Wine country is not just about tasting rooms and fine dining. Some of the best moments in Napa Valley happen outdoors, with a blanket spread across the grass, a bottle of wine you picked up that day, and nowhere you need to be for the next few hours. Whether you are looking for a shaded park, a scenic overlook, or a winery that welcomes picnickers, the area around our Calistoga bed and breakfasts offers options for every kind of outdoor meal.
Where to Find Picnic Provisions
Before you head out, stock up on provisions from one of Calistoga’s easy local options. Cal Mart is a reliable standby for deli items, cheeses, drinks, and picnic basics, while Palisades Eatery is a good choice for sandwiches and casual takeaway. Bella Bakery is a nice stop for breakfast pastries or lighter picnic treats, and if your plans take you south toward St. Helena, Giugni’s is a legendary Napa Valley sandwich stop. On Saturday mornings, the Calistoga Farmers’ Market is worth visiting for fruit, baked goods, and seasonal extras, though it is better treated as a charming local stop than a full picnic-provisions source.
Scenic Parks Near Calistoga for Your Picnic
Pioneer Park, Calistoga
1308 Cedar Street, Calistoga (2-minute walk from the inns)
Pioneer Park sits just a few blocks from downtown Calistoga, making it the easiest option for a casual lunch break between tastings or a breakfast picnic from Calistoga Roastery. The park features two picnic areas with barbecue pits, a gazebo, a playground, and restrooms. Shaded spots under mature trees keep things cool on warm afternoons, and it’s a favorite for locals reading a book or families letting kids run around. During summer, the park hosts Concerts in the Park on Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, where you can spread a blanket and enjoy live music with food and wine available for purchase.
Old Faithful Geyser of California
1299 Tubbs Lane, Calistoga
Old Faithful Geyser is one of the most picnic-friendly attractions near Calistoga. In addition to shaded picnic tables, covered lounge areas, bocce, and the natural geyser eruptions every 20 to 30 minutes, they actively encourage guests to enjoy the grounds at a relaxed pace. Their picnic station is a thoughtful touch, with helpful items such as picnic blankets, baskets, wine glasses, utensils, ice buckets, and other picnic supplies available to make the outing easier. It’s a nice example of a local attraction that has really leaned into making picnics part of the experience.
Robert Louis Stevenson State Park
Highway 29, north of Calistoga
For picnickers who want to earn their lunch, Robert Louis Stevenson State Park offers hiking trails with panoramic views perfect for a summit meal. The Table Rock Trail is a 4.4-mile moderate hike ending at a flat volcanic summit with views stretching across the valley. Pack a picnic to enjoy at the top before heading back down.
Oat Hill Mine Trail
2082 Oat Hill Mine Trail, Calistoga
The Oat Hill Mine Trail follows a historic old stagecoach route with sweeping views. If you do not want to hike far, the first mile offers several spots to stop and spread out a blanket. Note that this is a day-use park with no developed facilities, so bring everything you need, including water.
The Petrified Forest
4100 Petrified Forest Road, Calistoga
The Petrified Forest, where 3.4-million-year-old redwoods have been turned to stone by ancient volcanic activity. Easy, well-maintained trails wind past massive, petrified logs and are accessible for all ages and fitness levels. Bring your own picnic and spread out a blanket under the shade of an oak tree or find a bench along one of the trails and set up there.
Bothe-Napa Valley State Park
3801 St. Helena Highway, between St. Helena and Calistoga
Bothe-Napa Valley State Park offers the most developed picnic facilities in the area, with family and group sites scattered throughout the park under towering redwoods. Ritchey Canyon Trail follows a peaceful creek through lush ferns and oak canopy, with several spots along the way to stop for lunch. The Redwood Trail takes you through some of the tallest trees in the region. The park also has restrooms, drinking water, and a seasonal swimming pool (for an additional fee).
Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park (St. Helena)
3369 St. Helena Highway North, St. Helena
The tree-filled area surrounding this historic 1846 water-powered grist mill offers a shaded spot for a picnic. Spread your blanket under the oaks before or after watching a milling demonstration (available on weekends only). The mill still produces organic cornmeal, polenta, and various flours available for purchase in the gift shop. A 1.1-mile History Trail connects to Bothe-Napa Valley State Park if you want to walk off your lunch.
