Despite Napa Valley’s reputation as an adult-only tourist destination, attractions and activities for families abound, so much so that in March 2024, Yelp ranked Napa as #2 among the most family-friendly travel destinations in the United States.

While that status raised a few doubts among those who believe taking kids on wine-tasting excursions and to Michelin Star restaurants isn’t ideal, regardless of purported “kid-friendly” designations, there are loads of other things to do in the region that are enjoyable for kids and should not be missed.

If the day needs an adventure, consider some of the regional attractions kids of all ages seem to enjoy: Old Faithful Geyser, The Petrified Forest, and the Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. The Petrified Forest in Calistoga has easy half-mile hiking trails that feature the fossilized remains of redwood trees buried in a volcanic explosion over 3.4 million years ago. Also of interest is the Old Faithful Geyser of California – not to be confused with Yellowstone’s Old Faithful. Though much smaller than Yellowstone, the geyser is still exciting to watch. The Geyser property has a small-town vibe and includes an animal farm, gardens, a small geology museum, bocce ball courts, and a picnic area. All-in-all, it’s a couple of hours of fun for the family.

The Six Flags Discovery Kingdom is about 20 minutes south of downtown Napa and is Northern California’s best amusement park. Featured are assorted thrill rides, “family rides,” and animal attractions. For those with wee ones, there is the Train Town amusement park in Sonoma – a great spot for toddlers and preschoolers. Train Town’s fairytale-style setting includes a quarter-size train and a handful of other miniature amusement rides, plus a small petting zoo.

Near Calistoga, though just over the Sonoma County border, is Safari West, a 400-acre wildlife preserve—a remarkable spot to see wild animals up close and personal. The park has thousands of animals, from exotic birds, antelope, giraffes, and Cape buffalo to cheetahs, lemurs, rhinos, and bongos. Guests travel around the park on rugged, open-air jeeps that traverse right into the herds. For the full safari experience, guests can stay onsite in the park’s luxurious elevated “tents.”

When the kids need to blow off steam and get their bodies moving, there are loads of great activities in Napa Valley: biking, hiking, rock climbing, paddle boarding, and kayaking. If they’ve packed longboards and penny boards, there is also the option of skateboarding at Napa Skatepark and the brand-new American Canyon Skatepark, two of California’s best parks for this activity. And there are many great playgrounds all over the county for younger kids, the most notable being Crane Park in St. Helena. Crane has a huge playground, volleyball pit, tennis courts, bocce ball, skateboard park, horseshoe pits, and baseball and soccer fields. There are also restrooms and sizeable shady picnic areas with tables and grills.

For families that love good grub and competitive games, grab lunch at the The Lincoln Restaurant (close to downtown Napa) and play ping pong, cornhole, jenga, or Connect 4 on their expansive patio overlooking the Napa River. Great playgrounds in the town of Napa can be found in Fuller Park, Kennedy Park, and Esther Deaver Park in Alta Heights. All are a short distance from hotels in the area.

Napa Valley Vine Trail // Courtesy of Napa Valley Bike Tours

For those wanting to bike, the best simple trail is the Napa Valley Vine Trail, a great option that keeps kids off roads crowded with tourist traffic. // www.vinetrail.org

For those wanting to mountain bike, Skyline Park is the place to do so, while Alston Park is best for those wanting a less strenuous off-road or cross-country experience. Bring bikes and equipment from home or plan to rent from any number of reputable bike shops in the area, including The Hub or Napa River Velo. //
www.skylinepark.org

For those wanting to kayak or paddleboard, look no further than Napa Valley Paddle. They outfit guests for these adventures and drop them off at appropriate launches. Note: Skyline Park, while great for biking, also offers hiking trails with inspiring scenery, frisbee golf, and archery. // www.napavalleypaddle.com

For athletic families up for a vigorous hiking adventure, Robert Louis Stevenson State Park and Bothe-Napa Valley State Park offer challenging, well-maintained trails. For families who want to camp, Bothe is the best spot in the region, and it offers excellent amenities like bathrooms with showers, yurts, a large pool, and grills for outdoor cooking.

For indoor fun, families who like to bowl will enjoy the relaxed vibe at the Napa Bowl, with its popular-with-locals restaurant, Lane 33, right on site. While parents are out for a gourmet meal in the evenings, teenagers will love trying out the challenging escape rooms at The Grape Escape. Also great for teenagers and younger kids are the indoor rock climbing and bouldering available at Rockzilla, which offers all the gear and guidance necessary to enjoy these activities safely.

Indoor activities in downtown Calistoga include the Sharpsteen Museum, which highlights the town’s history through dioramas, artifacts, special exhibits, and a historic cottage decorated with Victorian antiques. Also fun is Indian Springs, a historic resort with a huge mineral pool, where children are welcome. The use of the pool is contingent on purchasing spa services, and numerous options are nice for kids and won’t break the bank. The hot mineral pool, though outdoors, is wonderful, especially on a rainy day.

Additional rainy-day entertainment options in the valley could include movies or visiting museums. Cinemark Century always has the latest kid-friendly flicks, and the Cameo Theatre in St. Helena often has children’s movies. Older children will enjoy some of the region’s historical museums, namely the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum in St. Helena and the Napa Valley Museum in Yountville. Suitable for younger children is the Carolyn Parr Nature Center, whose focus is on Napa Valley’s native ecosystem and which provides interesting dioramas and hands-on exhibits. // cpnaturecenter.com

Numerous wineries in the region welcome children, but as many parents find out, the experience can be lacking. For those wanting to bring kids along when wine tasting, the best two spots in the region are V. Sattui Winery, with its expansive picnic grounds and tasty picnic fare, and Castello di Amorosa, which has interesting animals and a castle worth exploring.

There are also many great seasonal family adventures in Napa Valley, such as county fairs, festivals, ice skating, and concerts. Be sure to check local websites for the most updated events.

When Parents Need a Night Out

For adults-only activities, consider hiring a nanny to take care of the kiddos. The local-to-Napa-Valley nannies are fantastic and come prepared with snacks and stuff to do while mom and dad are off having fun. Here is a short list of high-rated nanny services worth considering. 

Napa Valley Nanny
www.napavalleynanny.com

My Vacation Nanny
www.myvacationnanny.com

Joanna’s Nannies
www.joannasnannies.com/san-francisco-bay-area