Tell someone you’re going to Napa Valley, and it conjures images of rolling vineyards and wine tastings. Both are good things to be sure, but there’s more to do in Napa than sample fermented grapes. And that’s good news for travelers who don’t drink, want to explore a different side of Napa, or simply prefer other pursuits.
Napa Valley’s wine country reputation, while well-earned, can overshadow what is a legitimately diverse playground. There are championship golf courses, world-class spas, hiking trails, a walkable downtown, and some of the best dining in the country. And it’s all easily accessible, whether these activities are the focus of your trip or something to squeeze in between tasting rooms.
On my recent visit to Napa, I stayed at Silverado Resort, a sprawling 345-room property that’s the perfect home base for an active trip. It sits on 1,200 acres of verdant land and features everything you need for a relaxing stay, including pools, golf courses, tennis and pickleball courts, and a newly renovated spa to ensure a speedy recovery from all of the above.
Activities for every kind of competitive streak
Silverado is the only resort in Napa Valley that features 36 holes of championship golf. The North Course opened in 1955 and has served as host of the PGA Tour‘s Procore Championship, so it’s as legit as they come. It’s tournament-tested and demanding, with tight fairways and difficult green complexes. The South Course is its mellower sibling, with rolling fairways and some elevation changes that result in lots of scenic views.
If golf isn’t your thing, the resort also has eight tennis courts and six pickleball courts. Both are popular with guests, and the programs feature pros who give beginner lessons and work with more seasoned players. I took a pickleball lesson during my stay. I’d played multiple times before, but never with any real instruction, so the lesson was helpful and taught me some strategy and positioning along with a refresh of the fundamentals. And if that’s too active for you, there are also a few bocce courts, multiple swimming pools, and miles of nearby hiking and biking trails.
The best way to wind down
Silverado Resort’s Spa and Longevity Center reopened in the spring after a significant renovation and is now a hub for longevity and recovery. So whether you’re a pro golfer or just a little sore after a pickleball lesson like me, you can take advantage of compression therapy, infrared and heat-based recovery, vibroacoustic relaxation and other experiences that support circulation, relieve muscle fatigue relief and regulate the nervous system.
The gym is a great place to get a workout in, and they also have a fitness studio with trainer-led yoga, HIIT, TRX classes and more. Then again, you could just get a massage and then sip rosé by the spa pool. There are no wrong answers here, but I can attest that that particular combo is a winner.
There’s a shiny new restaurant
For years, the resort’s main restaurant was simply The Grill. It was solid, nothing flashy, and served the kind of food you might want when coming off the golf course. That changed with the arrival of Matchplay Kitchen + Bar, a concept built around vintage sports and modern California cooking. The vibe lands somewhere between an upscale lounge and a nostalgic social club. There are shuffleboard tables and dart boards in the bar area, and views out over some of the prettiest fairways in the valley.
The all-day menu highlights ingredients sourced from within 100 miles of the property, highlighting the seasonality of California’s agricultural resources. There’s even a garden onsite, where chefs grow herbs and produce. A few standouts at dinner were the thousand layer potato with caviar and crème fraîche, the duck confit croquettes, the double-cut pork chop, and the grilled flat iron steak frites with chimichurri. The pastas are good, too, so you’ll be most successful here with a few other people who like to share.
Go exploring nearby
Silverado Resort is tucked just off the Silverado Trail and a few minutes from downtown Napa, which means guests get an actual wine country setting, with vineyards visible in every direction. So, while you don’t need to base your trip around wine, you certainly can. There are hundreds of wineries within an easy drive, from small producers to major players like Opus One and Grgich Hills. One of my favorite stops was Bella Union, which skips the cattle call setup that’s common at so many spots in favor of a relaxed experience, where you can do a tasting with food pairings or just sip a glass of wine on the patio.
You’re also close to tons of great restaurants, including the famous French Laundry. For something delicious and more affordable that doesn’t require a reservation months in advance, try The Restaurant at North Block. It’s just down the street from The French Laundry and serves a menu of seasonal produce and live-fire proteins, plus lots of great wines and cocktails. So while you don’t ever need to leave the cozy confines of Silverado, it’s nice to know that you can—and when you do, you’ll find no shortage of options nearby.
