How Many Days Do You Need in Napa Valley?
Planning a vacation to northern California and wondering how many days do you need in Napa Valley for the perfect trip? If so, you have come to the right place.
Since moving to the Bay Area 5 years ago, my husband and I have been to Napa Valley on many and many occasions. In fact, I like to refer to Napa as our home away from home. We really go there that often.
In this blog post, I look forward to sharing with you all the tips and tricks I have learned from visiting Napa. You will learn the perfect amount of days you need to spend in Napa Valley, when is the best time to visit, where to stay, and other tips to help you plan your amazing trip to California wine country.
💰 Want to Save $$ Wine Tasting
The average cost for a basic wine tasting in Napa Valley is $40 per person. That easily adds up when you visit multiple wineries in a weekend.
If you want to save money on wine tasting and use it elsewhere like towards accommodations, restaurants, and tours- Priority Wine Pass can cut your tasting fees in half! Literally.
They offer 2 for 1 tastings at participating wineries. So you only need one pass per couple! It’s a pretty incredible deal!
* My readers get the Wine Pass at a discounted rate. Make sure to use the coupon code TTWT to get the best deal!
How Many Days Do You Need in Napa Valley
Napa Valley is absolutely a bucket list destination to visit in northern California. Its picturesque vineyards, world-renowned wine, and Michelin-rated restaurants are some of the many reasons people travel to Napa Valley from all around the world. If this is your first time visiting, you may be wondering, how many days do you need in Napa Valley?
To make the most of your visit and get the opportunity to fully experience Napa Valley, four days and 3 nights is your golden ticket. This is the ideal amount of time to slowly enjoy all of the amazing things to do in Napa Valley.
Why Three Nights is the Perfect Amount of Time
I believe that three nights is the magic number because it will give you two full days of wine tasting and exploring Napa Valley. On night one, you will just be settling into your hotel. Most likely, you will have come from San Francisco’s airport, which is about an hour and a half away, and have already had a full day of travel.
The first day you arrive in Napa Valley, I suggest getting in full relaxation mode. Stroll along one of the downtown areas in Napa County, pop into a tasting room, and be sure to enjoy a delicious meal at one of the many excellent restaurants. Get a good night’s sleep because wine tasting starts early in Napa Valley.
It’s 5 o’clock somewhere definitely applies to Napa. Most wineries open for wine tastings at 11:00 am, and you need to get an early start because their last tasting of the day is typically around 3:30 pm to 4:00 pm.
If you have two days of visiting the wineries, you will have the opportunity to wine taste at your own pace and not feel rushed to go to the next winery. Also, you can go to the wineries in the different regions of Napa Valley.
On your fourth day, it is check-out day. Enjoy some breakfast at Boon Fly Cafe, or at Bouchon Bakery, a Thomas Keller bakery and a favorite of ours in Yountville, and head back to the city.
If you are looking for other California destinations to add to this already amazing trip:
Stops Along the PCH:
Is Pescadero Worth Visiting: 7 Reasons Why You Should Visit
Best Day Trip to Half Moon Bay
21 Romantic Things to Do in Monterey
Days Trips from San Francisco:
Ultimate Guide to Jack London Square
Day Trip to Sausalito: Things to do, Where to Eat, & More
10 Best Alcatraz Tours San Francisco: Tips & Ultimate Guide
Best Way to Get to Muir Woods From San Francisco & Top Tips
Is One Day in Napa Enough?
So you are short on time, but you still want to visit Napa Valley, but is one day in Napa enough? I can say with lots of first-hand experience, one day in Napa is enough. There have been plenty of times when we have taken family and friends for a day trip to Napa Valley and were able to fit in 3 wine tastings.
Tips you should know to have a successful day trip to Napa Valley:
Start your day early, make reservations in advance, start at the farthest winery first and work your way back to the city, and always have a designated driver. You will also want to choose wineries that are close to each other so that you do not spend too much time driving from location to location.
