Napa Valley is known for wine, but it is also known for gourmet food, air sports such as sailplaning and hot air ballooning, and its spas.

However, Enchanted Hills Camp is 10 miles up a small mountain road, and not near many wineries, activities or sights. We also study with Steven from 9am to 5pm each day, and most people think of our time together as a retreat from time and the world so rarely leave our beautiful camp.

But visitors may want to consider extending their stay and exploring Napa Valley for a day or more, either before or after the retreat. If you decide to do this, it is recommended that you get a rental car since public transportation in Napa is scarce. One option is also to take the bus + taxi to the retreat as described above, then pick up a rental car in Napa town at the end of the retreat. See Travel Planning for more info on buses and taxis.

My special recommendations in the local area are:

ST. HELENA and RUTHERFORD
Cute towns, good food and accommodations.

CALISTOGA
Spa town, natural hot springs, mud baths and massage.

WINERY TOURS
You can learn a lot about winemaking by visiting a working winery. Good ones are Mondavi, Beringer, Rutherford Hill, and Sutter Home. Also check out the champagne and brandy cellars at Domaine Chandon and Mumm.

GOURMET FOOD
The Culinary Institute of America runs Greystone, a continuing ed "grad school" for the country's top chefs. Reservations essential. Also recommended are The French Laundry, Tra Vigne and Bistro Don Giovanni's.

Note: Napa town itself isn't very interesting.

The following websites have good information on places to stay and things to do in the Napa Valley.

NapaValley.com
Napa Valley Online
StHelena.Com
Calistoga.com