa” 90-minute tour and tasting at Elusa Winery in Calistoga, which is on-site at the AAA Four Diamond designated Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley. The maximum tour size is six people, so we were lucky enough to have a private experience with just the four of us. The tour included a golf cart-led drive of the vineyards and a walk through the winemaking and storage facilities. Our time at Elusa ended in the beautiful Tasting Salon, where we sampled vintages accompanied by cheese and other snacks and an informative and passionate take on Elusa’s process.

The historic Napa Valley Wine Train is another way to explore the area’s wineries, this time traveling in one of its restored 1915 Pullman cars. The six-hour Legacy Experience includes a welcome glass of sparkling wine, a four-course onboard meal, tasting in an open-air car and seated tastings at two wineries in St. Helena.

he Napa Valley Wine Train as a must-do unique dining experience, Bunnell said.

“Having some incredible food and local wines while admiring the beauty of Napa was unforgettable,” he said.

Along with wineries, Napa Valley boasts more than 150 restaurants — 15 of which are Michelin rated, seven total stars. We found the quaint towns of Napa and Calistoga lined with some of these restaurants as well as charming boutique shops. One top dining pick for my family was Scala Osteria in Napa, a beautiful restaurant with high-level service and a Southern Italian menu focused on seafood.

Even if tasting wine is not your interest, there is no denying the beauty of the vineyards with their neat vine rows and the area’s rolling hills, quaint towns and the mountains surrounding them. To see some of these views, walk or bike the scenic paved family-friendly Napa Valley Vine Trail, which is 12½ miles from Napa to Yountville and another 8 miles from St. Helena to Calistoga. The trail will eventually total 47 miles, running the length of Napa Valley from the Vallejo Ferry to Calistoga.

For another walking trail option, the Petrified Forest, a California Historical Landmark in Calistoga, offers guided and self-guided tours of its trails, which are lined with petrified redwood trees that date back 3.4 million years and were first discovered in 1870. The two half-mile trails also feature California native plants and a view of Mount Saint Helena. Dave, our knowledgeable naturalist the day we visited, has been giving tours of the family-owned-and-operated Petrified Forest for more than 30 years.

Get Pampered

We couldn’t miss the opportunity for some spa time, especially in Calistoga, known for its mineral-rich mud. Four Season’s Spa Talisa’s Spa Garden is a great way to try out self-applied mud together as a family while relaxing on the sunning bench.

In Napa, plan for some pampering at the Spa at Silverado Resort. We opted for massages and enjoyed post-treatment time lounging at the spa pool and eating snacks from the Boost Cafe.

Where to Stay

Besides top dining, two PGA golf courses and a full-service spa, the AAA Four Diamond designated Silverado Resort offers complementary fitness classes, tennis, pickleball and bocce, as well as three outdoor swimming pools. It is also only a short drive to downtown Napa and is close to many area wineries.

A California landmark for more than 150 years, Silverado’s signature white mansion was built in 1870. Today, it includes the reception and bar. The resort’s 117 guest rooms and 228 suites are spread out on 300 acres. Its two- and three-bedroom suites are ideal for families of every age with amenities such as full kitchens, living rooms, dining areas and private patios or balconies.

Plan your Napa Valley trip with a knowledgeable AAA travel advisor. AAA travel services are just one of the free perks of your membership!

What’s your favorite multigenerational travel destination? Tell us in the comments below.

Featured image: Courtesy of Visit Napa Valley. Photo credit: Michael Cuff.