Discover the Charm of Yountville, California: A Culinary and Wine Lover’s Paradise!

BoominginLA is about things to do in Los Angeles, but I also like to highlight side trip destinations in my beautiful state of California. I have relatives in Napa, California and one of my favorite towns up there to hang out in is Yountville.

Watch my video stroll through Yountville on YouTube

For things to do and where to stay in Yountville, here.

Over the years the town has evolved into an artsy community as well as a culinary stronghold. It is only about one mile from one end of town to the other and is a lovely place to stroll, do a little wine tasting, and eat some of the most amazing food on the planet.

Thomas Keller rules the roost

Thomas Keller is the chef and proprietor of the world-class The French Laundry restaurant which is famous in Yountville. It has three Michelin Stars and is one of the top restaurants in the entire world. A typical meal averages $350 per person. It is housed in a building that was once a saloon during the early 1900s.

Across from the restaurant is its extraordinary culinary garden complete with a hen house and bee boxes. You can walk through it to see what is growing throughout the year.

Keller also owns other prominent restaurants in Yountville which include Ad Hoc, Bouchon Bistro, Bouchon Bakery, Ad Hoc + Addendum, and La Calenda. They are all world-class.

The line at Bouchon Bakery is always long but I managed to sneak in during a slow period and bought myself a cheese roll and cream Danish. Can we say YUM?

Bistro Jeanty is another Michelin Star restaurant in Yountville that serves more affordable French Cuisine. It is the passion project of chef Philippe Jeanty.

Art fills the streets

There are art installations and sculptures literally everywhere in Yountville and it is almost impossible to capture them all.  Washington St. is the main thoroughfare, but art can also be seen on side streets which are lovely to wander through.

These images are just a few. Click on them to view them in full size.

The Veteran’s home

At the south end of Yountville is the old Veteran’s home set against the hills overlooking vineyards. It was founded in 1884 and is one of the largest veteran’s homes in the United States. You can often see Vets from various wars riding into town on their scooters.

Next to the home is the nine-hole Vintner’s Golf Club. It was voted the best up-valley golf course by Napa Sonoma Magazine and has pristine greens. Hot air balloons float over the golf course and vineyards in the early morning when the weather is clear.

The Napa Valley Museum, on the grounds of the home, is dedicated to art, history, and the environment of the area.

Slightly up the hill is Domain Chandon, a premiere location to taste sparkling wine in the Napa Valley.

The V Marketplace

A favorite shopping venue in Yountville is the V Marketplace once known as Vintage 1870 because it is housed in the old Groezinger Winery. Inside are galleries, wine shops, Kollar Chocolates, and art galleries. Parties and other events are held outside in the courtyard.

A tree lighting festival takes place during the holidays next to the V Market which is a festive occasion in Yountville.

Yountville is also the home of several boutique hotels such as the Vintage House, Maison Fleurie, A Four Sister’s Inn, Hotel Villagio at the Estate, North Block Hotel, and others. At the center of town is The Spa Hotel, which offers a wellness experience in a serene setting.

Find a Hotel in Yountville by clicking here.

A more unusual place to lay your head down is the Railway Inn, which consists of actual train cars morphed into motel rooms. I stayed there once, and it was fun. The Mini-Model bakery is next door and is a popular breakfast food truck. The original bakery is in St. Helena.

Wine tasting rooms

It’s almost impossible to visit Napa Valley without passing by a winery or tasting room and Yountville is no exception. There are several tasting rooms on Washington St. such as Priest Ranch, Silver Trident Winery, and Hope & Grace. Wineries nearby that I have enjoyed are Goosecross Cellars and Elyse Winery.

The evolution of Yountville

A man named George C. Yount became a landowner in Napa Valley in 1836 after he received an 11,887-acre land grant from the Mexican government. It extended from just south of St. Helena and across the entire width of the valley. The area where Yountville is now located used to be called Sebastopol, but after Yount’s death, it was named Yountville in his honor.

Yount is buried at the North end of town in the George C. Yount Pioneer Cemetery and Ancient Indian Burial Grounds. It is an intriguing location to walk through.

Before Thomas Keller made Yountville trendy, it was rough and tough with dive bars, saloons, and bikers riding through.

Pancha’s bar was established in 1982 by a man named Roberto Solis. The building, which used to be an old barn, had once been a rowdy bar called the Silverleaf Night Club during the 1940s. Pancha’s is known for its great tacos, pool tables, and cheap drinks.

Yountville is now one of the most charming places to take a stroll in the entire Napa Valley. It is tucked away off Highway 29 away from the traffic. I highly recommend it as a place to stay especially if you are looking for a luxury experience.