Explore St. Helena: A Gem in Napa Valley

Blend the welcoming culture of wine country with the area’s arts and gourmet food, and you get St. Helena. This vibrant community is inviting with sprawling vineyards, and beautiful, photo-worthy destinations should not be missed.

If you’re planning a trip to Napa Valley, be sure to add St. Helena to your itinerary. St. Helena’s central location makes it an ideal base for exploring all of Napa Valley, complemented by its charming 19th-century architecture. Food enthusiasts will particularly enjoy wine-tasting, dining, and food shopping in this charming town. If you appreciate the relaxing atmosphere of Napa Valley, then you’ll certainly feel at home in St. Helena.

5 Great Things to Do in St. Helena

• Wine Tasting and Winery Tours: Notable wineries near St. Helena include Beringer, Spring Mountain, and Schramsberg, renowned for their sparkling wines. Furthermore, port wine enthusiasts may want to visit the unique Prager Port Works, famous for its exceptional port wines.
• Shop on Main Street: A leisurely stroll down this tree-lined street, adorned with 19th-century buildings, will showcase a delightful selection of art galleries, clothing shops, and food specialty stores. Several shops offer local olive oils for tasting. For something sweet, consider stopping by Woodhouse Chocolate, a beautiful boutique displaying exquisite chocolate candies.
• Silverado Museum: Although not for everyone, if you admire Robert Louis Stevenson, this museum next to the city library boasts the largest collection of Stevenson artifacts outside of Scotland.
• Cooking Classes: Attend a cooking demonstration or class at the Culinary Institute of America, where you can also sample delicious culinary creations.
• Foodie Delights: Visit Dean and DeLucca on the south end of town, which carries gourmet specialty foods, premium wines, and high-quality kitchenware. Moreover, Sunshine Market (1115 Main St.) offers an impressive selection of cheeses, wines, and other gourmet items. Further along Main Street, Steves Hardware (1370 Main Street) features not only hardware but also an outstanding kitchen department equipped with unique culinary tools.

Annual Events You Should Know About in St. Helena

The Hometown Harvest Festival & Pet Parade, held in October, marks the celebration of the harvest season in downtown St. Helena. As the fall leaves begin to fall, both locals and visitors gather to enjoy the area’s wine, engage in local arts and crafts, and celebrate the community spirit.

Getting to St. Helena

St. Helena is situated 66 miles north of San Francisco and 19 miles north of Napa, right in the heart of Napa Valley. To reach St. Helena, take U.S. Hwy 101 north across the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Then, exit at CA Hwy 37 East (exit 460A), follow Hwy 121 north and east, and finally go north on CA Hwy 29.

Race days at The Raceway at Sears Point may cause traffic delays through the Hwy 37/121 intersection. As an alternative, which is also a wise route when traveling from the east side of San Francisco, take I-80 north, exiting at American Canyon Rd. west to connect with CA Hwy 29 north.