Editor’s Note: This is an update to an article that published in March 2025. 

Napa Valley is known around the world or its award-winning wines, but its temperate weather and proximity to the San Francisco Bay area make it a popular destination year-round for meetings and events. 

There’s so much more to Napa than its spectacular wines, and with all that there is to do, it’s hard to believe the valley is just 30 miles long and a few miles wide. 

After work is done for the day, wander through art galleries and stroll through gardens. Outdoor enthusiasts can get some fresh air while kayaking, boating, stand up paddling, bicycling or hiking, and recharge in a luxurious spa afterwards. Refuel over power lunches and dinners at acclaimed restaurants that have earned Michelin stars. There’s something for everyone in Napa Valley – we’ll raise a glass to that!

Why Napa 

• The average daily temperature is 72°F. 

• More than 150 restaurants, 13 of which are Michelin-rated. 

• Served by four international airports within 100 miles: San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Oakland International Airport (OAK), Sacramento International Airport (SMF), San Jose International Airport (SJC). Sonoma County Airport (STS) is about 45 miles away, and the private Napa County Airport is about 10 minutes away. 

What’s New in Napa 

• All 33 miles of the Napa Valley Vine Trail are complete. When finished, the 47-mile, car-free trail will stretch from Vallejo to Calistoga. The trail currently runs from Vallejo to American Canyon, Napa to Yountville, and St. Helena to Calistoga. 

• BOATNAPA’s new Duffy electric boat accommodates six passengers on 75-minute cruises on the Napa River. 

SEE 

Up, Up and Away 

Photo: Visit Napa Valley

Get a bird’s eye view of Napa Valley on a hot air balloon ride. Invite your clients to climb into baskets before sunrise and float into the sky to watch the day unfold over the valley. While some baskets are more intimate, others can hold up to 20 guests, perfect for groups. Afterwards, relive the experience over a delectable breakfast. 

di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art 

Photo: Visit Napa Valley

The di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art sits on 217 acres in the scenic Carneros Region at the south end of the Napa Valley. Indoor galleries house a permanent collection of Northern California art, along with contemporary exhibitions. Outside, a 1/3-mile trail winds through the Sculpture Meadow and, as its name suggests, past dozens of sculptures. The center’s gallery, courtyard, century-old olive grove and campus are available for private events. 

Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park

 Photo: Courtesy of Hosts Global

In the late-1800s, local farmers brought their grain to a water-powered grist mill between St. Helena and Calistoga to grind into fresh meal, ideal for making cornbread, yellowbread, shortening bread and spoon bread. Today, the fully refurbished mill is still in operation at Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park, producing organic polenta, cornmeal, spelt, buckwheat, rye and whole-wheat flours. Stop in to see the action before going on a hike through the park. Private tours are available. 

For more activities and ideas, ask your ALHI GSO about working with Hosts Global Destination Services and Chansay Events, a Hosts Global Member. 

DO

Go For a Ride

Photo: Napa Valley Bike Tours 

Join Napa Valley Bike Tours for its new wine-free ride through the region, leaving tasting rooms behind. The eight-mile ride follows the car-free Napa Valley Vine Trail from St. Helena to Calistoga, passing quiet vineyards and open valleys along the way. The outfitter also offers private rides for groups so you can chart your own course. 

Birds Of a Feather 

Photo: Bouchaine Vineyards

Birds of prey like falcons and hawks are used by wineries like Bouchaine Vineyards to minimize bird damage to the vineyards and grapes. Take your teambuilding to the next level at a falconry presentation during which your team will not only learn about the sustainable practice, but how raptors hunt, fly and see. Meet the birds and enjoy photo opps, all while enjoying a glass of wine, of course. Private events are available. 

Get Out on the Water

 Photo: Courtesy of Hosts Global

For a different perspective of Napa Valley, get out of meetings and onto the water. The Napa River runs 50 miles from Mt. St. Helena to San Pablo Bay. Of those 50 miles, 17 travel through an estuary from the Trancas Street bridge in Napa to Vallejo. Take a guided kayak tour to learn about the area’s history as you and your group paddle downriver, and keep an eye out for wildlife: bird, otters, beavers, deer, rabbits, turtles and even harbor porpoises have been spotted. Or, hop aboard BOATNAPA’s six-person Duffy electric boat. BYOB and snacks, sit back and let the guide boat driver show you the highlights of the regions. 

For more activities and ideas, ask your ALHI GSO about working with Hosts Global Destination Services and Chansay Events, a Hosts Global Member. 

EAT 

Normandie

Photo: Normandie Restaurant & Martini Bar 

Diver Scallop Wellington Style, Saffron Seafood Pappardelle and Porcini & Morel Risotto are a sampling of the dishes on the lunch and dinner menus at Normandie, a new restaurant on Napa’s historic riverfront inspired by European culinary traditions. In addition to exquisite meals, the Martini Bar is not to miss, serving the classics and inspired sips like the Black Pepper Martini, Tuxedo Martini and the Earl Gray-infused The Earl. Normandie is available for semi-private dining. 

