Napa Valley Hotels from $117

Napa and Sonoma wine tasting

Wine country is brimming with more than wineries where you can indulge in Napa and Sonoma wine tasting at its finest. Head to J Winery’s Bubble Room for 3-course food and wine pairings, or mosey over to Dry Creek Vineyard to taste the Screen Actors Guild Awards’ official wine. Treat yourself to the Prestige Tour & Tasting at Chandon for a behind-the-scenes look at the winery, and learn the secret of food and wine parings at Vineyard 29.

Napa and Sonoma, for kids

While wine country is known for its delectable adult beverages, there are plenty of activities enticing for the under-21 crowd. When you’re looking for places to go in Napa and Sonoma, for kids, start at the Francis Ford Coppola Winery, which features kids’ menus, teepees, bocce courts, and even a swimming pool to entertain the youngsters. Meanwhile, no kid-friendly jaunt is complete without a visit to the Safari West animal theme park, where you’ll witness giraffes, rhinos, zebras, and more from an open-top 4x4. And don’t miss a tour of the Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park for a step back into time.

Stay fit in Napa and Sonoma

Treat your body to a workout and then treat to your taste buds to a glass of Sauvignon Blanc. On your next getaway in wine country, stay fit in Napa and Sonoma with a nonconventional pairing, such as Pilates and a wine tour or a hike through the vines and wine tasting along the way. Bicycle through six miles of vineyards with a light lunch and tastings or try the TRX stations with views of the vineyards.

Romance in California Wine Country

From picking fresh strawberries hand-in-hand at the restaurant garden in the Little River Inn to pedaling around the Silverado Trail for the wineries, there are endless opportunities for romance in California Wine Country. Whether you’re a wine connoisseur couple or a spa loving set, you’ll find endless activities to ignite the spark here. Find a table for two in the tasting room at Hall Wines and indulge in a couple’s massage at the Farmhouse Inn & Restaurant during your passionate sojourn.

Napa and Sonoma in the offseason

While a visit to wine country in the September and October may welcome crisp weather and a fresh season’s harvest, Napa and Sonoma in the off season often brings better deals and special treatment. What the off-season may lack in weather, it more than makes up for in the open tables at the top restaurants, such as French Laundry in Yountville, and the seasonal prix-fixe menus at the Restaurant at Meadowood in St. Helena. Linger on the crowd-free patio at the ordinarily packed Truett-Hurst in Healdsburg, and enjoy empty tasting rooms where you just may score an extra pour or two from a friendly bartender.

Guys weekend in Napa

While Napa certainly has gained a reputation as the ideal getaway for love birds, this NorCal hot spot still manages to cater to those flying solo and those flying with a flock. When you’re looking to skip the romance and spend a guys’ weekend in Napa, book a Napa Valley bike excursion through the Clif Family Winery or sip on brewskies at Napa Smith. From the bacon bars and hot dogs at PRESS to the taco stands and pizza vendors at the Oxbow Market, Napa Valley presents plenty of guy-approved, non-lovely dovey attractions in wine country.

Indulging in Sonoma County

The thought of wine probably comes to mind as you envision Sonoma County, and rightfully so. After all, this area is a mecca for good wine. However, there’s much more to indulging in Sonoma County than vineyards and grapes. On your next getaway here, book a hot air balloon to marvel at the scenery from the skies, kayak on the Russian River, and dine at the local spots, such as Healdsburg Bar & Grill.

Five secret Napa hotels

It’s no secret Napa Valley is an inviting destination in California, but there are five secret Napa hotels sure to bring your vacation up a notch. Unwind in the tasting room for Materra Wines at Wydown Hotel, or snag a deal at El Bonita Motel, which is situated near some of the top restaurants in St. Helena. Revel in luxury at the Poetry Inn, rent bikes to cruise the wineries at The Cottages of Napa Valley, and indulge in the specialty spa services available at the Mount View Hotel & Spa.

Napa Valley vacations may conjure images of rolling vineyards, gourmet country stores, and endless things to do, but it’s the Napa Valley hotels that really make the region sing. Here, you’ll find some of California’s best — and most idyllic — places to stay: rustic inns perched along the main streets, high-end resorts nestled in the valley, and boutique lodges situated just steps from the wineries. Forget everything you’ve been told about Napa hotels; these rooms outpace even the wildest imaginations.

What’s more, you’ll be absolutely spoiled for choice. Each of the hotels in Napa Valley offers a mesmerizing breadth of amenities, rates and discount options, so every traveler will be able to track down the spot that speaks to his or her personal preferences. Serenity seekers can unwind at a tranquil spa resort, nature enthusiasts can book reservations for a riverfront retreat, and budget-conscious vacationers will find an array of low prices and benefit-studded deals. You can also combine those choices with travel extras like car rental reservations. Flights to Napa Valley are equally fantastic additions, and they'll help you get vacation ready faster than you can say pinot noir.

Plus, depending on which of the hotels in Napa you choose, you’ll get access to a full complement of unforgettable perks. Head to the on-site wine bar for a laid-back local tasting. Get to know your fellow guests at an afternoon tea. Cozy up with a bottle of bubbly in front of your private fireplace, or stroll through the property’s Provence-inspired landscaping before settling in for a foodie-worthy dinner. It’s all part of what makes this region so attractive to globe trotters; with the top hotels Napa Valley has to offer, you can experience every bit of the region’s charms without ever leaving the property.