Foodies shouldn't miss a visit to this world-famous culinary school, which is known for training some of the area's top chefs. You can begin your visit with a meal at the Wine Spectator Restaurant (view menu), followed by a weekend cooking demonstration in the DeBaun Theatre. Each cooking demo includes a sampling of Napa Valley cuisine, paired with a wine from Greystone Cellars. Guided 30-minute tours of the CIA are offered at 11:45, 2:45 and 5 p.m. daily, highlighting the culinary herb garden, Corkscrew Museum and peek at the CIA Teaching Kitchen. Die-hard culinary buffs can take part in one of the CIA's culinary vacation boot camps, where you'll train with the school's top instructors during a 2- to 5-day stay. Programs are offered in topics ranging from baking and Asian cuisine to wine country, grilling, bistro and hors d'oeuvres.
— Veronica Hill • CaliforniaTravelExpert.com
IF YOU GO: The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone is located at 2555 Main Street, St. Helena, CA. Cost is $20 cooking demos; $10 guided tours. 1:30 p.m. weekends. Check out the cooking demo calendar of events or watch the CIA Culinary Boot Camp video. Call (707) 967-2320 or visit http://www.ciachef.edu/enthusiasts/cookingdemos/