6 Must See Hotels + Restaurants in Northern California

To find quaint wineries, luxurious spas, or hotels that treat you like royalty, you don’t need to travel to Europe. In Northern California, fine dining, wining, and hotel escapes are the hidden gems thriving in America’s backyard. Napa and Sonoma—recognized for their vineyards and beautiful estates—put the best life has to offer within easy reach.

From quiet retreats tucked away in wine country to lavish eats in laid-back towns, these establishments have been lauded as some of the finest. Our DuVine guides have compiled a list of the best Northern California restaurants and hotels that are so outstanding, you may just want to plan your next trip around them.

We think a cycling tour is an ideal way to experience California’s vibrant culinary scene, with rewarding climbs and vineyard rides to help pique your appetite for artisanal foods and fine wines. Choose from one of our California Bike Tours to experience all the West Coast has to offer!

Auberge du Soleil recreates the best of Provence, stateside. Set amid a 33-acre olive grove on a sun-kissed hillside (and proudly proclaiming their motto as “pleasure is healing”), it’s no surprise that this Napa Valley hotel offers first-class service, French cuisine, decadent wines, and sweeping vineyard views. Exquisite rooms with private terraces and soaking tubs spare no indulgence.

Hotel Healdsburg is an exceptional base for exploring wine country on our Sonoma 4-Day Bike Tour. Northern California artists and craftsmen have contributed to the hotel’s design in the form of original artwork, woodwork, and ceramics. Browse the local galleries and shops, or give in to temptation and spend your day being pampered at the world-class spa.

With only 25 rooms, family-owned Farmhouse Inn provides a personalized touch to every aspect of your stay. Travel + Leisure awarded this boutique lodge the honor of #3 Best Resort Hotel in California, and with over 400 nearby wineries, it’s easy to see where the attraction lies. While at Farmhouse, revitalize with unique farm-to-spa services and treat yourself to a Michelin-starred meal without ever leaving the premises.

Located in St. Helena, the Restaurant at Meadowood relies on ingredients farmed and foraged in Napa Valley to create three-star Michelin masterpieces. In pursuit of cuisine that is “better, more delicious, more relevant, more singular, and more personal,” expect a tasting menu that expresses the passion of Meadowood’s chefs in every bite. Of course, with a prime location in wine country, extensive wine pairings do not disappoint.

This spring will see the much-anticipated opening of Acacia House, Chris Cosentino’s new restaurant at Alila Napa Valley. Cosentino enjoyed fame as the winner of Top Chef Masters and will be co-hosting a very special dinner with DuVine at CampoVelo to benefit No Kid Hungry. Acacia House highlights Cosentino’s love of seasonal California cuisine with a modern twist, plus thoughtfully paired wines from Napa Valley.

Located in Healdsburg, Barndiva is a family-owned restaurant celebrating the food sheds of Sonoma and Mendocino—beginning with their own family farm. Their “modern country cuisine” translates into familiar dishes upgraded with farm-to-table touches like cheese from Point Reyes, heirloom figs, and housemade bread. Beyond the plate, Barndiva’s beautiful space encompasses a wine program, art gallery, garden, and event space. The cocktails here are a standout, making it a refreshing stop on a tour of Healdsburg’s many tasting rooms.