Visiting Napa Valley with Children? Discover the Top Family-Friendly Hotels, Restaurants, and Activities in Wine Country

I have a little secret to share, and I can already imagine my Northern California friends gasping in disbelief: I’m not really that passionate about wine. While I can definitely appreciate a great glass of wine, craft beer, and cocktails (when I indulge, I prefer quality), I wouldn’t call myself a fanatic. What I truly cherish is traveling and creating memories with my family, which includes my husband and our two young children, aged four and six. Napa Valley is one of our favorite destinations for family adventures.

Even though my husband and I aren't wine connoisseurs, we've found ourselves returning to Napa Valley time and again from our home in nearby Concord, just 40 minutes from the southern end of Napa. The region offers so much more than just fine wine. First, it’s incredibly beautiful—the rolling hills adorned with oak trees and picturesque vineyards never cease to amaze. Second, the culinary scene is fantastic, with no shortage of delicious food. Third, there are plenty of activities to enjoy, including biking, nature hikes, visits to farms and gardens, and even kid-friendly wineries. Finally, an increasing number of family-oriented hotels and resorts have turned Napa Valley into a relaxing and inviting destination for visitors of all ages.

Ultimately, any great wine we get to taste is just the cherry on top for us.

Top Family-Friendly Accommodations in Napa Valley

When visiting Napa Valley with children, your choice of accommodation can significantly enhance the overall experience. I particularly favor two areas when I'm with my kids: Carneros at the southern tip of the region and Calistoga at the northern edge. Both locations are more relaxed and provide access to excellent family-friendly resorts.

Calistoga Motor Lodge

Calistoga Motor Lodge and Spa, a refreshed mid-century motel, offers a blend of style and affordability compared to some of the pricier resorts in the area. Stay in a camper suite that features a separate room with a dining table reminiscent of a camper van, which can be converted into a bed, or opt for one of the newer Vista double queen rooms with a balcony. Kids will adore this whimsical property, complete with its fun road trip theme, three geothermal mineral pools, games like bocce ball, Hula-Hoops, and cornhole (along with a variety of board games available in the rooms and at the reception), and complimentary bikes for guests.

Carneros Resort and Spa

Nestled on 28 acres at the southern edge of Napa Valley, Carneros Resort and Spa features a spacious selection of 100 standalone cottages, making it perfect for families. The resort includes a family-friendly pool as well as an adults-only pool, and offers kid-approved dining at Boon Fly Café, located in a charming red barn, serving favorites like silver-dollar pancakes, cheese pizza, and chicken tenders. Guests can also borrow bikes to explore the area.

In 2022, the resort introduced a delightful Camp Carneros program for younger guests, featuring a “backyard campout” setup complete with a kid-sized tent, sleeping bag, lanterns, faux campfire, and a s’mores kit that can be arranged in the backyard for an additional fee of $75. A portable video projector is also available upon request for movie nights under the stars. Daily activities include scavenger hunts, tours of the produce garden, and kids’ yoga, among other family-friendly options. Kids will enjoy the oversized chess board in the central lawn and the “Chick-Inn,” a coop where they can meet the resident chickens. For families seeking more space, a spacious two-bedroom residence with a full kitchen and dining room is available for booking.

Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley

It wasn't until fall 2021 that Four Seasons could proudly present a property in Napa. This elegant 85-room resort in Calistoga showcases Four Seasons' renowned upscale service and family-oriented amenities, including the complimentary Kids for All Seasons program for children ages 5–12. This kids club offers a fully-staffed facility filled with games and activities, allowing parents to enjoy wine tastings or unwind at the spa.

Accommodations vary from standard guest rooms to spacious two- to four-bedroom residential villas, ideal for multigenerational gatherings and family reunions. Parents can enjoy the family-friendly pool, while those seeking tranquility can retreat to the adults-only pool and Spa Talisa, known for its wellness treatments inspired by Calistoga's natural hot springs. Campo Poolside serves casual Mexican dishes by the family pool, whereas the property's signature Truss Restaurant + Bar offers elevated classics such as bucatini, burgers, ribs, and grilled pizza, complemented by an extensive cocktail and wine selection. For a special parents' night out, the new fine dining restaurant Auro features a tasting menu crafted by a Top Chef alum. Alternatively, in-room dining on your private patio with vineyard views is available. Families can also enjoy bocce ball and borrow bikes for local exploration.

