By Susie Gutowski, Travel Correspondent

Romantic Cottages under Leafy Elm Trees

Between sips of coffee in the sunny, salmon-hued breakfast nook, a casually dressed man sits poring over a crossword puzzle. "Eight-letter word for horse-drawn cart," he wonders aloud, scratching his head with a pencil. "Carriage," his wife responds immediately. Despite the steady stream of guests filing into the dining area of the Cottage Grove Inn, there's a feeling of relaxed intimacy as guests snuggle up with paperbacks and a friendly waiter serves waffles and freshly blended smoothies. It seems everywhere in Napa Valley—but especially here in this cozy bed-and-breakfast—folks take their time, savoring the rich landscape, the laid-back setting, and the abundance of fine wines.

A neat row of 16 individual cottages lines up between leafy elms. Upon entering, the first thing that stands is the hardwood floor. Salvaged from an old whiskey distillery, the wood still emanates a deep, earthy aroma. Two overstuffed armchairs with accompanying ottomans rest in front of the wood-burning fireplace, an ideal place to tuck in with a favorite book before drifting off atop handmade Square Deal mattresses. The jacuzzi tub comfortably accommodates two and plays an important role in the in-room spa packages that include an aromatherapy bath and a 60-minute couples massage typically performed in front of the roaring fire. Owner Donna Johnson suggests booking spa appointments for later in the day because, she says, "You'll be so relaxed, you simply won't want to get up afterwards."

Calistoga, California: Down-to-Earth Hamlet in Northern Napa Valley

Intending to model the area after Saratoga Springs, 1840s developer Samuel Brannan is said to have jumbled his words after a particularly celebratory evening, when he dubbed the town the "The Calistoga of Sarafornia." The name stuck, and Brannan's vision of a quaint Napa Valley getaway has come to fruition. Despite Calistoga's ample selection of restaurants and boutique stores, the laid-back town retains the vestiges of a bygone era, epitomized by the quiet main street set against rolling hills.

The innkeepers stock each cottage with a welcome packet filled with hand-selected recommendations and preplanned itineraries for a memorable Napa holiday. The area's more than 400 wineries—many of which are within driving distance of the inn—offer a wide array of winery experiences, ranging from tasting rooms modeled after English castles to Tuscan-style villas. The Mediterranean-influenced Sterling Vineyards seems to have been plucked from a Greek isle and placed atop a tree-studded bluff; it is accessible by a popular aerial tram ride that affords unbeatable views of the valley. For a decidedly laid-back tour, guests at Markham Vineyards can sample a flight of four wines while perusing a gallery of Rolling Stone covers and listening to Jimi Hendrix guitar riffs.

The Napa area shares San Francisco's unique culinary tradition, offering cuisine on par with the Bay Area's best, but in a verdant farmland setting. Tra Vigne's beautiful courtyard makes an ideal setting for indulging in Italian cuisine such as braised-beef short ribs, which are more tender than a Smokey Robinson lullaby. For a more casual experience, Gott's Roadside draws crowds of locals with its hearty burgers, shrimp tacos, milkshakes, and floats.