Things to do in a day: A valley full of treasures

  • Published
  • By Cassie Brown
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
Last week, you were relaxing on the sparkling water getting closer to nature. This week get back on dry land by taking a quick trip to a place with countless treasures to be found: the Napa Valley.

A very popular vacation spot in Northern California, Napa can be enjoyed for more than just its vineyards and wine tasting. An exceptional way to "lift your spirits" is to do it literally by taking a hot-air balloon ride.

There are multiple places were you can book a ride that will take you high enough to see the valley from the vantage point of a bird. You can slowly float around the beautiful valley and let your worries lift off of your shoulders.

When you return to earth, you can explore the natural world by taking a tour of the Safari; that is, the Safari West Wildlife Preserve.

Not a zoo, not a drive-through park, it's a wildlife preserve where the whole family can experience some of nature's most beautiful animals in a natural habitat. Here you can see many animals found mainly in Africa like cheetahs, lemurs, giraffes and zebra.

For those who prefer to enjoy nature in a more challenging way, there is always the frustrating activity known as golf. Napa offers several stunning courses from which to choose. All of the golf courses have amazing scenery, with some in the heart of the vineyards. But don't let the scenic beauty fool you, the courses are still challenging.

In addition, a number of the clubs also have fine dining and overnight accommodations for when you want to try you luck at the links two days in a row.

If you enjoy a less stressful hobby, there is plenty of shopping. Napa offers an outstanding experience for those looking for gifts, distinctive apparel or unique home items.

There are two premium outlet locations and the downtown mall in Napa. There is also an assortment of antique shops full of rare gems to discover.

When you need to relax or simply want to pamper yourself, there are numerous spas and massage centers in which to indulge yourselves.

You can spend the entire day at the spa or, if time is short, spoil yourself for a couple of hours. With services ranging from facials and skin care, manicures and pedicures, to aromatherapy and warm stone massages, you are guaranteed to find something that will rejuvenate you.
While having fun doing your favorite activities, don't forget that Napa has a smorgasbord of restaurants to please any palate.

You can even put a personal twist on your meal by having a private picnic in one of the vineyards, but you must bring your own grapes.

The Napa Valley is full of beautiful scenery and amazing activities. From hot air ballooning to picnicking in the vineyards, everyone in your family can enjoy the Napa Valley.