Where to Celebrate Thanksgiving in the Napa Valley

Looking to experience Thanksgiving in the Napa Valley but don’t know where to start? Savor the holiday with a gourmet multi-course dinner, sip on a glass of cabernet sauvignon, explore the great outdoors, or take a ride on an all-inclusive train excursion through the Napa Valley to kick off the holiday season. Enjoy the comforts of home on your Napa Valley getaway with these Thanksgiving Day recommendations.

Hop Aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train

The Wine Train is hosting a special Thanksgiving Day ride. Choose either a departing time of 11:30 a.m. or 5 p.m. and sit back for a gourmet meal of traditional Thanksgiving fare. The 3.5-hour train journey ventures north from downtown Napa through the valley’s stunning fall landscape (we recommend the early train if you want the views!). Indulge in your choice of course offerings, including honey roasted acorn bisque, Pacific salmon, roasted turkey, and more prepared by world-class Executive Chef Donald Young.

Visit their website for a reservations and more details, including the full multi-course menu.

Enjoy a Feast Prepared by the Napa Valley’s Top Chefs

Let someone else do the cooking this year and make a reservation at one of our favorite restaurants for an unforgettable Thanksgiving meal. Try downtown Napa eateries Angele,  Celadon, or La Toque. Napa’s Brixe restaurant is serving up multi-course goodness like braised short ribs, roasted garlic and parmesan soup, and an assortment of miniature desserts for the table to share. Farm at Carneros in Napa will have a three-course family-style dinner with classic Thanksgiving dishes and desserts prepared by Executive Chef Aaron Meneghelli.

Outside of Napa, try Lucy’s Restaurant in Yountville for an elevated variation on traditional Thanksgiving favorites created by Executive Chef Nate Lindsay. Dine on farm fresh ingredients (many from Lucy’s Garden, only steps away from the dining room) and menu items including wild boar pot pie, butternut squash tarte tatin, and pumpkin mousse. Chef Chris Cosentino from Acacia House in St. Helena is also putting together an excellent multi-course menu.

Explore the Napa Valley’s Great Outdoors

National holidays are the perfect time to get outside. Chances are, parks and hiking trails will be quieter so you can have the natural surroundings all to yourself. California State Parks are open on Thanksgiving, so check out our Napa Valley State Park Guide to find one that interests you. Go all out with a nearby summit hike or take it slow with an easy trek or leisurely stroll along the Napa River Promenade. Don’t forget Fido! If you’re bringing your pooch on your Napa Valley Thanksgiving getaway, we’ve got the perfect dog-friendly hikes for you and your four-legged friend.

If hiking isn’t your thing, try these beautiful scenic Napa Valley drives for stunning views - no physical activity required.

Be Thankful (for wine)

Wine flows 365-days a year here in the Napa Valley, and Thanksgiving is no exception.

Start in Calistoga by visiting Clos Pegase and Castello di Amorosa. Castello di Amorosa’s new 2017 Napa Valley Reserve Chardonnay has notes of baked apple, fresh pear, and fall spices, which makes this the perfect varietal to pair with all of your holiday favorites like turkey, apricot stuffing, and butternut squash. Del Dotto Winery and Caves and V. Sattui in St. Helena will both have their doors open, as well as Girard Winery and Cosentino Winery in Yountville and Elizabeth Spencer Winery in Rutherford. Take a stroll around Napa’s walkable downtown and you’re sure to find plenty of tasting rooms open for business.

Let us help you get your epic Thanksgiving Day started with a complimentary wine country breakfast, served fresh daily. Whether you come for the weekend or an extended stay, the Wine Country Inn has an option right for you. Begin planning your Napa Valley getaway now by checking out our special offers.