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Hennessey Itinerary Planner

Seven Perfect Days (or a Three-Day Escape)

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We take pleasure in sharing our knowledge about Napa, a uniquely beautiful and relaxing place, with you. Use this as a ready-made itinerary or customize it to create your own personal vacation plan.

Napa's magic reveals itself in many ways. While here be sure you experience:

Great wines — many people come to enjoy the world-class wineries and to learn about viniculture and wine production.

Great food — Napa has more outstanding restaurants per capita than anyplace else on earth.

Unparalleled beauty — it's everywhere you look — the landscapes, the architecture, the art and antiques.

Fun activities — from hiking and biking to mud baths, spas and hot air balloons, activities abound.

 

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Treat yourself to SEVEN PERFECT DAYS in Napa. You'll explore many of Napa's diverse offerings. You will leave refreshed and rejuvenated. If time doesn't allow for the full seven days try A GREAT THREE-DAY ESCAPE. Choose Day 1 plus two more days from among Days 2, 4, 6 and 7.


Day 1: Settle In To The Napa Valley
  • Walk to downtown Napa. Enjoy the shops, galleries and Victorian architecture. (1 to 3 hours)
  • Drive to Calistoga on the scenic Silverado Trail. Enjoy the breathtaking views. (1 hour)
  • Savor a picnic lunch at a winery. Stock up with picnic faire at the famous Oakville Grocery, Dean and Deluca, V. Sattui Winery. (1 1/2 hours)
  • Drive south to Napa on highway 29. (3/4 hour)
  • Visit one small and one large winery during your drive. (See "Helpful Hints - Wineries" for duration.)
  • Return to Hennessey House for wine and cheese before dinner.
 
Day 1
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Day 2: Central Napa Valley (St. Helena, Rutherford and Oakville)
  • See a cooking demonstration at the Culinary Institute of America. Visit their extensive store. (1 1/2 hours)
  • Stroll the streets of St. Helena and delight at the wonderful small shops and galleries. (1 to 2 hours)
  • Enjoy lunch in one of St. Helena's wonderful restaurants (Click for listings: St. Helena, Rutherford/Oakville).
  • After lunch rent a bike and visit a few of the mid valley's wineries. (2 - 4 hours)
  • Enjoy a night out on the town in downtown Napa: go to a concert at the Napa Valley Opera House, a play at Dreamweavers Theatre; Opera Night at the Jarvis Conservatory; a concert at one of the wineries; or dancing. Click here for a list of scheduled events.
 
Day 2
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Day 3: Day Trip to the Northern California Coast or Muir Woods
  • Drive to Point Reyes National Seashore. Wildlife and unique natural beauty abound along the beach and on the park's many trails. (1+ hour drive each way, all day activity)
  • Enjoy a seafood lunch in one of the coastal towns.
  • Golden Haven Spa
    mud bath
  • Alternatively drive to Muir Woods. Hike to see the awe-inspiring redwoods. (1 hour drive each way, 1 to 5 hours hiking.) If your hike is short, continue on to Sausalito to see San Francisco from across the bay. (Add 2 -3 hours for driving and sightseeing.)
  • Return to Hennessey House for wine and cheese.
  • After a long day enjoy an in-room massage arranged by Hennessey House for your convenience.
 
Day 3
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Day 4: Southern Napa Valley (Napa and Yountville)
  • Early in the morning ride a hot air balloon over the vineyards. (2 1/2 hours including travel time.)
  • Shop at the Napa Premium Outlets (factory outlets) or Vintage 1870 specialty shops. (1 - 2 hours)
  • Enjoy the wine and art exhibitions at the Napa Valley Museum. (1 hour)
  • For the active, play a round of golf at the Chardonnay Golf Club, go hiking or horseback riding at Skyline Wilderness Park.
  • Visit several of the regions magnificent wineries. You may rent a bicycle or go on a bike tour to visit the wineries. (4 hours)
  • Indulge in a gourmet dinner on the Napa Valley Wine Train. In the winter you might prefer the lunch train to see the views. (3 hours)
 
Day 4
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Day 5: Day Trip to San Francisco
Delight in a fabulous breakfast on the deck
  • Drive to Vallejo and ferry to San Francisco. Enjoy the views of the San Francisco Bay.
  • See the sites on foot, by cable car and by taxi.
  • Alternatively, drive to San Francisco via the Golden Gate Bridge.
 
