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If you're visiting Napa or nearby Sonoma Valley, let Family Travel Forum guide you to some unusual stops along the road.

Napa's Family Attractions

In addition to winery tours for mom and dad, California's Napa Valley does offer attractions of interest to children. The two most famous are "natural wonders," and are engaging for parents as well:

The Petrified Forest
4100 Petrified Forest Road
Calistoga, CA 94515
707/942-6667
Well-marked trails meandering through the forest provide a view of trees that have fossilized over the eons. An eruption of Mount St. Helena over 6 million years ago, spewed volcanic ash which engulfed the forest, removing all the water from the trees and turning the giant redwoods to stone, where colors and crystals are visible in the tree trunks and fallen timber. An explanation of the geologic processes of fossilization and petrification are presented in the adjoining museum. There is a gift shop of mineral specimens and a picnic area. Open daily from 9am to 7pm. Admission fee is $6/adults, $5/juniors 12-17, $3/children 6-11.

Old Faithful Geyser
1299 Tubbs Lane
Calistoga, CA 94515
707/942-6463
No, this is not the famous Old Faithful of Yellowstone National Park but, as it has a regular interval pattern, it qualifies as one of three such phenomena in the world. California's Old Faithful erupts approximately every 40 minutes depending on the moon, tides, and other natural phenomena. When you arrive, you will see a bubbling pond which will soon turn into a huge stream of water, spouting up to 60 feet, before calming down and gurgling until the next eruption. An adjoining exhibit area describes the phenomenon, and the proprietor will be happy to answer your questions and show you records on the timings of the eruptions. Hours are daily from 9 am to 6 pm (to 5pm in winter). Admission fee is $8/adults, $3/children 6-12, no fee for children under 6.