Meadowood Napa Valley

For families seeking a tranquil escape in the heart of wine country, Meadowood Napa Valley is a stunning resort nestled among the hills and shaded oak trees of St. Helena. The resort features a family-friendly swimming pool, tennis courts for all ages, and three miles of scenic hiking trails winding through the hilly and wooded landscape. The in-room dining menu offers kid-friendly options like mac ‘n’ cheese and burgers. Among the 36 guest rooms and suites, families may prefer the spacious “Treeline Suite,” which includes a separate sitting area and flexible sleeping arrangements. With its ample shade, Meadowood is perfect for the hot summer and early fall months (July through September) when Napa Valley temperatures can rise into the triple digits.

Solage, Auberge Resorts Collection

Following a $30 million renovation completed in 2021, Solage, Auberge Resorts Collection in Calistoga now features family-friendly accommodations: newly designed one- and two-bedroom cottage-style suites with private patios. The stylish resort also includes a revamped family pool area and offers a variety of kid-friendly activities like lawn games, bocce ball courts, a splash pad, and s’mores evenings on Fridays and Saturdays. Additionally, families can enjoy a personalized pizza-making experience.

Kid-Friendly Dining Options in Napa Valley

Boon Fly Café

Whether you’re visiting for the daily brunch (don't miss the doughnuts) or stopping by for dinner, Boon Fly Café offers a Southern-inspired menu that delights both adults and kids, all within the charming setting of a red barn. Located on the Carneros Resort and Spa grounds, it features a central lawn area where kids can run around, play giant chess, and explore the produce garden and chicken coop.

Café Sarafornia

If you find yourself in Calistoga, make your way to this nostalgic diner-style eatery on Lincoln Avenue, known for serving an array of breakfast dishes. There’s a kids’ menu for breakfast and lunch (Café Sarafornia does not serve dinner) featuring pancakes, eggs, grilled cheese, and chicken fingers, while adults can enjoy hearty breakfast burritos, eggs benedict, and French toast.

Fleetwood

The wonderful thing about Fleetwood, the newly established restaurant at Calistoga Motor Lodge (opened in 2021), is that families can sit outside while kids explore the hotel’s relaxing grounds, filled with lawn games and lush greenery, as they await their pizzas, pasta, and other wood-fired specialties such as burgers, salmon, chicken, and steak. On beautiful evenings, it’s the perfect spot for a laid-back and delicious dinner at garden tables nestled among the trees, illuminated by market lights and firepits.

Gott’s Roadside

Our family could practically own shares in Gott’s since we go there so frequently. It’s the perfect alternative to fast food, featuring a kids’ menu with burgers, hot dogs, and chicken tenders (along with what we’ve dubbed the world’s best ranch dressing), plus enough variety for adults to avoid the usual burgers and pizza. You’ll find Ahi tuna and Baja fish tacos, daily specials like crab, lobster, and Cuban sandwiches, and our favorite, the Vietnamese chicken salad. Don’t miss out on their soft serve and shakes to finish your meal. There are two locations in Napa Valley, one next to Oxbow Public Market in Napa and another in St. Helena.

Oxbow Public Market

We typically kick off—and often wrap up—our Napa Valley visits with a stop at Oxbow Public Market, where there’s genuinely something for everyone. If you’re starting your day, enjoy a perfectly crafted cappuccino or cold brew from S.F.-based Ritual, and fuel up with a breakfast sandwich (featuring house-made English muffins) from the nearby Model Bakery, breakfast tacos at C Casa, or bagels and lox at Loveski. Tempt the kids with Kara’s Cupcakes and a fun book or activity set from Napa Bookmine to keep them entertained throughout your Napa Valley adventures. For lunch or dinner, choices range from sushi at Eiko’s to Hog Island Oysters and Live Fire Pizza. Don’t forget to grab a growler of craft beer from Fieldwork and some delicious meats from butcher Fatted Calf for grilling if you’re at a vacation rental.

Pizza Tra Vigne

For a guaranteed success, visit Pizza Tra Vigne in St. Helena, where you can enjoy a comprehensive menu of pizzas, pasta, paninis, antipasti, and salads, along with a kids’ menu featuring eight-inch pies and spaghetti and ravioli. They also offer a happy hour menu from 4 to 6 p.m. daily, which coincides perfectly with many families’ dinner times. You can choose to dine in or opt for takeout.

Kid-friendly wineries in Napa Valley

Wineries and tasting experiences that welcome kids do exist. The trick is to confirm that children are allowed (as many wineries have age restrictions of 21 and older), and ensure that the setting is casual (a formal, reservation-only dining experience is unlikely to go well). As long as the environment is relaxed with areas for kids to roam, such as beautiful gardens and wide lawns, it can be enjoyable for everyone. Here are some examples of wineries that genuinely accommodate younger family members.

