The Napa Valley is famous for its vineyards, but it also has tremendous natural beauty – golden brown hills dotted with dusty green oaks, the Napa River, where steamboats once carried passengers and goods from San Francisco, and Mount St. Helena, a majestic peak at the northern end of the valley. Exploring the Napa Valley with kids, save time to just enjoy the outdoors.
Sterling (Dunaweal Lane, Calistoga) - Start out with a ride to the top of the hill on an aerial tram. The view of the surrounding countryside is stunning. At the winery, follow a self-guided tour to see shining fermentation tanks and huge barrels for aging the wine. For tasting, adults can sample the wines, while kids are offered juices or water, crayons and coloring books.
Sterling is closed until summer 2023.
Chateau Montelena (Tubbs Lane, Calistoga) - Wondering where little kids can have fun at a winery? Chateau Montelena has Jade Lake with Chinese zig-zag bridges leading to island pavilions. Families of ducks and geese float through the water (and will come close if you bring bread to feed them), dragon flies zip through the air, birds are singing, it's an unexpected oasis in the Napa Valley. Kids will want to go back and forth across the bridges to the islands, and follow the path that goes around the lake. Parents can take turns wine tasting while little ones play.
Here's our own Travel for Kids hand-picked list of family hotels, all styles and price ranges, convenient to fun things to do with kids in Napa Valley:
A house rental has lots of advantages for families – full kitchen and dining area, room to spread out, washer and dryer, and more.
