Be Still My Art Art…read moreand history museum located in the heart of Downtown Santa Rosa that's been celebrating the region's history and art scene for over forty years (ca. 1985). The Good: *More than the name implies, as it's not just a history museum but also an art museum, as well as a sculpture garden. *Staff were incredibly helpful and friendly. *$12/adult, $10/senior, and $6/kid makes this an inexpensive option for things to do, especially on a rainy day. *The art section of this museum is truly incredible. There were some truly beautiful pieces of art on display here that left us mesmerized. The Meh: *Only open Wed - Sun. *The history section of this museum was just OK, but maybe it just didn't hold up to the art portion. The Ugly: *Paid street parking only. Conclusion: Great little museum to come check out when visiting the area and a good way to kill an hour or two.

There wasn't a whole lot to see here when we were there but the staffer was really pleasant. Only…read moreone other person in there so it was pretty quiet. It was nice to see what they have and there was a variety of styles to enjoy including interactive. I always like to check out what I can when I'm visiting a new area so this was a nice addition. It's pretty small though so don't plan on it taking up much of your day. Still worth it if you have the time.

Beautiful gardens and an amazing art exhibit of sculptures from Oaxaca. We were able to secure a…read moretram ride with a guide since two of us are disabled and would not be able to walk the entire distance. The guide, Beth Ann? Was amazing and explained the sculptures. They also have a sunset night weekly in the summers, where there is live music, people can bring their leashed dogs unleashed children and picnic set ups (trams will help transport camping chairs etc) and food and beverages (including alcohol). I would totally do this if I lived closer. Beautiful plants, including natives, bee hives that are not harvested but allowed to be wild, so much more.

The $17 per adult entry fee is way overpriced. My friends and their 2 little kids payed $50. Its a…read morenice little hike with some pretty vantage points, but there are many nearby regional parks that are just as lovely for parking fee only. It would be better if they just charged $5 for parking. We noticed lots of people parking and just going up the hiking path and not paying. I guess we were suckers. Paying is not worth it, but if you dont pay, its a bargain. Its worth a parking fee but not a per person entry fee.

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.

So many interesting exhibits in a huge museum. Just in for the day, we read about it on line…read more Couldn't have been more entertained. European, Californian, Asian, African painting, pottery, sculpture and statues both whimsical and thought provoking. A huge diverse exhibition for your enjoyment. Plan on having a bite to eat during your visit. It was delicious. We really had a great time and will visit on our next trip to Sac!

A variety of different forms of art. Crocker has a bit of everything packed tightly between an old…read moremansion connected with a modern building, both housing 3 floors of art. From renaissance to modern and contemporary TK a rotating exhibit, there is a bit of everything for everyone to enjoy. I particularly enjoyed the vase exhibits. Plus, the history of E.B. Crocker and how Crocker's career and impact to the state of California sets a more memorial backdrop to this art collection.

What a beautiful place. From the moment you arrive to the moment you leave, the entire experience…read morefeels elevated and thoughtfully done. This was a true wine tasting experience. Everything was beautifully orchestrated, from the pairings to the pacing. The wines were absolutely delicious and paired perfectly with the savory bites. We were hosted by Therese Keating, who greeted us with such great energy and a warm, welcoming demeanor. She immediately made us feel at home and truly enhanced the experience. With her guidance we were able to purchase some of our very favorite vintages. The tour was very detailed and gave a great look into the cellar and winemaking process. And the views... absolutely breathtaking. Overall, such a memorable experience and easily a must visit in Napa. Highly recommend.

The Good: From the moment you step into the second floor,…read moreOpus One feels undeniably luxurious. The space is warm and refined, with soft lighting, rich carpeting, elegant fireplaces, and plush sofas that invite you to linger--though, notably, we never had the chance to actually sit in them. Our host was pleasant and accommodating, adding a touch of warmth to an otherwise formal atmosphere. The Not-So-Good: Having visited wineries across Napa, Sonoma, Temecula, Central California, and even Italy, we arrived with high expectations--especially given Opus One's steep $125 price tag for just three tastings. Curiosity got the better of us; we wanted to understand the hype behind such an expensive experience. The approach to the property, however, felt surprisingly underwhelming. The exterior lacked the charm or grandeur one might expect at this level. The first-floor lobby stretches deep, with a hostess stationed behind a podium at the far end. While professional, the welcome felt stiff--almost overly serious--missing that inviting, celebratory energy you hope for at a winery. We were escorted upstairs via elevator and seated at tall tables in front of the wine counter in the tasting room. The tasting itself felt a bit impersonal: all three wines were poured at once, accompanied by informational cards. The guided experience came afterwards. Among our group of four, the consensus was clear--the 2019 reserve stood out as the best of the three, though even it fell short of being memorable. The other two selections, both from 2022, didn't leave much of an impression. Afterward, we were presented with a price list that felt as bold as the reputation: bottles starting at $210, many exceeding $400, and some climbing well into the $710 range. Given the tasting, the value simply didn't align. One unexpected highlight came from getting slightly lost on the way to the restroom--which, for what it's worth, is not easy to find. That detour offered a closer look at the estate's opulent interiors and a glimpse of a stunning circular staircase, unfortunately roped off from use. The visit itself was brief and, ultimately, underwhelming. There were no gardens to stroll through, no outdoor spaces to take in the scenery--nothing that invited you to slow down and savor the setting. Overall: For a winery with such a prestigious name and premium pricing, the experience felt surprisingly flat. While the interior hints at luxury, the overall visit lacked the warmth, engagement, and sense of occasion that one would expect at this level.

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!