Napa Day Trip Itinerary: Plan the Perfect Napa Valley Escape
Looking to plan the ultimate Napa day trip?
If so, you have come to the right place. I moved to the Bay Area in 2017, and have done countless day trips to Napa Valley. Honestly, more than I am probably willing to admit. From the moment we moved to Oakland, my husband and I quickly became Napa and Sonoma regulars.
So if you are dreaming about wine tasting in Napa Valley and wondering if one day is enough to plan your visit? Don’t worry; I’ve got you covered. A Napa day trip from San Francisco or anywhere in the Bay Area can absolutely be done and I am going to show you how!
In this guide, I am sharing with you my favorite Napa day trip itinerary to ensure that you will have an unforgettable 24 hours in Napa Valley.
Let’s dive in!
Day Trip to Napa Valley
Don’t have a car or don’t want to plan your Napa day trip? No problem, book this tour that takes care of all of the planning & will be your DD!
One of the most intimidating things about wine country is the number of wineries. With over 400 wineries in Napa Valley, how do you begin planning your day trip?
I live 1 hour to 1.5 from Napa Valley and my husband and I have done numerous day trips to wine country. For this itinerary, I have handpicked my favorite wineries that I know you will love too.
This itinerary is packed with visiting three wineries, so you are going to want to get an early start and begin your day with a full belly.
Also, make sure to give yourself enough time at each winery. You do not want to be rushing through the experience. I usually suggest you book each wine tasting two hours apart. This will give you plenty of time to enjoy your wine tasting, walk around the winery, and buy bottles if you like.
Napa Day Trip Itinerary
Stop 1: Enjoy a Delicious Breakfast at Model Bakery
🚗 San Francisco to Model Bakery (St Helena location): approximately a 1 hour and 20 minute drive
The first stop of your Napa Day trip is Model Bakery. Hands down, they have one of the best English muffins I have ever had! It is a mix of buttery fluffy goodness that I crave on a daily basis.
This famous bakery, that Even Oprah obsesses over — she named them one of her “Favorite Things” two years in a row! It is a must-visit for your day trip to Napa. Model Bakery has been serving delicious baked goods to Napa Valley for over 90 years at its original location in St. Helena.
They now have opened two other bakeries in downtown Napa and Yountville. Besides their iconic English Muffins, their menu also consists of breakfast sandwiches and lunch options.
Model Bakery is a very popular bakery, and there will almost always be a line in the morning.
Pro Tip: I suggest calling or ordering curbside ahead of time to avoid waiting in a long line.
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Stop 2: Wine Tasting With a View at Joseph Phelps Vineyards
🚗 Model Bakery to Joseph Phelps Vineyards: approximately an 8 minute drive
Joseph Phelps Vineyards is at the top of all of the lists of wineries with the best views in Napa Valley. Joseph Phelps is a beautiful winery inside and out.
Relax and experience your wine tasting on their outdoor terrace, which overlooks a magnificent view of vineyards and mountains. The views are magical! Their tastings may be on the pricier side, compared to some of the other wineries on this list.
However, if you are going to splurge on only one tasting during your day trip to Napa Valley, then Joseph Phelps should be the one. You will not regret it!
Stop 3: Wine Tasting at Louis M. Martini Winery
🚗 Joseph Phelps to Louis M. Martini Winery: approximately a 7 minute drive
Recently, we booked a last-minute tasting and culinary pairing with a group of friends from out of town at Louis M. Martini. Before then, we had never heard of Louis M. Martini, but after our tasting, we were blown away by their selection of wine.
The entire group bought bottles of their favorite wines from the tasting and even shipped a box back home. The food was also delicious and paired nicely with our tastings.
Louis M. Martini Winery is famously recognized for its acclaimed portfolio of Cabernet Sauvignon. It has played an essential role in establishing Napa Valley since 1933.
Our wine tasting took place inside their gorgeous and recently restored tasting room. The decor is very modern with high vaulted ceilings and it was an enormous space. They also have a great outdoor tasting area that is surrounded by lush greenery and beautiful architecture.
TIP: Louis M. Martini has a great food and wine pairing. However, for this itinerary, I suggest skipping the food pairing and saving room for Piazza del Dotto’s sourdough pizzas!
