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There are few events on the planet where you can view top-notch cinema at a winery, make a splash at a pool party, mingle with movie stars, indulge in world-class food and drink, then work the calories off with a bike ride — all in one weekend. But the Napa Valley Film Festival, one of the Bay Area’s best-kept secrets, fits that bill.
The Napa Valley extravaganza is only 6 years old, a baby in the Bay Area’s storied collection of film festivals. Yet with its more than 100 movies, 13 screening venues and dozens of celebrity appearances, the festival has caught the attention of Hollywood, as well as residents who want an easy getaway trip before the holidays.
Festival founders Marc and Brenda Lhormer have created an event that takes advantage of the Wine Country’s indigenous charms. During its Nov. 9-13 run, myriad events will be taking place simultaneously in four festival villages: Calistoga, St. Helena, Yountville and Napa.
With that in mind, we have mapped out a five-day tour of the festival, a luxuriously long weekend that takes us all over the valley.
For those whose schedules are tighter, you could pick an afternoon or evening from this tour, and there are a variety of passes available (www.napavalleyfilmfest.org/festival -pass-and-pass-plus).
Here’s our itinerary.