Hello, and welcome to the beautiful town of St. Helena in California's Napa Valley. For many years, wine country has served as a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of city life, and I can't wait to introduce you to one of my favourite weekend getaways.

St. Helena, the "Main Street" of Napa Valley, is one of those locations that, once visited, you'll want to visit again and again. As a child, I frequently visited St. Helena to see my relatives.

Some of my favourite recollections are riding the bikes down Spring Mountain, discovering the town, and eating a burger at Taylor's. Now that I'm an adult, my husband and I often visit this spot to take advantage of the milder climate and enjoy some downtime.

How To Prepare For A Trip to St. Helena

Season To Travel:

Each season in St. Helena is beautiful and brings something new. You may visit in the spring for pleasant weather and blooming flowers or in the summer and early fall for warm weather and lazy days by the pool. Several wineries provide special tours and tastings during harvest to celebrate the season. The colder months are the best because I can take advantage of spas, stay indoors in the warmth, and warm up with a nice glass of wine.

Reservations:

First and foremost, plan if you want to visit St. Helena. Weekends in Napa Valley tend to be busy and appointment-based due to the region's popularity among tourists. Even the few wineries still allowed walk-ins before this year require appointments today. During the busy times of the year, make weekend reservations two to three weeks in advance (spring to fall).

Location:

The trip to St. Helena takes around an hour and a half from Sacramento or San Francisco.

St. Helena Lodging Options

Napa's ALiLa Hotel & Spa

Being Hyatt's 1,000th hotel, the Alila Napa Valley had a complete makeover before opening to the public. It is on the outskirts of town, yet close enough to stroll to Main Street. This sleek and private hideaway is the perfect spot to call home in Napa Valley. Guests seeking a more peaceful stay will like the hotel's well-appointed rooms, decorated in soothing earth tones.

St. Helena Restaurants

Farmstead At Long Meadow Ranch

Farmstead at LMR is one of my family's and my favourite restaurants in the entire valley. Indulge in a meal while overlooking the grounds (which you can take a tour around) that supply the restaurant with many delicious delicacies. The smoked-in-house barbecue items, the seasonal Dungeness crab wrap, and the irresistible beignets are just a few menu favourites.

PRESS Restaurant

You should make a reservation at PRESS if you're looking for a fine dining experience in St. Helena. The cuisine is designed to showcase the best of Napa Valley via creative preparations of regional specialities.

A table on the covered patio outside, shaded by the tall maple trees, is where you want to be. Particularly noteworthy are the sweet and sour pig ears, the truffle-glazed chicken, the gnudi, and griddle cornbread.

Acacia House

This farm-to-table restaurant in Alila Napa Valley was the perfect way to kick off our vacation with a delicious meal. Beautiful Georgian farmhouse complete with a veranda wraparound.

Everything we tried seemed fresh and flavorful, like their Caesar fried chicken sandwich and the crudités with hummus dip. Their margarita, or their twist on the classic, is one of the most original drinks in all of Napa Valley.

Places To Go Wine Tasting in St. Helena

In Napa Valley, there is no shortage of wineries to explore. These five's variety and special features made them stand out to me during my travels. Making bookings is a must, so please note this.

Vineyard 29

I was surprised to like this winery less than I did. The winery structure is discretely located up a road, projecting into the valley below.

This is a private wine tasting paired with delectable nibbles prepared by the restaurant's chef. We like the 2014 V29 29 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, one of the few varietal wines made from grapes cultivated exclusively on the estate.

AXR Napa Valley

I consider AXR one of those "off-the-beaten-path" vineyards, but it is well worth the trip. Drive down a path, and you'll find yourself in a forest of towering redwoods and moss-covered rocks straight out of a fairy tale.

The scenery is beautiful, and the wine is superb. Due to its location during the era before prohibition, this vineyard also has a rich past. You may enjoy white and red wines from this winery at their historic estate and tasting room.