Our recommendations on the best travel books for Napa Valley & Sonoma
The sun-drenched hills of Napa Valley and Sonoma provide visitors with an intoxicating blend of world-class wines, culinary delights, and breathtaking landscapes. Wine enthusiasts can savor tastings at iconic estates like Robert Mondavi Winery in Oakville or Beringer Vineyards in St. Helena, while food lovers can indulge in Michelin-starred cuisine at The French Laundry in Yountville or SingleThread in Healdsburg. For a unique perspective, visitors can soar over the valleys in a hot air balloon with Napa Valley Aloft or Sonoma Ballooning. For relaxation, the mud baths and mineral springs of Calistoga offer rejuvenating spa experiences. Festivals like BottleRock Napa Valley and the Sonoma County Harvest Fair provide a taste of local culture and entertainment. There is a lot of things to see and do here, and a good travel book can help visitors navigate these options.
Our Travel Book Recommendations - Napa & Sonoma
Our Travel Book Recommendations - Napa & Sonoma
Truly Napa Valley
Truly Napa Valley is one of the most complete guides to the region, with detailed tips not just on wine tasting but also on food, descriptions of towns, magnificent estates, hidden roads and trails, and even some non-wine things to do. The book was created by Sharon Pieniak, who has been traveling and living in her 20' Airstream travel trailer since 2007, writing about her experience along the way. The book unfortunately does not include any information on neighboring Sonoma.
Napa Valley: The Land, The Wine, The People
This 9-by-12-inch book showcases the beautiful photographic genius of Charles O'Rear, a famous National Geographic photographer and his love of the Napa Valley. This isn't a travel guide; this book instead uncovers the essence of the land, the wine, and the people who live and work there. He features inspiring views, the best of winery architecture, restaurants, and more. One of the more interesting features is the comprehensive collection of art on the bottles of 350 wines all over the valley.
Fodor’s Travel Napa & Sonoma
Another one of the better travel guides for the beautiful Napa Valley is Fodor’s. Finding the right winery and the right region is very important, and Fodor’s gives a solid and balanced overview that comes from a local perspective. This is a great guide for those who want to explore both the Napa and Sonoma regions, which we highly recommend. There are a number of custom maps that are useful for orientation. Cheers!
Hidden Napa Valley
Hidden Napa Valley is another good option for a coffee table book highlighting the beauty of this region. Local photographer Wes Walker provides his view on Napa's stunning landscape and unique wine culture with striking images of the valley. Accompanied by quotations from great writers and personalities including: Robert Mondavi, Robert Louis Stevenson, Ernest Hemingway, Galileo, and Herb Caen.