Sacramento and Napa Valley in a Day

With our packed travel schedule, we had an early breakfast and left our Airbnb around 7:30 AM — early for retirees! When visiting a new state, we make it a rule to tour the state capitol building, especially if there’s a guided tour available.

In Sacramento, we joined a California State Capitol tour led by a California State Parks ranger. The ranger shared fascinating stories — for instance, did you know Sacramento was the fourth city to serve as California’s capital? The Capitol building itself was designed as a replica of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., and believe it or not, some confused visitors have shown up here thinking they’re confirming their visit to the real Capitol in D.C.! The state also carries two nicknames: the Golden State, thanks to the Gold Rush, and "America’s food basket" for its massive agricultural output.

On the second floor of the Capitol, we saw portraits of the seven most recent governors, including Ronald Reagan and Arnold Schwarzenegger. In the Assembly Chamber, we even sat in historic wooden chairs and watched the staff prepare for the next day meeting — a small but memorable peek behind the scenes.

Picnic with a View: Grape Crusher & Napa Valley

After our Capitol visit, we drove west to Napa Valley. We brought sandwiches and stopped at Vista Point Park, next to the iconic Grape Crusher Statue. Sitting on a bench on the hill, we enjoyed a late picnic lunch while gazing out at the stunning Napa Valley vista — warm light, rolling hills, and a gentle breeze.

We wandered briefly through downtown Napa, stretching our legs along the Napa River, then headed out along the scenic Silverado Trail. This cinematic drive winds through rugged vineyards and sun-drenched hills — one of those drives that fills your senses, even without a formal winery stop.

We had hoped to visit William Hill Winery, which holds a special place in our hearts since we served their wines at our wedding reception. Sadly, we learned that the winery closed in summer 2024. Although we didn’t visit a tasting room, driving through the vineyard-covered hills, I felt as if I could taste my favorite Cabernet Sauvignon — just from memory and the beauty around us.