- Most wineries now require tasting reservations, so book ahead
- Tasting fees are high, so pick fewer wineries and enjoy them properly
- Never drink and drive: use a tour, driver or the Napa Valley Wine Train
- Weekdays are calmer and easier to book than weekends
- Airports
- San Francisco (SFO) or Oakland (OAK), about 1-1.5 hours by car; Sacramento (SMF) about 1 hour
- Best time to go
- September-October for harvest, April-June for fewer crowds
- Type
- Region
Napa Valley is a narrow strip of vineyards running about 30 miles north from San Pablo Bay, and it is home to some of the most celebrated wines in the New World. Cabernet sauvignon is king here, but the valley is just as much about long lunches, spa hotels and pretty small towns framed by oak-covered hills.
It is not a budget destination, but a well-planned couple of days can be a highlight of any California trip. For the wider picture, see our California guide; Napa pairs naturally with a stay in San Francisco.
Things to do in Napa Valley
- Winery tastings – from grand estates to small family producers; mix one famous name with a couple of smaller wineries.
- Cave tours – several wineries, including Schramsberg for sparkling wine, offer tours of historic caves.
- Napa Valley Wine Train – vintage carriages with lunch or dinner on board, a relaxed way to see the valley.
- Hot-air balloon flights – sunrise flights over the vineyards in calm weather.
- Calistoga – mud baths and hot springs at the valley's northern end.
- Yountville – a walkable village famous for its restaurants, including The French Laundry.
- Cycling the Vine Trail – a growing walking and cycling path along the valley floor.
- Sonoma – the neighbouring valley, often more relaxed and a little cheaper, is easy to combine.
Where to stay
- Napa (town) – the widest choice of hotels, restaurants and tasting rooms in walking distance.
- Yountville – upmarket inns and top dining, central for wineries.
- St Helena – charming main street and close to many famous estates.
- Calistoga – spa resorts and hot-spring hotels, often slightly better value.
Getting there
Fly direct from Heathrow to San Francisco, then drive about an hour to an hour and a half north, depending on traffic. You need an approved ESTA. Many visitors prefer an organised tour or private driver from San Francisco so nobody has to drive after tastings. There is limited public transport within the valley, so for independent touring plan on a car with a designated driver, taxis or a tour.
Best time to visit
Harvest, from roughly late August to October, is the most atmospheric time, but also the busiest and most expensive. Spring brings green vineyards and mustard flowers in the rows and is calmer. Summers are hot and dry. Winter is quiet and cheaper, with some lower hotel rates. Wildfire season can affect late summer and autumn, so check local updates.
Book your most important tastings first and plan just two or three a day, with lunch in between – rushing round five wineries is tiring and costly.
Top attractions in Napa Valley
NatureCentral Park
Manhattan's 843-acre green heart, with lakes, meadows, bridges and woodland stretching for 51 blocks between Midtown…
LandmarkStatue of Liberty
The copper colossus in New York Harbor, a gift from France in 1886, visited by ferry with Ellis Island on the same trip.
Napa Valley on the map
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to book wine tastings in Napa?
Usually yes. Most wineries now work by reservation, and popular ones book up days or weeks ahead, especially at weekends.
Can I visit Napa as a day trip from San Francisco?
Yes, many tours run daily. Staying a night or two lets you enjoy dinner in the valley and avoid the traffic.
Napa or Sonoma?
Napa is more polished and famous for big cabernets; Sonoma is larger, more varied and generally more laid-back. Both are excellent.
Is Napa Valley expensive?
It can be. Tasting fees, hotels and restaurants are pricey, so budget carefully and look at midweek and winter rates.
Written by
Thomas Ski, mountains & expeditions editor
Thomas is happiest above the tree line or below the Antarctic Circle. He writes our ski, mountain and polar expedition guides.
More from ThomasWe research every guide carefully, but prices, opening times and timetables change. Check them shortly before you travel. Links to our booking partners are affiliate links.
