The Ultimate Guide to a Girls Weekend in Napa Valley (2025)

Thinking about going to Napa Valley for a trip with your girlfriends? Here is the ultimate guide to the perfect girls weekend in Napa Valley, California!

It doesn’t get much better than Napa Valley, California for a trip with your best girlfriends!

There are over 400 wineries and 150 restaurants, plus gorgeous views, rolling vineyards, hot springs, and spas.

Imagine yourself spending the day relaxing and sipping incredible wine, then dressing up at night to enjoy Michelin-rated restaurants.

Sound dreamy? Napa truly has everything that any girls’ group could ask for on a weekend getaway.

While I’ve been to Napa Valley, it was just on a day trip from San Francisco. My friends and I visited one winery, but I would LOVE to go back and spend a few days drinking, dining, and hanging out with my girls!

Since I’ve only spent one day in Napa, I asked my friend Hannah Falkosky from Plate & Compass to help out with putting together this ultimate Napa Valley girls trip guide!

This guide will show you how to plan the best itinerary and enjoy the beautiful views of Napa Valley while on a weekend trip with your girls.

The guide is perfect if you’re planning a bachelorette party, a 21st birthday celebration, or if you’re just looking for a fun girls’ getaway!

So, keep reading for everything you need to know when planning a girls’ weekend in Napa Valley, California!

Best Time to Visit Napa Valley

The best time to visit Napa Valley is May through October, when the weather is warmest, so that you can enjoy those stunning vineyards and stroll around Downtown Napa.

The peak season in Napa is from August to October, so you’ll find the optimal pairing of better prices and decent weather if you visit in the spring before the height of the peak season.

I’ve also visited Napa Valley in the winter several times. There are still wine tastings and plenty of great restaurants to visit indoors if you choose a winter visit. The weather will be cold, so don’t forget to pack your coat and a cute sweater.

Where to Stay in Napa Valley for a Girls Trip

Keep in mind that Napa Valley is more than just one city. It’s actually an entire region that encompasses several cities and a whole lot of beautiful vineyards.

So when it comes to deciding on a location to stay, you’ll want to pick a spot for your girls’ weekend in Napa Valley that best suits you to avoid wasting hours driving around.

To help you decide, here are some of the cities in Napa Valley and what they are best known for:

Napa

Downtown Napa is located near the river and is the largest city in the Napa Valley, with lots of restaurants, shopping, and hotels.

This area is on the south end of the Valley, so it will require transportation to most vineyards, but it offers the lowest rates and more nightlife.

Recommended hotel in Napa: River Terrace Inn, A Noble House Hotel

Calistoga

The town of Calistoga is known for its hot springs and luxurious thermal spas.

The downtown area is small but charming.

Consider Calistoga if you plan on spending lots of time by the pool or in the spa!

Recommended hotel in Calistoga: Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort and Mineral Springs

Yountville

Yountville is Napa’s culinary hub, where you’ll find plenty of fine dining, including several Thomas Keller restaurants and the gorgeous Restoration Hardware restaurant.

Accommodations in Yountville are luxurious and top-rated, and often come with a higher price tag.

If you’re down to splurge, Yountville is a beautiful and convenient spot to choose.

Recommended hotel in Yountville: North Block Hotel

St. Helena

St. Helena is a great central spot in Napa Valley, with close access to many of the famous wineries.

Recommended hotel in St. Helena: Harvest Inn (some rooms have double beds)

Wine Tastings and Tours in Napa Valley

The highlight of a great girls’ weekend in Napa Valley is exploring the amazing wineries and tasting your way through the Valley.

Napa is particularly famous for Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as Chardonnay, Merlot, and Pinot Noir. The valley’s Mediterranean climate contributes to its reputation as a top wine destination.

As I said, there are over 400 wineries, so you won’t be able to visit all of them!

The key to experiencing Napa with your girls is to prioritize quality over quantity.

Part of the experience is kicking back and soaking it in, walking around the vineyards, and taking lots of pictures. You don’t want to be rushed.

Here are some of the most fun and unique wine-tasting experiences that promise great views, great wine, and an overall fun experience.

