A Week-Long Itinerary for Food Lovers: The French Laundry Restaurant

• Day 1: Explore Yountville
  Starting your journey at Yountville, take a morning walk to V Marketplace, a quintessential shopping center with an array of local galleries, get lunch at the famous Bouchon Bakery, and visit Napa Valley Museum to learn about the area's history and culture.
• Day 2: Visit Napa Valley's Wineries
  Drive to Chateau Montelena Winery, enjoying wine tasting and a vineyard tour. Enjoy your lunch at the Auberge du Soleil Restaurant; go on to some more wine tasting at Duckhorn Vineyards and Paraduxx Winery.
• Day 3: Day Trip to San Francisco
  Take a morning drive to San Francisco and explore the popular Ferry Building Marketplace, this waterfront marketplace features delicious cuisine, artisanal products, California wines, and breathtaking views of the Bay Area; after lunch at Hog Island Oyster Co., take a stroll across the Golden Gate Bridge and visit the famous Alcatraz Island.
• Day 4: Visit Calistoga
  Visit the famous Castello di Amorosa, a landmark in Calistoga known for their premium wines, then visit the Petrified Forest, a natural marvel preserving prehistoric redwood trees. Have lunch at the four-starred Solbar restaurant and go on to the Old Faithful Geyser of California, which promises a magical experience.
• Day 5: St. Helena and Napa Valley
  A visit to St. Helena for more wine tasting, see the paintings at The Christopher Hill Gallery, have lunch at the Charter Oak, then visit the Mumm Napa Valley for a champagne-tasting experience like no other.
• Day 6: Downtown Napa
  Have brunch at Grace's Table, a family-run restaurant, then visit the Napa Art Walk, a rotating exhibit of outdoor sculptures; after that, make your way to the CIA at Copia for a cooking class experience or attend a wine-tasting class at the JCB Tasting Salon.
• Day 7: The French Laundry Restaurant
  Finally, on the last day, have lunch/dinner at The French Laundry Restaurant known for its French-American cuisine, outstanding hospitality, and over six thousand wines. Take a tour of their kitchen and cellar, meet the master chefs, and savor an unforgettable meal.

Time and Costs Estimates

• V Marketplace (0.5-1 hour, free)
• Bouchon Bakery (1 hour, $20-50)
• Napa Valley Museum (1-2 hours, $10-15)
• Chateau Montelena Winery (2-3 hours, $25-55)
• Auberge du Soleil Restaurant (1-2 hours, $75-150)
• Duckhorn Vineyards (1 hour, $25-35)
• Paraduxx Winery (1 hour, $30-50)
• Ferry Building Marketplace (2-3 hours, free)
• Hog Island Oyster Co. (1-2 hours, $25-50)
• Alcatraz Island (2-3 hours, $40-50)
• Castello di Amorosa (2 hours, $25-50)
• Petrified Forest (1-2 hours, $10-15)
• Solbar Restaurant (1-2 hours, $75-125)
• Old Faithful Geyser of California (1 hour, $10-15)
• The Christopher Hill Gallery (0.5-1 hour, free)
• Charter Oak Restaurant (1-2 hours, $75-125)
• Mumm Napa Valley (1-2 hours, $25-50)
• Grace's Table (1-2 hours, $20-50)
• Napa Art Walk (1 hour, free)
• CIA at Copia (2-3 hours, $75-150)
• JCB Tasting Salon (1-2 hours, $50-75)
• Total Estimated Costs: $550-1200 per person

Transportation

A rented car or a hired driver is the most convenient way to get around Yountville, Calistoga, and Napa Valley. It is also advisable to book a flight to San Francisco International Airport, then rent a car and drive across the Golden Gate Bridge to Napa Valley. Estimate a total of 2 hours to reach your destination from the airport, costing between $100-$150 for a rental car.

Useful tips

Spend an extra day exploring the lesser-known side of Napa Valley or add another day to explore the city of San Francisco. Another option is to cut short the winery tours or omit visiting the Petrified Forest. If you have more time to spare, consider taking a hot air balloon ride over the vineyards or hike the Mount St. Helena for an unbeatable mountain view of the valley.