Angwin sits just below the summit of Howell Mountain. From Pacific Union College’s Young Observatory, views stretch across Napa Valley. Other discoveries offer different highlights: forest trails, art and history at the college, and wine experiences around Howell Mountain give your trip several possible focuses.
Forest Trails and Scenery
In Angwin, Las Posadas State Forest offers several hiking and biking trails. Shady paths wind through tunnels of manzanita, and Inspiration Point offers scenic views. Las Posadas State Forest borders PUC Forest, so hikers can connect trails in both forest areas. The PUC Demonstration and Experimental Forest offers a total of 35 miles of recreational trails for mountain biking, hiking and horseback riding. The forest is also home to a breeding pair of spotted owls—an interesting conservation feature, though this does not mean the birds are certain to be seen.
Near Angwin is the 177-acre Linda Falls Preserve, in the Conn Creek watershed. A 1.3-mile out-and-back trail leads through the preserve. Closures during fire weather can affect access, so take this into account when planning. The trail length makes this a manageable side trip, without specifying a particular walking time.
College Culture and Local History
Pacific Union College moved to its Angwin campus in 1909. The Young Observatory on campus offers views of Napa Valley. The Rasmussen Art Gallery opens a new exhibition several times per quarter. Works by students, faculty and other local artists are often on view. Visiting the gallery is a way to combine an interest in contemporary art with campus life.
The Pitcairn Islands Study Center offers another perspective on history and collections: it includes more than 1,600 books about Captain William Bligh, the Bounty, and the Pitcairn and Norfolk Islands. Angwin’s name recalls Edwin Angwin. He purchased 200 acres on Howell Mountain in 1875 and founded Angwin Resort; the resort’s founding is therefore not dated to the same year.
Wine Experiences and Architecture
O’Shaughnessy’s winery is built into the volcanic rock of Howell Mountain and sits 1,800 feet above the valley floor. At Dunn Vineyards near Angwin, guests can walk through the vineyards of a working winery and explore caves before tasting several vintages of Dunn Cabernet. The private, personalized visit offers a different setting from a general trail or forest tour.
The architecture also offers its own highlights: the historic stone building at 13th Vineyard dates to 1886. The visit there includes a freshly prepared picnic meal with vineyard views and a wine tasting. The Arkenstone experience, in turn, includes a tour of the winery and vineyards, followed by an extensive tasting of single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons, Estate Blanc and Estate Red. Arkenstone wine tastings and tours are offered by private appointment only. Check current availability before visiting.
If you’re considering Angwin as a destination, you can plan around the activities that interest you most: interconnected forest trails, exhibitions and collections, or a wine visit with a specific appointment.
Discover more destinations: Oakville, Calistoga, Napa, Saint Helena, Pope Valley, Yountville, American Canyon
Go to the main travel overview: Napa.
