Where to stay · Napa Valley · United States
Where to stay in Napa Valley
6 neighbourhoods compared, with the trade-offs hotel listings don't tell you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Pictured: Culinary Institute of America at Greystone, Napa Valley · Photo: Eugene Zelenko, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
For a first visit, stay in Downtown Napa. Riverfront tasting rooms, Oxbow Public Market and the valley's widest choice of hotels. Best alternatives — families: Calistoga.
Key facts
- First visit
- Downtown Napa
- Families
- Calistoga
- Budget
- Downtown Napa
- Nightlife
- Downtown Napa
Plan a trip to Napa Valley
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Best area for each kind of trip
| Trip type | Area | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First-timers | Downtown Napa | Riverfront tasting rooms, Oxbow Public Market and the valley's widest choice of hotels |
| Families | Calistoga | Laid-back hot-springs town at the top of the valley |
| Couples | Yountville | Small, polished village of acclaimed restaurants, galleries and boutique inns |
| Budget | Downtown Napa | Riverfront tasting rooms, Oxbow Public Market and the valley's widest choice of hotels |
| Luxury | Yountville | Small, polished village of acclaimed restaurants, galleries and boutique inns |
| Nightlife | Downtown Napa | Riverfront tasting rooms, Oxbow Public Market and the valley's widest choice of hotels |
| Food lovers | Downtown Napa | Riverfront tasting rooms, Oxbow Public Market and the valley's widest choice of hotels |
| Quiet stays | St Helena | Historic Main Street in the middle of the valley's most famous vineyards |
Napa Valley neighbourhoods in detail
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$$$ · Best for first-timers, food lovers, nightlife and budget
Downtown Napa
The city of Napa at the southern end of the valley has a walkable downtown along the Napa River, with dozens of tasting rooms, restaurants on First and Main Streets, the Oxbow Public Market food hall and the Uptown Theatre for concerts. It is the departure point for the Wine Train and has more mid-range hotels than the up-valley towns.
- Good
- Walk to tasting rooms and restaurants; Widest range of hotel prices; Livelier evenings
- Watch out
- Less rural feel; Drive or ride to reach most wineries
- Nearby
- Oxbow Public Market, Napa Valley Wine Train station, Napa River, Carneros
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$$$$ · Best for couples, luxury and food lovers
Yountville
Yountville is a compact town along Washington Street, about 15 minutes north of Napa, known for its concentration of top restaurants, including The French Laundry and Bouchon. Outdoor sculptures line the streets, and the Napa Valley Vine Trail bike path connects it with Napa. Hotels are mostly upscale inns and resorts.
- Good
- Walk to excellent restaurants; Central location in the valley; Quiet, attractive streets
- Watch out
- Among the most expensive places to stay; Very quiet late at night
- Nearby
- The French Laundry, Bouchon Bakery, Domaine Chandon, Napa Valley Vine Trail
$$$$ · Best for couples, luxury, food lovers and quiet stays
St Helena
St Helena has a short, handsome Main Street of 19th-century stone buildings, boutiques and bakeries, surrounded by renowned wineries along Highway 29 and the Silverado Trail. The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone and Beringer are at the north end of town.
- Good
- Surrounded by top wineries; Charming small-town centre; Good restaurants
- Watch out
- Expensive accommodation; Traffic on Highway 29 through town at weekends
- Nearby
- Beringer Vineyards, CIA at Greystone, Bale Grist Mill, Rutherford
$$$ · Best for couples, quiet stays, families and budget
Calistoga
Calistoga, at the northern end of the valley, has a relaxed Lincoln Avenue lined with spas offering mud baths and mineral pools, plus casual restaurants and tasting rooms. It is closest to Castello di Amorosa, Chateau Montelena, Schramsberg, the Old Faithful Geyser of California and hikes on Mount St Helena.
- Good
- Spa resorts and hot springs; More relaxed than the south; Wider range of prices
- Watch out
- Up to 45 minutes from Napa; Hotter in summer
- Nearby
- Old Faithful Geyser of California, Castello di Amorosa, Chateau Montelena, Robert Louis Stevenson State Park
$$$$ · Best for couples, quiet stays and luxury
Carneros
The Carneros district straddles the southern ends of Napa and Sonoma counties near San Pablo Bay. Cooled by bay breezes, it is known for Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and sparkling wine, and it is home to Domaine Carneros and the di Rosa art collection. Accommodation is limited to a few resorts and inns.
- Good
- Closest to San Francisco and Sonoma; Peaceful, rural setting; Sparkling wine houses
- Watch out
- Few places to eat; Need a car for everything
- Nearby
- Domaine Carneros, di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art, Sonoma
$$$$ · Best for luxury, couples and quiet stays
Oakville and Rutherford
Between Yountville and St Helena, the Oakville and Rutherford areas contain some of the valley's most celebrated vineyards and estates, including Inglenook. There are few towns here, just wineries and a handful of luxury resorts on the hills.
- Good
- Surrounded by top estates; Beautiful vineyard views; Central for tastings
- Watch out
- Very few accommodation options; Nothing to do on foot in the evening
- Nearby
- Inglenook, Silverado Trail, St Helena
Areas compared
| Area | Price | Nearby |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Napa | $$$ | Oxbow Public Market, Napa Valley Wine Train station, Napa River, Carneros |
| Yountville | $$$$ | The French Laundry, Bouchon Bakery, Domaine Chandon, Napa Valley Vine Trail |
| St Helena | $$$$ | Beringer Vineyards, CIA at Greystone, Bale Grist Mill, Rutherford |
| Calistoga | $$$ | Old Faithful Geyser of California, Castello di Amorosa, Chateau Montelena, Robert Louis Stevenson State Park |
| Carneros | $$$$ | Domaine Carneros, di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art, Sonoma |
| Oakville and Rutherford | $$$$ | Inglenook, Silverado Trail, St Helena |
Getting to your hotel
San Francisco International (SFO) is about 100 km away, roughly 1.5–2 hours by car depending on traffic. Oakland (OAK) is about 75 km and Sonoma County Airport (STS) about 50 km away. Airport shuttles and car hire are available; by public transport, the San Francisco Bay Ferry to Vallejo connects with Vine buses to Napa.
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best area to stay in Napa Valley for first-time visitors?
Downtown Napa. The city of Napa at the southern end of the valley has a walkable downtown along the Napa River, with dozens of tasting rooms, restaurants on First and Main Streets, the Oxbow Public Market food hall and the Uptown Theatre for concerts.
+Where should families stay in Napa Valley?
Calistoga: Spa resorts and hot springs.
+Which area of Napa Valley is best for a budget stay?
Downtown Napa ($$$): Riverfront tasting rooms, Oxbow Public Market and the valley's widest choice of hotels.