Here in Northern California, destinations for day trips and weekend getaways seem to be endless. Wherever you look, a new little town is just waiting to be discovered. These small towns boast some of Northern California’s best attractions. After all, it’s here that you can truly experience what makes our region of the state so great. The tiny town of St. Helena is located right in the heart of Napa Valley, but wine isn’t the only thing this community has to offer. You’ll find tons of history, nature, dining options, and plenty of other gems that are worth checking out.
Often described as "Napa Valley's Main Street", the little town of St. Helena is home to just 5,814 people. Its central location within California's most famous wine valley makes it an awesome destination for wine enthusiasts, but you'll actually find that there's a lot more to this place than wine. In fact, this town boasts a little bit of everything for everyone.
There's a lot to do in St. Helena. The trouble is deciding where to begin. If you'd like to get the wine stuff out of the way first, we suggest planning a visit to Merryvale Vineyards which was considered the first winery in Napa Valley to open after Prohibition was repealed in 1933.
St. Helena is home to so many wineries that you could spend an entire weekend in town and not see them all. For this reason, the town offers a variety of guided tours that take you to see the best of the best wineries and vineyards St. Helena has to offer.
Next, you'll want to spend some time perusing the town's lovely downtown district. This area is simply delightful. The downtown area is packed with amazing little shops, galleries, cafés, restaurants, and more. It may be just a half-mile long but you could spend an entire day taking advantage of everything there is to see and do.
St. Helena could also be considered a history enthusiast's paradise. Founded in the late 19th century, the town contains a plethora of amazingly preserved historic structures such as the old Carnegie Library.
Another fascinating stop is the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum. Few people realize that the author of Treasure Island lived in this area before he came of prominence. Interestingly enough, Stevenson published a memoir about his time squatting in a remote ghost town on Mount Saint Helena.
Oh, and outdoor enthusiasts will feel equally at home here in this quaint town. The town may be small but it contains several parks that are worth checking out, all of which contain unique hiking options and opportunities for some sightseeing.
There's really so much to do in St. Helena that you couldn't possibly cover it all in one day. In this case, plan a stay at one of the town's awesome lodging options. The Harvest Inn is a great choice for a dreamy place to spend the night! For your next weekend trip, plan a visit to this tiny town in Napa Valley. There's truly something for everyone.
