Play: A familyfriendly Napa jaunt — with kayaks! — makes for a whine-less wine country trek.
Headed for Wine Country? There are plenty of non-wine experiences to be had, from a kayak trek to geysers and llamas
Slipping our kayak into the calm Napa River waters, we’re greeted by a gaggle of fuzzy baby ducklings hiding amid the swaying grasses. Bouncing around in the blue water, they seem almost as delighted as we are to float down the river, letting the cares and stresses of everyday life melt away.
Most corkheads dream of pinots and cabernets when they plan a wine-country getaway. But if you’re bringing the family along, be sure to pour on the quirky and fun activities, too, so you can keep the children amused.
Getting my little one, Daphne, 7, to savor a Napa vacation usually means making sure we have at least one big adventure planned, and kayaking proved the perfect activity. It combines Instagram-worthy views, fun and exercise. It’s the sweet spot where the whole family can achieve a blissful state of entertainment and relaxation. Biking amid the vines is another great way to play, but on a blazing hot day in the valley, the glistening waters of the Napa River just cry out for a dip of paddle or toes.
To be sure, a decade ago, the river was often considered too grungy for kayak trips. Now, though, it’s simply lovely; with or without baby duckling sightings. A guided river trek — we went with Randy Johnson, who runs Getaway Adventures — will make you feel like you know the river pretty well after a leisurely tour.
A font of local lore, the guide can regale you with the town’s history — before the wine boom, tanning was the core trade — and help you find the best spots for spotting egrets and blue herons. Since there’s a blend of sea water and fresh water in the river, the ecosystem can support a vast array of wildlife, including 500 species of fish from salmon to steelhead. As you glide along, you’ll spy many families whiling away the hours casting their lines into the river.
After 20 years of leading treks through wine country, Johnson also knows nifty places to get out and taste various adult beverages (vino or microbrew), and the best beaches for a rest, a snack or a posh tour picnic of charcuterie and pasta kicked up with lemon and capers. Swimming isn’t recommended here, although we saw several dogs happily defying that rule, chasing balls for hours on the mossy banks.
Best of all, Johnson also knows how to keep pint-sized kayakers from getting cranky in the face of strong headwinds and high temperatures, which is a priceless gift for any parent. Making sure the kiddos are tickled is the key to a whine-less Wine Country getaway.
For the record, Daphne’s favorite part of the kayak trip was, of course, the little baby ducks we met along the way. That and pulling out near the famed Oxbow Public Market for a scoop of delectable Three Twins ice cream. It was her motivation to keep on chugging.
Of course, if you really want to rack up the parenting points — and parenthappiness factor — choose a familyfriendly hotel as your home base. The welcoming Meritage Resort and Spa, whose perks include a family pool, a bowling alley and a vineyard guests can traipse through, makes a perfect launch pad for other classic kidfriendly activities. Be sure to check out the vintage amusement park at Sonoma’s Train Town and Calistoga’s ever-reliable Old Faithful Geyser. And make time to explore Castello di Amorosa, a medieval Tuscan-inspired castle winery, where little ones can poke around the dungeon while their parents squeeze in some sips.