Legendary for its more than 400 wineries and numerous Michelin-starred restaurants, Napa Valley also is welcoming to families. "It's not just about the wines or an adult-only destination," said Mike St. Jovite, a Bay Area travel adviser with Protravel International.The same Mediterranean-type climate so conducive to grape growing — warm, sunny days followed by cool evenings — enables visitors of all ages to enjoy the outdoors. Each of the cities and towns along State Highway 29 — the 30-mile stretch of road traversing the valley from Calistoga in the north to American Canyon in the south — is family-friendly. With traditions of hospitality dating to the mid-1800s (when a hotel first opened in Yountville), the area offers many choices for relaxed lodging and dining. Located about 60 miles from San Francisco International Airport, Napa Valley is perfect for exploration by car. Unless you hit traffic (yes, this is California), distances between attractions usually are manageable, even for fidgety young passengers, and there are plenty of places to park, leave the car and explore.

), traveling north to St. Helena before the locomotive is switched to the opposite end for the return. During the three-hour ride, guests enjoy gourmet lunches or dinners prepared in the kitchen car while capturing glimpses of Napa, Yountville, Oakville, Rutherford and St. Helena through oversized picture windows. The seasonal open-air Silverado car is especially popular with families.Balloons launch from the V Marketplace (Yountville) and accommodate children as young as 6 — as long as they're tall enough to see over the side of the basket.Napa isn't just an adult playground. It's a real place where people live and work, thus it caters to families. /content) in downtown Napa offers hands-on science, math and art exhibits, encouraging kids to touch, climb and run (indoors) even during the hottest hours of the day. ) is a 12-acre, nonprofit working ranch where young children learn about the environment, farm animals and organic gardening. Families can visit as part of a monthly Second Saturday program, when the ranch caters especially to young children with events.

) in Calistoga, one of three "faithful" geysers in the world that erupt regularly. One of the most photographed spots in California, the property also has a farm with goats, sheep and llamas, plus tables for picnic lunches. The valley's vibrant arts scene includes galleries, museums, studios and outdoor exhibitions that are visually appealing even to babies in strollers. /about/the-collection) art gallery in Napa includes more than 2,000 pieces of contemporary art by more than 800 Bay Area artists. what's the best wine with turkeyOlder kids love the rural setting with roaming peacocks along with the unusual sculptural displays indoors and outdoors, such as the hanging car.best wine bar long island With more than 53,000 acres of land protected by the Land Trust of Napa County, Highway 29 offers sweeping vistas of rolling hills, mountains and fields. names of wine shops in america

There are places to walk, run, hike, bike and to explore the surrounding Mayacamas and Vaca mountain ranges — to the west and east respectively.) website catalogs many appealing hiking trails.) /index.html) in Yountville. Some resorts, including the Carneros Inn in Napa and the Andaz Napa, Hotel Yountville, Solage Calistoga and Indian Springs in Calistoga, provide complimentary bikes with suggested routes.) /pdfs/Bird-BayTrail.pdf) in American Canyon offer bird-watchers views of raptors, pelicans and sandpipers. Kids can burn off excess energy at one of many public parks, including Pioneer Park in Calistoga, Crane Park in St. Helena, Yountville Park and Fuller Park in downtown Napa, which has a state-of-the-art play structure with benches nearby for weary adults.Rabid wine lovers with kids may want to hire babysitters at some point during their stay, but many wineries welcome families. Check ahead because minimum age requirements vary. Especially appealing to children and teens, for example, is Castello di Amorosa in Calistoga.

Kids over age 5 can enter the authentic 107-room castle, which has a moat, drawbridge, torture chamber and defensive towers.As part of the tour at family-friendly Sterling Winery in Calistoga, guests can board a gondola (aerial tram) to soak in stunning views of the winery and vineyards. Kids are served grape juice while grown-ups taste wine.For families with teens who want to combine winery visits with exercise, Stony Hill Vineyard in St. Helena sponsors by-appointment "Hike through the Vines" tours of the 160-acre property led by the proprietor and her dog. Clif Family Winery in St. Helena and the Calistoga Bike Shop jointly offer Velo Vino bicycle excursions and Sip N'Cycle tours. You would take great pains to not eat well in this cradle of working farms, vegetable gardens, farm markets and farm-to-fork restaurants. ) in St. Helena and downtown Napa is a retro-style burger joint, known for fast food made with high-quality ingredients. Grab a seat at the outdoor picnic tables and try the Niman Ranch hot dogs or organic ice cream.

Pizza is always a favorite. ) ) ) for tacos, fresh salads and house-made tortillas. For dessert, check out Kara's Cupcakes, also at the market.Even elegant restaurants are willing to go off-menu too to keep kids happy. /index.html) in Yountville, special order the spaghetti marinara, rigatoni Bolognese or any pasta with butter and Parmesan cheese.) in Yountville, chocolatier Chris Kollar makes his signature creations behind a glass wall so visitors can see how they are made, and he often hands out samples.) in Napa is a luxury resort with residential cottages, one- and two-bedroom room suites and villas that are ideal for families. Families can swim at Otto's Pool, which has a separate children's pool. For stargazing after dark, the staff can set up a telescope on your outdoor patio.) in Napa has something for everyone: two championship golf courses, a putting green, 13 tennis courts, 10 swimming pools, a jogging trail and more. There also are summer camps for kids and teens, ages 6-10 and 8-14."