Napa Coffee Excursion – Sam’s General Store

An excursion outside of Sacramento to discover wine country. After driving past Davis and crossing over the ridge that borders Winters and Napa, I arrived in St. Helena. I planned a stop at Sam’s General Store, a local boutique coffee chain.

The store sits right in the middle of downtown St. Helena, which is lined with good eats, bakeries, and art galleries. Street parking is available, though you might need to go down a block or two to find a spot during busy hours.  Also account for traffic that can slow to a crawl on Main Street on weekends.

The interior is filled with light by the vaulted ceilings and windows. Modern barn elements are showcased with steel-blue walls paired with French oak. Artisan-made iron stands topped with rounded white marble create the sitting tables. The menu itself is lined with classic espresso drinks alongside innovative iced drinks with honey sprinkles. I decided to order my espresso with an innovative flair and put the honey sprinkles on top of the cappuccino foam. Quite an awesome treat — rich, bold espresso mixed with decadent oat milk and a crunch of sweet sprinkles in every sip. To pair with the drink, I ordered a classic butter croissant that came served in a metal pan. The right amount of fluffiness and a butter-rich crunch makes it the ideal partner to my drink.

The price is fair for Napa, and the quality is well beyond what you would pay for at most establishments in the area. It’s a good spot to stop and rest if you are traveling to the Bay Area or Marin, or coming the other way. Or it can be a respite from too much wine tasting, and a way to start the day with something different.