Napa Valley
Napa Valley is a wine region north of San Francisco, known for winery tastings and small towns to stay in.
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Napa Valley is a wine region in Northern California, north of San Francisco. Visitors come mainly for winery tastings and long lunches between them. The valley suits couples, food lovers and anyone who wants a slower weekend. The main towns are Napa, Yountville, St. Helena and Calistoga. Yountville is compact enough to walk, St. Helena sits in the middle of the valley, and Calistoga is the town for hot springs and spas.
Plan at least two or three days so you can visit a few wineries without rushing. Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons for driving between tastings. Late summer and early fall bring harvest activity to the vineyards, and summer can be hot inland. Many wineries take reservations and some require them, so book the ones you want before you travel. If you plan to drink at more than one tasting, arrange a designated driver or a tour.
Napa Valley in five
- Reserve your tastings and a driverMost wineries want an appointment, and weekends and harvest fill first. Book two or three tastings a day with a driver or a tour so nobody drives after drinking.
- Base in the town that fits your planYountville for restaurants, St. Helena for central access, Calistoga for hot springs and lower prices. Downtown Napa is cheaper but farther from the northern wineries.Napa
- Visit in spring or at harvestApril and May bring green hills, and September and October bring harvest and color, but also crowds. Check for wildfire smoke in late summer and fall.
- Skip mid-July if you dislike heatValley afternoons can be hot and dry. Plan tastings for the morning and spa or museum time after lunch.
- Combine with San Francisco or MontereyThe valley is about 1.5 hours from San Francisco. Many visitors take a night in the valley, then continue to the coast.San Francisco
Things to do in Napa Valley
See all attractions in Napa Valley
Need to know
- Airport
- Oakland (OAK) or San Francisco (SFO); about 1.5 to 2 hours
- Getting there
- Drive Highway 29 or the Silverado Trail from San Francisco
- Getting around
- Car or driver; walking in each town; limited transit
- Best base
- Yountville, St. Helena or Calistoga
- Time needed
- 2 to 3 days; add 1 for Sonoma
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain11 rainy daysHigh14°Low6°Mild, quietJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 154 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- FebruaryPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh15°Low6°Mustard bloomFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 122 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mustard bloom
- MarchPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh16°Low7°Mustard, rainMarchPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 130 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mustard, rain
- AprilClear4 rainy daysHigh20°Low9°Green hillsAprilClear
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 35 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Green hills
- MayClear3 rainy daysHigh23°Low11°Mild, busyMayClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 19 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, busy
- JuneClear0 rainy daysHigh27°Low13°Warm, dryJuneClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 2 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, dry
- JulyClear0 rainy daysHigh28°Low14°Hot, dryJulyClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 0 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, dry
- AugustClear0 rainy daysHigh29°Low14°Hot, harvest startsAugustClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, harvest starts
- SeptemberClear1 rainy dayHigh28°Low14°Harvest, busySeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 8 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Harvest, busy
- OctoberClear3 rainy daysHigh25°Low12°Harvest, colorOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 41 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Harvest, color
- NovemberClear7 rainy daysHigh18°Low9°Fall color, quietNovemberClear
Mixed
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 89 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Fall color, quiet
- DecemberRain10 rainy daysHigh14°Low7°Cool, quietDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 158 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, quiet
Average daily high and low in Napa, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Napa Valley
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
19
- Feels like
- 17°
- Humidity
- 40%
- Wind
- 7 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 2%
Napa Valley
03:25 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today18°9°2%Monday: Cloudy. High 18°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Tue15°7°65%Tuesday: Rain. High 15°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 65%.
- Wed20°10°2%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Thu24°10°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 24°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri25°10°0%Friday: Cloudy. High 25°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat26°11°0%Saturday: Partly cloudy. High 26°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun26°12°1%Sunday: Cloudy. High 26°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 1%.
Updated 01:27 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Every year
- JunSan Francisco PrideSan Francisco, a day trip
- OctCastro Street FairSan Francisco, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Napaabout 15 to 45 minutes down the valleyThe city gateway with downtown tasting rooms.Read the guide
- Sonomaabout 30 to 45 minutes westA quieter wine area with a historic plaza.
- Montereyabout 3 hours by roadA long drive south, better as the next stop.Read the guide
Before you go to Napa Valley
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Rules for Napa Valley, checked
- Check on the official US Customs and Border Protection site whether you need an ESTA or a visa before you book flights.
- You must be 21 or older to buy or drink alcohol in California. Tasting rooms may ask for photo ID at the door.
- California's drink-drive limit is 0.08 percent blood alcohol for adults, and a zero-tolerance rule applies to drivers under 21. Open alcohol must stay out of the passenger area.
- Declare fresh fruit, plants, meat and other food to US officers at arrival; undeclared agricultural items can bring fines.
Plan around Napa Valley
The city gateway and the budget-friendly base
Read the guideSan FranciscoThe usual start, about 1.5 hours south
Read the guideMontereyCoast and aquarium, 3 hours south
Read the guideAll of the USAStates, parks and cities in one planning hub
Read the guideESTA, explainedWho needs it, the fee and how to apply
Read the guideTravel insuranceMedical cover for a US trip
Read the guideNapa Valley FAQ
Where should I stay in Napa Valley?
Yountville for food, St. Helena for a central base, Calistoga for hot springs and lower prices, and downtown Napa for the best value. Choose by dinner and tasting plans, not only by price.
How many days do you need in Napa Valley?
Two to three days covers a few tastings a day, a spa or a long lunch. Add one day for Sonoma, and book the best tastings early.
Do you need to book wine tastings in advance?
Often yes. Many wineries require appointments, especially on weekends and in fall. Book two or three tastings a day with a driver.
When is the best time to visit Napa Valley?
April to May for green hills and September to October for harvest. Fall is the busiest, with a risk of wildfire smoke, so keep your plans flexible.
Can you visit Napa Valley without a car?
Yes with a tour or driver, or by staying in one town and walking. Rideshare is patchy between wineries, so check pickup before you rely on it.