Disclosure: I was invited to Diablo Valley to experience their proximity to the Napa Valley. All Opinions are my own.
With my love of wine, and wine travel, I’m always on the look out for a GREAT deal. But, more importantly, I’m always on the lookout for more affordable ways to Travel.
Lets be honest, during the Summer, peak wine tasting season in Napa Valley, hotel prices get pretty HIGH, I mean, on a Saturday night, finding a place below 400 dollars a night is pretty hard, so this is when I begin to look elsewhere.
For those in the Bay Area, a GREAT place to stay the night before trekking up to Napa is none other than the Diablo Valley. Think Concord, Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek area of the Bay Area.
Affordable accommodations at affordable prices. Right now, Diablo Valley EVEN has a DEAL out for the first 15 people to Book a Wine Train Experience through their site they will RECEIVE a FREE NIGHT STAY at one of their 9 hotel properties.
We recently experienced one of the Diablo Valley Hotel Properties by staying at the Hilton Concord, and we can honestly say, it was a place we’d stay at again. The Hilton Concord was conveniently located next to shopping, great restaurants, and for those with families, in close proximity to Waterworld CA.
As soon as we walked into our hotel room, we found it hard to actually leave. The music was playing for us and the details that were put into the room were a nice touch. The Robe being laid out on the bed to decorated Wash Cloths into Flowers or Swans.
Room service is available to order for a late night meal (closes at 11pm.) Or, if you want a Restaurant experience, the hotel restaurant, Plate & Vine. On the weekends, they even offer a Buffet style Breakfast for you to enjoy before you head up to Napa for the day.
After our night stay at the Hilton Concord, we packed up the car then started our journey towards Napa Valley. Just a 45 minute ride later, we arrived at our destination: The Napa Wine Train. If you have yet to experience the Napa Valley Wine Train, we highly recommend it. It’s truly a ONE OF A KIND Experience in Napa.
Of course, we had to get a picture in front of the train before picking up our tickets. The lobby area is decorated just like an old fashion train station. You can buy a bottle of wine in the shop, gifts out of the gift shops, or even a glass of wine to enjoy while waiting to board.
They will then begin calling out sections of the train to board from A-I. Depending on your wine train experience. We were experiencing the late dining Gourmet Lunch, so we were the last to board.
Upon boarding, everyone walks over the bridge where Love Locks are placed before boarding the train. Everyone also has their picture taken (which can be purchased at the end of your Wine Train Experience!)
For those of us, in the late dining experience, we are placed in a seating car where appetizers and drinks are served to us first:
After our appetizers, we were encouraged to explore the train, so, that’s exactly what we did. From one to the other we traveled through EVERY train car. It was so fun to do, and yes folks, the train was moving the entire time.
During our exploration, we saw the other diners, we saw our food being made, what was being served for dessert, and enjoyed views at both ends of the train:
If you have a few minutes of free time to Explore, we definitely recommend it, and the DELI Car is worth a visit. I have to admit, my favorite car of the train.
We arrived back just in time for us to head to our dining car:
So much care and detail goes into your meals on the Napa Valley Wine Train. Part of the fun is seeing how the meals come out: 
See what I mean? Left: Rubbed Mustard Pork Tenderloin. Right: Ahi Tuna over a bed of Risotto. And we ate every last bite because of how delicious the meals were.
But, of course, for any sweet tooth, the best part just happens to be dessert:
Left: Chocolate Sin Cake
Right: Creme Brulee
This was our second time on the Wine Train, but one thing we truly noticed was HOW different both of our experiences were. We left with completely different experiences each time, and that’s what is so awesome about the Wine Train, in that, it can do that.
Whether you pair your Wine Train with a Winery Tour
Or Perhaps a Murder Mystery Night
or a Special Occasion
You will definitely leave with memories for years to come.
Don’t forget, if you are one of the first 15 to book a Napa Valley Wine Train Experience through Diablo Valley, you will RECEIVE a FREE NIGHT Hotel Stay at one of their 9 Hotel Properties.
