From balloons and bikes to trains and (walking) tours, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite ways to explore St. Helena wine country! No need to be in the driver’s seat when you’re in Napa Valley, sit back and let the professionals take care of it all. The question now becomes ‘where to start?’ when choosing the best experience your options are vast, and we’ll help you navigate!
Group Activity
Enjoy exploring wine country in a fun and truly memorable way with a Join-in Tour reservation with Platypus Wine Tours. This is a small group tour visiting smaller, off the beaten track wineries. Platypus takes care of everything including a picnic lunch to indulge in along the way. Pick-up and drop-offs from your place of lodging is also included so you can indulge fully in the day. Traveling with your own group or want something more private? Book a customized wine tour designed specifically for you and your crew while tasting some of the world’s most famous wines. Their experienced guides will help you plan the perfect itinerary.
All Aboard
Elegant interiors. Plush velvet. Gleaming brass. Sleek fixtures. Smooth marble. Climb aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train. Tuck into your seat as the train car gently rolls through the extraordinary Napa countryside. Sweeping rows of vines, some there since 1868, wave in the breeze and invite you to drink in their stories. A can’t miss tour is the all day Legacy Tour excursion, where you’ll visit three Italian family wineries with a combined winemaking history of more than 300 years! When you come to the end of the line, you’ll have a day full of unforgettable wine country memories courtesy of the Napa Valley Wine Train.
Get Into Gear
One of our favorite ways to take in the beauty of St. Helena is taking two wheels out for a spin! St. Helena Cyclery is popular for good reason: you’ll savor the unique experience of bicycling through wine country visiting wineries for tastings and touring at your own pace. From e-bikes and hybrids to your classic road bike there is a ride for everyone. Whether it be casually touring wineries, or an intense climb through the mountains, at St. Helena Cyclery you will find everything that you and your group will need for an unforgettable cycling experience. They also offer convenient bike delivery to your Napa Valley lodging!
Don’t let the beautiful scenery pass you by while you sit inside a vehicle. Get out and experience the vineyards up close, engaging all five of your senses to create memories you’ll never forget! Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the highway by exploring the back streets of scenic St. Helena on a self-guided bike tour with the Clif Family’s Tour de St. Helena “Comfortable Cruise” bike package. Weave your way through vineyard lanes while soaking in the serene valley views and dramatic Mayacamas Mountain Range. Finish with wine tasting and a farm to table lunch at their Bruschetteria Food Truck.
Head In The Clouds
There is simply no better way to take in wine country than from the basket of a hot air balloon. Napa Valley Aloft Balloon has installed safety measures to their baskets shielding person to person contact. They offer private compartments for couples and small groups which give passengers an open atmosphere feel to take in the stunning views on their balloon ride. Their knowledge and passion for hot air ballooning makes them the perfect captain to take your balloon adventure to great heights. Stay for brunch after your balloon ride to add an extra lift to your day. Elevate your Napa Valley balloon ride experience by choosing Napa Valley Aloft!
Historical Context
Spend the day tasting at three of Napa’s most historic wineries with A Taste of History at Markham Vineyards, Beringer Vineyards and Charles Krug. Each experience has been specially curated with four wines at each stop to represent the diversity of Napa Valley, from historic to the innovative. Start with sparkling at Charles Krug (est. 1861) while you’re sipping in the history at the winery that started it all. Next stop at Beringer Vineyards (est. 1876), where you’ll appreciate a gourmet picnic lunch for two that includes your own basket filled with goodies from each winery. Finish the day with a visit to Markham Vineyards (est. 1874) which rounds out this delicious tour by tasting a flight showcasing wines with character and sense of place.
This Town Was Made For Walkin’
St. Helena is overflowing with historic architecture dating back hundreds of years with a charming collection of architectural styles. The St. Helena Historical Society offers walking tours to discover the historical churches, hotels, libraries, shops and post office as well as the historic railroad and warehouse district. As a nod to our rich history, the commercial district was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in January, 1998 by the U.S. National Park Service!
A Taste of Place
The St. Helena Farmers’ Market provides our community with a beautiful venue for meeting friends, greeting neighbors and relish a delightful musical interlude every Friday morning. While not your typical tour, we invite you to dig into fresh produce, gourmet food vendors, beautiful hand crafted items and non-profit organizations in this family friendly atmosphere with kids’ programs and shaded individual and group picnic areas under our ancient Redwood Trees. Whether you are shopping, sipping a coffee and pastry or watching a chef prepare a seasonally inspired dish, you’ll definitely leave with a satisfied taste of St. Helena!