Some anniversaries call for a big trip. Others—especially in the thick of busy schedules, kids’ activities, and everyday life—call for something simpler. One that’s easier to execute, but still far enough away to give you real time together.
This year, that’s exactly what we needed.
Instead of flights and overplanning, my husband and I opted for something refreshingly easy—a quick 45-minute drive up to Yountville. Tucked into the heart of Napa Valley, Yountville sits just north of downtown Napa, but feels worlds away from the busier, more spread-out parts of the valley. It’s smaller, quieter, and incredibly walkable—more of a village than a city—which is exactly what makes it so appealing for a quick escape.
This getaway ended up being less about the anniversary itself and more about finally having uninterrupted time together.
We chose to spend the night at Hotel Yountville for our anniversary—a decision that felt right the moment we pulled in. The property, recently refreshed, feels more like a tucked-away villa than a traditional hotel. Our room was one of those spaces you don’t want to leave—a large, spa-like bathroom with a beautifully tiled floor and oversized shower, a cozy fireplace, a sitting area, and a private patio that made the room feel secluded and special.
It felt elevated, but never in a way that made you feel out of place. More like borrowing someone’s really well-designed home for the night.
We spent the afternoon exactly how you’d hope to spend an anniversary: slowly. A kid-free day of wine tasting, walking from one spot to the next, not rushing anything. That’s one of the best parts of Yountville—it’s all right there. No driving, no coordinating, just wandering.
After wine tasting, we made our way back to the hotel spa, and this was easily one of the highlights of the trip. I booked the "Paired and Pressed" massage treatment. It starts with a warm, wine-inspired massage candle that melts into a silky oil for a full-body massage, then transitions to a scalp treatment with organic hair oil and a mineral gua sha comb. The entire experience is designed to slow you down, and even includes a glass of wine to enjoy during the treatment. You leave not just relaxed, but completely reset—and with the candle to take home.
Dinner that night was just a short stroll over to Lucy Restaurant & Bar at Bardessono Hotel. The setting alone made the evening modern and sleek yet warm, with the option to sit outside and take in the beautiful surroundings. There’s something about dining outdoors in Napa Valley that instantly shifts your mindset. We found ourselves lingering longer than planned, not wanting to break the rhythm of the night.
The next morning, we kept things just as simple. A walk to Bouchon Bakery for coffee, quiche, and pastries—no reservations, no plans, no need for the car.
It wasn’t defined by any one moment, but by how easy it all felt. While others were in TSA lines, we were sitting outside, laughing over pastries.
Back at the hotel, we lingered a little longer than we needed to—coffee on the patio, one more moment by the fireplace, not quite ready to shift back into real life. The staff made everything feel seamless, never intrusive but always there when you needed something. It’s the kind of place where you don’t have to think too much.
For us, this anniversary wasn’t about doing more. It was about doing less, together.
And sometimes, the best kind of escape isn’t far at all—it’s just far enough to remind you to slow down.
"It wasn’t defined by any one moment, but by how easy it all felt. While others were in TSA lines, we were sitting outside, laughing over pastries."