Top Spots for Celebrity Watching

Where to go in Napa Valley to See the Stars

(NAPA VALLEY, CA) — The rich and famous can easily travel anywhere in the world they wish, and the Napa Valley is high on their list of places to catch a little R&R. Great food, world class wines, and resorts and service that cater to every exclusive desire make this a fabulous place to hide from the paparazzi. Locals in the know, however, who want to catch a glimpse of the world’s elite, grab a glass of wine or dinner at one of these tony locations:

Meadowood Napa Valley
This well-known and exclusive resort has hosted over the years a veritable whose-who of rising, and perhaps even a few, falling stars. Jessica Simpson, Robert Redford, President Bush and Bill Gates have all been guests that used the spa, ate at The Grill (or The Restaurant) and maybe even took a dip in one of the wonderful pools.

Meadowood Napa Valley, 900 Meadowood Lane, St. Helena, CA 94574

Carneros Inn
Founded by San Francisco Mayor, Gavin Newson, this south Napa outpost of posh luxury and upscale communal living has been the site of many a gathering of the San Francisco Social Scene. Also seen here: Lance Armstrong and Sheryl Crow, Jim Belushi, Steven Soderbergh, and Amanda Peet.

The Carneros Inn, 4048 Sonoma Highway, Napa, CA 94559

Calistoga Ranch
One of the newest luxury resorts in the Valley, Calistoga Ranch hasn’t had any problems getting the word out to the high-rolling crowd. Unsubstantiated reports (aka: local buzz) recently had Mick Jagger and Van Morrison enjoying the benefits of lavish Napa Valley hospitality.

Calistoga Ranch, 580 Lommel Road, Calistoga, CA 94515

Shopping Downtown St. Helena
The great boutiques of downtown St. Helena don’t just draw plenty of wine country visitors, but those who can shop anywhere they want, frequently can be found shopping St. Helena. Is it those delicious sandals at Foot Candy, or the aromatic elixirs from all corners of the world at Diva Perfumes? Local resident Jennifer Montana (wife of football legend Joe Montana) can sometimes be seen on one side or the other of Main Street, shopping bags on her arm.

Celebrity Vintners
If you are into catching one or more of the Valley’s own winery luminaries, there are a few places they have been known to frequent.

Bob and Margrit Mondavi have been seen recently having dinner at Redd in Yountville. In the past, Tra Vigne in St. Helena was an outdoor lunch favorite or for breakfast they could be found at Gordon’s Café and Wine Bar. You may have even been lucky enough to bump into Margrit at Model Bakery in St. Helena.

Many vintners like the location, food, and camaraderie of Boon Fly café, and the Rutherford Grill is a good location for spotting winemakers – if you go for lunch. By night time it is the hot spot for singles looking to hook up.