For more advice on doing a day trip to Napa Valley, I have created 6 unique itineraries to help you decide which wineries are best for you.
What is the Best Way to Tour Napa Valley
Getting around Napa Valley does require some extra planning, especially if you do not want to drive yourself. Also, Uber in Napa is not the most reliable form of transportation either. So whether you are doing a day trip or spending multiple days, planning ahead and figuring out the best way to tour Napa Valley is important.
There are lots of different options for getting around Napa Valley. However, I think the best way to tour Napa would be by a private driver.
This is my recommendation because it allows everyone from the group to enjoy their wine tasting and not have to worry about driving. Also, you can plan and customize your own wine tasting itinerary.
Boundless Tours offers a private 6-hour tour through Napa Valley that includes pick up from your downtown Napa hotel and stops at 2 to 3 different wineries of your choice.
It is an extra expense to hire a driver, but it is the safest option. Also, there are other ways to save money on wine tasting that can go towards hiring a driver.
✅ Book your custom Napa Valley wine tour in a luxury vehicle here
How to Save Money on Wine Tasting
A couple of days in Napa Valley can come with a high price tag. Between accommodations, multiple wine tastings, and eating out for meals, you can easily rack up a pretty hefty bill. So when there are opportunities to save some extra money, we definitely want to take advantage of them.
I was trying to look up ways to get discounts at the wineries for myself and a group of friends for Napa Valley, and that is when I stumbled upon the Priority Wine Pass.
What is the Priority Wine Pass, and How Does it Save You Money?
The Priority Wine Pass offers you discounts at many of the wineries and experiences in Napa Valley. However, the catch is it has to be from a participating winery.
The Priority Wine Pass has a long list of wineries in Napa Valley for you to choose from; a few of our favorites on there are Hall Wines, V. Sautti, and Black Stallion. The pass is good for three days, and after just one day of wine tasting, you can easily make that money back.
Especially, if you take advantage of their 2 for 1 tasting. At which participating wineries, you can get one tasting for free with the Priority Wine Pass. Pretty sweet deal!
If you purchase a Priority Wine Pass, they also offer discounts on other important things like a personal driver, accommodations, the Napa Wine Train, and more.
* My readers get the Wine Pass at a discounted rate. Make sure to use the coupon code TTWT to get the best deal!
✅ To save money on your wine tastings get your Priority Pass here
Want to learn more about the Priority Wine Pass? Priority Wine Pass Is it Worth It 2023: All You Need to Know
What is the Best Month to Visit Napa Valley
Everyone thinks summer and fall are the best times to visit Napa Valley. However, I am here to tell you that’s not the case. To be upfront, if you have the opportunity to visit Napa Valley- GO! Any time of the year is a good time to visit wine country.
However, you should know that each season is unique, and there are some things that you will find at different points of the year.
Summer in Napa Valley
Summer in Napa Valley is hot! During a Napa summer, you will find lots of sunshine, and the average daily temperature is in the ’90s. If you are visiting then, be sure to pack your big floppy hat, apply some sunscreen, and wear light clothing. Summer is also a busy time of year to visit Napa Valley, so be prepared for crowds and higher prices for accommodations.
Fall in Napa Valley
Another busy time of year in Napa Valley is in the fall. Harvest season is Napa’s peak tourist season, and it starts in August and continues through October.
There are a lot of fun events planned at the wineries around this time of year. However, you should reserve your stay and wine tastings as soon as possible because many places book up months in advance.
November is the perfect time to plan a weekend getaway to Napa Valley. You will experience a slower-paced Napa with fewer crowds and cheaper accommodations.
Winter in Napa Valley
Winter in Napa Valley is considered the slow season. The weather starts to get chilly and rainy, and the vineyards are bare after a harvest season. However, it is the best time to visit Napa Valley without crowds. I love visiting Napa in the Winter. You still get incredible service and wine, cheaper accommodations, and make last-minute reservations at the top restaurants and wineries.
