Learn me: Napa California...

So, I'm going to be hauling some motorcycles to Napa from British Columbia in October.

I've never been to California, I'll have about a day of time to myself, what should I do/see while I'm there.

I won't be trekking any farther south and San Francisco is probably out because I'll be driving a Freightliner with a 40' trailer and those roads don't look like fun.

Shawn

Yeah, you definitely don't want to take that rig into San Francisco. Is renting a car (or bringing a spare bike) an option? There are a couple of neat places to visit around there but for most of them I wouldn't even consider going anywhere near with a truck like yours.

Sonoma Raceway is very close to Napa, obviously there is San Francisco, I like going to Point Reyes for both the view and the Earthquake museum. We have a bunch of locals on the board so they might be able to give you more info.

The obvious answer is "wine tasting". If beer is more your thing, there are lots of great breweries around there too. If you have the option to bring a spare bike or something, you are in the middle of some of the most gorgeous and fun riding/driving roads around.

If you do go wine tasting, don't pay for it. All the places I have been that charge to taste wines, the wine has not been worth buying. There are better ones out there.

I had a lot of fun at a champagne tasting. Doesn't really go well with driving though.

There's room for my bike in the trailer so I will be bringing it along.

I'm also bringing my wife and she's not keen on riding pillion, too much screaming.

Renting a car is something we're thinking about.

I'm hauling the bike for a group of guys who are going to be riding while they're down there, I'm on call the whole time so booze is off the list for me.

Shawn

I took my first trip there about a month ago and really enjoyed the area.

We stayed at the Westin(?) there and it was a great property with all the amenities you could want. It was right across the street from the wine train station that runs back and forth to all the wineries. Also only a couple of blocks from a small downtown area and right near an indoor farmers market / prepared food grouping (Oxblood Market?). A great place to sample the local flavors or grab some gourmet specialties to bring home.

We are not really wine people really but we did enjoy the wineries that we saw more than expected. Beautiful places to stroll in the sun and even the ones that did charge for tastings were reasonably priced. Some places have particular vintages only available at their own locations and all will ship anything home for you.

If you are into great food the idyllic town of Yountville is about 15 mins. north of Napa itself and has some of the best restaurants, cafes and bakeries in the country. Do not look at the prices if you can help it and just indulge yourself.

I didn't spend enough time there to learn all about the area, but my memories are mostly of abundant sunshine, gorgeous agricultural scenery and some truly world class food and drink. It doesn't sound like you are on a luxury vacation so I am afraid my thoughts might not be too helpful...

Also, if you are looking for a simple meal look up Gott's Roadside Diner locations (there are a few in the area). Decent short order type menu with great selection of local wines and beers. I love a good diner and sometimes a great beer and good burger can really make my day.

My wife and I love it there just to relax. We like Healdsburg area too. It's at the top of the valley and is just very relaxing and cute downtown area. The Healdsburg Bar and Grill is a great place for a beer and burger with a really nice courtyard.

There are so many little towns to explore through there or if you want go to one of the sonoma Co. beaches and just chill.

We typically stay in santa rosa and drive from there. You escape the Valley pricing but your not too far away.

Going to bring this back up to the top.

I'll be in Napa at the end of the month.

Looks like we'll be staying in Yountville.

Do yourself the favor of driving down at least to Monterey/Big Sur. Imagine the beauty of the redwood forests going right down to the ocean which are cliff-sides, rocky formations, and waterfalls.

Ditto on Monterey, Big Sur... and Laguna Seca.

Wine tasting is pricey in Napa! It's a tourist thing and they take every advantage of it. That said you can get vouchers from free tastings from most hotels. Sonoma it's mostly free and close. We liked the Napa public market which did tastings and referred us to private wineries. The Yountville area is great for super pricey fancy dining. Ad Hoc is good if you are into those things, if not they have a take out. Jack London state park is close and a good hike. You are close to Lagunitas and Russian River breweries.

I've done the wine tasting thing and I've done the drive from San Francisco south through Monterey/Big Sur all the way to the brown skies of L.A. You can have all the wine tasting left in the world for one more drive down Hwy.1. That is one of the most beautiful and best "feeling" places I've ever been. If you'll pause to soak it in it will make you yearn to stay there. But alas, it's sold by the square inch today. They can't charge you for that "feeling" though. If you haven't done it yet, put it on your bucket list.

Personally, I'm not a wine person, but... If I were to drink wine, it would not be from CA. Riboli family maybe. They have a Chardonnay that makes me weep. So many of the CA wine producers are very young. They might trace their roots back to ancient Langue d'oc French vintners or Castillian deities, but the soil and climate don't support the brilliant flavors you can expect from Europe.

Doing a wine tour in California is like going to a car show in Nepal.

... and I'm a beer drinker.

Or let me put it this way... drinking wine from CA is like watching a concert comprised of the children of famous opera singers. The genetics are there, but they are children. Expecting greatness is a folly. Its better to sip the wine and say, "you have all the potential of your mother when you grow up."

From earlier: I'm hauling the bikes for a group of guys who are going to be riding while they're down there, I'm on call the whole time so booze is off the list for me.

That being said, I don't like wine enough to know the differences or make it worth the extra cost for the good stuff.

Scotch, now there's a tasting I would be very happy about.

I did find this: http://goo.gl/maps/g893h

I think I know where I'll be taking the bike!