Napa River Ecological Reserve, Yountville

0.5-MILE LOOP, EASY

You’ve planned a full food-lovers’ Yountville day — breakfast at Bouchon, wine-tasting, lunch at Redd, more wine-tasting, and you’ve nabbed a 7:30 p.m. reservation at French Laundry. At some point you realize that in between all the Michellin-starred meals and world-class wine you need a quiet, beautiful place to not think about eating. This 73-acre preserve is just that place. The short, river-hugging trail leads you beneath tall oaks; birds to be seen include towhee and mockingbird. An hour spent here is the perfect palate cleanser. Start: Yountville Cross Road, Yountville; www.wildlife.ca.gov/Lands/Places-to-Visit/ Napa-River-ER