Nestled against the banks of the Napa River is one of California’s most vibrant, historic and inviting wine country destinations: Downtown Napa.
It’s no secret that wine tasting has become one of my favorite pastimes since moving to the Bay Area, and I’ve explored many of the state’s top wine regions over the years.
But in all my travels, I’ve only discovered one wine destination that offers world-class wine tasting plus the convenience, accessibility, culture and variety of a city: Downtown Napa!
Why Visit Downtown Napa?
This gem of a city takes the best of a wine country getaway (carefully crafted food and wine; slow living; indulging in life’s little luxuries) and condenses it all down into a walkable and lively downtown area.
The picturesque streets are lined with dozens of award-winning tasting rooms, celebrity chef-owned restaurants, charming boutiques, tempting chocolate shops, and colorful art galleries.
With a population of just over 80,000, it’s big enough to offer a diverse and eclectic selection of activities, yet still small enough to feel “local” and quaint.
Downtown Napa is also the first wine destination I’ve visited that required zero time behind the wheel.
After arriving on Saturday morning, we parked the car and didn’t touch it again until it was time to head home on Sunday. No need to assign a designated driver, or abstain from the world-class wines that we traveled all this way to enjoy!
We mostly spent our weekend in Downtown Napa nibbling and sipping to our heart’s delight, but this city is a feast for the eyes as well as the tastebuds—especially the areas around First Street (the heartbeat of Downtown Napa) and the Napa Riverfront (where many of the city’s best restaurants are located).
Thanks to its strategic position on the river, Napa was originally founded as a trading and transportation hub in the 1800s. The city grew and thrived during the California Gold Rush, and new businesses like saloons, general stores, sawmills, tanneries and inns began popping up along the riverfront.
Some of these Victorian-era buildings are still standing strong today, and have been converted into shops, restaurants, art galleries and accommodations. As someone who loves historic architecture, these sights certainly add to Downtown Napa’s charm and whimsy!
What To Do in Downtown Napa
Stroll: There’s so much to see in Downtown Napa, especially in the scenic and lively areas around the Napa Riverfront, First Street, and the Oxbow Market. You could spend all day wandering around these areas, scoping out the abundance of historic architecture, charming shops and excellent cafes.
Wine Tasting: Downtown Napa is home to dozens of tasting rooms…all within walking distance of one another! Taste unique, small production wines while learning about the region’s winemaking culture and history (and without wasting a single precious moment in the car).
Eat: From the city’s award-winning fine dining establishments to the local hotspots at the Oxbow Market, Downtown Napa is a foodie heaven. You’ll want to arrive hungry, because there are more than 80 eateries waiting to be experienced and enjoyed!
Shop: We checked out many of Downtown Napa’s adorable shops (there are more than 60 in total!), which include clothing and jewelry boutiques, chocolate shops, bookstores, gift shops, thrift stores, and more. If you have a sweet tooth, Anette’s Chocolates on First Street is a MUST.
Art: Downtown Napa is home to 15 art galleries, which is great news for art enthusiasts. I love collecting local art from my travels—it always makes for the perfect reminder of my trip once I’m back home.
Spa: In the mood to be pampered? Book a luxurious spa treatment (massages! facials! body scrubs!) at one of the spas or salons located in Downtown Napa.
Craft Breweries: Unlike many wine regions, Downtown Napa isn’t just for wine lovers. There are several excellent microbreweries you can visit, like Downtown Joe’s (which also has gorgeous riverfront views).
Where To Taste Wine in Downtown Napa
Love wine? You’ve certainly come to the right place! There are more than 35 tasting rooms and wine bars listed on the Downtown Napa website—far more than you need to have a good time and learn about the region’s award-winning wines.
Compared to the vineyards and wineries up in the valley, I felt like the Downtown Napa tasting rooms offered an extremely intimate, personalized, and “boutique” tasting experience.
We visited three tasting rooms and had the opportunity to ask dozens and dozens of questions at each one, which was such a fun hands-on way to learn about wine right in the heart of wine country.
I also loved how each of the wine labels we explored were true products of passion; it was clear that none of these winemakers are interested in churning out large-production wines with mass market appeal.
Rather, they’re creating wine they truly love and can stand behind…and that same passion and pride goes into their tasting experiences, too.
The 3 Tasting Rooms We Visited
Alpha Omega Collective: Top-notch hospitality, an elegant historic interior, and award-winning wine…what more could you ask for in a Downtown Napa wine tasting experience? This tasting room is one you absolutely can’t miss if you want to try some of California’s best Cabernet Sauvignon (and trust me, you DO want to try it).
