Where to picnic in Pope Valley & Lake Berryessa

Pope Valley

A family winery founded in the 1890s in rustic Chiles Valley/Sage Canyon east of the main valley, reached by scenic Highway 128. Tastings are held outdoors in the homestead backyard, and you're encouraged to bring a picnic and stay. It's one of the most old-school, unpretentious picnic stops in Napa County.

Pope Valley

A fifth-generation family winery in far-flung Pope Valley, over the hill from Angwin, with an 1897 winery building and hand-dug cave. After a reserved tasting you can stay for a BYO picnic and bocce on the patio. It's a genuine rural detour far from Highway 29 traffic.

Pope Valley

A family horse ranch with a B&B and winery in the quiet Chiles Valley, well east of the main valley. After a sit-down vertical tasting of Zinfandel or Cabernet, guests are invited to walk the vineyards, meet the horses and picnic under the oaks. It pairs well with a Nichelini visit on the same scenic drive.

Lake Berryessa

The main public day-use area on Lake Berryessa's west shore, run by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation about 8 miles up Knoxville Road from Highway 128. It combines lakeside picnic sites with grills, drinking water and restrooms, reservable group shade shelters and swimming beaches.

Lake Berryessa

A campground and marina on Lake Berryessa's northwest shore, about half a mile north of Pope Canyon Road, run by Royal Elk Park Management under contract with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. A day pass covers lake access, a first-come picnic area by the launch ramp, swimming and rentals, at a higher price than Reclamation's own Oak Shores.

Lake Berryessa

One of the two large day-use areas the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation runs on Lake Berryessa's west shore, a short drive north of Oak Shores on Knoxville Road. It is a smaller, lower-key alternative for a lakeside picnic, with restrooms, trailheads and easy paths down to quiet coves.