Crane Park (St. Helena)
360 S Crane Ave, St Helena, CA 94574
If you are heading south for wine tasting in St. Helena, Crane Park offers a 12-acre green space with individual and group picnic areas shaded by redwood trees. The park features bocce ball courts, tennis courts, playgrounds, and plenty of room to spread out. On Fridays from May through October, the St. Helena Farmers Market sets up here, making it easy to grab fresh produce, artisan goods, and prepared foods for an impromptu picnic. Group picnic areas can be reserved through the Parks and Recreation Department.
BYOP: Napa Valley Wineries That Welcome Outside Picnics
Because winery picnic policies can change, it’s always worth checking current details before you go. Napa Valley Vintners’ winery finder and map can be filtered for features such as picnic areas, and it is a useful planning resource for guests who want to find wineries that fit their exact plans.
Frank Family Vineyards
1091 Larkmead Lane, Calistoga
Frank Family Vineyards offers a dedicated Picnic and Bottle Service experience where you can settle onto their sweeping lawn with vineyard views and order wines by the bottle to accompany the food you brought. Reservations are required.
Tres Sabores
1620 South Whitehall Lane, St. Helena
Tres Sabores encourages guests to bring a wine-friendly picnic to complement their tasting experience. Make arrangements in advance, and your table will be set with linens, palm-leaf plates, and silverware. They also provide cutting boards and knives as needed. Even better, they’re pet-friendly, so you can bring your pup along for your meal and tasting.
Rombauer Vineyards
3522 Silverado Trail North, St. Helena
Rombauer Vineyards offers various tasting experiences on their beautiful grounds, with options to enjoy wines outdoors overlooking the vineyards. Check their current offerings and reservation requirements before visiting.
Napa Valley Wineries That Do All the Work for You
If you want a picnic experience without any of the planning, these Napa Valley wineries offer curated food pairings, full deli service, or elevated picnic experiences that let you relax and enjoy.
Tamber Bey Vineyards
1251 Tubbs Lane, Calistoga
This one-of-a-kind winery sits on a working horse farm where you can meet the horses and sip wine stableside. For a true picnic experience, Tamber Bey partners with Sam’s General Store in Calistoga to offer a curated picnic lunch that includes your choice of a fresh salad or sandwich, plus chips, a cookie, and a glass of wine from their Vineyard Series. Advance reservations (72 hours) are required for the picnic option. The winery also offers cheese and charcuterie board add-ons and a unique savory cookie pairing for those who want something lighter. Outside food is not permitted, but with options like these, you will not miss it.
Schramsberg Vineyards
1400 Schramsberg Road, Calistoga
For sparkling wine lovers, Schramsberg offers a Cave Tour with a wine-and-cheese pairing that includes six wines from their limited sparkling and Davies Vineyards collections, artisan cheeses, cured meats, fruits, and nuts. The experience begins with a tour through the historic caves on Diamond Mountain, where millions of bottles age in candlelit tunnels. The pairing at the end is designed to complement the bubbles.
V. Sattui Winery
1111 White Lane, St. Helena
V. Sattui is a Napa Valley institution for picnickers. Their Mercato del Gusto artisan deli offers freshly made sandwiches, panini, vibrant salads, over 200 cheeses, premium charcuterie, house-made desserts, and creamy gelato. On weekends, a food truck serves baby back ribs, tri-tip sandwiches, and seasonal grilled specialties. Take your selections to their 2.5 acres of shaded picnic grounds, outfitted with hand-built redwood and cedar tables, and pair everything with wines from their tasting room.
Plan Your Perfect Napa Valley Picnic Day
A perfect day might include a morning spent exploring trails or soaking in Calistoga’s hot springs, a midday wine tasting at one of the Napa Valley wineries that welcome picnickers, and an afternoon meal at one of the parks. The flexibility of a picnic means you are not tied to restaurant hours or reservations, just good food, good wine, and the beautiful Napa Valley landscape.
After a day spent outdoors, return to your comfortable room at one of our Calistoga bed and breakfasts. The Craftsman Inn and Wine Way Inn put you within walking distance of downtown Calistoga and all of the best picnic spots in Napa Valley. And don’t forget, you can always bring your picnic back to the inn. Both properties have shaded patios and garden spaces perfect for enjoying a bottle of wine and your favorite finds from the day.
Book your stay and discover why a picnic might be the most memorable meal of your Napa Valley getaway.