Day 5
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Day 6: Northern Napa Valley (Calistoga)
  • Melt away your tension in a mud bath at a day spa. (2 1/2 hours mud bath and massage)
  • Hike in the woods of Napa's western mountains at Bothe Napa Valley State Park. (2 hours)
  • Enjoy one of Calistoga's casual restaurants for lunch.
  • Visit some of north Napa's fine wineries.
  • Get lost on the back roads of the Pope Valley and Howell mountain regions of Napa. (1 -2 hours)
  • Return to Hennessey House for wine and cheese before dinner.
  • How about another night out in downtown Napa - see Day 2.
 
Day 6
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Day 7: Carneros Region of Napa and Southern Sonoma
di Rosa Art and Nature Preserve
  • Explore the unique di Rosa Art and Nature Preserve. (2 1/2 hours)
  • Visit wineries with splendid views and wonderful light wines of this region.
  • For a change of pace, tour a sake factory (Japanese rice wine) or a barrel making facility. (1 hour each)
  • Enjoy a farewell picnic lunch or try a restaurant on Sonoma's town square.
  • Hike the trails at Skyline Park. (1 - 4 hours)
  • Return to Hennessey House for your farewell wine and cheese.
 
Day 7
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Helpful Hints

Wineries

There are over 200 wineries in the Napa Valley. Each winery may offer any combination of the following:

The Barrel Caves at
Pine Ridge Winery
  • Wine tasting - most wineries charge a fee from $5.00 to $15.00 to taste several of their wines. (Allow 1/2 hour for a tasting, 1 hour to taste and visit the grounds if there is an exhibition.)
  • Winery tour - Some wineries require an appointment for a tour. Tours typically take about 45 - 90 minutes. (Allow 1 - 1 1/2 hours for a tour and tasting)
  • Art galleries or other interesting collections may be seen on display.
  • Splendid architecture, many wineries occupy historic buildings.
  • Magnificent views
  • Picnic grounds
  • Shops that offer wine, food, books, wine novelties, and other related items.
  • Wine shipping

Most Napa wineries are small. Some of these offer outstanding limited production wines and personal friendly hosts. The large wineries often are the busiest. Many offer good tours, special architecture, art collections, etc. Plan to visit a few of each.

We suggest that you plan to visit 2 - 4 wineries each day assuming you can stay several days.


Activity and Travel Time Within the Valley

We have included an average duration time for many activities. Where ranges are indicated your personal interest should help you determine the amount of time to spend. Unless indicated travel times to and from each location are NOT included.

For approximate travel times between locations use the chart below.

Travel Times Between Locations Within the Napa Valley
  STARTING FROM
Northern Napa Valley (Calistoga) Central Napa (St. Helena / Rutherford / Oakville) Southern Napa Valley (Napa / Yountville) Carneros and Southern Sonoma
D
E
S
T
I
N
A
T
I
O
N
Northern Napa Valley (Calistoga) 15 minutes 20 - 30 minutes 45 - 60 minutes 45 - 60 minutes
Central Napa (St. Helena / Rutherford / Oakville) 20 - 30 minutes 15 minutes 20 - 30 minutes 45 - 60 minutes
Southern Napa Valley (Napa / Yountville) 45 - 60 minutes 20 - 30 minutes 15 minutes 20 - 30 minutes
Carneros and Southern Sonoma 45 - 60 minutes 45 - 60 minutes 20 - 30 minutes 15 minutes

Fine Dining

Coming to Napa without going to a few great restaurants is like going to Paris without stopping to see the Eiffel Tower. We suggest that you indulge in at least one great meal, lunch or dinner, each day. If you have the stamina you might try two great meals each day. That of course is in addition to your breakfast at Hennessey House. See our preferred restaurant list.