What to do in Napa Valley in the Fall

Napa Valley is known for its over 400 wineries, luxury spas and beautiful, rolling valleys. It's the ideal place to plan a romantic fall getaway or engage in numerous outdoor activities with the entire family. There is so much to do here that it can be hard to plan a trip. If you're planning a visit to Napa Valley in fall, you'll need a few must-see destinations and attractions to avoid missing.

Below, we detail what to do in Napa Valley in the fall, covering a range of activities and relaxing experiences.

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Crush harvest season is when many of the wineries start stomping grapes to produce their world-famous wines. It's a beautiful time to visit Napa Valley for the scenery and history. But some wineries, like Grgich Hills Estate, plan full events to welcome the public in for this celebration. You get a firsthand look at what happens throughout the wine-making process.

It's a festive wine tasting, complete with a deep understanding of the age-old maceration process that the winery and others around it have used for centuries. Book a luxurious five-course wine pairing dinner while you are at the location or simply tour the vineyard. You'll find harvest parties like these throughout the region.

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One of the most magical experiences you'll have during fall in Napa Valley is watching the sun set. Choose a location that's up on one of the hills with a stunning backdrop. Skyline Wilderness Park is an excellent choice. It's located along the foothills with over 25 miles of hiking trails to enjoy. You can rent a camping site (though there are only 10 available) and plan an evening stroll to watch the sunset.

Skyline Wilderness Park has an entrance fee per car, though it's nominal. You can bike the area, just walk, hike or go horseback riding. Some of the trails are rated for beginners, while others are longer and steeper. If you want the best views, those steep inclines are worth it. Stop at the Martha Walker Native Garden to learn about the area's natural history.

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The Garden by Tannery Bend Beerworks is a treasure located in the heart of Downtown Napa. It offers a Bavarian-inspired menu of food and over 20 German beers on tap. You may not have thought about celebrating Oktoberfest in wine country at a restaurant, but you'll love the energy and incredible food here.

Located in the West End District, they celebrate Oktoberfest in late September each year. There's lots of music, games and challenges of a range of sorts. If you're in town and you're craving authentic German food, spend the evening at this outdoor beer garden.

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There's suspense in every moment on the Napa Valley Wine Train Tour, especially during the Mystery Dinner excursion. It's one of the most popular engaging activities during the fall months. The event takes about 2 ½ hours as you journey on the 1915 Pullman railcar searching for answers in an exciting cat and mouse game. This impressive experience depends on you to help determine what happened and who the culprit is.

Dressed in authentic 1920s garb, you'll feel as if you stepped into a film noir. While you're engaging in the theatrics and solving the mystery, you'll also enjoy a three-course gourmet dinner. Riding the Napa Valley Wine Train is always a fantastic, must-do experience.

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Do you want to see Napa from a very different vantage point? Add a hot air balloon ride to the best things to do in Napa Valley in the fall. Locations like Napa Valley Aloft provide hot air balloon rides that take you over the valleys and vineyards. They have several launch locations.

The experience is about four hours long, with about a 45 to 60-minute balloon ride. You'll be with an experienced, licensed pilot who will provide insight and guide you along the tour. You'll see the historic grounds of the Va Marketplace, Mt. St. Helena and the Vaca Range. In some cases, they get high enough that you may be able to catch San Francisco's skyline.

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There are numerous parks in the Napa Valley, but the Bothe-Napa Valley State Park is one of the best, especially if you enjoy biking. There are over 10 miles of hiking and biking trails to explore, all through rolling hills and wooded areas. You could rent a yurt for your stay or camp in your RV (reservations are highly recommended). This is also one of the best ways to visit Napa Valley on a Budget.

Bring along a swimsuit to enjoy the pool during your mid-day excursion. There are picnic tables and a horseshoe pit when you need a break. Bring some wine and cheese for an afternoon treat. You'll ride through Ritchey Canyon along the Redwood Trail. There's something magical about biking along the creek bed and perhaps stopping to get out to explore the area. The sound of the water itself is soothing.

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You deserve a bit of pampering as part of your exploration of fall in Napa Valley. One of the most recognized destinations to visit is the AAA Four Diamond Silverado Resort. This is truly a luxurious resort right in the heart of Wine Country. There's plenty to do here without leaving the grounds, if you would like to keep things simple. Known for its high-end wellness spa, with experiences including deep-tissue massage and sound-based restoration, you'll feel like a new you.

There's much more to do at the resort as well, including golf. The Silverado Golf Course offers two options, one that's ideal for experienced players who want a challenge and another that's more relaxed. There are also racquet sports, a stunning pool and fitness programs available. If you're bringing the whole family, check out the kids' camps. This could easily be one of the best things to do in Napa Valley when you need restorative healing for the whole family.

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What if you could step back in time and experience the way Napa Valley really felt decades ago? The Napa Valley Wine Trolley Classic Tour is one way to do so. It picks up and ends at Oxbow Public Market, a 40,000 square foot marketplace with beautiful views of the Napa River. You'll find dozens of artisans and purveyors to explore while you wait or after, you can pick up some local produce or goodies to take home with you.

Then, hop on the hand-built replica cable car trolley for a wine-tasting adventure. The wooden carriage and brass bell pay homage to the San Francisco cable car era. As you move through the area, you'll enjoy views of the vineyards while sipping fantastic wine. This is a tour that's only for those over the age of 21. You'll stop at a local restaurant for lunch and visit three or four wineries along the way for tastings.

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The Silverado Trail is easily one of the best ways to experience Napa Valley in the fall. This 27-mile scenic road runs along Highway 29, linking Napa to Calistoga. This is also where you'll find some outstanding wineries to visit, including the Miner Family Winery and Stags' Leap Winery. Easily considered the quiet side of Napa, the Silverado Trail is a wonderful exploration of nature during the fall months. It's thought of as the back road in the area, which means slower drives and more twists and turns. The panoramic views along the route give you a glimpse into the true beauty of the area.

There are various ways to explore the Silverado Trial. Bike riding is one of the best ways for those who want to stop and take photos. You can also find numerous wine tasting tours in the area to take you to destinations like Joseph Phelps, ZD Wines or Duckhorn, some of the most popular wineries in the region. To really see the area and learn about the region, consider a Wine Tour Pros tour, but you don't have to spend anything to see the fall foliage. With the valleys and vineyards dotting the landscape, you can pull off to the side and go capture sunrise to sunset photos along the route. If you want to take more in without the physical demand, don't overlook the Scenic Valley E-bike tours.

Join the over a million people who are AAA members and start planning your trip to Napa Valley today. Dream up the perfect trip with our Trip Canvas research tool and use your membership to get the best discounts on hotels, rental cars and entertainment tickets.