Sur L'eau guidebook
Food scene
Several great restaurants are within the Oxbow, various prices and food choices. It's an open air place with outdoor and indoor dining, lots of fun and always active. They also have music at different times. A great place to ride bikes to if you've brought them
169 locals recommend
Oxbow Public Market
610 1st StSeveral great restaurants are within the Oxbow, various prices and food choices. It's an open air place with outdoor and indoor dining, lots of fun and always active. They also have music at different times. A great place to ride bikes to if you've brought them
Always wonderful food, tons of outdoor seating to enjoy the great Valley weather, good wine list and full bar. In winter there is a delightful fireplace room that's smaller and not so noisy.
72 locals recommend
Bistro Don Giovanni
4110 Howard LnAlways wonderful food, tons of outdoor seating to enjoy the great Valley weather, good wine list and full bar. In winter there is a delightful fireplace room that's smaller and not so noisy.
Great bistro food, one of Thomas Keller's more relaxed restaurants. A short drive up hwy 29 to Yountville. The bakery next door has great coffee and croissants but if you go on a weekend morning expect to stand in line. Best to go mid week.
53 locals recommend
Bouchon Bistro
6534 Washington StGreat bistro food, one of Thomas Keller's more relaxed restaurants. A short drive up hwy 29 to Yountville. The bakery next door has great coffee and croissants but if you go on a weekend morning expect to stand in line. Best to go mid week.
Very nice food and great service. No atmosphere, but the friendly staff make up for it and it's not so hard to book. Some outdoor dining added. Often a good last minute choice.
10 locals recommend
Housley Napa Valley
1038 Clinton StVery nice food and great service. No atmosphere, but the friendly staff make up for it and it's not so hard to book. Some outdoor dining added. Often a good last minute choice.
One of our favs. Consistently excellent food and terrific service. Outdoor seating for bar menu and drinks only, but that's a great way to wait for a table.
26 locals recommend
R+D Kitchen
6795 Washington StOne of our favs. Consistently excellent food and terrific service. Outdoor seating for bar menu and drinks only, but that's a great way to wait for a table.
Very stylish French Bistro with delicious food and full bar. A huge covered patio for dining almost year round as there are heaters. Right on the water in downtown Napa so close to our house.
61 locals recommend
Angele Restaurant & Bar
540 Main StVery stylish French Bistro with delicious food and full bar. A huge covered patio for dining almost year round as there are heaters. Right on the water in downtown Napa so close to our house.
One of the Iron Chefs and his Japanese food is fabulous. Great service beautiful venue, indoor and outdoor dining, full bar, great wine list as well as Saki, try the salmon pizza!
88 locals recommend
Morimoto Napa
610 Main StOne of the Iron Chefs and his Japanese food is fabulous. Great service beautiful venue, indoor and outdoor dining, full bar, great wine list as well as Saki, try the salmon pizza!
City/town information
The heart of the wine country, Napa is 1 hour from San Francisco or Sacramento, 20 minutes to Sonoma and a visual and gastronomic mecca. Tons of restaurants, tasting rooms, wine bars and music venues line the streets of downtown. There's everything from casual Mexican food to Pre Fix Japanese at $200 a head and all in between. Saunter along 1st Street and check out the action. Take the elevator up to the rooftop bar at the Andaz Hotel and take in the view while you imbibe. Napa has hikes, biking, kayaking, even a real Venetian Gondola for a ride on the river. Wineries abound in the outskirts on all sides, with Coombsville just east of downtown, Carneros just south and Oak Knoll and Atlas Peak only a few minutes drive north. So much to see and do, but leave plenty of time to relax at our home as that's what it's built for. Be sure to book ahead for tours and dining in high season which is pretty much April to November.
240 locals recommend
Napa
The heart of the wine country, Napa is 1 hour from San Francisco or Sacramento, 20 minutes to Sonoma and a visual and gastronomic mecca. Tons of restaurants, tasting rooms, wine bars and music venues line the streets of downtown. There's everything from casual Mexican food to Pre Fix Japanese at $200 a head and all in between. Saunter along 1st Street and check out the action. Take the elevator up to the rooftop bar at the Andaz Hotel and take in the view while you imbibe. Napa has hikes, biking, kayaking, even a real Venetian Gondola for a ride on the river. Wineries abound in the outskirts on all sides, with Coombsville just east of downtown, Carneros just south and Oak Knoll and Atlas Peak only a few minutes drive north. So much to see and do, but leave plenty of time to relax at our home as that's what it's built for. Be sure to book ahead for tours and dining in high season which is pretty much April to November.
Music Venue
A great spot for live music, wines, beers, cocktails and food.
Blue Note Napa
1030 Main StreetReserve your tickets ahead as it’s a small venue.
Napa’s most famous offering besides wine, this Memorial Day weekend music festival is Cochella and Woodstock with gourmet food and wine. Be sure to book your tickets the minute they’re released as it’s an immediate sell out every year.
17 locals recommend
BottleRock
575 3rd StNapa’s most famous offering besides wine, this Memorial Day weekend music festival is Cochella and Woodstock with gourmet food and wine. Be sure to book your tickets the minute they’re released as it’s an immediate sell out every year.
Entertainment
This beautifully restored theater is a treat for the eyes, has perfect acoustics and hosts some of the best entertainers in the country.
The Uptown Theatre
1350 3rd StGorgeous venue with the Blue Note downstairs for frequent musical events and upstairs more scattered schedule but a much larger venue
6 locals recommend
Napa Valley Opera House
1030 Main StGorgeous venue with the Blue Note downstairs for frequent musical events and upstairs more scattered schedule but a much larger venue
Wine tasting
One of the prettiest spots to enjoy Bubbles in the Valley and nice nibbles to go with.
Domaine Chandon
1 California DrSightseeing
If you love to hike, this is gorgeous. It's currently owned by the State of California, but Napa County is trying to buy it. It's only a couple of dollars to enter and well worth the price. Hike to the top and see the lake.
47 locals recommend
Skyline Wilderness Park
2201 Imola AvenueIf you love to hike, this is gorgeous. It's currently owned by the State of California, but Napa County is trying to buy it. It's only a couple of dollars to enter and well worth the price. Hike to the top and see the lake.
If you want to explore the Napa River close up, what better way than an authentic Venetian Gondola? The owner had it built in Venice and shipped to Napa. He's actually a neighbor of ours, just down the street. Pick up the Gondola at the 4th St. pier behind Morimoto etc. on Main St. but reserve first.
6 locals recommend
Napa Valley Gondola
700 Main StIf you want to explore the Napa River close up, what better way than an authentic Venetian Gondola? The owner had it built in Venice and shipped to Napa. He's actually a neighbor of ours, just down the street. Pick up the Gondola at the 4th St. pier behind Morimoto etc. on Main St. but reserve first.
This is a fun way to spend an afternoon or evening and have a great meal. The train winds slowly through the Valley and yes it's touristy, but great fun.
115 locals recommend
Napa Valley Wine Train
1275 McKinstry StThis is a fun way to spend an afternoon or evening and have a great meal. The train winds slowly through the Valley and yes it's touristy, but great fun.
City advice
Getting around
A car is essential, bring your bike too
Many people like the ease of hiring a wine tour company to drive them to the wineries so they can drink without worrying about driving. I can give you recommendations. Dining out even with all our options requires reservations pretty much year round but especially during the season, April to November. When the sun drops even on a warm day, our temperature drops too by a lot so always have a sweater with you when you go out in the evening. Unless it's 100 degrees which is rare during the day, you'll be chilly by dark if you're outside. Most of all enjoy the beauty, scenery, food & wine.