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Napa Valley | All
Activities | Attractions
 Old
Faithful Geyser of California - Come visit a grand old show,
a spectacular, nature- directed performance. The stage, walled by
thick bamboo and plumed pampas grass, appears as an innocent pool
of shallow water until time for the major attraction. Uprising steam
and bubbling hot water announce the geyser. Then, while Mount Saint
Helena and the craggy Palisades mountains stand silent as backdrops,
Old Faithful Geyser of California throws a tower of thousands of
gallons of water skyward.
 Rubicon
Estate - founded
as Inglenook in 1880, the historic Rubicon Estate has the honor
of being one of the few remaining family-owned wine estates of this
magnitude in existence. Francis and Eleanor Coppola purchased the
property in 1975, and then spent twenty years restoring it to its
original dimensions by acquiring the famed Inglenook Chateau and
its adjacent vineyards. Today, Rubicon Estate offers a truly unique
VIP guest experience and a level of elegance and personal attention
rarely available at other wineries. Rubicon, the flagship wine of
Rubicon Estate, reflects the unique terroir of this world-renowned
property. Using only 100% organically-farmed grapes sourced directly
from Estate vineyards, Rubicon has become a role model for Rutherford
Cabernet Sauvignon. Rubicon is blended primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon,
which was first planted on the Estate between 1882 and 1885 by Inglenook
founder Captain Gustave Niebaum. Recently, laboratory analysis verified
that the vineyard clone is indeed the same genetic material as the
vines Niebaum brought back from France in the 1880s. Because the
Niebaum clone - Clone #29 technically speaking - has been continuously
planted here, it is one of California's most historic and important
clones of Cabernet Sauvignon, and totally unique to Rubicon Estate.
PUBLIC TASTINGS
ORDER ONLINE TOURS 1-800
782-4266 DIRECTIONS
 Sharpsteen
Museum - The Sharpsteen Museum's permanent exhibits
are designed to present the history of
the upper Napa Valley from its pre-history to post World
War I with an emphasis on people and changes brought by the period
of U.S. emigration and development. In addition
to its many historical exhibits, the Museum uses unique
and extraordinarily extensive dioramas to depict Calistoga during
its period as the elegant 1860s Hot Springs resort developed by
pioneer, promoter, publisher, entrepreneur,
and California's first millionaire, Sam Brannan. The Museum was
a project of Ben and Bernice Sharpsteen, who retired to a ranch
near Calistoga which had been acquired by Ben's grandmother in the
1800s and which today remains in their family. Ben was an Academy
Award-winning animator, producer and director for Walt Disney Studios,
working on many famous Disney projects. Memorabilia of his career
(including one of his Oscars), his hobby (antique autos) and family
history are displayed in the founders room of the Museum.
 Bothe-Napa
Valley State Park - Located in the heart of the beautiful
Napa Valley wine country, the Park offers camping, picnicking, swimming,
and hiking trails that go through stands of coastal redwoods as
well as forests of Douglas-fir, tanoak, and madrone. Daytime visitors
can enjoy a leisurely stroll in Ritchey Canyon on the Redwood Trail
to view the delicate ferns and listen to the water splashing down
the rocky creekbed. Bring your wine and cheese and picnic under
the towering Douglas Firs. On hot summer days, grab a swimsuit and
towel and come enjoy a dip in the park's swimming pool open on weekends,
beginning on Memorial Day weekend through mid-June, then daily through
Labor Day, from 12- 6 p.m. There is an additional fee for the use
of the swimming pool, to be paid at the park entrance.
 Bale
Grist Mill - The park is the site of a water-powered
grist mill that was built in 1846. It was once the center of social
activity as Napa Valley settlers gathered to have their corn and
wheat ground into meal or flour. The owner of the mill was Dr. Edward
Turner Bale. He received the property in a land grant from the Mexican
government and lived near the site until his death in 1849. The
mill remained in use until the early 1900s. The mill and its 36-foot
water wheel are protected as a state historic landmark and have
been partially restored. A trail connects the historic park to Bothe-Napa
Valley State Park. Additionally, the park includes the site of the
first church in the Napa Valley as well as the Pioneer Cemetery.
Visitors can hike from the mill on the historic trail to Bothe-Napa
Valley State Park, which features extensive picnic facilities and
a number of trails. The round trip hike from Bale Grist Mill State
Historic Park to Bothe-Napa Valley State Park is approximately two
miles.
 di
Rosa Preserve
- The current di Rosa Preserve is a portion of the original 460
acres of land purchased by Rene di Rosa in 1960. Vineyards were
established in 1855, but the land and building had fallen into disuse.
Phylloxera in the late 19th Century and Prohibition in the 20th
Century did away with the vineyards, and the 1886 stone winery was
used for making moonshine, growing mushrooms, storing grain and
hay, and milling. After Rene di Rosa purchased the acreage, the
stone winery was converted into a home and the land turned from
dairy cattle to grapes once again. In 1963, Winery Lake Vineyards
was established. Vines eventually covered some 250 acres and through
the years the quality fruit was sought by over 50 wineries. Seagram
purchased the famed Winery Lake Vineyard in 1986.
