Festival Napa Valley, held every summer in Northern California’s gorgeous Napa Valley, has become one of the world’s premier festivals, attracting visitors from near and far. This year, Festival Napa Valley’s 20th anniversary Summer Season promises to be better than ever with the ultimate pairing of world-class artistry, amazing food and exquisite wines tucked within the valley’s most picturesque vineyards, running from July 4–19. The 2026 lineup is an entrancing love letter to the senses.

The highly anticipated Jay, an Autograph Collection Hotel - part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio, launched last November in San Francisco’s lively Embarcadero neighborhood. This luxurious charmer with a prime location near the Ferry Building, features 360 stylish rooms and suites, some with terraces offering stunning bay vistas. And these “viewing spots” are sublime.

Napa Valley, world-renowned wine region, elevates its fabulous quotient even higher with this year’s BottleRock better than ever. Throngs of locals and visitors of all ages descend upon this beautiful Northern California enclave for the ultimate Memorial Day Weekend Festival held at the Napa Valley Expo. The Spectacular features great music, fine Napa wines and celebrated chefs serving up culinary delights.

Sonoma wine country is more than double the size of neighbor Napa and with its gorgeous scenery, superb farm to table dining and esteemed grapes, it’s easy to fall under its spell.

An intimate desert oasis with an innovative, evidence-based approach to wellbeing and cuisine by acclaimed Nobu, sure sounded good to me. In point of fact, I’ve enjoyed relaxing stays at numerous healing havens only to resume my stressful city life upon my return. Ever hopeful of finding a lasting panacea, I journey on.