Napa Valley For RVers

Above, vineyards along California Highway 29 in Napa Valley. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in the 1980s, I would go to Napa Valley ever so often the hit the wineries.

I would take tours of the wineries which would end in their tasting rooms. I would sample some wines and buy the ones that I liked. I would camp at Bothe-Napa State Park. 

This was all when I lived in California. As I now live in New Mexico, I doubt that I will go to Napa Valley again unless the state's ridiculously high gasoline prices come drastically down. 

Still, I would recommend a visit to Napa Valley. Perhaps an article in RV Travel may be enticing.

They begin it with:

California’s Napa Valley is known for its award-winning vineyards and wineries. You may be surprised to know that many other wonderful activities draw visitors to the valley, as well.

Napa’s gentle scenery, small-town charm, and cultural spots make it a great place for slower, more relaxed sightseeing. Of course, you can definitely plan to tour some wineries, but don’t limit yourself to only that. Check out these other visit-worthy things to do, too!

To read more, go here.

Alcohol Consumption In State Parks

Above, Fort Massac State Park on the Ohio River near Metropolis, Illinois. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Over the years, I generally camp at private RV parks and campgrounds such as KOA Kampgrounds or dry camp with E Clampus Vitus (an historical drinking society or a drinking historical society, take your pick) in BLM areas. Having alcoholic beverages have never been an issue.

RV Travel has posted that some state parks have different rules pertaining to alcoholic beverages. It depends upon the state. I can only think of four state parks I've camped in: Bothe-Napa Valley State Park, Malibu Creek State Park, Navajo Lake State Park and Fort Massac State Park (near Metropolis, Illinois). Having alcoholic beverages in any of them was never an issue, especially at the Bothe-Napa Valley State Park that is nestled among the wineries.

The RV Travel article begins with:

Many RVers enjoy camping in local state parks. However, when it comes to bringing alcohol to state parks, the rules can vary widely. Much depends on the state and the specific park you’re visiting.

In general

Generally, state parks across the U.S. allow some form of alcohol, but with specific restrictions in place. Here’s an overview of what to expect, along with some essential guidelines to keep your outdoor experience enjoyable and respectful to both nature and other visitors.

 To read more, go here.

California Wine Country Without Crowds

Above, a Napa Valley vineyard. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in the late 1970s and 1980s, I would try to get up to California's Wine Country (Napa and Sonoma Valleys) whenever I could.

I enjoyed sampling each years' vintages in the tasting rooms of several wineries and bring home boxes of different wines. During my college years, my mom and I would pop open a bottle two at home on weekends while my dad was out bowling. Good times!

I generally would go in the autumn months when there are less people crowding the tasting rooms. 

Speaking of avoiding crowds in Wine Country, that is the subject of a new article by Travel + Leisure.

They begin it with:

If you love sipping a perfect pinot on a sunny, 75-degree August day in California's wine country, you're far from alone. Literally. Because one unwelcome addition that idyllic day is practically guaranteed to come along with? Hundreds of other people — all vying for the same wine-tasting seats, the same coveted hotel rooms, and all waiting in the same endless lines for brunch at Bouchon. Over-touristed travel is rarely fun, and in the middle of a pandemic, it can feel downright dangerous. The good news: There is a way to do wine country without the crowds.

According to the Napa Valley tourism bureau, the area welcomes about 3.85 million visitors per year, the majority of whom come through during the area's busiest (and sunniest) months, from summer to early fall. Luckily, as wise travelers will tell you, high season isn't the only season — in wine country or elsewhere. 

One tip from me. If you have an RV, stay at Bothe Napa State Park in Napa Valley. I've stayed there a few times, even during rainstorms which can be frequent during autumn. The park has a nice campground.

Above, Bothe-Napa State Park campground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read the full article, go here.

Wine Country Camping

Above, Bothe-Napa Valley State Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in the early 1980s, I headed north to the Napa and Sonoma Valleys of California for a little autumn vacation in wine country.

At the time, I only had a 1980 Toyota pick-up truck with a camper shell and carpet kit. I was quite comfortable as the carpet kit was nicely padded. Since the truck bed was a long bed, I had plenty of room for sleeping, extra clothes, cook gear and for my winery purchases. I stayed at one of the places listed in an article by Wine Enthusiast on camping in wine country.

They begin with:

Why settle for four-star accommodations when you could have the whole night sky? Forget the hotels, resorts and bed-and-breakfasts the next time you visit one of your favorite wine regions. Good old-fashioned camping, or newfangled glamping, lets you nestle right into nature. So, pitch your tent and build a campfire—it’s time to open a bottle and dream of the next day’s tastings. 

Here are some coast-to-coast suggestions for a summer’s worth of camping adventures.

To read more, go here. 

RV Camping In Napa Valley: Refreshing, Relaxing and Great Scenery

Above, a vineyard near Calistoga in the Napa Valley. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in the 1980s, I used to head north to the Napa Valley wine country region of Northern California for relaxation and to hit the wineries to re-stock my wine supply fairly frequently.

My favorites in Napa Valley were the Robert Mondavi and Beringer wineries. They had great tours that ended with a tasting session in the wine tasting room.

Above, the campground at Bothe-Napa State Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While there, I camped in the Bothe-Napa State Park. It is a nice state park with a great campground. And, it was right smack in the middle of the winery area, which made it handy.

The Daily Press has an article on RVing in wine country.

They begin with:

This is shaping up to be a fantastic summer to visit many places in California that had great benefit from our rainy season. Russ and Lori frequently travel up U.S Highway 395 over to Interstate 80 in the Truckee area. 

Recent years saw the drive with lakes and rivers that were eerily low during the drought. The West Walker River is raging in many areas. Topaz Lake looks like it is refreshed. The Sierras even got a June dusting of snow. The record-breaking rainy season also benefited California’s wine country. With this summer shaping up to be a hot one, why not take an RV trip to California’s Napa Valley or Sonoma Valley? 

RV camping in wine country is quite easy if you just plan a little ahead. Many wineries are up north, but we also have some fantastic wineries fairly near to us in the Temecula area. An RV trip to the Sonoma or Napa Valley would be comfortable as a 7 day trip or longer. 

Above, the grapevines following the harvest. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here.