 Elmshaven
- This stately country Victorian residence -- known since 1900 as
Elmshaven -- was built in 1885 by railroad developer and executive
Robert H. Pratt and served as a vacation home to the Pratt family
until 1900. Ellen G. White, one of the founders of the Seventh-day
Adventist Church, purchased the home in 1900 and lived here until
her death in 1915. During her life, White wrote about 60 religious
books, including nine volumes she penned in the upper writing room
at Elmshaven. Today, the home is furnished much as it was when Ellen
White lived and worked here. In fact, many of the furnishings belonged
to her, and still sit where she placed them. Elmshaven is owned
and maintained by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, but is open
to the public. Whether you are interested in architecture, antiques,
church history, or just want to see how some people lived 100 years
ago, you are welcome to enjoy the peaceful environment of Elmshaven.
 Calpine
Geothermal Visitor Center - In the Mayacamas Mountains,
located 72 miles north of San Francisco, naturally occurring steam
field reservoirs below the earth's surface are being harnessed by
Calpine to make clean, green, renewable energy for homes and businesses
across Northern California. The Geysers, comprising 30 square miles
along the Sonoma and Lake County border, is the largest complex
of geothermal power plants in the world. Calpine owns and operates
19 of the 21 power plants at The Geysers with a net generating capacity
of about 750 megawatts of electricity - enough to power 750,000
homes, or a city the size of San Francisco.The Geysers satisfies
nearly 60 percent of the average electricity demand in the North
Coast region from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Oregon border. The
Geysers is one of the most reliable energy sources in California
delivering extremely high availability and on-line performance and
accounts for one-fourth of the green power produced in California.
 Guided
River Cruise on the Napa River - After a long day of
wine tasting, take a relaxing cruise on the Napa River aboard the
electric-motor launches at Napa River Adventures. Hear about the
history of the Napa Valley and see the plentiful wildlife throughout
this two-hour guided cruise. Bring a picnic and a bottle of wine
to enjoy along the way. This is a special trip not to be missed!
 Napa
Valley Opera House - The
Napa Valley Opera House was built in 1879 as one of the first "respectable"
venues west of the Mississippi River. For the latter half of the
19th century, the Napa Valley Opera House was the cultural center
for the region, until the decline of vaudeville and other pressures
forced it to go dark in 1914.The house was nearly destroyed until
a few Napa Valley Opera House devotees spared it from the wrecking
ball in the early 1970s.For the last 15 years, the NVOH has been
slowly restoring itself for a new future through a series of fundraising
challenges, construction activities and visionary plans. The house
came back to life in June 2002 with the opening of the Cafe Theatre;
its historic main hall is expected to reopen in late summer, 2003,
in all of its original splendor.
 Petrified
Forest - Step back in Time, over 3 million years, and
follow the trail of majestic petrified redwood giants arrayed before
you in a fascinating grove in beautiful California wine country.
Take a guided walking tour of the Petrified Forest's spectacular
upper meadow with Naturalist David Storck. During the 1/2 mile round
trip tour, David will explain the volcanic activity and petrification
of the forest. Guests will see a 100 foot-high Ash Fall which contains
deposits of volcanic material, such as tuff, pumice, iron, petrified
wood chunks and obsidian. Guests will also see rare native wildflowers,
live oaks, madrone and manzanita trees, and a scenic overview of
Mt. St. Helena.
 Napa
Valley Museum
- The Napa Valley Museum is dedicated to promoting the cultural
and environmental heritage of the Napa Valley. Our special, changing
exhibits represent a diverse range of subjects from fine arts to
history to natural sciences. We are committed to presenting exhibits
that will entertain and educate our local community and visitors
from around the world.
Calistoga Depot - Built in 1868, the second oldest depot
in California. Listed under the National Register for historic buildings.
Now includes six restored railcars housing historical exhibits and
retail shops. In town at 1458 Lincoln Avenue.
Sam Brannon Cottage - The only cottage still on its orginal
site, at 106 Wapoo Avenue. Architecture differs from other two cottages
in Calistoga (at Sharpsteen Museum and on Cedar Street) with wrap-around
porch. Huge palm in front was planted when the house was first built.
Robert
Louis Stevenson State Park - Inspiration for Stevenson's
"The Silverado Squatters," the story of his stay in Calistoga
in 1880. Trail to the top of Mount St. Helena provides unsurpassed
views of the Napa Valley. No facilities. Eight miles north off Highway
29 to Lake County. 707-942-4575.
Napa
Valley Wine Train, Inc.
- A 3-hour, 36 mile, excursion from the historic town of Napa through
one of the world's most famous wine valleys to the quaint village
of St. Helena and return. Government regulations do not permit the
train to stop or disembark passengers enroute, except at designated
stops or stations. Guests enjoy the freshest and finest ingredients
available prepared on board in a classic continental style with
California overtones.
Marshall's
Farm Honey -
We At Marshall's Farm have a hand-crafted approach
to traditional honey production. Our Beekeeper Spencer Marshall
Harvests small quantities of superior quality gourmet honey in the
very special microclimates of the San Francisco Bay Area. Spencer
searches out locations that support only a few hives but produce
exceptional tasting honeys. The diverse & constantly changing
seasonal blooms of the Bay Area (Eucalyptus, Star Thistle, Wildflower,
Blackberry & others) produce floral nectars & pollens that
differ greatly in taste, texture & color. Spencer harvests after
each bloom, isolates the honey harvested from each apiary &
thus creates the special flavor nuances & wonderful color variations
in Marshall's Farm delectably delicious honey.
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