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Napa Getaway: 36 Hours in Napa

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Napa Getaway: Napa in 36 Hours
Napa Getaway: Napa in 36 Hours

A Napa getaway can seem like a far-off luxury when mired in the world of special needs parenting. Raising any child can strain a partnership – but this is often magnified in a special needs family when finding a caregiver for your loved one can be especially challenging. We have to carve out small windows of time for ourselves as couples  – maximizing time away is key.  

We take advantage of days when our kids have school and we don’t have work and make mini-day trips count. Identify places you can go during a school day that feel “away” – for us, that means one of several places within 45-90 minutes from our home.

We are lucky enough to live where we can have lunch in San Francisco, walk along the beach, or go for a hike all while our kids are in school.  But choose what works for you- get a Groupon for a local hotel and get couples’ massages. Pack a picnic and go to the park. See a movie. Or be a kid without your kids and hit the local amusement park, without having to worry about meltdowns in line or height limits on rides.  

We also have a handful of places in the 2-hour driving range that make for great one-night mini-vacations.  We have very few overnight babysitting options – namely the grandparents- but when they are in town, we try to take advantage for at least one night of “away.”  

We are lucky enough to live within driving distance of this wine-and-food-mecca, so we have found a way to make a weekend trip work for us and maximize our time in wine country.   What’s a Napa getaway in 36 hours look like? Here is a snapshot of a recent trip:

Napa Getaway: Napa in 36 Hours

Napa Getaway

Saturday:  

  • 10:15 am – On the road- with a playlist of our choosing – a true luxury!
  • 11:56 am – Arrive at the first winery – this time it was B Cellars – where we did a food and wine pairing – lunch and tasting in one stop.
  • 2:42 pm – After a walk around quaint downtown Yountville, grab a snack at Bouchon Bakery, and enjoy at a table in the gardens of the French Laundry.
  • 4:25 pm – Check into our hotel – swim/hot tub/or a poolside drink all are great options.
  • 6:05 pm – We head to dinner – this time it was Acacia House – upscale American comfort food in a charming, restored old home in St Helena.
  • 9:30 pm – Relax by the outdoor fire pits at the hotel before calling it a night at the Westin Verasa Napa.

Sunday:  

  • 8:32 am – Coffee and breakfast sandwiches at Model Bakery at Oxbow Public Market – yum!
  • 9:47 am – In line at Bouchon Bakery (again!) to get treats for the kids, and the babysitters, and the car ride – and maybe a little something to munch on before the next winery.
  • 11:07 am – Our next winery – this one is Brasswood – for another food and wine tasting.  Eleven is early in wine country, so we have a private tasting, including time in an amazing sensory room.  Our guide recommends a family-run olive oil company so that’s our next stop.
  • 1:36 pm – After tasting a dizzying array of olive oils – and a few vinegars – at Napa Valley Olive Oil Manufacturing. We decide on four – our favorites being a chile olive oil, that, when paired with a peach balsamic makes an incredible dressing.
  • 2:03 pm – Homeward bound from our short, yet sweet getaway.

After just over a day away from home, we are content – full of wine, olive oil, pastries and the freshness of mind that comes from being away, and outside of routines.  The extra sleep allowed without a little voice interrupting it doesn’t hurt either. Like so many aspects of our life, autism has redefined what a “vacation” looks like – but also made us much more resourceful in taking advantage of opportunities that we are fortunate to have right under our nose.  

Napa getaway: Napa in 36 hours

Too far from Napa to go for one night? Then make your own version of this Napa getaway. What’s your choice for a close-to-home mini-vacation destination?  Comment below.

Want more ideas? Come follow me on Pinterest here.

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    Comments

    1. Elizabeth @ Lizzie Ann says

      June 21, 2019 at 10:21 am

      O this sounds like so much fun! Great article 🙂

      • Lara says

        June 27, 2019 at 3:34 pm

        Thanks- what’s your favorite weekend getaway?

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