Sight guide · Napa Valley · United States
Visiting Oxbow Public Market
A food hall on the Napa River with stalls for oysters, tacos, cheese, spices, coffee, bakeries and wine bars.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Pictured: Napa Valley · Photo: Drew Jacksich from San Jose, California Republic, CC BY 2.0
.jpg){kind=link}
Quick answer
Oxbow Public Market is a market in Downtown Napa, Napa Valley. Allow 1–1.5 hours; it is low cost. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Market
- Area
- Downtown Napa
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- food, rainy day, kids and shopping
- Best months
- December–February
Plan a trip to Napa Valley
Compare flights, places to stay and rental cars, then book with the provider you choose.
About Oxbow Public Market
A food hall on the Napa River with stalls for oysters, tacos, cheese, spices, coffee, bakeries and wine bars. It is a relaxed place for a casual lunch between tastings and a good stop for picnic supplies.
Tip: Go at lunchtime on a weekday to avoid queues, and pick up picnic supplies before heading up the valley.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 1–1.5 hours.
- Cost: Low cost.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Downtown Napa, riverfront tasting rooms, Oxbow Public Market and the valley's widest choice of hotels.
Best time to visit Oxbow Public Market
Oxbow Public Market is indoors, which makes it a good plan for the wettest months:
- January: 14°C (57°F) highs, about 10 rainy days, very quiet crowds.
- February: 17°C (63°F) highs, about 9 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- December: 14°C (57°F) highs, about 9 rainy days, quiet crowds.
When to visit Napa Valley has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Napa Valley itinerary visits Oxbow Public Market on day 1, together with Napa Valley Wine Train and Downtown Napa tasting rooms.
- No. 3 of the 18 sights in our Napa Valley things-to-do list.
- Day 1 of the 1-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 2-day plan.
- One of the picks in napa Valley on a rainy day.
- A family favourite in Napa Valley with kids.
Near Oxbow Public Market
Also in Downtown Napa, so you can walk between them:
- Napa Valley Wine Train — 3–6 hours, expensive
- Downtown Napa tasting rooms — half a day, mid-priced
- Napa Valley Vine Trail — 2–4 hours, free
If you like Oxbow Public Market
- Castello di Amorosa — Calistoga, 2 hours
- Culinary Institute of America at Greystone — St Helena, 1 hour
Staying near Oxbow Public Market
Stay in Downtown Napa ($$$) to walk here: riverfront tasting rooms, Oxbow Public Market and the valley's widest choice of hotels. All areas to stay in Napa Valley.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Oxbow Public Market?
Plan 1–1.5 hours. With Napa Valley Wine Train nearby, it fits a half-day in Downtown Napa.
+Is Oxbow Public Market free?
No, it is low cost. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit Oxbow Public Market?
December–February, the wettest months, when an indoor sight is most welcome. Go at lunchtime on a weekday to avoid queues, and pick up picnic supplies before heading up the valley.
+Do I need to book Oxbow Public Market in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.
+Is Oxbow Public Market good for kids?
Yes, it is one of our family picks in Napa Valley. Napa Valley is adult-focused, but families can enjoy the geyser, a castle winery, bike rides on the Vine Trail, hot-spring pools and the food hall.