Gamling and McDuck: If you’re looking for a wine label in Downtown Napa that really shakes things up, this tasting room is a must-visit. The interior is the perfect mix of quirky, punk and hipster, and our tasting was led by the winemaker himself. Such a special and unique experience!
Mayacamas Downtown: This tasting room is beautifully-designed, with an elegant modern style and gorgeous metallic details. Our tasting experience was intimate and personal (I love seated tastings for this very reason) and the wines we sampled were all excellent.
Other Tasting Rooms in Downtown Napa
Some of the other tasting rooms that were recommended to me, but that we didn’t have time to check out:
If you’re planning to visit multiple tasting rooms, it’s worth picking up a Downtown Napa Wine Tasting Card for $15. You’ll get half-price tasting at 8 local tasting rooms, which can save you more than $125.
Where To Eat in Downtown Napa
The best dining in Downtown Napa can be found in three main areas: First Street, the Napa Riverfront, and Oxbow Public Market. I highly recommend stopping by Oxbow, if only to graze on appetizers and pick up snacks to take home. It’s a true culinary treasure trove!
Napa Valley Coffee Roasting: Ignore that Starbucks across the street and head to this local cafe for your morning fix instead! This cozy cafe had some seriously tasty-sounding lattes on their menu (pumpkin spice white mocha, anyone?) but I kept it somewhat simple with a cinnamon latte with almond milk. Grab your coffee to-go and start your day by strolling along the riverfront.
The Model Bakery: Their English muffins were featured on the Food Network, so you know they’ve got something special going on here. Derek and I both ordered the sausage breakfast sandwich one morning, and it was incredible. Toasty English muffin, greasy breakfast sausage, gooey cheese, red pepper aioli…mmmmm!
Anette’s Chocolates: We stopped by Anette’s on First Street (there’s a location at the Oxbow Market, too) to pick up a box of chocolates when we first arrived into town—and oh man, I’m glad we did! The flavors we sampled included a Himalayan salted caramel, winter Cabernet truffle (!!!), Bordeaux cream truffle, port truffle, Italian cherry cordial, and hazelnut cluster. We also met Anette herself, who was so warm and welcoming (the theme of the weekend, it seems)!
Ristorante Allegria: Located in a historic bank building, Ristorante Allegria offers some of the best Italian food in Downtown Napa. We stopped by for lunch, and adored the cozy, romantic ambience (tall ceilings, warm colors, classical music—*swoon*). I ordered the Wild Mushroom Risotto, and Derek opted for the Pappardelle Allo Zafferano. We both devoured every last bite! Fun fact: you can actually dine inside the historic vault.
Morimoto: This is Downtown Napa’s hottest Japanese restaurant for a reason: the food, design and service are all phenomenal. The cuisine here is inventive and upscale; think stacked slices of sashimi, served with droppers of sauce that you can mix and match to create your own flavors. For the main course, Derek and I both ordered the Ishi Yaki Buri Bop—yellowtail on rice that was cooked at our table in a scorching hot stone bowl. Yum!
Where To Stay in Downtown Napa
We stayed at the Embassy Suites Napa Valley, which ended up being a truly excellent place to stay in Downtown Napa. Between the crackling fireplace in the lobby and the free bottle of local wine waiting in our room (included in all executive room bookings) we felt right at home from the moment we checked in.
The central courtyard area was a beautiful spot to sit and relax as well, and I would love to check out their indoor hot tub on a future visit.
The Embassy Suites Napa Valley is located 0.8 miles from the heart of downtown, which is a bit further than some of the other hotels in the area. However, it’s also one of the more affordable hotel options; overall, the value for your money is great.
Our stay at the Embassy Suites Napa Valley was comped, but truthfully, this is probably the hotel I would have booked on my own anyways. The rooms were SUPER comfortable—Derek and I both slept for 10 hours the night we stayed here, if that’s any indication!
If you’re looking for more of a luxury experience, I highly recommend the Archer Hotel (we popped inside and it is GORGEOUS) or the Andaz Napa, which has wonderful reviews as well. Both hotels are centrally located on First Street in Downtown Napa.
We may have only had a short weekend in Downtown Napa, but thanks to its compact layout, we were able to pack so much into our itinerary. At just 1.5 hours from San Jose (and only 1 hour if you’re based in San Francisco) this is definitely a destination I’ll be happy to return to again and again.
Thank you to Downtown Napa and Embassy Suites by Hilton Napa Valley for hosting my stay! As always, all opinions are 100% my own.
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Have you ever visited Downtown Napa? If so, which restaurants, tasting rooms and activities are your favorites? If not, is Downtown Napa a destination you want to add to your California bucket list?
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