Wanderlust
Blog Post By Meg Barkley
Where are you wandering this summer?
Maybe you’re taking a road trip to explore our National Parks or hopping on a plane to an exotic island with sun, surf, and umbrella drinks. Are you easing back into travel, reconnecting with family in off-the-beaten path destinations? Or maybe you’re opting to stay local and explore your own backyard.
If your travels bring you to Napa Valley, we’ve curated our top 5 list of Wanderlust experiences here in your beautiful valley. Meander and roam through wine country as you discover new adventures.
Valley Jam
Napa Valley is known for its Cabernet Sauvignon, gourmet dining and luxurious spas but did you know that we’re making a claim as a music destination too? The Downtown Napa Oxbow Riverstage is welcoming international artists this year like Rodrigo y Gabriela and Gary Clark, Jr. A great alternative if you couldn’t land BottleRock tickets.
Napa locals spend their evenings at our community parks soaking in the sounds of rock, country, and salsa usually with a bottle of chilled Rose. Napa, Yountville, St. Helena, and Calistoga all have a full schedule of shows for the summer/fall season.
Or save the date, Clif Family is thrilled to host our Summer Re-Wine’d Concert with local bay area musicians Decades at our Tasting Room in downtown St. Helena. Our patio is transformed into dance floor under the stars. We’ll keep your glass filled with Sauvignon Blanc while you enjoy a special menu from the Clif Family Food Truck.
Wheelie Good
Explore the Valley on two wheels. The Napa Valley Vine Trail is a comfortable way for you and your family to log some miles on your bike, by foot or even on roller skates!
If you’d like to do a little more sight-seeing, Clif Family’s Tour de St. Helena bike package includes gorgeous mountain vistas and a loop through Downtown St. Helena’s Main Street. We’ll send you off with a coffee and a map for the day and you’ll end your ride enjoying our Seasonal Wine Tasting paired with bruschetta from the Clif Family Food Truck
Make a Splash
Spend a quiet morning on the water. Napa Valley Paddle offers kayak and paddleboard rentals to explore crowd-free waters while taking in breathtaking scenery. Don’t forget your snacks to keep you moving like Clif Family’s Maple Curried Cashews and Peanuts. If you’d like to end your day with a relaxing tour on the water, Napa Valley Gondola offers sightseeing cruises on the Napa River. Sip wine and listen to some tunes while you let someone else do the paddling for you.
A Picnic Date
Farmers Markets pop up for the season throughout Napa Valley’s small towns on Tuesday, Friday, and Saturdays. Local growers, farmers, chefs, and artisan producers share their goods for purchase. Grab a coffee and browse the stands for fresh fruit, local cheeses, fresh baked bread, and snacks to curate your own Napa Valley picnic. Don’t forget to bring a bottle of Clif Family Gewurztraminer, Miir glassware and a Market Tote. The St. Helena Farmer’s Market has a lovely shaded park to dine al fresco and watch our local Bocce league roll some casinos.
Climb Every Mountain
Surrounded by the Mayacamas and Vaca Mountain ranges, the hillside elevations offer some spectacular views of the valley floor. Log some miles trekking on our favorite trails and hikes like Skyline Wilderness Park, Bothe-Napa Valley Park or Moore Creek Park. Refuel calories burned with an afternoon on the Clif Family Tasting Room patio for farm fresh eats from the Food Truck including our Firecracker Salad and Funghi Bruschetta that pair perfectly with our wines.
