Where to stay

I think near downtown Napa (DT Napa) has the best options for kids. I’m sure any place with a pool is good but I have the most experience bringing my kids to the City of Napa and Yountville so I’m restricting my advice to those areas. Always interested in tips though! So reach out with any good experiences.

In general, I enjoy staying at Airbnbs or the like with kids so we have extra space to unwind or get a nap in if needed. Now that my kids are getting older I see the benefit of hotel amenities and the one with the most for kids is:

The Meritage Resort in Napa.

There is a bowling alley, a pool and shuttles to and from downtown. My kids would probably find shuttles the most memorable part of the trip, so likely a win for everyone.

Favorite Playgrounds

Yountville Park - Can grab a nice latte at the fancy service station nearby (Kelly’s). Enjoy the modern play structure, small but beautiful park, and Friday movies in the summer.

Playground Fantastico - The most advanced playground in Napa. Think big structures and an expansive toddler area + two sand boxes.

Kennedy Park - Nice play structure, great for picnics and can walk along a duck pond nearby.

Fuller Park - Sunny playground with sections for bigs and littles. Park planted with indigenous trees with lots of places to enjoy a blanket with shade. Usually a corner vendor sells fruit cups and fresh watermelon. Easy walk downtown.

WINE TASTING - a lot of places are 21+ but here are a few

Matthiasson - I took my kids here for a release party recently. They played wih legos on the little patio and we enjoyed wine. I liked how small and low key it is and Steve Matthiasson is a big promoter of organic farming.

Farmstead - You can eat here, but in my opinion the food has gone a bit downhill. However, I love walking around the gardens and you can taste the wines here at their General Store with lots of space to roam. You can also play boardgames at their take-away cafe.

And with me! Obviously. Reach out info@oliviabrion.com or text 707-234-8156

SPECIALTY KIDS ACTIVITIES

Connelly Ranch - Wonderful ranch with pigs, chickens, donkeys, a teaching garden, a mud pit and rope swings. A kid paradise. Sign up for Saturdays on the farm at 10am in advanced.

GUILD - Great art classes for kids. You can sign up for full day camps when the schools are closed. A pro tip may be to look up when NVUSD is out of school and plan your trip around sending your kids to a day camp here while you wine taste. Everyone wins!

CIA Copia - Cooking classes offered intermittenly for kids. I have not taken them yet but heard good things about the adult programming.

Summer Music in Veteran’s Park (DT Napa) - - a few Fridays in summer there is free live music, this is a great locals activity.

Summer Movies in Yountville Park - Not every Friday, but a few have movies, check the local events in Yountville for dates.

Lighted Art Festival in DT Napa (winter) - For a few weeks in Feb light installations are all over Downtown. The first week usually coincides with restaurant week in Napa, so great deals on food!

Bottlerock Festival - Memorial Day weekend Napa is taken over by this. It’s kid friendly in that there is a kids area and buses running to the festival. However, prices to stay this time of year are sky high.

restaurants

I like nicer restaurants (so I can still scratch that vacation itch) that are loud so my kids ipads or a random startling noise won’t disturb anyone. These are my favorites:

Napa

Breakfast

Contimo - This is where I go the most for take-out sausage biscuit sandwiches and NoLa coffee on the go. I have them make me a seasonal sandwich for a picnic lunch that I take with me in the AM.

Southside - Great open air brunch and coffee spot with hanging chairs to lounge in.

Napa Farmer’s Market - Saturday & Tuesday mornings - yummy donuts and lots of local purveyors, even a story time on Sat.

Petit Soleil - I hesitate to put this on here as it’s my favorite local’s standy. But I love their little patio and they have great benedict and omlettes. This is where you can find me the most when I have a morning free.

Lunch

La Cheve Bakery & Brews - Mexican food with an awesome baked goods situation in the oldest builiding in Napa. History with a side of beer & tacos!

Field Work - you can order food to go from Oxbow (my kids love Empress M and I like Moro) and bring it over to Field Work to enjoy with a beer on their patio. N/A options available too.

Gott’s - Great burger stand-by, also has a kids menu with impossible nuggets and hot dogs. The ahi tuna burger will make you feel like you’re on vacation.

Dinner

Moritmoto Asia - has large dragon sculptures and tasty dim sum - excellent food kids & adults can enjoy.

Oenotri - Some of the freshest pasta and pizza in Napa that also features seasonal changes. Nice to sit on the patio when it’s open. My five year old loves their basic salad with lots of cheese grated on top. He’s not usually into salad so this was a big win.

Napa Yard - Kids can run free in this mixed used area near the oxbow market.

Palisades - Kids eat free on Wednesday and the burgers and beers are refreshing after lots of wine.

Napa Sport - Great kids menu that includes a drink and ice cream for dessert. Lots of screens for entertainment. Also, it’s in the same facility as the movie theater

Yountville

Breakfast

Bouchon Bakery - Downside, there is usually a long line. Upside? The best baked goods in Napa.

Lunch

Ottimo - Gelato and pizza, must more be said? Very casual.

Addendum - This is a great picnic spot to get boxed lunches from during summer (it closes late Fall/Winter). You can order ahead and let your kids play on the grass. The caviar is divine and a (relatively) great deal too!

Dinner - To be honest, I just bring my kids with their ipads anywhere and make sure they have quick access to bread. Ciccio has a nice patio, Bottega has outdoor seating too, and Ad Hoc is always my favorite and offers options for kids on the side despite having a price fix.

Activities within driving distance that we frequent

Di Rosa Museum (Carneros - 15min drive) - outdoor tram and sculpture garden with picnic tables. Pack a picnic.

Train Town (Sonoma - 20min drive) - 10am train ride and carnival style rides, followed by lunch at Hop Monk Tavern

Old Bale Grist Mill (Calistoga - 30min drive) - followed by lunch at A&W Rootbeer

Bay Area Discovery Museum (Marin - 1 hr drive) - entry at 10am, lunch at the Cafe inside

Cal Academy of Sciences - grab coffee, breakfast and sandwiches for later from Contimo. See the rainforest first, acquarium, then eat in the play structure area.

Muir Woods (Marin - 1hr drive) - need reservations

Bodega Bay / Dillon Beach - 1 hour 30min drive