Napa Valley

The best resource for where to go/what to see while you're there is going to be the Hotel or B&B staff.  they will be able to give you the low down on what's good and where to go.  The only caveat is depending on where you stay they could have agreements with certain wineries.  This isn't necessarily a bad thing, just something to be aware of.

It's been several years since I've been to Napa, although I grew up in NorCal.  My best advice is if it's education/experience you're looking for, seek out some of the smaller wineries.  They tend to take more time with their guests (and offer more samples). Large winery tours are well paced and informative but not as intimate as some of the smaller places.  Make sure you eat local.  Napa tends to pride itself on "fresh and organic" dishes.  Try food outside your comfort zone, you may be surprised.  Look on the Diners, Drive-ins, Dives website for places to eat.  Everytime I travel I seek one of these places out and have never been disappointed.

If you've never been to the West Coast you may want to take a day and drive into San Francisco.  There's so much to see and do there it would be a shame to travel that far and not experience any of it.  If you're a baseball fan, check and see if the Giants are in town, AT&T park is a beautiful place to see a ball game (if it's a night game take a coat, no matter what time of year).

Hope this helps a little.  I know its not specific but again its been several years since I've been to Napa. 

Do you not like wine or is it just not your go to?  If you do enjoy wine; I would do the following itinerary; Day 1: select a 2-4 (depending on proximity, timing, etc) vineyards in Napa where they will do a tour/sampling combo.  That way you can learn a little about wine. Day 2 and 3: go out on your own visiting 4-5 vineyards each day with one day spent in Napa and one day spent in Sonoma.  Day 4: I'd spend by the pool, or something else fun (spa day with the lady?)

I have found great vineyard suggestions (and even daily itineraries) over on the forums of wine spectator.  My two favorites are V Sattui in Napa (great shop to get food for picnics too) and Hartford in Sonoma (amazing zinfindels).  There are tons of fantastic restaurants there too but one of my absolute favorites is Girl and the Fig in Sonoma.

Have a fantastic time.  I love that area.  Been 6 times and cannot wait to go back.

Go out on your own.  Most of the wineries charge a modest fee (<$10) to sample 3-5 wines.  The good ones will ask what you like and offer samples you're more likely to like.  (Really, it's in their best interest, because you're unlikely to buy a $30 bottle of wine that you didn't like as a sample.)  Be willing to sample more than just the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot wines.  I'd probably suggest not spending all 4 days touring vinyards, maybe 2 days. 

If you go over to Sonoma valley, hit Armstrong Woods for a day.  It's the redwood forest used in the Star Wars scene with the Ewoks.  If you like the Peanuts comic strip, catch the Charles Schultz Museum in Santa Rosa for a couple of hours. 

I highly recommend this place: http://www.vsattui.com/

They do a great job with tastings and talking about the wine.  It's also very homey, unlike the bigger places.   Go around lunchtime and you can buy a picnic's worth of food and eat outside. 

I would consider a tour for one day.   It's nice not to have to worry about driving. 

Second V. Sattui.  It's a smaller winery with a lot of wine.  They also have pate tasting, too. 

Adn check out Taylor's Refresher, a road side joint, for burgers/taco.  Theirpan-seared Ahi tuna taco is pretty impressive. 

I.Love.Nappa

That is all.  Midweek is better if you can swing it.  Slightly fewer people.

You guys are awesome. Please keep the ideas coming.

I'm not opposed to wine drinking, just never got in to it. I'm definitely open to the experience.

The trip originally included a passport for a few different wineries. That activity has been discontinued and replaced with the bus tour. The tour leaves from SF for a day long trip to Napa/Sonoma. The problem is that we're staying in Napa so it seems silly to drive out to SF to catch the bus. If I can find a similarly priced activity they will substitute it for me.

We fly in on Wed morning and out on Sunday afternoon. We would probably do 2 days at the wineries, a day in San Fran and a day in the Redwoods.

On the way between Napa/Sonoma and S.F., stop by Sausalito for a meal.  I bet you can fit it in on the same day you go to Redwood. 

Your trip is almost like ours last year. 

That's the wine train.  Good call.  Hot air balloon rides are great.  Take your bike, ride early before the wine tasters are up. Take a mud bath in Calistoga!  Bistro Jeanty (in Yountville?) is great.  Lake Berryessa is a fun place to swim.   Float (or tube!) down the Guerneville river, depending on water heights.   The tram ride up to Sterling Winery is beautiful.  You can eat the the California Culinary Institute at Greystone - beautiful place, good fun, fun to watch the chefs!  French Laundry if you're a well-heeled foodie.  SF is less than an hour away, and if you go north up the coast there's some beautiful places to hike/walk.

Have fun!!

Stop at Oakville grocery to fill your picnic basket with great goodies.

Also there is the Old Faithfull Geyser (in Calistoga), a non-wine thing to do.

My family is leaving for Napa, and N. California, where my wife is from, on Tuesday.....I'll report back.

I can say this, having spent a bit of time on the coast of N. California....it'll be hard to pull me off the little pubs on the coast serving barbecued oysters and cold IPA's. 

Still.....my wife is a wine lover, and we've got 2 days in Napa...surely I'll remember SOMETHING. 

Thanks again for all the info.

Plenty here to consider.

I used to live out there, as a wine lover it was wonderful. Let someone else drive, first of all! Read up before you go, if classes are offered where you live, take one. Wine classes are tons of fun and educational.

Smaller wineries will give you time to talk to the owners and learn more. Hit up the Carneros region on the coast and enjoy some yummy Pinot Noir's. Make sure you eat. If you can get a reservation, go to the French Laundry.

X2 - Try the Sour Beers, they are brewed and then aged in wine barrels.  Creates great unique beer.

So, V Sattui seems to be a must.

Is there any type of dress standards for these wineries? I'm planning on kicking back in shorts and flip flops.