73 miles N of San Francisco

This quiet, attractive little town, located 17 miles north of Napa on Calif. 29, is home to a slew of beautiful old homes as well as first-rate restaurants and accommodations. The former Seventh-Day Adventist village manages to maintain a pseudo Old West feel while simultaneously catering to upscale shoppers with deep pockets -- hence Vanderbilt and Company, 1429 Main St., between Adams and Pine streets (tel. 707/963-1010), purveyor of gorgeous cookware and fine housewares; it's open daily from 9:30am to 5:30pm.

Shopaholics won't be able to avoid at least one sharp turn off Calif. 29 for a stop at the St. Helena Premium Outlets, located 2 miles north of downtown St. Helena (tel. 707/963-7282), whose stores include Donna Karan, Coach, Movado, London Fog, and more; open daily from 10am to 6pm.

One last favorite stop: Napa Valley Olive Oil Manufacturing Company, 835 Charter Oak Rd. (tel. 707/963-4173), at the end of the road behind Tra Vigne restaurant. This tiny market presses and bottles its own oils and sells them at a fraction of the price you'll pay elsewhere. They also have an extensive selection of Italian cooking ingredients, imported snacks, and excellent deals on exotic mushrooms.

If you'd like to go bicycling, the quieter northern end of the valley is an ideal place to rent a bike and ride the Silverado Trail. St. Helena Cyclery, 1156 Main St. (tel. 707/963-7736), rents bikes for $7 per hour or $25 a day, including rear rack, helmet, and picnic bag.