Earlier this year I was sent an email with the news that Napa had been added to a top 10 list by the review website Yelp. My mind instantly went to topics more akin to the top 10 wineries or top 10 restaurants.
But among the top 10 family-friendly travel destinations? That, sadly, isn’t the first thing that comes to mind for the region.
This accolade — the city of Napa specifically was ranked No. 2 in the U.S. — had many on our staff and many of our readers puzzled. What do Napa Valley families actually ... well, do? How do they spend their time when the chief product of the region is made for those age 21 and older?
This edition of Inside Napa Valley offered our staff and crew of freelancers a chance to dive into this question. Is the Napa Valley really family-friendly? Is the Yelp designation accurate?
Katie DeBenedetti shines a light on dozens of family-friendly spots in the Napa Valley, including the Rockzilla climbing gym, the American Canyon Wetlands, Connolly Ranch Education Center, Calistoga’s Old Faithful Geyser, di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art and more. Kevin Courtney steps inside The Grape Escape, Napa’s escape room where “participants’ abilities to work together, solve puzzles, decipher clues and complete challenges are tested in entertaining ways.” Meanwhile, columnist Chloe Moody answers the question “What do Napa’s young adults do for fun?” while Theresa Gonzalez shares her parental perspective on a recent trip to Safari West in nearby Sonoma County.
This magazine is by no means a full exploration of what makes the Napa Valley a family-friendly destination, or perhaps more importantly, a family-friendly place to live. But it is our hope that what is shared between these pages offers a new perspective on the region, one that is welcoming of families of all stripes. Please enjoy our Spring/Summer 2024 issue.
