Yountville, Napa Valley

Yountville is officially my favorite place in the Napa Valley! I have been to Napa twice before, both times the main purpose being a wedding and so didn't really get the chance to explore much. So when Parker's spring break came around I figured the drive north into wine country would be an esay retreat and I am happy to report it truly was. Since Arthur has been busy with work, my mother and I decided to take Parker ourselves to Napa Valley, to explore the charming town of Yountville.

Hotels I love in Napa Valley

For context, Napa is the main city in the Napa Valley region, which also inlcudes smaller towns like St. Helena, Calistoga and Yountville, to name the most known. Most of the places I love were in either St. Helena or Yountville, so I looked at a lot of hotels in the area and ultimately decided to stay at Napa Valley Lodge. Other spots in the area I seriously considered were Le Petit Pali in St. Helena, Auberge du Soleil, Maison Fleurie and The Estate Yountville. Meadowood is another stellar option for an extra special stay, however, it's not the same layout as I remember before the fire, so just keep that in mind! I also loved my last stay at Silverado Resort if you want to be closer to the city of Napa.

All the hotels were great and Le Petit Pali was a close second due to how cute it was but ultimately we wanted both a resort feel and the proximity to everything in Yountville by foot which ended up being such a great choice and I would most certaintly rebook again! Napa Valley Lodge was the perfect size for Parker to run around in, swim and play bocce. My mother was very happy with the courtyard and all the nearby spots to eat and wine taste. I lvoed how easy the trip felt with nearby parks we could walk to and the entire aesthetic of Yountville! It was completely Nancy Meyers' movie coded and in fact we need her to film a Parent Trap sequel here stat!

In addition to being so well landscaped, charming and chic; Yountville is home to some of my favorite restaurants in the area, all of them, and my favorites from St. Helena, listed below,

Yountville and St. Helena Restaurants

Bouchon // this place is a must, Thomas Keller's classic french menu is always rotating for what's in season and reliably delicious. My mother loved her rainbow trout and I love the mussels, french onion soup and oysters. The vibe inside is romantic and very traditional Parisian style but outside is a little more classic cafe and a must during good weather for lunch or a sunset dinner.

Bouchon Bakery // equally as important as visiting Bouchon bistro and just next door. Don't miss the excellent french pastries, my favorites are the lemon tart, macarons and exquisite danishes! Parker went to town on his chocolate croissant and sitting outside with my coffee each day in the morning was honeslty the highlight of the trip!

Under-Study // The most chef-forward cafe in town where you can find gourmet everything: sandwiches, coffees and artistic desserts.

Bistro Jeanty // A beloved french spot that's a bit more relaxed than Bouchon, the vibe wasn't as chic for me but everyone raves about the food.

French Laundry // The most sought after high-end dining in Napa Valley and worth every penny. We did not go this trip given we had Parker with us but most certainly a very special place for serious foodies!

Forum at Meadowood // We came here for a neautiful lunch and it to enjoy the lush green surroundings. My mother's fish tacos were amazing and I loved the energy of the place, Parker kept inisisting we were back in Mammoth!

RH Restaurant and Wine Vault // This place is beautiful and despite being a chain, I always find myself visiting the RH in whatever city they exist in and loving the ambiance and lobster roll. They are consistently delious and beautiful and this Yountville location exceeding our expectations in terms of service. Also the wine vault next door is a seperate, open seating, al freco spot you must check out around sunset/dusk, the vibe is absolutely magical and not stuffy!

Woodhouse Chocolate // The best chocolatier in St. Helena!

The Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil // An excellent choice for an extra special pre-fixe lunch or dinner that feels very European countryside similar to our time in Gordes. If you aren't excited by the formality but still want the view, they also have a nice bar you can enjoy with an a la carte menu.

Clementine // The cutest new restaurant that we went to for brunch. The food was pretty good but the decor was exceptional, I will dedicate an entirely new post to the interiors because it was that great, I recommend going for a cocktail at the very least, both the indoor and outdoor bars were excellent!

V. Stattui Winery // A very nice winery in St. Helena we chose over everything else because unlike most, they have a huge market, wine bar and restaraunt on site with various spots you can sit, sip and eat. Most wineries don't serve food, this was the perfect place to bring Parker so he could get some energy out while we sat at the picnic table and nibbled on the amazing deli selections; a delectable cheese plate, truffle arancini and the pesto sandwich were my favorite!

Charter Oak // A wonderful restaraunt in St. Helena with a chamring courtyard and delicious food. All the European cpuntryside vibes you want are here!

Ciccio // Great Italian food and such a relaxed vibe, it was literally across the street from out hotel and so quiant to sit outside.

Model Bakery // Amazing quality coffee and pastries in St. Helena and a true classic spot. I still dream of the cookie I had last time and fortunately they opened a "mini model" spot in Yountville for those of us who need our fix nearby!

Napa Valley Wine Train // Another great option for lunch or dinner, on an old fashioned train, it's very Orient Express meets Wine Country! I was devastated that the timing didn't work out for us to bring Parker aboard, he would have LOVED it and it's definately going to be a must next time we are in town.

Kollar Chocolates // A fancy and delectable selction of chic chocolates I had to keept far from Parker this trip because we spent so much time at Bouchon bakery!

R+D Kitchen // If you know me this is one of my favorite go-to restaurants in Los Angeles and it was fate to see it across the street from our hotel, along with a Hillstone Home and Market. I know that Napa Valley has some of greatest cuisine in the country but all Hillstone restaurants are consistently amazing and I love seeing them (and my cherished dip duo) everywhere I travel, especially their Aspen outpost, White House Tavern.

All my favorite places here