Pacific Union College » PUC Life » Area Dining & Entertainment

The Napa Valley is a richly beautiful destination, visited by approximately five million people each year. In addition to outdoor recreation, the Valley boasts a world-renowned culinary scene, beautiful architecture, artists and galleries, and a variety of cultural activities.

PUC is also within reach of the sports, theater arts, music, visual arts and special events of such cities as San Francisco, Sacramento and Santa Rosa.

Napa Valley Food

$ - Affordable ($5-$15 per person)
$$ - Moderately Affordable ($15-$30 per person)
$$$ - Expensive ($30+ per person)

Armadillo's - Mexican with an artsy flair. $$
1304 Main St., St. Helena, 963-8082

A&W/KFC – The closest thing to "fast food" in St. Helena. $
501 Main St., St. Helena, 963-4333

Azteca Market – A taqueria and hispanic mini-market where you can order burritos, tacos, etc. Most people do take-out, but there are a few tables on the patio. $
789 Main Street, St. Helena, 963-4963

Bistro Jeanty - French bistro with lots of veggie sides. $$$
6510 Washington, Yountville 944-0103
www.bistrojeanty.com

Bosko's Ristorante - Excellent fresh pasta. $$
1364 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga, 942-9088
www.boskos.com

Bouchon - A traditional French bistro owned by Thomas Keller, noted chef and owner of the French Laundry. $$
6534 Washington Street, Yountville, 944-8037.
www.frenchlaundry.com/bouchon/bouchon.htm

Brix Restaurant - A large restaurant that has developed an excellent reputation for its food and presentation. $$
7277 St. Helena Hwy, Yountville, 944-2749
www.brix.com

Checkers - A moderately priced Italian restaurant featuring pizza, pastas and salads in a friendly atmosphere. $$
1414 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga, 942-9300

Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen
1327 Railroad Avenue, St. Helena 707-963-1200

Cook
1310 Main Street, St. Helena 707-963-7088

The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone - The dazzling restaurant space, created by noted designer Adam Tihany, offers a view of the chefs at work from every hand-crafted table. $$
2555 Main St., St. Helena, 967-1010
http://www2.ciachef.edu/greystone/spectator/index.html

Dean & Deluca - Sells prepared foods as well as produce from local farms, cheese by local artisans, and international foods and products. $$$
607 S. St. Helena Hwy., St. Helena, 967-9980
http://www.deandeluca.com/Aboutus/Default.aspx?id=192

The French Laundry - One of America's great restaurants, owned and run by Thomas Keller, voted America's best chef on a number of occasions. Impeccable ambience, service, presentation and food. $$$$
6640 Washington St., Yountville, 944-2380
www.frenchlaundry.com

Gillwoods – Popular for breakfast. $$
1313 Main St., St. Helena, 963-1788

Giugni's Deli – Serves the best sandwiches in town from a little shop with lots of character. A favorite with students. $
1227 Main St., St. Helena, 963-3421

Go Fish - A classic West coast fish restaurant owned by Cindy Pawlcyn of Mustard's Grill and Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen. $$$
641 Main St., St. Helena, 963-0700
http://www.gofishrestaurant.net

Golden Harvest Restaurant - No MSG, casual atmosphere, and great for family-style Chinese. $
61 Main St., St. Helena, 967-9888

Hurley's Restaurant
6518 Washington Street, Yountville 707-944-2345

Hydro Grill - Hydro is a warm restaurant and full bar featuring moderately priced American comfort food, sometimes with interesting twists. $$
1403 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga, 942-0555

In-N-Out
820 Imola Ave. Napa , 94559

La Prima Pizza - Excellent middle-American pizza with chewy crust, tasty sauce and plenty of toppings. $
1010 Adams St., St. Helena, 963-7909

Model Bakery - Local artisan bread and pastries as well as sandwiches, pizza, and coffee. $
1357 Main St., St. Helena, 963-8192

Napa Valley Coffee Roasting Company – Favorite for studying, hanging out, and enjoying coffee and other drinks at indoor or outdoor tables. $
1400 Oak Avenue, St. Helena 963-4491
www.napavalleycoffee.com

Pacifico Restaurante Mexicano – Many Mexican choices. $$
1237 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga, 942-4400

Pizzaria Tra Vigne (Previously Vitte and Tomatinas) – The more casual counterpart to Tra Vigne, the Pizzaria serves delicious pizzas and piadines in a fun atmosphere. $$
1020 Main St., St. Helena, 967-9999
http://www.pizzeriatravigne.com

Rutherford Grill – Sandwiches, wood-fired rotisserie, and meat dishes; not many vegetarian options. $$
1180 Rutherford Rd., Rutherford, 963-1792

Cafe Sarafornia - Informal family restaurant and deli, coffee-shop style; serves good breakfasts. $$
1413 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga, 942-0555

