After My Own Art…read more Located on 217 acres of pristine Napa Valley land, the Di Rosa is a contemporary art museum that's been operating publicly since 1997. This museum is the personal collection of Rene & Veronica di Rosa. The Good: *Temporary exhibits rotate approximately every four months. *Complimentary umbrellas (more on that later) *A good portion of the exhibits are outdoors along their gorgeous property. *Shuttle if you don't want to or need assistance walking from building to building. *You really have to like weird shit because this place is full of it. Personally, I love it, but if you're more "serious" art person, then this probably won't be your jam. *Picnic tables on the grounds, as you're encouraged to bring food and drink to enjoy in their outdoor area. *Friendly staff The Meh: *General admission of $25 might be a touch high for an art museum. The Ugly: *Be wary when visiting during inclement weather,as there's a large part of this museum that's outdoors. So you'll probably miss out on some of it, but the free umbrellas (mentioned above) did come in handy. Conclusion: Fun art museum with some really cool pieces and doesn't take itself too seriously.

Great art collection. The car by David best was my favorite - a local. The political exhibits were…read moreinteresting as well. Thought provoking and inspiring conversations. The outdoor gallery seemed so vast and too much to cover in one visit. Appreciated the shuttle ! Everyone that worked there was so knowledgeable and excited about the works. Highly recommend.

Great museum! Glad we check this one out. They had two cool exhibits. The day of the dead was real…read morenice. Great art and nice people working here. Nice sculptures on the outside too. Definitely suggest checking out and supporting the local museum. Would definitely come back here again.

A neat surprise of two separate galleries, one art, and the other history. Very interactive and…read moreawesomely local! FYI, it took me about an hour at the history museum in about 30 minutes in the art museum. Art: this museum is the one story building that is on the corner of B St, and very conspicuous with the signs on the wall. I hear that the exhibitions rotate every five months or so and is the contemporary art side of the museum. It's a smaller of the two galleries but definitely worth a visit. History: as someone who is not very familiar with the county, I did not know that this was the post office that used to be on 5th Street, some blocks over from its current location. There's more explanation inside the history museum if you are interested in learning more! The second floor is the permanent exhibition regarding the history of Santa Rosa. The first floor seems to be rotating exhibitions. *I actually found the exhibitions at the history museum quite engaging as they put a lot of interactive elements such as wine tasting (reservations needed) and a petting zoo for band instruments and a chance to listen to music using a turntable and cassette tapes. I usually visit most museums once, but I would definitely love to come back to the history museum in the future- and maybe bring some friends and family so they can also enjoy this magnificent space as well.

Staff were incredibly friendly!…read more The upper pond was lovely. Lots of spots to sit down. Perfect place to bring some snacks and hang out. The flowers were pretty. A lot of the trails were shaded!

The Sonoma Botanical garden was much bigger than I thought it would be. At 67 acres, I think it's…read morethe largest in the bay area, The garden felt more like an arboretum with trails and lots of trees rather than a stroll garden with flowers. The first time I went I didn't realize you could look at a map beforehand because it's not a simple find on their website but I suggest looking beforehand to see what it offers (plan your visit-visitor information-download map). The rose garden here was underwhelming. This one was quite small and didn't look like it was maintained. If you want to see roses I'd recommend the nearby Cornerstone gardens, which have a much better rose garden, and they don't charge an entrance fee. I loved the pond with the lily pads and the Asian garden with all the greenery and small bridges. I also loved how garden was right next to a vineyard. Sonoma is beautiful and warm and it's nice driving up the 12 looking at wineries and admiring the scenery.

Now I know there was a failed museum in Napa that focused on wine and food called COPIA. However, I…read morewasn't aware that there's been a local art museum next to Chandon in Yountville since 1972 until Jamie read about the special tiki bar exhibition running until the end of this month, "Tiki Dreams: From Far Away Fantasy to Pop Culture Phenomenon". Definitely up our alley. Well, given our recent run on patronizing tiki bars here and abroad, we just had to go. We went up on a recent Saturday, and the museum was crowded with tiki aficionados. It turned out Bank of America was sponsoring an admission-free day, so we took advantage and became engulfed in what felt like a claustrophobic space that was equal parts arts & crafts fair and vintage memorabilia. There was definite entertainment value if you miss this mid-century phenomenon. There were other exhibition rooms, but we weren't made aware of them by the staff. Perusing the website, I noticed some interesting past exhibitions like "The Great California Road Trip 1962", something that appeals to my baby boomer sensibilities. Next to Chandon and close to other attractions, this might be worthy of a return visit. RELATED - Exploring north of San Francisco? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2tIHlkV

