St. Clement Vineyards, St. Helena
Characteristics: A Napa Valley icon, St. Clement's exquisite hillside Victorian, circa 1878, is the backdrop for your picnic at this lovely winery. A handful of picnic tables reside on the front terrace patio overlooking acres of vineyards and Mt. St. Helena in the distance. A reservation is recommended.
Lyman Park, St. Helena
Characteristics: Situated in the heart of St. Helena, Lyman Park is near many of the town's most charming shops. A large white gazebo offers a sense of nostalgia. An array of picnic tables, large and small, dot the lawns and there is play equipment suitable for children.
Rutherford Hill Winery, Rutherford
Characteristics: This winery's picnic sites offer among the best views in Napa Valley. For the most privacy, choose either the Hilltop Picnic Grove or the Olive Grove Picnic Area. Both are near the winery's tasting rooms and offer picnic benches shaded by lovely oaks as well as spectacular vistas.
Yountville Park, Yountville
Characteristics: A visit to this park is sure to please your children. A large grass area surrounds several picnic tables and there is a large, colorful playground with swings and climbing equipment suitable for children of varying ages.
Diamond Oaks Winery, Oakville
Characteristics: A mile-and-a-half above the Valley floor, Diamond Oaks Winery offers a breathtaking picnic setting. Several picnic tables are nestled in a grove shaded by manzanita trees, which are trimmed to provide picnickers sweeping Napa Valley views. The purchase of a bottle of wine is requested.
Robert Louis Stevenson State Park, Mt. St. Helena
Characteristics: Located just outside Calistoga, this park extends to the top of Mt. St. Helena. On a clear day, views reach to the Golden Gate Bridge. The trail is open to both hikers and mountain bikers. At the base of the trail, accessible by automobile, you will find picnic tables surrounded by a thick forest. Picnic sites are also available along the trails.
Cuvaison Winery, Calistoga
Characteristics: At Cuvaison you have the pleasing opportunity to choose a picnic table vineyard-side, on the hillside or adjacent to the tasting room to suit your personal preference. You may wish to begin your visit to the winery with a sample of a favorite varietal or two and a bit of amiable conversation with the knowledgeable staff.
Bothe Napa Valley State Park, St. Helena Highway
Characteristics: Hiking trails wind throughout this preserve's eighteen hundred acres, which range in elevation from four hundred to two thousand feet. Enjoy a broad variety of indigenous trees, from stands of coastal redwood to forests of Douglas Fir, tan oak and madrone. Picnic sites, accessible by automobile, are available just beyond the park entrance. There is a six dollar fee per car to enter the park.
Bale Grist Mill Historic State Park, St. Helena Highway
Characteristics: Bale Grist Mill, established in 1846, was built for the storage and grinding of grains for local residents. Because of its proximity to the main thoroughfare, it was used as a political and social center as well. There is a small picnic area adjacent to the mill. There is a two-dollar fee for adults and a one-dollar fee for children.
