Situated In California's Napa Valley Lies A Beautiful City Known For Its Specialty Wines

The words "wine country" prompt idyllic notions of romantic getaways, rustic bachelorette weekends, and scenic day-trips for those lucky enough to live within driving distance. While the Napa Valley floor is only 30 miles long, it's home to five distinct towns, each with unique offerings.

One such town is St. Helena, California, a historic wine destination about 65 miles north of San Francisco. The city dates back to the mid-1800s when the railroad arrived in the region, bringing shipments of agricultural supplies and new homesteaders who began cultivating the land, primarily for vineyards. This eventually led to the development of the region's wine industry. St. Helena was incorporated as a town in 1876 and, in the second half of the 19th century, became a popular resort destination for wealthy San Francisco travelers.

Today, St. Helena is a beautiful Northern California destination and one of the best U.S. cities to visit for wine tastings. Boutique shops, tasting rooms, and more dot the main road of its charming downtown area, which happens to be a designated National Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places. The city works to preserve its rich history with careful maintenance of both its farmland and notable buildings. Agricultural conservation also undoubtedly contributes to St. Helena's rustic beauty and charm, with roads to area vineyards providing an endless supply of green fields, lush trees, and vibrant floral life.

St. Helena is one of the best places to explore Napa Valley's wine country (which you can also do aboard the historic Napa Valley Wine Train). The city is home to over 400 vineyards, including some of Northern California's most notable. Charles Krug Winery, for example, is Napa Valley's oldest — it dates back to 1861, before the railroad even arrived. This is also the home of Beringer Vineyards, the California winery with the longest history of continuous operation.

Part of why St. Helena became such a booming wine destination is its climate, which provides sunny but temperate conditions ideal for specific varietals like cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and zinfandel. The city's Colgin Cellars, Ehlers Estate, and Turley Hayne Vineyard have all earned repeated accolades.

These award-winners are a testament to the hidden gems that St. Helena's wine scene has to offer. Many of its wineries and tasting rooms provide unique experiences alongside tastings, such as the HALL Wines Wine and Art Exploration, which, as its name suggests, pairs its bottles with an engaging art walk. For a regal outing, wine enthusiasts can visit the 42-acre Spottswoode Estate, where tastings are by appointment only and exclusively outdoors.

There's no bad time to visit St. Helena. Locals even call the slower winter season "Cabernet Season": a nod to a cozier time of year that still offers events like Napa Valley Restaurant Month. The winter and spring months (especially December and March) are the city's rainiest, providing quieter visits and soon-to-bloom grapevines. Summer can bring temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit but also offers seasonal events, like the city's Summer Concert Series. St. Helena is one of the most scenic West Coast destinations for fall. Autumn is harvest season, which the city marks with an annual festival featuring road races and pet costume parades. This is one of the loveliest times to visit, but also one of the busiest.

If you can't drive to St. Helena, both Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport and Napa County Airport offer commercial flights. Both are about 30 miles away, depending on your route. San Francisco International Airport and Oakland International Airport are both approximately 70 miles away.

St. Helena offers a range of stays to suit different budgets. On the higher end, Meadowood Napa Valley can go for up to $1,250 per night in certain summer months. Closer to downtown is Alila Napa Valley, which goes for around $980 per night in the same season. For promising mid-range options, consider Southbridge Napa Valley and Harvest Inn, both located downtown with rates of around $350 per night in some summer months. For a slightly lower-cost option, rooms at the Inn St Helena start around $282 per night during the summer season.