Visited the Napa Valley Museum during the Tiki Dreams, Mini Masterpieces, and the Great California…read moreRoad Trip exhibits. I went for the Tiki Dreams exhibit in particular. The largest exhibit is in the main building on the ground floor with the admissions desk and gift shop. The tiki exhibit itself was quaint and small. Mugs, old menus, photos and history of tiki bars, one set of Witco chairs and table, plus a hand built bar by local artist Woody Miller. Interesting to see but ultimately a quick walk through maybe intended more for those looking for nostalgia. They were selling tiki merchandise and mugs at inflated prices at the gift shop. Mugs that were $150 at the original events are being marked up and sold for $230. Almost all of the gift shop merch was overpriced. The other two exhibits downstairs were small and it smelled of sulfur or sewage since they are located below the bathrooms.. Really off putting. We looked through mini masterpieces and Great California Road Trip exhibits in at most 15 minutes and left. Entry to the museum is $15 per person... We went during Bank Of America's Museum on Us which takes place every first full weekend of the month. Bring your Bank of America credit or debit card and entry is free. Luckily one of us got in for free with this promo.

Stunning tasting room amazing staff fantastic wine choices!…read more Jake Peatman is the most gracious host! You leave your card and they give you a tasting card and it's help yourself to 60+ wines from 99 pointers to everyday drinkers. Would highly recommend adding it to your Napa vacation!

Oakville Wine Merchant is located next to the Oakville Grocer for convenience. This spot is a…read moreself-serve tasting room that has tastes (1oz), half pours (2.5oz), and full pours (5oz). Note, the prices shown did not include tax. We were intrigues to see what they had and were surprised at how many high end bottles they had to taste. Pricing is a bit of a premium but there's good reason for it. We ended up sharing a half pour of the Sens3s 2021 Chardonnay and a taste of the Donda 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon. The store wasn't too crowded so it was easy to look at everything which was nice.

I wanted to know more about Robert Louis Stevenson, the author of Treasure Island and other…read moreclassics. This small one room museum had many piece of memorabilia. But the best part was the history the docent gave about the life of RLS. Left wanting to read his books again!

The Robert Louis Stevenson is an unassuming museum on the edge of St. Helena, next to the public…read morelibrary. Stevenson's "wine is bottled poetry" quote is a common sight in the Napa Valley, yet this museum is small... and relatively uncrowded. Quotes from Stevenson adorn the walls, along with a pirate mannequin and a treasure chest for the Treasure Island display, as well as the toy soldiers who inspired him in "Children's Garden of Verses." Stevenson's adventures in California&Samoa are described&depicted with artifacts. Stevenson didn't confine his quests to his swashbuckling novels. Much is devoted to his romance with Fanny Osbourne, his wife, and their eventual honeymoon in the Napa Valley. For many people, their introductions to Stevenson are his poetry, or movies based on his novels (like Disney's 1960 version of "Kidnapped" with its dueling bagpipes&Rob Roy's son) This museum shows Stevenson's human side. Fascinating and insightful.

I really like the art and variety, plus the stories behind the art! Its also nice that they have…read morelots of security around and their suits look really professional. My brother loves medieval and he loved the European and Asian art. Also the cafe staff are super, super nice and prepare the food so well. The only problem was the tables were a little nasty. I came from Canada and if you ask me would I come again? Absolutely.

The Crocker Art Museum was a place I had always wanted to visit. I've been eyeing it for the last…read morefew years since moving to Sacramento, and finally, the opportunity came when my husband and I purchased tickets to a classical music concert series there. We arrived early so we could explore the museum before the concert, and I'm so glad we did! The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful, and check-in was very easy. They give you a sticker indicating whether you're a member, patron, or attending for the concert. The best part? Our concert tickets included admission to the museum, so we got a wonderful two-for-one experience. We started on the third floor and worked our way down, just as the staff recommended. There was SO much to see! I loved the variety of exhibitions and the incredible use of color. There were works ranging from modern and contemporary pieces to Baroque and classical art, along with beautiful geometric pottery and so many different artistic styles. It was truly a nonstop feast for the eyes. The museum itself was peaceful, quiet, clean, and very well organized. I also appreciated that there are very clean bathrooms conveniently located on each floor. We eventually made our way down toward the concert venue, although we didn't have enough time to completely explore the second floor. That just gives us another reason to come back! The concert was held in a relatively small venue, which made the experience feel incredibly intimate and almost like being in someone's beautiful home. The concert featured a violinist and pianist who performed continuously for just under an hour, with very short breaks between pieces. It was absolutely magical and beautiful. The audience was respectful and wonderfully quiet throughout the performance, which made the experience even more special. The musicians were also local to California, which was a lovely touch. The only thing we missed was the café. Since our concert was at 3 p.m. on a Sunday, we were actually getting pretty hungry by the time the concert started, but the café had already closed at 3. So if you're planning to spend the day here, I recommend grabbing a snack or something to eat before the café closes. Overall, we had such a beautiful day at the Crocker. I especially loved seeing the historic Crocker Mansion alongside the continuously changing exhibitions. It's a wonderful combination of history, architecture, art, and music all in one place. Whether you're a Sacramento local or visiting from out of town, I highly recommend adding the Crocker Art Museum to your list. We'll definitely be back -- and next time, we're making sure to see that second floor!

