Plan your bicycling trip to Napa Print


Napa Valley's Bike-Friendly Facts


  • The Silverado Trail's designated bike lane runs through the valley.
  • Main thoroughfare, Highway 29, is less bicycle friendly; more experienced riders should use their own judgment.
  • Exploring Napa on a bike allows more time travel between wineries to re-set your palate.
  • Sample responsibly! Never ride your bike while under the influence of alcohol.
  • California state law mandates that bicycle riders must obey the same traffic rules as motor vehicles.
  • Downtown Napa offers plenty of bike parking.
  • If traveling with family, use the Class Two  Silverado Trail until The Vine Trail (see below) is completed.

Historical Facts
 
Napa Valley skyline
  • Five million visitors per year, one million during the harvest (September and November)
  • 450 wineries
  • Calistoga was founded in 1872 when Samuel Brannan discovered the natural hot springs and built a resort to rival Saratoga Springs in New York. He merged California with Saratoga and created  Calistoga
  • The  Silverado trail was built in 1852 and runs north-south through the valley which was formed by volcanic activity. During the Silver Rush in 1858, the trail provided miners access to Napa's northern mountain sides. A young local with wine-making experience realized the opportunity to sell wine to the silver miners. After the rush, wine producers remained, producing 1.5 million gallons annually. Three vintners outlasted Prohibition. Today more than 450 wineries thrive in the Valley.

Points of Interest
 
solage hotel swimming pool
  • Solage Hotel   Located in the northernmost part of Napa Valley in Calistoga, the Solage offers an escape to one of its 89 private studios and suites designed with environmentally sustainable materials. Whether traveling solo, as a romantic couple, or family, each guest's stay comes with two complimentary cruiser bicycles. The staff uses bicycles as their primary mode of on-site transportation.   755 Silverado Trail; Calistoga, CA 94515 (707) 226-0800

  • Chef brandon Sharp of solbar napa casolbar restaurant fresh ingredientsSolbar   After a long day of cycling, let executive chef Brandon Sharp replenish your body with gourmet meals rich in protein. Located in the Solage Hotel, Solbar is perfect for the whole family, offering a complete children's menu as well. After dinner, sit around the outdoor firepit to reminisce about the day's cycling adventures. 755 Silverado Trail; Calistoga, CA 94515 (707) 226-0800



  • silverado bicycling trail Silverado Trail A 29-mile designated bike lane lined with museums, restaurants, and more than 40 vineyards and wineries. The relatively flat terrain makes the attractions accessible for cyclists of all skill levels. Eastern edge of the Napa Valley, parallel to and several miles to the east of California State Route 29

  • velovino wine country velovino wine tasting napa valley caVelo Vino Tasting Room     Opened by Gary Erickson and Kit Crawford, founders of Clif Bar, here you can mix with a hybrid of cyclists and non-cyclists to mingle and share experiences on the trails. Velo Vino also offers custom bicycle tours of Napa for experienced and beginner cyclists alike.   709 Main Street; St. Helena, CA 94574 (707) 968-0625

  • The Vine Trail The Napa Valley Bicycle Coalition, aka Napa Bike, is building a Class One bike route completely separate from vehicular traffic. Nicknamed "The Path to the Good Life," this route will begin at the Vallejo Ferry boat terminal and extend 44 miles north to Calistoga. The project is headed by Chuck McMinn, owner of Vineyard 29 in St. Helena. More than 200 local winery owners, restaurateurs, and educators volunteer to complete the trail. Accessible by ferry, tourist will have the option to travel all the way to San Francisco by bicycle. The ferry allows bicycles free of charge.   From Vallejo Ferry to Calistoga

  • Downtown Napa Families with kids will enjoy the artisian flare of downtown Napa. Every September, the Napa River, Wine, Art and Jazz Festival attracts 140 artists. Walk around with a glass of vino and browse original handmade crafts as jazz street musicians entertain at every street corner.

  • The city also hosts a "Blues, Brew and BBQ" festival, as well as a "Music in the Vineyards Family Concert." 1290 Napa Town Center; Napa, CA 94559 (707) 257-0322

  • Downtown Napa Culinary Crawl   For $45, visit five of Napa's finest eateries while bonding with more experienced riders.   1290 Napa Town Center; Napa, CA 94559 (707) 257-0322   

  • Eagle Cycling Club     The Eagle Cycling Club leads weekly casual rides for both locals and visitors. Just show up and ride.   3335 Solano Ave.; Napa, CA 94558

  • Andre Garcia's "Full Moon" evening rides   Perfect for families traveling with older kids. All you need is a helmet, a hybrid or cruiser bike with running lights (easy to rent downtown). The two-hour tour allows older kids to break away and give their parents some alone time.

  • Sterling Vineyard  This certified Napa County Green Winery prides itself as one of the Valley's leaders in environmental preservation. Waste diversion totals 95%. Visitors can only reach the winery by a tram that runs completely on solar power, eliminating 65 tons of CO2 emissions per year. View the northern face of Mayacamas Mountains where low-vigor volcanic soil helps feed concentrated fruit clusters that produce deeply pigmented, bold wines rich in tannins. Every self-guided tour takes the tourist from harvest to glass. Ask about the complimentary wine service in conjunction with many hotels and bed and breakfasts in the region. The winery has your hotel concierge pick up your wine to have it waiting when you return from your bike tour of the valley.   1111 Dunaweal Lane; Calistoga, CA 94515 (707) 942-3345

  • Calistoga Bike Shop   Offers complimentary wine service similar to that of Sterling Vineyard. Its bike pickup service is convenient if tourists want to bike to a winery and drive back with their wine, or drive to their destination and pedal back. Road, cruiser, and hybrid bikes are all available for rent.   1318 Lincoln Ave; Calistoga, CA 94515 (707) 942-9687

  • Castello di Amorosa   Opened by vinter Vitttorio Sattui in the 1880's in San Francisco, Sattui Winery was forced to close during Prohibition. Years later, Sattui's grandson Dario restored the winery to its prime. This bicycle-friendly winery offers tours and welcomes children 5 year of age and older, providing coloring books and grape juice while parents tour the vineyard.   4045 St Helena Hwy; Calistoga, CA 94515 (707) 967-6272

  • Photo Credit: Jim Sullivan, Castello di Amorosa.