Stop 4: Wine Tasting & Lunch at Piazza Del Dotto Winery & Caves
🚗 Louis M. Martini to Piazza del Dotto: approximately an 8 minute drive
One of my favorite wineries to visit is Piazza Del Dotto. We have brought numerous friends and family here and we always enjoy the experience, service, and wine.
you get a guided tour of their gorgeous marble wine caves and taste wine directly from the wine barrels.
After the wine caves, you are served the best wood-fired pizza on their outdoor patio. Trust me; nothing is better than a glass of red, pizza, and vineyard views on a warm sunny day.
Stop 5: Downtown Napa
🚗 Piazza Del Dotto to Downtown Napa: approximately a 15 minute drive
We always like to cap off a day trip to Napa Valley with a stop at downtown Napa. Also, it’s on the way back to San Francisco.
There is no shortage of things to do in downtown Napa and you could easily spend hours here. The bustling waterfront area is known for its boutique shops, restaurants and cafes, chic tasting rooms, Napa Wine Train, and walks along the Napa River.
What I recommend you do is head straight to the Oxbow Market. It’s a great spot to stop and buy some dinner and snacks for later.
This popular marketplace is filled with artisanal vendors, gourmet food stalls, and boutique wine shops. Whether you’re in the mood for fresh oysters, organic produce, or a glass of locally-produced wine, Oxbow has it all.
Stop 6: Dinner & Jaw-dropping Views at Auberge du Soleil
There are so many incredible restaurants in Napa Valley, that it is honestly hard to pick a favorite. However, if you are looking for dinner with a view, Auberge du Soleil sits on a terrace overlooking the valley. If you don’t eat dinner here, at least plan to have drinks at sunset.
Tour for a Napa Valley Day Trip
If you would prefer not to drive and have a designated driver, then your other option is to book a tour or personal driver to Napa Valley. There are many pros to booking a wine tour.
Such as pick up from your accommodation, assistance with planning your itinerary, and your personal DD to the wineries. Tours are a great idea for large groups looking to plan a day trip to Napa Valley.
Best Tours for a Napa Valley Day Trip From San Francisco
Private Wine Tour from San Francisco to Napa Valley
RATING: ⭐ 4.5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 8 hours | BOOK NOW
What I love about this tour is that you can customize your own wine tasting itinerary. They give a list of multiple fantastic wineries to choose from and you can plan to visit up to 5 wineries.
Also included, is pick up from your San Francisco accommodations, a bottle of wine, and a cruise along the Golden Gate Bridge for a photo op.
This tour is a great option for larger groups, they can accommodate up to 7 people.
“This was an excellent experience for us Kyle our driver was the absolute BEST!! So helpful!! Highly recommend this they helped us with picking the wineries and schedules! Great choice! Thank you for everything!” – Rebecca H. (read more reviews)
✅ Check rates & availability for the Private Wine Tour from San Francisco to Napa Valley here
Best Tours for a Napa Valley Day Trip From Napa
Small-Group Wine-Tasting Tour through Napa Valley
RATING: ⭐ 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 6.5 hours | BOOK NOW
If you are spending the night in Napa Valley and only have a day to explore and do some wine tasting, then I highly recommend this Small-Group Wine-Tasting Tour through Napa Valley.
This popular small group tour leaves from Napa Valley, they will pick you up from your accommodations and take you to three wineries with your knowledgeable tour guide. Also, included in this tour is a picnic lunch at one of the wineries.
“We had such a great time on this tour! Went to smaller vineyards that we never would have found on our own. Army was an amazing guide who taught us so much and also showed us some gems in downtown wine country. We would highly recommend!” – Lindsey S. (read more reviews)
✅ Check rates & availability for the Small-Group Wine-Tasting Tour through Napa Valley here
How Many Wineries Can You Visit in a Day in Napa
To fully experience and enjoy each winery, you should only visit two to three wineries in a day in Napa Valley. Two to three wine tastings in one day will allow you to savor each winery without feeling rushed.
In Conclusion: Napa Day Trip
There are still so many other favorite wineries that have not made my list. Such as Silver Oak, Ashes & Diamonds, Cakebread Cellars, Black Stallion, and plenty more!
When you are planning your Napa day trip, there is one main thing to remember. No matter where you decide to go wine tasting, you are going to have an incredible time.
In all of our trips to Napa Valley, I have never had a bad experience. When wine tasting in California, it’s all about relaxing with good wine, beautiful surroundings, and spending time with the great people around you.
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