Active Experiences Abound in the Napa Valley

for Wellness Seekers

The Napa Valley's climate-perfect country setting and miles of nature preserves offer a diversity of recreational pursuits. Healthful activities range from hiking through redwoods overlooking a panorama of vineyards, to biking up Napa Valley's mountain appellations, to soothing tired muscles with rejuvenating spa treatments.

Trekking Napa Valley

• At pristine Bothe-Napa Valley State Park, outdoor adventurers discover the same indigenous flora and fauna that early settlers encountered in the Napa Valley. Located on Highway 29 between St. Helena and Calistoga, the park offers swimming, horseback riding and 8.5 miles of hiking trails that wind through forests of coastal redwoods, Douglas fir, tanoak and madrone.
• Connected to Bothe-Napa Valley State Park by a two-mile trail is also the Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park, where guests can tour a water-powered grist mill that was built in 1846.
• Just north of Calistoga is Robert Louis Stevenson State Park, which offers multiple hiking trails including one that leads to the top of Mount St. Helena.
• Skyline Wilderness Park, on the outskirts of the City of Napa, features abundant wildlife and native wildflowers that one can enjoy either on equestrian, hiking, or camping adventures.

Aquatic Adventures
Lake Berryessa is one of California's largest manmade, freshwater lakes. In addition to water sports and boating, Berryessa offers anglers both cold and warm water species, including large-mouth bass, rainbow trout, catfish, crappie and bluegill. Trails amid the grassy hills surrounding the lake are speckled with oak and Manzanita trees, providing excellent opportunities to view eagles, hawks, songbirds and deer while hiking.

The Napa River is perfect for kayaking, canoeing and boating. For a workout on the water, join outfitters such as Kayak Napa Valley and their team of escorts, or paddle solo to spy flocks of pelicans, mallards, green-winged teals, mergansers, wood ducks, herons, egrets, kingfishers, rails and grebes as well as the endangered clapper rail. Mink, muskrat, raccoons, deer, gray fox and bobcat also live in this riparian habitat.

“Cheers” to Cycling

Many Napa Valley hotels such as Solage Calistoga, Bardessono, Auberge du Soleil, and Villagio Inn offer complimentary bicycle rentals to guests, and some area resorts, restaurants and other venues offer a bicycle valet service. Many tour operators in the area offer organized packages and guided bicycle excursions that include pick-up and delivery of wine purchases made along the way.

Cycling enthusiasts can pedal their way to St. Helena's Velo Vino at Clif Family Winery, a tasting room and retail space owned by Clif Bar's Clif family where guests can park their two wheels and sip Clif Family wines or an espresso while observing displays of notable cycling paraphernalia and perusing racks of cycling apparel. Naturally, Velo Vino offers a variety of bike excursions including monthly group rides suited for moderate to advanced riders. These range from 35 to 50 miles in distance, with assertive climbing and exhilarating descents.

Spirited Games

The Napa Valley is also home to several outstanding golf courses. The Chardonnay Golf Club, Eagle Vines Golf Club, Vintner's Golf Club and Napa Municipal Course each welcome visitors. Recently renovated in April 2011, the Silverado Resort's two 18-hole championship golf courses offer challenging play. A world-class destination getaway, Silverado also features a full service spa, 10 swimming pools and 17 tennis courts, as well as hiking and biking trails.

At Meadowood Napa Valley, guests can test their skills in a game of croquet - the lawn sport that has been an English staple since the 1860s. The property offers two world-champion-caliber croquet lawns and a full-time teaching facility. Beyond croquet, Meadowood guests enjoy a complete sports and wellness experience with cardio, stretch and strength classes, a tranquil nine-hole walking golf course and resident golf pro, seven tennis courts and a resident tennis pro, swimming, hiking and a full range of spa services.

The Sky's the Limit

Those looking for more elevation and bigger panoramas are welcome to hop into one of Napa Valley's famed hot air balloons for unmatched views of the majestic valley below. There are several independent outfitters in the area, including Balloons Above The Valley, Napa Valley Balloons and Napa Valley Aloft, often offering special packages such as Napa Valley sparkling wine picnic brunches.

Healing Hot Spring Waters

After an active day in the Valley, adventurers rejuvenate at one of the Napa Valley's exceptional spas, ranging from charming independent day spas to chic and luxe resorts. The Napa Valley's natural geothermal hot spring waters offer a unique foundation for organic and earth-inspired treatments. Renowned wellness destination Calistoga is famous for its restorative mud baths, which utilize the region's natural volcanic ash and hot mineral spring waters. The area's “vinotherapy” spa treatments incorporate wine, grape seeds and grape seed oils from surrounding vineyards to soothe and restore the body. Other rejuvenating locally sourced treatments incorporate olive oils and mustard plants.