1. Castello di Amorosa

Not only can you enjoy fabulous wine, but the Castello di Amorosa tasting includes a tour of a real-life 14th-century Tuscan-style castle! Visiting is a must for your Napa itinerary.

The castle was recently constructed and opened to the public in 2007 after 15 years of construction to make it architecturally authentic.

There are several tasting and tour options that will guide you through the castle, including the underground tunnels where the wine is produced.

Then, take your time exploring and relaxing and check out the wildlife that lives on the property.

Tour and tasting reservations are required to enter the property. Reserve your spot on the official website.

Castello di Amorosa: 4045 St. Helena Highway, Calistoga, CA 94515 (map)

2. Cakebread Cellars

If you’re into fine wines, you’ve probably heard the renowned Cakebread name by now. 

Some of the region’s finest wines are produced by Cakebread, so feel free to put your pinkies up while you enjoy these incredible wines in their garden.

The grounds are beautiful, and a portion of the tasting involves walking around with the educator and learning about the wine-making process.

Cakebread Cellars: 8300 St. Helena Highway, Rutherford, CA 94573 (map)

3. Chateau Montelena

Chateau Montelena was built in 1882, so it’s one of the oldest in Napa Valley. 

The scenery and gorgeous wrapping vines covering Chateau Montelena make this historic vineyard in Calistoga even more impressive.

After your tasting, you can roam around the Japanese garden and take lots of pictures in front of the iconic chateau.

Chateau Montelena: 1429 Tubbs Lane, Calistoga, CA 94515 (map)

4. Domaine Carneros

Domaine Carneros is possibly the best place in Napa Valley to spend a sunny afternoon with your girlfriends!

The ambiance of this charming chateau feels like visiting the French countryside. 

You will first make your way up the terraced steps with fountains toward the chateau. If you make it all the way up without stopping several times for pictures, I’ll be shocked!

Then you’ll be seated on the beautiful terrace or in the sunroom and overlook the vineyards while you sip a flight of champagne.

Pro tip: Book this tasting for the last day of your trip because it’s the perfect way to wrap up the weekend and a magical sendoff back to reality.

Domaine Carneros: 1240 Duhig Road, Napa, CA 94559 (map)

5. Napa Valley Wine Train

The Napa Valley Wine Train is a great way to explore several wineries while checking out the unique views of Napa from the wine train!

This tour leaves from the city of Napa and takes you on a journey through the Napa Valley, stopping at vineyards for tastings along the way.

You can choose from several tour options, including an afternoon tea, brunch, or dinner train.

The wine train is one of the best ways to explore Napa Valley, as you won’t have to worry about finding transportation between the wineries!

Transportation around Napa Valley

If everyone in your group is participating in tastings, here are a few options for safe transportation within the Valley:

🍷 Book a tour – there are tons of tours around Napa Valley that include a shuttle, so you won’t have to worry about driving yourself between wineries. Here are a few of the best tours to choose from:

• Small Group Wine Tasting Tour through Napa Valley – on this tour, you’ll visit 3 different wineries, and the shuttle will pick you up from your Napa Valley-area hotel.
• Napa Valley Open Air Wine Trolley Tour – ride through Napa Valley on a replica of the famous San Francisco cable cars, stopping at family-owned wineries and enjoying a delicious lunch.
• Private, Customized Wine Tour of Napa Valley – want the ultimate Napa Valley experience with your girls? On this private tour, you’ll work with your guide to customize the perfect day in Napa Valley for your group. The tour price is a little higher, but it’s for up to 6 people in your group, so splitting the fee 6 ways makes it super reasonable!

🍷 Take the Vine Bus – Napa Valley’s public transit system

🍷 Use Calistoga’s free bus to get around within the city of Calistoga

🍷 Hire a private driver

🍷 Uber and Lyft are definitely possible, but cell service can be spotty, and sometimes you may find low availability of cars. Keep your agenda flexible if you plan to Uber around the Valley.

