As you guys know, I went to Napa this Summer and had the BEST TIME wine tasting, eating at delicious restaurants, Spa-ing (that’s a verb right??!), and taking pictures every which way I turned. So many of the spots I visited were BEYOND pretty and the perfect backdrop for a killer instagram shot, so I wanted to share this post for those of you, who like me, appreciate a list when they are traveling. I was only in Napa for a few days, so I am sure there are many more spots that will need to be added to this list, but for a long weekend, I highly recommend squeezing in these!! Here’s my list for a fabulous trip.

Coffee:

• The Model Bakery. Known for their home-made english muffins, I loved getting a breakfast sandwich and an iced latte here {especially after a night of wine!}. The St Helena location is super cute if you are looking for one of those “Coffee Shop Instagram” shots.

Lunch:

• Farmstead. I absolutely loved this “farm house” location for lunch. Rustic chic vibe and definitely popular at all hours of the day, I recommend sitting outside at one of the outdoor tables or at the bar for a casual lunch. The Kale Salad is delicious!
• Meadowood Grill. Since we stayed at Meadowood, “The Grill” was a convenient place to grab an easy lunch after working out or the spa. With a deck filled with white umbrellas overlooking the golf course, you will want to wear your “tennis whites” to fit in! The Mahi tacos are delicious.
• Gotts. Imagine a “Pleasantville” version of Shake Shack … Roadside drive-in style burgers, sandwiches, salads, shakes and more. This spot is seriously an institution and great it you want something casual. FYI- you walk up to a counter to order and seating is outdoors at picnic tables and it’s great for kids. I recommend if possible to go during the week because the weekends are PACKED.

Dinner:

• Acacia House at Las Alcobas. We ate here our first night so we could have our first sip of Napa wine and enjoy the sunset. This restaurant is super charming and looks like a Southern Home with a large wrap-around porch. I highly recommend sitting outside so you can watch the sun set behind the mountains.
• Press. The nicest steakhouse in St Helena, probably even Napa. Go here if you want a steakhouse meal… Filet Mignon with every side dish like truffle mac and cheese, creamed spinach, etc. I recommend the Pineapple or Classic Moscow Mule and of course, the steak.
• Bouchon Bistro. I LOVED this restaurant. It’s a Romantic little French restaurant in Yountville. Yountville, by the way, is a great little town to walk around with amazing restaurants. The whole town is instagram-friendly! We sat outside for dinner at sweet bistro tables and enjoyed oysters, French onion soup and delicious wine.
• The Charter Oak. A super cool spot for drinks as well as a “cool menu”. I recommend ordering a swanky cocktail at the bar!

Vineyards:

• Far Niente Vineyard. So incredible, I am actually creating a separate post with all the details of the tasting I did at this vineyard. See the photos of me right above in front of this serene pond? That’s the backdrop for the tasting I did in a small pavilion on the lawn. See a full list of their tour options here! Oh, and if you appreciate wine caves, you may want to consider one of the longer tours because their caves are really cool!
• Nickel & Nickel. Another gorgeous one! See the photos below of me walking in front of a beautiful house with a pathway of roses? That’s the tasting room for this beautifully simple vineyard. Sit on the porch for a laid back tasting with no shortage of photos in front of pretty blooms.

Please let me know if you have any recommendations for me for my next trip! I am definitely already looking forward to going back!!

Photography by Digital Dreamer

Thank you to the brands that hosted me on this visit.