For a little hike with big views, pack the wine and cheese and head for Table Rock Trail in northern Napa's Robert Louis Stevenson State Park. The shaded trail rises moderately for 1 mile before reaching an overlook with pop-up-book vistas of green hills and vineyard-latticed valleys, not to mention the Mayacamas Mountain Range. Simply sit back and savor the views or scramble over and around the overlook's Volkswagen-sized boulders before returning the way you came. Afterwards, visit one of the best mom and pop wineries in Napa—Vincent Arroyo. While many boutique Napa wines start at $50 a bottle, Vincent Arroyo's prices average in the low $30s. The two resident black labs, JJ and Bodega, will welcome you to this off-the-beaten-path winery that's been making award-winning petite sirahs since the early '80s. Vincent Arroyo tastings are generally by appointment, but don't let that stop you—they happily welcome drop-ins, too.
TIP: Hikers with good shoe-traction and plenty of water can continue another 1.3 miles to the trail's namesake destination—Table Rock, a high-in-the-sky exposed flatbed of granite and giant rocks with 360-degree views. (Be forewarned: Trail markings are sparse.)
To reach the Table Rock Trailhead: From Calistoga, travel north on Hwy 29 for 7 miles. The turnout for parking is on the right side of the road, .25 mile after the Robert Louis Stevenson State Park sign. It can get extremely hot in the summer and into early fall; it's best to hike in the morning. No dogs.
Vincent Arroyo Winery, 2361 Greenwood Ave., Calistoga; 707-942-6995. Open 7 days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tastings are complimentary, unless you have a group of seven or more; then it is $5 per person. Greenwood Ave. is off of Hwy. 29; .7 mile north of the intersection with Silverado Trail.