Other Things to Do in Napa Valley

Believe it or not, wine tastings are not the only things to do on your girls’ weekend in Napa Valley! Here are some more fun things to do:

Explore the Oxbow Public Market

The Oxbow Public Market is a food hall located in Downtown Napa and is open every day from 7:30 AM to 9:00 PM. 

There are over 20 food and beverage vendors, including a spice market, a chocolate company, an olive oil producer, and multiple bakeries and dessert stands.

Ride in a Hot Air Balloon

What better way to see the gorgeous valley views than from a sunrise hot air balloon experience?

There are several experiences that take off either in Napa Valley or Sonoma Valley.

If you visit in July, you could even visit the annual Sonoma Valley Hot Air Balloon Festival to see a bunch of balloons taking off together and then ride one yourself!

Book a Mud Bath Spa Treatment in Calistoga

Check out Calistoga Spa, Golden Haven Hot Springs Spa, Dr. Wilkinson’s, or many of the other Calistoga spas for a mud bath treatment from the legendary hot springs.

Best Restaurants in Napa Valley

After a long, strenuous day of wine tasting and vineyard walks, you and your girls deserve an incredible dinner!

Napa Valley is the epitome of culinary magic, including Michelin-rated restaurants and many farm-to-table menus.

You could spend weeks exploring the culinary gems of Napa and all of the insanely good Yountville restaurants.

Let’s talk about some of the restaurant highlights you and your girls will want to explore throughout Napa Valley. 

Breakfast and Brunch

• Model Bakery (multiple locations) – Try Oprah’s favorite English muffins!
• Southside Restaurant (multiple locations) – Try the avocado toast!
• The Restaurant at Auberge de Soleil – breakfast/brunch with a view
• Boon Fly Cafe – known for their house-made donuts
• Ad Hoc + Addendum – family-style southern brunch by Thomas Keller

Lunch

• Farmstead At Long Meadow Ranch – farm to table
• Gott’s Roadside (multiple locations) – iconic burger and milkshake spot
• R+D Kitchen – sushi, salads, and more
• SolBar – trendy poolside outdoor patio

Dinner

• Restoration Hardware Restaurant – elaborate, stunning restaurant with chandeliers and outdoor fireplaces
• Coqueta – Spanish tapas
• Bouchon Bistro – French bistro by Thomas Keller 
• ZuZu – trendy tapas restaurant in downtown Napa

Cocktails

• Goose and Gander – incredible craft cocktails
• Napa Valley Distillery – the first distillery in Napa since Prohibition
• Sky & Vine Rooftop Bar – cocktails with a view of Napa

Best Photo Spots in Napa Valley

A girls’ weekend in Napa Valley isn’t complete without a few new Instagram photos! Here are some of the best photo spots around Napa Valley:

Welcome to Napa Valley Sign

There are two identical Welcome to Napa Valley signs, which are the perfect way to document your girl’s getaway!

Both are located along Highway 29 (The Vine), which is the major road that runs through the Napa Valley.

The first one is on the north side of the valley, just a few minutes south of Castello di Amorosa.

The second sign is toward the middle of the Napa Valley, sitting between Yountville and Oakville.

Castello di Amorosa

This gorgeous castle with stunning views has dozens of incredible Instagram-worthy photo spots!

Grab a photo outside of the castle, on the drawbridge, in front of the wall of barrels just inside the castle, in the wine tunnels, in the open-air courtyard, or on the rooftops.

Beringer Vineyards

The beautiful grounds and fountains at Beringer Vineyards offer great backdrops for photo ops.

Book a self-guided walking tasting so that you can roam around with wine in hand and take as many photos as you want at your own pace.

Domaine Carneros

The stairway leading up to the French chateau of Domaine Carneros is one of the iconic photo spots in Napa Valley.

Restoration Hardware Restaurant 

Every inch of this restaurant is photo-worthy – it’s the perfect place to get glammed up and take lots of photos!

Ready to book the ultimate girls weekend in Napa Valley?

No doubt, Napa Valley is the perfect spot for a luxurious weekend trip with your girlfriends that you’ll never forget!

Make sure to save this Ultimate Girls’ Weekend in Napa Valley post for later and share it with your friends to start planning your trip.

Cheers to a fabulous weekend trip!