Napa Valley Bed and Breakfast

When visiting the Napa Valley, you can enjoy the charm of the Wine Country by staying at one of the cozy bed and breakfast's in the area. A bed and breakfast (also known as a B&B), offers an intimate and charming ambiance, a welcoming home town feeling amongst the local vineyards and off the beaten path. The bed and breakfast experience is often characterized by friendly hosts who provide personal service and helpful knowledge of the surrounding area.

The Napa Valley offers many bed and breakfast locations, situated anywhere from the town of Napa at the south end of Hwy 29 in Napa County to the town of Calistoga at the north end of Hwy 29 in Napa County. Traveling north from Napa, the first town 7 miles north is Yountville, a few miles up the road from Yountville is the town of Rutherford, the town of St. Helena is 15 miles from Napa, and Calistoga is only 22 miles from Napa. The drive up Hwy 29 is a beautiful and scenic drive, and any of these towns offer a great wine country experience.

The B & B Tradition

The B&B tradition is a very old practice, as it was not uncommon for travelers in the past to seek lodging at a private house as they made their way thru the area. It was an informal arrangement, and most times would be offered based on equal social rank and acquaintance. Today, the arrangement is a bit more businesslike, but a bed and breakfast still offers a local, hometown distinction.

A bed and breakfast is a place of lodging where the guests stay in private rooms in a building that was usually once a large residential home. The bedrooms have been arranged as guest rooms, some have private baths and some do not. Many times these homes are older, attractive homes, sometimes reminiscent of a bygone era, that have been renovated and filled with antique furniture. They can often be very elegant and luxurious. Breakfast is commonly provided in the morning, varying from a light continental menu to a complete breakfast spread. It would not be unusual for the staff to consist of just the B&B owners and other family members who live in the home.

Reservations

Reservations are usually required at bed and breakfast locations and they are not usually available on a drive-up basis. Most B&B's are small and only accommodate about 10-15 guests, so it's best to make reservations ahead of time. Many Napa Valley B&B's can be found on the internet, simply by searching for the keywords Napa Valley Bed and Breakfast in any search engine. Many bed and breakfast facilities also belong to B&B associations and travel associations which may list them in their various books and travel guides. Many travel agents are also knowledgeable about bed and breakfast facilities in the area and can offer suggestions and recommendations based on the type of bed and breakfast experience you request. Reservations at bed and breakfast locations can be for one night or more, although many locations expect the guests to be away from the house during the day. For most guests this is not inconvenient, because they plan on visiting the surrounding area during the day.

Napa Valley Activities

The Napa Valley offers many ways to fill your day, from art galleries and museums, shops and boutiques, fine wines and wine tours at any of the many wineries and vineyards in the valley, fabulous cuisine at a wide variety of restaurants, hot air balloon rides over the vineyards, and a scenic ride with great food on the Napa Valley Wine Train. For a taste of the local area, you'll want to stop at the towns of Yountville, St. Helena, and Calistoga. Great food and unique boutiques can be found at the Vintage 1870 in Yountville, and you can experience the local shops as you walk the streets of St. Helena or Calistoga. After a great day in the Napa Valley, enjoy your night at one of the Napa Bed and Breakfast locations to complete the Wine Country experience.