Soo Yuan Restaurant - Locals swear by Soo Yuan, Calistoga's only true Asian restaurant. $$
1354 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga, 942-9404

Smokehouse Café - Specializes in Southern food, even featuring Steen's southern cane syrup on the table for pancakes. $$
1458 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga, 942-6060

St. Helena Farmers Market – Small, colorful farmers market held in Crane Park on Fridays, 7:30 a.m. to noon, May through October.
www.sthelenafarmersmkt.org

Taylor's Refresher - St. Helena's up-scale version of the local hamburger stand. Nice picnic tables on the patio and lawn. $$
933 Main St., St. Helena, 963-3486
http://www.taylorsrefresher.com

Terra – Serves dinner only, fusion of European country with an Asian touch. Fantastic seasonal vegetarian plate upon request. $$$
1345 Railroad Ave., St. Helena, 963-8931
http://www.terrarestaurant.com

Tra Vigne - Quality Italian Dining. $$$
1050 Oak Ave., St. Helena, 963-4444
http://www.travignerestaurant.com

Ubuntu
1140 Main Street, Napa 707-251-5656

Villa Corona – A favorite among students for fat, tasty burritos. $

1138 Main, St. Helena, 963-7812

Theater & Music

Bay Area Theater Sports – Improv theater with shows every weekend at the Bayfront Theater at historic Fort Mason Center in San Francisco.

Napa Valley Opera House – A theater in a historic building in downtown Napa offering music and drama performances year-round.

San Francisco Symphony –  Directed by Michael Tilson Thomas, the symphony features performances at Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco.

Wells Fargo  Center for the Arts – Offers performances, education programs, and other events in Santa Rosa.

Yoshi's – Jazz club and modern Japanese restaurant located in Jack London Square in Oakland and in the Fillmore Heritage Center in San Francisco. Features two shows each night.

Visual Arts

De Young Museum – A landmark art museum located in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, showcasing special exhibits and collections of American art from the 17th through the 20th centuries, and art of the native Americas, Africa, and the Pacific.

Legion of Honor Museum – A three-quarter-scale adaptation of the 18th-century Palais de la Légion d'Honneur in Paris, the museum overlooks the Golden Gate Bridge and displays a collection of 4,000 years of ancient and European art.

Mumm Gallery – Located at Mumm Winery in Rutherford; features fine art  photography from international and local photographers.

St. Helena art galleries – Include Alan's, Art on Main, Christopher Hill Gallery, I. Wolk Gallery, and Miles Metzger Studios, all on Main Street in St. Helena.

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art  - One of the world's most innovative museums of modern and contemporary art.

Sports Teams

Golden State Warriors – At the ORACLE Arena in Sacramento.

Oakland Athletics – At the McAfee Coliseum in Oakland.

Oakland Raiders – At the McAfee Coliseum in Oakland.

Sacramento Kings – Kings basketball games at the ARCO Arena, a top venue for sports, entertainment and special events in the Sacramento region.

San Francisco 49ers – At the Monster Park stadium in San Francisco.

San Francisco Giants – At the AT&T park in San Francisco.

Recreation & Parks

Angel Island State Park – The largest island in the San Francisco Bay, offering hiking, biking, camping and boating. Also a historical site.

Bay to Breakers – 12k run in San Francisco every May, from the Embarcadero, alongside the Panhandle and through Golden Gate  Park.

Bothe-Napa Valley State Park – Offers hiking, camping, picnicking and swimming just 10 miles from PUC.

Golden Gate National Recreation Area – Includes the Presidio, Muir Woods, Alcatraz, Marin Headlands, and Cliff House.

Lake Berryessa – Swimming, water sports, picnicking, fishing, and camping at several day-use areas and resorts.

Lake Hennessey – The boat launch on this quiet lake can be reached via Silverado Trail and 128. The closer side, down Old Howell Mountain Road and Conn Valley Road, offers walking and fishing. Picnicking and swimming is not allowed, since Hennessey is a water source for Napa.

Mountain Bike Races – The Howell Mountain Challenge (August) and Napa Valley Dirt Classic (April) both take place on PUC property.

Raging Waters Sacramento – Waterpark at Cal Expo in Sacramento; previously Six Flags Waterworld USA.

Robert Louis Stevenson State Park – Includes the Mount St. Helena summit trail, the Palisades trail, and the Table Rock Mountain trail.

San Francisco Exploratorium – An experimental, hands-on museum for all ages.

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom -  offers a unique mix of close-up animal encounters and thrill rides.

Snoopy's Home Ice – The Redwood Empire Ice Arena in Santa Rosa.

Sonoma Coast State Beach – The closest beaches to PUC, including Goat Rock, Bodega Bay, and Shell Beach.

NOTE: Phone individual restaurants or venues for details, discounts, schedules and updates.