Where are the best 1st date places in Napa for a half day of activities?

Answer 1

I have passed this info. to numerous couples who feel it is the best way to go.
Take a couple of tours, but plan on a picnic on the grass at V.Sattui. They have great wine, but also a full Deli with lots of treats for a picnic lunch on the grounds.
Jump back in the car and drive up the road to the Beringer Vineyard, and make your last stop Sterling Vineyard. Its like a White castle sitting on top of the hill, and you can take a tram to the top for a tour of the property and tasting. You can actually do the trip in reverse and end with lunch at Sattui (see.www.sterlingvineyard.com and www.vsattui.com)

Answer 2

LJRobbie has some great ideas. Beringer has beautiful grounds and its very interesting in terms of the history. Sterling has the best view of the valley. In terms of a first date, however, I would suggest taking your date on a nice drive around the valley then ending it with a small hike and picnic lunch. I would go ahead and take highway 29 all the way up to Calistoga and then cross over to Silverado trail (note that other routes are more romantic such as Dry Creek Road and the drive up to Mt. Vedeer). At this point you would want to stop a get a picnic lunch (pre-order if you can) at Vallergas Market or a local deli. Then drive to one of the following nature parks in Napa. I recomend one that has a nice view such as Westwood Hills Park. When in season, this park and others have black berry bushes all over the place. Bring a container and wet ones to wipe your hands clean or they will turn purple. There is nothing like the taste of freshly picked blackberries. Feed eachother a few (you will not eat just a few).

Anyhow, I believe that a nice drive, hike, and picnic in Napa will show you the beauty that the valley has to offer and you wouldn't miss the crowds. This is a local recommendation. Sonoma is nice but the locals know the spots that make Napa so unique. Other places that tourists may not know of is the spillway near Con Dam, the drive to Lake Berryessa, crawdad fishing in streams up in the mountains or in clean parts of the Napa River. My favorite is picking black berries or figs.

Enjoy!

Here is a list of Nature Parks open to the public.

Alston Park
On Dry Creek Road on the northeastern edge of town
Information: 707.257.9529

Skyline Wilderness Park
2201 Imola Avenue
707.252.0481
Hours: Monday - Thursday 9 am to dark
Friday - Sunday 8 am to dark

Skyline Park is an 850-acre wilderness area at the southeast corner of Napa. It's managed by a non-profit organization formed to protect the area. You'll find lots of wildlife, including deer and wild turkey.

Westwood Hills Park
On Browns Valley Road, about one mile west of Highway 29
Information: 707.257.9529

Westwood Hills Park is a heavily-wooded Napa City park. The park provides three miles of trails through beautiful groves of oak trees and grassy meadows, and affords expansive views of the city. The park includes benches and picnic tables near the parking lot and along the trails.

http://www.napavalleyonline.com/directory/wsparks.html

Answer 3

If you only have 1/2 day I'd visit a few wineries and do 1 winery tour.

The best tour I've been on was at Jarvis Winery in Napa. The wine was average, and not worth the price. But the whole winery is built inside a cave, so its worth a look.

For wineries to visit I'd stay away from the 'big name' wineries like Beringer or Mondavi. Smaller ones have more character and are more unique. Best visits I've had were at Lewelling or Cloudview. You get to meet the owners and basically drink wine with them in their kitchen.

If you have to go to a big name winery I think Sterling has the best facility.

http://www.napavintners.com/maps/map_of_napa_wineries.asp
thats a great map.

Have fun.

Answer 4

Well, Sonoma is much more romantic than Napa. Napa is very crowded, Sonoma is much more laid back. I'd suggest Hop Kiln in Sonoma along the Russian River. You can also go to Simi and Davis Bynum in the same area.

Answer 5

Napa wine train

Answer 6

Visting wineries---check out www.napavalley.com for all the information.
My faves are Robert Mondavi, Beringer, Rubicon, Opus One, Silver Oak, Hess, Artesa...just to name a few.

Enjoy!

Answer 7

I would advise going to Sonoma rather than Napa. It is more upscale, and less crowded.

Answer 8

take the napa valley wine train, its so much fun

http://www.winetrain.com/

Answer 9

v sattui winery