Hiking, biking, soaring over Napa Valley in a hot air balloon, taking a cooking class at the Culinary Institute of America, or shopping in downtown Napa, there is an activity suited for everyone. Here are some staff recommendations of things to do while visiting The Meritage Resort and Spa in Napa Valley.   

At The Meritage Resort and Spa, our Concierge will be happy to assist you with any request you may have, or to help you create a one-of-a-kind Wine Country Experience. Concierge services are available from 8:00am to 8:00pm daily.  Please contact us directly at 707.251.1993 or Concierge@themeritageresort.com.

Golf Courses
Golf is abundant in the wine country and here are some courses ranging from public to private.

Bird Golf The Ultimate Golf Learning Experience ®. Learn one on one from award winning PGA and LPGA professionals with 3, 4 and 5 day golf schools.

COPIA: The American Center for Wine, Food and the Arts
Copia is a cultural institution, museum and educational center. It is dedicated to exploring the distinctively American contribution to the character of wine and food in close association with the arts and humanities, and to celebrating these as a unique expression of the vitality of American life, culture and heritage. Copia was conceived by and is the vision of vintner Robert Mondavi, and opened in Fall of 2001. The two-story complex is located on 12 acres fronting the banks of the Napa River in the heart of downtown Napa. For additional information telephone (707) 259-1600.

Oxbow Market
Imagine yourself, sitting on a splendid, sunny deck, sipping a cool glass of fumé blanc, and watching the serene Napa River float by. Whatever the tempo of your day may be, you’ll find the Oxbow Public Market a warm, welcoming, one-of-a-kind experience. Whether you are looking for a great bottle of wine for dinner, some scrumptious burgers for the kids, or foraging for the most delectable peaches in season, Oxbow should be your destination in Napa. The Oxbow Public Market is perfectly situated along the Napa River and COPIA at 610 First Street, Napa, California 94559.

Bicycling
Highway 29 is Napa Valley’s principal highway. Running parallel to it on the eastern side of the valley, Silverado Trail is less traveled and a favorite of bicyclists from Calistoga to Napa. Between the two highways are numerous lanes providing quiet miles of vineyards and trees. Bicycle rentals are available at the resort. Tours and additional bicycles may be arranged through the concierge.

Culinary Institute of America
The magnificent setting for the Culinary Institute of America makes a meal prepared by visiting chefs a memorable experience. The century-old stone building, known as Greystone, the former site of the Christian Brothers winery, has the feel of a Spanish castle. Cooking demonstrations are held Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday at 1:30 and 3:30 PM, with an additional demo on the weekends at 10:30 AM and last approximately one hour.Fee: $15.00 Phone Number: (707) 967-2320

Hot Air Balloons
Napa Valley has a multitude of hot-air balloon companies ready to take you for the ride of your life. Weddings, special occasion charters and champagne brunches are available through advance reservation. For assistance in deciding which company to reserve with, please contact The Meritage Resort concierge.

Napa Valley Museum
The museum provides the needed space to focus on collection, exhibition, education and preservation of the culture, art and history of the Napa Valley and its people. Indoor exhibits mesh with outdoor indigenous gardens and landscaped exhibit terraces. The museum is open Wednesday - Monday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., open until 8 p.m. the first Thursday of every month. Closed Tuesdays & holidays. Phone (707) 944-0500.

Napa Valley Wine Train
A ride on the Wine Train is a trip back in time. From the moment one enters the station, time returns to an era of elegant rail travel. A champagne brunch, gourmet lunch or full-course dinners are offered, depending on the time of day you take the train for its 36 mile course through the heart of Napa Valley. The railway cars are restored to their original splendor with polished mahogany, brass and etched glass. Special holiday trains are scheduled through the year. Phone (800) 427-4124 or (707) 253-2111 for more information.

Old Faithful Geyser
Said to be one of only three such regularly erupting geysers in the world, The Old Faithful Geyser has boiling water and vapor that come roaring out of the ground at 350 degrees and spume more than 60 feet into the air at an interval of every 50 minutes. Old Faithful shoots about 4,000 gallons of water giving off a pungent odor of sulphur. Picnic facilities are available at the geyser site at 1299 Tubbs Lane, Calistoga.

Petrified Forest
Mount St. Helena exploded in a volcanic eruption an estimated three million years ago, leaving trees uprooted and buried in lava and volcanic ash. During the following centuries they were covered with plants and debris. Over thousands of years, water and silica solution seeped through the volcanic ash and into the buried trees. Today those trees comprise the California Petrified Forest, located six miles outside of Calistoga. Excavations have unearthed giant redwoods turned to stone, some as long as 126 feet. Visitors are welcome to walk among the petrified trees and browse in the souvenir shop and curio room. There are also picnic facilities.

Silverado Museum
Located at 1490 Library Lane, St. Helena, the museum has what is thought to be the largest collection of Robert Louis Stevenson memorabilia in the world, even larger than the collection in Edinburgh, his birthplace. Available for viewing are virtually all of the author’s first editions, many of his letters and original manuscripts. There are also paintings, sculptures and photographs of the man who wrote famous works such as “Treasure Island,” “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” and “A Child’s Garden of Verses.” The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from noon until 4 p.m., admission is free. Phone (707) 963-3757.

Napa Valley Trail Rides
Offering exclusive guided horseback rides at Skyline Wilderness Park in Napa. All rides are by advanced reservation only. Find out more details on the links above!
Gary Nelson
P.O. Box 877
Glen Ellen, CA 95442
Phone (707) 996-8566
sonomacattle@earthlink.net

Getaway Adventures - Guided Bike, Hike & Kayak Tours
Travel the back roads and visit small, family run wineries of both Napa Valley and Sonoma County. We invite you to join one of our one or multi-day tours and really Getaway from it all.
Randy Johnson
1117 Lincoln Avenue
Calistoga CA 94515
Phone (800) 499-2453
info@getawayadventures.com

 * The Meritage Resort and Spa  is not liable for any damages or accidents incurred while participating in the listed activities.