If ever there were a dream drive for wine lovers, the Silverado Trail would be it. A shady country road, lined with oak trees and rolling vineyards, what’s not to love about this avenue of oenophilia? Originally a wagon trail followed to bypass flooding in 1852, this thoroughfare later became a mining route and was the first permanent road from Napa to Calistoga.
The name “Silverado Trail” came from the area’s brief silver rush, although it wasn’t dubbed this until 1921. Running parallel to CA-29, the Silverado Trail is a quieter, less traffic-choked alternative and a whole lot more scenic, too. Tucked on the eastern edge of Napa, most visitors use this road to hop between some of the region’s best wineries, of which there are 40 that call the trail home. Whether you’re just passing through and looking for a picturesque view or you’re eager to bounce between vineyards by car or bike, consider this your ultimate guide to the best of the Silverado Trail.