Favorite Things to do in Napa Valley

A wedding weekend in Napa Valley is out of a storybook dream. In addition to the gorgeous backdrop of vines, valleys, and California sunsets, you are also choosing a wedding location with many activities for your guests. Napa Valley will typically be a destination wedding. As such, the city is set up to maximize the experience for all its visitors. You can visit their website to learn about the City of Napa in Napa Valley | Shopping, Restaurants & Tasting Rooms. I find personal recommendations the most helpful so I have put together a list of favorite things to do in Napa Valley during a wedding weekend.

As a Northern California wedding photographer, I have made the valley my second home. I know some of these ideas will also resonate with you and your guests when curating wedding weekend plans. If you know you want to wed in Napa Valley but aren’t sure of the venue yet, take a look at: Top 5 Napa Valley Wedding Venues

Favorite Things to do in Napa Valley: Spa Treatments

A spa day is for more than just the bridal party. Everyone wants to look and feel their best on the wedding day. Whether you have a new dress you are truly excited about or have already planned your hairstyle, beauty goes beyond outward appearance in Napa Valley. Indulge in a relaxing body massage or an invigorating facial. As a Northern California photographer, I have spent my fair share of time in Napa Valley and have certainly indulged! My top two spa recommendations are Napa Valley Spa and Indian Springs Calistoga.

Napa Valley Massage & Wellness Spa

Napa Valley Massage & Wellness Spa is a boutique spa, so be sure to book ahead. An advantage of this spa is its proximity to the Downton district. Guests will not have to travel far for their own pampering! It is advisable to keep guests close on the wedding day to ensure they do not miss any other group activities you have planned, such as a welcome bonfire or day-after brunch. 

Another pro to Napa Valley Massage and Wellness is that the owner, April Rose, has designed her own eco-luxe, vegan, and cruelty-free skin care products. These make great thank you gifts to bring back to house sitters or loved ones. You can also choose to keep something special for yourself to remember the wedding experience with each use. 

Indian Springs Calistoga

The second spa I recommend is Indian Springs Calistoga. First of all, it is inside a historic, iconic resort. You walk in and feel like you are stepping into an old film. The space is located inside the resort, which means there is a larger staff. Having more dedicated therapists and staff means that there are greater opportunities for couples massages or obtaining a group booking. 

I find that some hotel spas can be pretty hit or miss, but the Indian Springs spa delivers every time. If you opt to visit Calistoga, I recommend coming into town for the wedding weekend a day early. Part of this spa experience includes relaxing by the Buddha Pond, so you don’t want to shortchange your experience by only going for the spa service. 

Dining is one of the Favorite Things to do in Napa Valley

For a favorite dining experience in Napa, I am always torn between Kenzo, a Japanese restaurant, and Mustards Grille, an American restaurant. It really depends on what you are in the mood for. 

Mustards has an expansive vegetarian menu, which can be hard to come by. My favorite is the grilled avocado tostada. It comes with grilled broccolini, black beans, cabbage-jicama slaw, and cotija. It is delicious and very filling. I have also heard great things about their sandwiches, the slow-smoked BBQ pork in particular.

At Kenzo, head chef Kenji Miyaishi creates the seasonal menus. I appreciate that you will have something different each time you come. It really invites you out of your comfort zone to try something new, and it is always delicious. 

If you end up staying an extra day in Napa, please make the 30-minute drive to Yountville. Yountville is home to my favorite restaurants in Northern California: Ad Hoc, Bouchon, and The French Laundry (my favorite)!

All About Wineries

Of course, you will have questions about wineries if you are coming for a Napa Valley wedding. One of the questions I have received is, “Can I wear jeans to Napa wineries?” While I advise against wearing jeans to a wedding, I do think there is a way to scale up jeans for a winery happy hour. Elevate any jean outfit by pairing it with heels and chunky jewelry.

There are over 400 wineries in Napa Valley and almost a hundred more tasting rooms. I recommend having an idea of what you like and then selecting your winery itinerary from there. Think about whether you prefer something dry or something sweet. Do you enjoy fruity undertones? White, red, or sparkling? I can assure you that these wineries will not all be the same; they are not Costco. To have your best experience, learn what you like and then find the winery that caters to your palate. Once you have started scouting out wineries, you’ll want to look into proximity to one another. Googling “Napa Valley” can be very misleading; the area is much larger than people expect. Really hone in on the winery you like and go from there. Additionally, consider renting a bus or limousine to take you and your guests from place to place. Half of the fun is bonding with the people you love!

Hot Air Balloon

What to do in Napa besides winery? A hot air balloon ride, of course! I recommend this as a wedding weekend experience because it is often an activity that guests know about but have never done before. The views of Napa Valley from the sky are remarkable. There is also the versatility to it; it can be both an intimate and a group experience. Different guests can join together in one balloon, but then you also see other groups of people from their balloons as well. It ends up being a great conversation starter and turns into an unforgettable weekend. 

Favorite things to do in Napa Valley per Season

While I love sharing favorite things to do in Napa Valley all year round, I also want to highlight the seasonal delights.

Summer 

Summer is peak tourist season in Napa. There are some downsides, like higher venue pricing and more limited bookings. However, it’s a popular time for a reason. There are so many more activities during the summer that guests can enjoy during a Napa Valley wedding weekend. 

During July, Napa Valley has its Festival Napa Valley. With musical performances all month long, it is a perfect group activity before or after the wedding day. One thing I stress about Napa Valley weddings is making it more than just a day, it should be a full weekend experience for all to enjoy.

Another favorite activity is Art Along the River, which takes place once a month between July and November. In partnership with Eppich Arts, you can explore curated installations by a diverse group of artists, with vendors offering ceramics, jewelry, oil paintings, and other handmade items. Each month will feature new art installations, artists, and libations.

Fall

Fall is a perfect time to get married in Napa Valley. It’s a little cooler out, which is a nice experience for the couple and their guests. It is still a pretty busy time of year, but it does scale back from summer. Grapes hit their peak ripening season in the Fall, so there will be plenty of hustle and bustle. Napa Valley maximizes the guest experience during this harvest season, so you have many opportunities to attend harvest parties, stomp grapes, and visit farmers’ markets.

Winter

Winter will be the slowest season in Napa Valley. You’ll have your pick of wedding venues and accommodations. The beauty of a California wedding is that there is never a bad season to get married. Guests can still enjoy hot air balloon rides and go wine tasting.

Spring

Spring in Napa Valley is the last chance at a more low-key experience before the crowds start to make their way over. You’ll experience milder weather (bring an umbrella just in case!) and fewer tourists. The quiet time of year makes it easy for guests to travel in and out of the valley and have better prices for spa treatments and winery tours.

Alicia Parks, Napa Valley Wedding Photographer

If you are looking for a Napa Valley wedding photographer, check out our guide on What to Look for in a Wedding Photographer.

Alicia Parks has over a decade of experience. As a professional photographer, having great photos is an expectation. What you’ll find with me is a partnership. Someone who knows the area can provide recommendations and make you feel like yourself on your wedding day. It can be a very nervous occasion, but I will be there with you all day. Memories of your wedding day are priceless. An experienced photographer will ensure both beautiful photos and a wonderful day. Choose someone who understands your vision and captures your love story flawlessly. Contact Alicia Parks to get started.