We've had such wonderful experiences at Opus One, and it's quickly becoming a yearly tradition for…read moreus! Our first visit was while the winery was undergoing renovations, so we weren't able to experience the entire property. When we returned last year, we finally got the full experience and it was absolutely worth coming back for. We were able to tour the winery, enjoy the beautiful property, and try their new menu of small bites alongside the wine tasting, which made the experience even more special. A huge part of what made our visit so memorable was our host, Gregg. He was incredibly welcoming, knowledgeable, and personable, and made the entire tasting feel relaxed and enjoyable while still being informative. We enjoyed our time with him so much that we'll definitely be requesting Gregg for every future visit! Opus One has become a place we look forward to returning to, and we've officially decided to make it an annual tradition. Beautiful wine, beautiful property, and exceptional hospitality.

My husband and I brought two friends here for the wine tasting, and it was such a classy and…read morememorable experience. We all loved it! We started with fantastic caviar paired with champagne, which was a beautiful way to begin. Then we went into the stunning glass room for the tasting itself, where we were served three small bites. The duck liver mousse was hands down my favorite--it paired exceptionally well with the Opus One 2012. That pairing was absolutely incredible. After the tasting, I had such high expectations that I asked my husband to book the four-course lunch for the four of us. Unfortunately, this was where the experience fell short. Given how delicious and thoughtfully paired the tasting snacks were, we expected the lunch to be just as impressive. Unfortunately, all four of us were disappointed with the food and overall lunch experience. The biggest issue was that the lunch felt very rushed. Our first course was removed from the table before we had even finished eating it. I've dined at 1-, 2-, and 3-star Michelin restaurants, and I've never experienced a plate being cleared while we were still eating. For a four-course lunch at this level, we expected a more relaxed and attentive pace. The wine tasting itself was exceptional, with beautiful presentation, great pairings, and an elegant atmosphere. I would absolutely recommend the tasting, but unfortunately, the lunch did not live up to the same standard or expectations.

It's a smaller museum but take the time to visit. It's free! There are also student docents around…read moreto tell you more about the exhibits. Located close to the parking structure on the south side of UC Davis campus by the Mondavi performing arts center and the campus visitor center. Great clean bathrooms!

Nowheresville? Just a bunch of fields and cows? Think again, mon frère. As a proud Aggie, I can…read moretell you there's more than meets the eye. For example, feast your eyes on the new-ish Shrem museum, right on the edge of campus. New to Davis? This museum is directly across the street from UCD's visitor and conference center on one side, and the campus concert hall (wine-named Mondavi Center). High-tail it over to the museum and keep your wallet in your pocket -- it's free. It's 30 minutes or so you won't mind giving up. A fun mix of modern art that is always changing, so i won't date my review here. At the very least, it's a beautiful space with some thought-provoking installations every time I'm in town. I believe there's some kind of rule that all the artists have some connection to UC Davis. Davis hates cars, so the adjoining parking lot is about $10, during the week only. Weekends? Cars galore, no charge. Inspiring!

Such a beautiful winery! The grounds are large and absolutely wonderful to explore, with a charming…read morelittle home on the property and fascinating Francis Ford Coppola memorabilia throughout. The homemade focaccia was delicious and made the visit even more memorable. There is so much to see and enjoy here--it's definitely worth a return visit! .

We've generally had great experiences with the Coppola wineries, but unfortunately, Inglenook fell…read morea little short of expectations for us, mainly because of the tour guide. The tour itself was beautiful and informative, but our guide talked way too much at times, which made the experience feel a bit drawn out. There also seemed to be some noticeable favoritism toward guests who came from Toronto, which was a little odd and made the tour feel less welcoming for everyone else. That said, Inglenook itself is absolutely beautiful. We really enjoyed the little café and the museum, which reminded us of the experience at Francis Coppola Winery. The property alone is worth visiting and makes for a lovely setting. One other thing that stood out to us was the late-arrival policy. The website specifically states that guests cannot be late or they won't be able to join the tour. However, people who arrived more than 15 minutes late were still allowed to join our tour. We have no issue with accommodating late guests, but if that's the actual policy being followed, it would be better to update the website so guests aren't unnecessarily stressed about arriving on time. As for the wine... I'm still not a fan of red wine. We did, however, find some white wines we really enjoyed and ended up purchasing a few bottles to take home. Overall, Inglenook is a gorgeous property with some nice touches, but our tour experience could have been much better. We've enjoyed other Coppola winery experiences more.