Spring in Napa Valley
What is the best month to visit Napa Valley? The secret best time to visit Napa Valley is in early spring. In the spring months, the weather is perfect. You will have nice and warm sunny days. The beautiful mustard fields are in full bloom, and the best part is. There are no crowds.
What Are the Different Regions in Napa Valley
If you did not know this already, Napa Valley consists of 5 towns and 4 regions, each with its own unique personality. To drive from one end of Napa Valley starting at American Canyon to another at Calistoga is approximately an hour drive.
The 5 towns, and most popular locations in Napa Valley to stay, shop, and wine taste are:
American Canyon: American Canyon is located at the southern end of Napa and is the closest town to San Francisco.
Napa: Lots to do and see in downtown Napa, the largest town in Napa Valley.
Yountville: Yountville is the luxurious town of Napa, where you will find a lot of upscale shopping and restaurants like French Laundry.
St. Helena: Many refer to St. Helena as the historic town of Napa because it’s home to many landmark wineries, Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park, and the Culinary Institute of America.
Calistoga: The farthest point in Napa Valley, and if you stay here, be prepared to relax and unwind. Many of the hotels in Calistoga offer spas with mineral-rich waters and natural geothermal hot spring pools.
Where to Stay in Napa Valley
There are so many different options of accommodations for your stay in Napa Valley. You can find cozy B&B’s, luxurious resorts & spas, multiple hotels of every budget, and adventurous campgrounds. My recommendations for stay are:
Napa River Inn
During our first time in Napa Valley, we stayed at the Napa River Inn, a boutique-style hotel located in the heart of downtown Napa.
Besides being in a great location and only steps away from the bustling downtown Napa Valley. What we loved the most about the Napa River Inn was its charm.
The historic brick building offers beautiful views of the Napa River. Also, we enjoyed the welcome wine and gift and the fresh breakfast pastries from Sweetie Pies Bakery that were delivered to our room in the morning.
Also, BONUS, Napa River Inn is dog friendly!! If you love to travel with your dogs as much as we do, Napa River Inn is the perfect option for you and your four legged friends.
✅ Book your stay at Napa River Inn here
The Meritage Resort and Spa
If you want the best of the best in Napa Valley without paying an arm and a leg, The Meritage Resort and Spa is a great option. The grounds at The Meritage Resort and Spa are breathtaking. The resort is surrounded by rolling hills of 9 acres of gorgeous vineyards.
Also, the hotel offers a number of luxurious amenities including, a spa in an underground estate cave, a fitness center, an outdoor pool, a bowling alley, wellness classes, an onsite tasting room, and multiple onsite restaurants.
✅ Book your stay at the beautiful Meritage Resort and Spa here
Inn on Pine
A hotel that won’t break the bank when visiting Napa Valley is the Inn on Pine in Calistoga. This charming and quaint hotel in Calistoga is the perfect location for a wine country getaway. It offers a pool and an outdoor hot tub boasting mountain views.
Cozy up in your country chic room next to a fireplace, or relax with a glass of wine on the outside deck. The Inn on Pine is in a great location to get to the Calistoga wineries, including one of our favorites, Castello di Amoroso
✅ Book your stay at The Inn on Pine here
In Conclusion: How Many Days Do You Need in Napa Valley
As you can see, 4 is the ideal number of days you need in Napa Valley. However, if you only have enough time for a day trip or a short weekend, that works too! You will just have to prioritize what wineries you want to visit the most and stick to a schedule.
Now that you know the answer to how many days do you need in Napa Valley, you can hop over to my other Napa Valley content and start planning your trip to wine country.
Discover the best ways to get around Napa Valley, how many wineries can you visit in a day, or find my guide to all the tips you need to know before wine tasting in Napa.
And if you can’t decide which wineries to book. I’ve got you covered there too. Here are 6 unique itineraries in Napa Valley that will help you pick the best wineries for you and your group.
