Napa Travel Forum

We'll be travelling to California this summer with our two teens. This will probably be the last family vacation we all take together before everyone leaves the nest. We're planning on going to wine country and would like to visit two or three wineries that would be of interest to our underage girls. Sterling? (aeriel tram?) others? We'll have a car.

Also, we're thinking of splurging on a hot air balloon ride. Any thoughts? Are they cheaper if you go outside of Napa? Another thought was the Calistoga mud baths, or do you think they'll just be too weird for teens?

Suggestions for lodging that will be comfortable for a family of 4 without breaking the bank?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

There are many things that teenagers might like to do. As for the wineries, Sterling charges to visit the center. The Niebaum-Coppola Winery has a movie museum of the Coppola clan with oscars and costumes. The Wine Train luncheon might be of interest to teens. Copia: the American Center for Wine, food, and the Arts is a great museum and visual with food tastings. If you must balloon, check out a website: www.balloonrides.com. Nearby to Napa is Fairfield. Fairfield? Yes, this is the home to Jelly Bellys Jellybeans with a tour of the plant, samples, and a tourist shop. Teens of all ages enjoy the factory. Also in Fairfield is a Holiday Inn Express that is a good lodging for families. This is where my wife and I stay when visiting the Napa Valley. Right off the I-80, two exits from Napa Valley exit.

IN addition to the Neibaum Coppola Winery, with its movie museum in Rutherford, check out the Culinary Art Institute in St. Helena. The V Sattui has a large shopping room in addition to the wine tasting and a picnic area where they have an outdoor barbeque. North of St. Helena is a old mill that is fun to walk around at, plus there is an interesting cemetery. There is a factory outlet in Napa. In downtown Napa there are some interesting shops to poke around in. You can do the hot air balloons out of Yountville.