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Park · Napa, Napa Valley

Alston Park picnic guide

Picnics welcomeNo alcoholFree entry

Can you picnic at Alston Park?

Yes — Alston Park has picnic areas open to the public. No reservation is needed for the picnic area. Fee: Free. Alcohol isn't allowed here.

Checked September 2026 from cityofnapa.orgStated on the venue's own website

Picnic rules at a glance

Picnicking
Picnics welcome
Bring your own food
Allowed
Alcohol
Not allowed
Purchase required
No
Reservation
Not required
Fee
Free
Groups
No reservable picnic sites; the few tables are first-come, first-served.
Dogs
About 39 acres are a designated off-leash area (voice control, max 5 dogs per person); leash dogs elsewhere; pick up after pets.
Hours
Daily sunrise to sunset
Season
Open year-round. Exposed grassland gets hot in summer.
House rules
Alcohol: Not allowed. Napa Municipal Code § 12.36.220(A) bans alcohol in city parks without a permit, and permits are only issued with reservations at designated picnic sites in Kennedy, Fuller, Dry Creek, Playground Fantastico or O'Brien parks. There is no legal way to open a bottle here. No smoking or fires anywhere in the park. Bikes on paved trails only; horses allowed except on bridges; hot-air balloon landings are allowed. Glass beverage containers are illegal in all city parks (NMC § 12.36.240).

What the picnic area is like

157 acres of rolling grassland and scattered oaks on the northwest edge of town, with a handful of picnic tables along the trails rather than a formal picnic ground. It's an open-space park: bring a light spread, walk the loops and enjoy the hills.

  • Picnic tables
  • Restrooms
  • Parking
  • Hiking trails
  • Wheelchair accessible

Good for: Dogs · Quiet · Views · Budget-friendly

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About Alston Park

Alston Park is Napa's big open-space park and the city's second-most-visited, drawing dog owners and hikers. It suits a simple trailside picnic after a walk more than a full group spread. New permanent restrooms opened in fall 2025. Alcohol is not permitted.

  • One of Napa's few legal off-leash dog areas (about 39 acres)
  • New permanent restrooms and repaved parking (Oct 2025)
  • 157 acres of trails on the northwest edge of town
  • A few scattered picnic tables, first-come
  • No alcohol, fires or smoking

More dog-friendly spots in Napa ValleyMore free spots in Napa ValleyMore best views spots in Napa Valley

Make a day of it

Stock up at a deli nearby, then picnic close by — a short, easy loop.

  1. Genova Delicatessen

    Deli & market · Napa · about 2.3 mi away

  2. Alston Park (this park)

    Park · Napa

  3. Westwood Hills Park

    Park · Napa · about 2.5 mi away

Pick up picnic food nearby

More picnic spots nearby

Park

Westwood Hills Park

Napa· 2 mi

Bring your own foodNo reservationNo alcoholDogs OK

Westwood Hills pairs a shaded picnic table by the trailhead with a hike to hilltop views over Napa. The free Carolyn Parr Nature Center next door makes it a good family outing. No alcohol.

Westwood Hills Park

Bring your own foodChecked Sep 2026
Own food
yes
Wine allowed
no
Reservation
Not needed
Dogs
Yes
Fee
Free entry

Nearest picnic food: Butter Cream Bakery · 1.4 mi

Details: Westwood Hills Park
Winery

Laird Family Estate

Napa· 2 mi

Bring your own foodPurchase requiredReserve aheadDogs OK

A large family-run winery on Highway 29 just north of the city of Napa. It openly welcomes outside food on its patios and lawn with any booked tasting or bottle service. Kids and pets are welcome too, which makes it one of the easiest family picnic stops at the south end of the valley.

Laird Family Estate

Bring your own foodChecked Sep 2026
Own food
yes
Wine purchase
Required
Reservation
Required
Dogs
Yes
Fee
No picnic fee

Nearest picnic food: Soda Canyon Store · 2.5 mi

Details: Laird Family Estate
Paved path, bench and towering old trees on the lawn of Fuller Park in Napa
Park

Fuller Park

Napa· 3 mi

Bring your own foodNo reservationNo alcoholDogs OK

Fuller Park is Napa's historic, shady neighborhood park, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, in Old Town near downtown. Nine tree-named picnic sites and a new inclusive playground make it an easy family lunch stop, but alcohol needs a reserved site and permit.

Fuller Park

Bring your own foodChecked Sep 2026
Own food
yes
Wine allowed
no
Reservation
Not needed
Dogs
Outside
Fee
Free entry

Nearest picnic food: Contimo Provisions · 0.4 mi

Details: Fuller Park
Family picnicking on the green lawn beside the Napa River at Oxbow Commons in Napa
Park

Oxbow Commons

Napa· 3 mi

Bring your own foodNo reservationNo alcoholDogs OK

Oxbow Commons is the open green between downtown Napa and the Oxbow district. Buy food at Oxbow Public Market across the street, then spread a blanket by the river. There are no listed tables or grills, and the city bans alcohol here.

Oxbow Commons

Bring your own foodChecked Sep 2026
Own food
yes
Wine allowed
no
Reservation
Not needed
Dogs
Yes
Fee
Free entry

Nearest picnic food: Fatted Calf · 0.1 mi

Details: Oxbow Commons

All picnic spots in Napa →

Frequently asked questions

Can you picnic at Alston Park?

Yes — Alston Park has picnic areas open to the public. No reservation is needed for the picnic area. Fee: Free. Alcohol isn't allowed here.

Can you bring your own food to Alston Park?

Yes. Outside food is allowed at Alston Park.

Can you drink wine at Alston Park?

No, alcohol isn't allowed at Alston Park.

Do you need a reservation to picnic at Alston Park?

No reservation is needed to use the picnic area. No reservable picnic sites; the few tables are first-come, first-served.

Is there a fee to picnic at Alston Park?

Free.

Are dogs allowed at Alston Park?

About 39 acres are a designated off-leash area (voice control, max 5 dogs per person); leash dogs elsewhere; pick up after pets.

Sources & accuracy

We last checked this listing in September 2026 (freshest source: City news release on completed restroom project, Oct 31, 2025). Policies change — especially for groups and holidays — so confirm with Alston Park before you go. How we verify.

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