California may be known as the Golden State, but it is also known for its wine. This is thanks to the European settlers that arrived during America’s colonial era. Among other things, they brought with them a wealth of knowledge about how to grow grapes. Equally important, they knew how to produce great wine. But, while tourists flock to California to taste the state’s various vintages, many also come for the diverse experience that California offers travelers. This is just as true for families wanting to enjoy activities in California’s Napa Wine Country in the north, as it is for those visiting Los Angeles and San Diego in the south.
When it comes to wine, there is a lot to choose from up and down the state. However, the counties of Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, Lake, and Solano, are typically considered to be California’s premier wine region. For visitors, all five are conveniently located in northern California, and are less than three hours outside of San Francisco.
For the purpose of this article, I want to talk Napa. After all, it is this county that is truly synonymous with California wine. It is here that families have the opportunity to see something that is more than 3 million years old. In addition, they can witness earthquake predictions, float in the sky, fly across water, grind flour, and soak in natural hot springs. How many places can claim to do all of that?
So, without further ado, I give you my family’s top activity recommendations for family fun in Napa County. We hope you are able to enjoy this part of California as much as we do.
Old Faithful Geyser of California, Calistoga
You may have heard of the world’s most famous geyser; Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park. But did you know that California has an Old Faithful Geyser of its own? Like the one in Wyoming, Calistoga’s geyser has regular eruptions that can be predicted with staggering accuracy. The main difference between the two geysers, other than size, is the amount of time you have to wait between each natural water display.
Over the years, I’ve found the eruptions at Calistoga’s geyser to be spread out between 5 and 30 minutes. This has proved to be extremely convenient, especially when my kids were little and lacking patience.
Equally enticing to kids is the small petting zoo. Here you can feed Tennessee Fainting Goats, Four-Horn Sheep, Pygmy Goats and llamas. For older kids, there is a small one-room geology museum that does a great job of explaining how geysers, earthquakes, and volcanoes work. It also shares some local history.
Lastly, for families wanting to stay a while, there are some wonderful shaded areas. Many of these feature tables and seating perfect for a picnic. And there are bocce courts to keep the kids entertained too.
Hot Air Balloon, Calistoga
The only downside to treating your family to a hot air balloon ride is the early start. At least, that is the case with Calistoga Balloons, who meets at the Historic Train Depot on Calistoga’s main drive pre-dawn. This is because the balloons fly best in the cool, calm, stable air that happens right after sunrise. However, the upside is that your flight will only take about an hour. That means you will have the rest of the day to leisurely explore the surrounding area!
If your kids are anything like mine, they will thrill at seeing Old Faithful from above. And the endless vineyard views are really quite staggering. Overall the experience is very tranquil. Moreover, surprisingly, the basket is quite large. And, because it is sectioned off, your family will feel like they have their own dedicated space. All in all, this is a once-in-a-lifetime family activity that will ensure your kids never forget their Napa vacation.
* Note this is an activity to file away for after the pandemic, unless you have a large enough group to make a private excursion doable from a budget standpoint. In addition, kids need to be over the age of eight to fly.
The Petrified Forest, Calistoga
The Petrified Forest in Calistoga is another unusual activity that your kids may not have experienced before. It is not very often that they will get the chance to see such perfectly intact fossils. Let alone fossils that are the size of redwood trees. In some ways these remains reminded my kids of the human forms they saw in Pompeii, Italy. Although here it is nature that has helped preserve the past, versus archeologists using plaster to fill the cavities left by volcanic ash.
The fossils were discovered 150 years ago, when a homesteader found a log that seemed to be made out of stone. The property has since revealed the buried remains of 3.4-million-year-old redwoods, pines, and oak trees, as well as leaf impressions of various conifers and hardwoods.
However, it is the sheer size of the majestic redwood fossils that will grab your children’s attention. Best of all, these remains can be found along an easy ½ mile loop that even little kids can navigate. If you want to go a short distance further, take the Meadow Trail fork, which takes you out to a great lookout point for Mt. Saint Helena. Next to the meadow, you’ll find a unique geologic formation made from the ash that covered the area after Mt. Saint Helena erupted.
Calistoga Hot Springs, Calistoga
If you think you might need two days to hit up all the activities available in Napa County, you may want to check your family into a hotel that has a natural hot spring onsite. Calistoga is popular for the mineral-rich geothermal hot springs that run beneath the town. Said to be healing and therapeutic, the Wappo native Indians who used to live here 8,000 years ago, would often steam and soak in the natural baths.
My family’s favorite place to stay is Indian Springs. They have super cute two-bedroom cottages and bungalows that are perfect for families. More importantly, the resort has a huge Olympic-sized mineral pool that is fed by geysers that keep the water at a balmy 92-102 degrees Fahrenheit. However, I’ve also heard great things about Calistoga Spa Hot Springs.
Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park, St. Helena
Anyone who reads Pint Sized Travel regularly, knows that I’m a huge fan of State Historic Parks, and Bale Grist Mill is no exception. Home to one of only two remaining water-driven mills west of the Mississippi River, it is not only a historic treasure, but also a fully-functioning mill. Here your child will get a hands-on demonstration of how a water mill works. You can even walk away with a bag of your own Bale Grist flour from the gift shop. Cookies anyone?
Bothe Napa State Park, St. Helena
Bothe Napa State Park is another historic gem. It is also one of the most popular hiking areas in Napa Valley. Covering 1,900 acres and featuring 10 miles of hiking trails, it is a great choice for families because many of the trails are nice little loops that are perfect for kids. This includes the 1 ½ mile trail that takes you to the Pioneer Cemetery, where you’ll find grave sites of survivors from the ill-fated Donner Pass Party in Truckee. There is also a trail out to Bale Grist Mill. However, for older kids, I highly recommend the Coyote Peak Trail, which takes you up for some scenic views of the valley and hills, as well as Mt. Saint Helena.
While you are at the park, be sure to check out the Visitor Center, which contains exhibits, artifacts and historic information about the park – including how it was once a glamorous retreat called Bothe’s Paradise Resort. At the same time, consider paying a little extra when you enter the park so that you can let your kids cool off in the same spring-fed swimming pool that was once part of the old resort.
Skyline Wilderness Park, Napa
I don’t know if my family is behind the curve, or if frisbee golf is a new craze. Either way, I can highly recommend it as a family activity to do in Napa. Skyline Wilderness Park has two great courses that will help your family get up and running. Just don’t be intimidated by the professional frisbee players that you may see. They may come armed with frisbee sets worth a few hundred dollars, but your basic frisbee from home is all you’ll need to have fun.
Skyline Wilderness Park is also a great place to hike or bike, with more than 25 miles of trails. And if you want to stay the night, consider bringing a tent or an RV.
Lake Berryessa, Napa
About once a year, my family treats itself to a boat rental so that the kids can enjoy a day of waterskiing, or tubing. We’ve typically done this in mountain settings like Lake Tahoe and Bass Lake. But recently, we checked out Lake Berryessa in Napa. And boy are we glad we did. The lake is huge. There are numerous coves where you can chill and hang out. And that is before you even get to the main part of the lake!
A rental from Berryessa Water Sports proved to be a lot cheaper than most boat rentals we’ve done in the past. And their boats were clean and in great shape. To top it all off, the kids got a kick out of the floating restrooms.
Happy Travels!