Cakebread Cellars (Rutherford): At Cakebread, you can arrange a “Family Tasting,” allowing adults to sample four wines in a shared walkaround experience. Reservations are necessary for the family tastings, costing $45 per adult, available daily at 10 a.m. The venue features gardens and lawns for exploration, and even houses a falcon to keep birds away from the crops.

Castello di Amorosa (Calistoga): Right off the bat, it’s a castle, so the excitement begins before you even arrive. “Hey everyone! We’re heading to a castle! The type where knights and princesses reside!” At Castello di Amorosa, kids can enjoy a grape juice tasting for $25, and the family can wander through unique areas like the Great Hall, knight’s chamber, the moat, drawbridge, and even a torture chamber featuring an iron maiden. Plus, there are goats, emus, peacocks, pigs, and sheep to check out!

Oasis by Hoopes (Napa): Make a family-friendly reservation at Oasis by Hoopes for a delightful 90-minute visit to the property’s organic gardens and nonprofit animal sanctuary, filled with charming rescue animals like goats, pigs, chickens, and turkeys. Children must be part of the reservation, and the fee for minors aged 2 to 20 is $20 each. You’ll also find an Airstream to explore and shaded seating for enjoying a cheese plate or treats from the on-site farmers’ market.

V. Sattui Winery (St. Helena): One effective way to keep kids entertained at a winery? Food! That’s where the on-site deli at V. Sattui Winery comes in handy. This expansive 2.5-acre estate offers plenty of room to roam and have a picnic (available daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.) with sandwiches, salads, or cheese from the deli (outside food is not allowed). On weekends from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., a food truck serves up barbecue, personal pizzas, sandwiches, salads, truffle Parmesan fries, and freshly baked cookies and cannoli. After enjoying some wine (for the adults) and food (for everyone), families can stroll through the estate gardens and underground wine cellars.

Kid-friendly things to do in Napa

Cycling

For a fun way to navigate between wineries or burn off some youthful energy, biking is one of the best options in Napa. If your hotel or resort offers bike rentals, ask for their recommendations based on your interests and skill level. The mostly flat Napa Valley Vine Trail is a fantastic choice—once completed, it will stretch 47 miles from Vallejo to Calistoga; currently, the 12.5-mile stretch from Kennedy Park in Napa to Yountville is open for riding. For a more organized experience, consider booking a biking tour with Getaway Adventures, which is suitable for all ages. The guides will select the destinations in advance, allowing you to simply enjoy the ride, take in the scenery, and indulge in tastings.

Trekking

In Napa Valley, Bothe-Napa Valley State Park and Robert Louis Stevenson State Park provide a variety of hiking trails, from easy nature strolls to challenging ascents, such as the summit of Mount St. Helena, which stands at 4,300 feet in Robert Louis Stevenson State Park. Another fantastic spot is Skyline Wilderness Park, featuring 25 miles of trails and gardens showcasing native plant life.

Equestrian activities

A delightful family activity in Napa Valley is horseback riding, with Owen Ranch being an excellent choice for equestrian adventures just north of the valley. The ranch offers everything from parent-child classes for toddlers to trail rides and rodeo lessons, as well as week-long summer camps for families staying in the area longer.

Old Faithful Geyser

This stop in Calistoga may seem a bit cheesy (sharing a name with the more renowned geyser in Yellowstone National Park), but it’s a genuine geyser that provides entertaining moments for kids (and adults, too). There’s a dedicated parking lot, and after paying the entrance fee, visitors can stroll along a path to the geyser, visit farm animals, and enjoy a variety of quirky attractions (Hula-Hoops, anyone?) available while waiting for the show that erupts approximately every 20 minutes.

Playground Fantastico

True to its name, this playground located in Napa is a fantastic spot for letting kids run free, climb, dig in the sand, play tag, and climb some more. It caters to a broad age range, from toddlers to teenagers. Even when heading further north in Napa, we often make a stop here to let the kids enjoy themselves.

Sonoma TrainTown Railroad

As its name suggests, Sonoma TrainTown Railroad is situated in neighboring Sonoma, not Napa Valley, but it deserves mention since it’s only 20 minutes from Napa and is a delightful option for families with young children. We frequently visit, whether we’re in Napa Valley or Sonoma. The main attraction is a train ride to a small farm where passengers can get off to feed the animals, and tickets are also available for other kid-friendly activities like a flying airplane ride and a carousel.