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St. Helena sits about halfway up the Napa Valley, where Highway 29 narrows and becomes Main Street for a few blocks of brick and stone storefronts. It was a farm and railroad town long before it was a wine destination. Some of the valley's oldest wineries still sit at its edges. Today it mixes historic estates with bakeries, kitchen shops and a culinary school in a stone castle.
Our Napa and Sonoma guide explains how to choose between the valleys and book tastings. This page covers only St. Helena: getting there, the wineries in and around town, the Culinary Institute of America, places to eat, fees and parking and a sample day.
Getting there from Palo Alto
St. Helena is about 90 miles from Palo Alto. Plan on about two hours each way. Most drivers cross the Dumbarton or San Mateo Bridge, take Interstate 880 and Interstate 80 north, then follow Highway 37 or American Canyon to Highway 29 and drive up the valley through Napa, Yountville, Oakville and Rutherford. The route through San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge and Highway 121 is a good choice early on weekend mornings.
The trouble spot is St. Helena itself. Highway 29 squeezes into a two-lane Main Street through downtown and weekend afternoons can back up for miles. The Silverado Trail, on the other side of the valley, runs parallel and is usually faster. Use the cross roads such as Pope Street or Zinfandel Lane to reach it. Our bridges and tolls guide has the toll rates for each route.
Best time to go
Go on a weekday if you can. Main Street and the big estates are far calmer from Monday to Thursday. Late fall is a good balance, when the vines turn gold and red after harvest and the crowds thin. November and the winter months are the quietest. Wild mustard flowers between the vines in late winter. Harvest, from late August through October, is the busiest and most exciting season, with the highest hotel prices. Summer afternoons in the middle of the valley are often much warmer than Palo Alto, so schedule walks for the morning. Check our weather guide before you pack.
The holidays change hours. Beringer, for example, posts that it closes at 3 p.m. on November 25 and is closed on November 26, December 24, December 25 and January 1.
Wineries in and around town
Several of the valley's most historic wineries line Main Street at the north end of town. They are close together, which cuts down on driving.
- Beringer Vineyards, founded in 1876, with its Rhine House mansion and old tunnels. Its site says it is open daily with walk-ins welcome. It is the easiest big name to visit without a booking.
- Charles Krug, 2800 Main Street, one of the valley's oldest estates. Its site lists tasting hours of 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and holiday events such as an annual library dinner on November 7, 2026.
- Louis M. Martini, a historic Cabernet house south of town that describes its winery as newly restored. Tastings are booked online.
- Merryvale, at 1000 Main Street on the south edge of downtown, close enough to walk from the shops.
Most estates offer several experiences at different prices, from a standard flight to a seated reserve tasting. Napa Valley fees are high and change often, so check each winery's page for the current price. Some waive the fee with a wine purchase or for club members. Everyone tasting must be 21 or older with photo ID. Book two or three tastings at most and leave time for lunch.
The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone
The huge stone building on the north side of town was built as a winery in the late 1880s. Today it is the California campus of the Culinary Institute of America, known as CIA at Greystone. The CIA's California page lists the Gatehouse Restaurant, where advanced students cook with produce from the college's own farm and herb gardens. It also lists the Spice Islands Marketplace, a shop full of cookware and food gifts. The campus also makes Greystone Chocolates. Hours and booking for the restaurant change with the school calendar, so check the CIA site before planning lunch around it.
Where to eat
- Gott's Roadside, the original location of the burger stand with outdoor picnic tables on the south side of town. Lines move fast and it is a good family stop.
- The Model Bakery, 1357 Main Street, which reopened in 2023 after a full remodel. It is known for its English muffins and serves breakfast and lunch.
- Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch, a sit-down restaurant on the ranch's property with reservations and seasonal live fire dinners.
Main Street also has delis and cafes for a picnic. Hours change with the season and some places close one day a week, so check each restaurant's own site the day before. The Visit St. Helena site keeps a dining list and runs the visitor center at 1154 Main Street.
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Beyond wine
Just north of town, the Bale Grist Mill was built in 1846 to grind grain for valley settlers. It is a state historic park next to Bothe-Napa Valley State Park, which has shaded trails up into the hills. Both are run by park partners, the Napa Open Space District and the Napa Valley State Parks Association. Check the association's site for current hours and fees, which vary by season.
Back in town, Main Street's shops and cafes make a pleasant hour for anyone not tasting.
Parking
Downtown has street parking along Main Street and the side streets, plus public lots a block off the main drag. Spaces downtown are time limited and fill on weekend afternoons, so read the signs. The large wineries on the north side of town have their own lots. If you plan to walk between Merryvale, the shops and lunch, park once downtown and drive only to the estates farther out.
A sober driver and getting home
California's legal limit for adult drivers is 0.08 percent blood alcohol. A few tastings over an afternoon can get you there. The drive home is two hours of valley roads, freeways and bridges. Pick a designated driver before you leave Palo Alto. Share flights and drink water between stops. Rideshare cars can be scarce in the middle of the valley late in the day. A guided tour takes the problem away entirely. You can compare Napa Valley wine tours that include St. Helena stops.
A sample day
- 7:30 a.m. Leave Palo Alto through the East Bay.
- 9:30 a.m. English muffin and coffee at The Model Bakery, then a walk down Main Street.
- 10:30 a.m. Walk-in tasting at Beringer, then a tour of the grounds.
- Noon. Lunch at Gott's Roadside or Farmstead.
- 1:30 p.m. Browse the shop at CIA at Greystone.
- 2:30 p.m. A booked tasting at Charles Krug or Louis M. Martini.
- 4:30 p.m. Head south on the Silverado Trail with your sober driver.
It is a long day with four hours in the car. A night in the valley makes it much easier. You can compare hotels in St. Helena and Napa Valley. Calistoga is about 15 minutes north and Yountville is about 15 minutes south. For tasting rooms closer to home, see our wine tasting guide or browse all day trips from Palo Alto.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Palo Alto to St. Helena?
Plan on about two hours each way for roughly 90 miles, usually through the East Bay and up Highway 29. Weekend afternoons slow to a crawl on Main Street, so the Silverado Trail is often the better way back.
Which St. Helena wineries take walk-ins?
Beringer says it is open daily and welcomes walk-ins. Many other estates around town ask for reservations, especially on weekends and in harvest season, so book the ones you care about ahead.
Can you eat at the Culinary Institute of America in St. Helena?
The CIA at Greystone is home to the Gatehouse Restaurant, where advanced students cook. It also has the Spice Islands Marketplace. Check the CIA's site for current hours and booking before you go.
Where should I eat in St. Helena?
Gott's Roadside is the casual classic, The Model Bakery at 1357 Main Street is famous for English muffins and Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch takes reservations for a sit-down meal. Hours change by season.
Is St. Helena worth it without wine tasting?
Yes, for a slower day. You can walk Main Street, tour the CIA campus shop, visit the Bale Grist Mill just north of town and stop at the bakeries. A designated driver will still find plenty to do.