Eight North

 Photo: Jesse Cudworth

The best of Napa’s seasonal produce is served alongside fresh seafood and fine cuts of meat at Eight North, a new restaurant in Calistoga from Lawer Estates winery with Chef Abby Burk at the helm. Open for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch, a few of the seasonal dishes not to miss are the Charred Oyster Mushroom Melt Tartine for lunch; the Bone-In Duroc Pork Chop served with creamed sweet corn and grilled peach for dinner; and the Brown Butter Roasted Dates with a side of Sourdough Pancakes for brunch. Eight North is available for private events for which Chef Burk can create custom or seasonal menus, upon request. 

George & Kin’s Diner 

Photo: George & Kin’s Diner

For a more casual vibe, another new spot in Napa is George & Kin’s Diner serving all-day breakfast, lunch and dinner. Rather than a traditional diner, George & Kin’s blends American classics with Japanese heritage to create mouthwatering dishes. To that end, the diner’s cinnamon buns, French toast, sandwiches, garlic bread and toast are made with Japanese milk bread. Other dishes on the menu include Curry Udon; Carbonara made with katsuobushi; George’s Prime Rib Plate; and Parker’s Banana Split and Kin’s Dream Cake, both of which are worth saving room – and calories – for. Catering is available. 

For more activities and ideas, ask your ALHI GSO about working with Hosts Global Destination Services and Chansay Events, a Hosts Global Member.

STAY/MEET 

Just as Napa Valley has something for every meeting planner and attendee, so does ALHI. From resorts on sweeping grounds, like Carneros Resort and Spa, Silverado Resort and The Meritage Resort and Spa, to more intimate spaces like The Estate Yountville and wellness destinations like Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, the choice is yours! 

Carneros Resort and Spa  

Surrounded by 28 acres of rolling vineyards and picturesque countryside, Napa’s Carneros Resort and Spa is luxurious wine country living at its best. Rather than traditional hotel rooms, your guests will have room to move in the resort’s 103 spacious cottages and homes, ranging from 450 to 2,400 square feet of indoor living space, not to mention outdoor spaces as well. Get down to business in one of the 9 meeting and event spaces, all of which total 35,000 square feet and can accommodate up to 500 guests for a reception. Outside, the 10,000 square foot Vineyard Lawn sets the stage for a reception or dinner under the stars or host an intimate gathering on the private rooftop terrace on one of the private vacation homes. The Carneros team is ready to help with onsite teambuilding activities, too. 

The Estate Yountville 

Comprised of two hotels, Hotel Villagio and Vintage House for a total of 193 guest rooms and suites, along with a private five-bedroom home, The Estate Yountville is a luxury destination set on a 22-acre village-within-a-village. It’s here your guests can settle in and take full advantage of all that Napa Valley has to offer, right at their doorstep. During the day, contemporary and sophisticated meeting venues ideal for board meetings to receptions of up to 420 guests in The Pavilion can be transformed to fit your vision. After the work is done for the day, invite your guests to an exquisite dinner highlighting garden-to-table dishes in The Vineyard, or perhaps a private wine tasting in the Barrel Room. Though the hotels each have their own style — Hotel Villagio is sophisticated and refined while Vintage House is airy and natural — they do have the common traits of being inviting, comfortable and spacious. Executives can retreat to the five-bedroom Villa at The Estate, complete with its own pool and Jacuzzi. 

Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa 

Not far from Napa is the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa in the heart of Sonoma wine country. With 226 guest rooms, of which 61 are spacious suites, 23,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space, six onsite dining options and a sprawling 40,000 square foot Fairmont Spa that covers 40,000 square feet, there’s little reason to leave the property. Host an event for up to 350 guests in the Pavilion, or a more intimate affair under the stars and an historic water tower on the Tower Room Patio. The Fairmont team enjoys partnerships with some of the area’s leading wineries, making offsite events a breeze, too.  

Silverado Resort 

In the heart of all that Napa Valley has to offer is Silverado Resort, a luxury resort with so much to offer, you may never want to leave. Think two PGA championship golf courses; 10 swimming pools; tennis, bocce and pickleball courts; four dining options; and a 16,000-square-foot spa and fitness center. And then there are all the resort activities, from wine tastings (of course!) to garden and cycling tours, guided nature walks, hiking, birdwatching and more. After spending the day exploring Napa Valley or playing on the grounds, retreat to one of the resort’s thoughtfully-appointed 117 guestrooms or 228 suites, all of which are set in four neighborhoods for a truly at-home feel.  

The Meritage Resort and Spa 

The Meritage Resort and Spa in Napa is ready to host any type of event you can think of with a combined 80,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space, and 44 venues and meeting rooms. Host a reception or dinner for up to 200 guests under the stars on the hillside Vineyard Deck overlooking the resort’s nine-acre vineyard, or on the Vintner’s Rooftop Terrace & Lounge with a bird’s eye view of the vineyards and beyond. Impress your guests with team building activities varying from outdoor yoga to cooking classes and group wine tastings. At the end of each day, adjourn to one of the 467 guest rooms or suites. 

For more activities and ideas, ask your ALHI GSO about working with Hosts Global Destination Services and Chansay Events, a Hosts Global Member.