First Timer’s Guide to Napa Valley – Everything You Need to Know Before You Go To Napa
Napa Valley is a well-known wine region in Northern California. Planning a trip to Napa can be really daunting as there are so many wineries to explore (over 500!). Use this guide to help you plan the basics of your trip so you can focus on the fun: sipping wine! I’ve created a “First Timer’s Guide to Napa Valley” with all the basics I wish I had known before my first trip!
Related Post: My Favorite Napa Valley Wineries
Best Time To Visit Napa Valley
August – October (79 / 43)
Early fall is the peak time to visit Napa Valley. This correlates with the harvest season for the grapes and is also when the weather is the nicest. You’ll find that prices are at an all-time high, tourists are everywhere, and reservations are needed well in advance!
I personally loved visiting at the end of October when things began to slow back down and the leaves began to change!
March – May (72 / 40)
Spring in Napa is gorgeous as the vines begin to bloom. This is Napa’s wet season, so be sure to pack an umbrella just in case!
June – July (78 /50)
Summertime in Napa … lush greenery everywhere you turn! Locals will flock to the area on weekends, which makes for larger crowds.
November – February (63 / 36)
Napa gets rather chilly in the winter (40s-50s) so visiting during these months may require a few layers of clothes! The winter is considered Napa’s “off-season” as many tourists do not visit during this timeframe. However, if you’re looking to explore Napa on a budget – this is definitely the time for you! I wouldn’t recommend visiting in the winter because the best wineries in Napa for first timers won’t impress you with their lackluster grapes.
Do’s and Don’ts in Napa Valley
Do’s in Napa Valley:
- Do Wear Layers – mornings & nights get chilly
- Do Make Reservations in Advance – both wineries and restaurants will fill up quickly
- Do Schedule Rides / Chauffeur – plan your rides to/from wineries so you’re not scrambling
- Do Tip Your Wine Guide – average tipping is $5-$10 per person
- Do Drink LOTS of Water – the wine tasting will dehydrate you, don’t forget water!
Don’ts in Napa Valley:
- Don’t Wear Heels – walking in vineyards or on wine tours will be virtually impossible
- Don’t Forget To Eat – eat snacks throughout the day
- Don’t Overbook Your Day – stick to 3-4 wineries a day, otherwise you’ll feel rushed & overwhelmed
- Don’t Drink & Drive – obviously! plan your rides ahead of time!
- Don’t Only Visit “Napa” – there are other beautiful regions and towns nearby worth visiting!
How To Get to Napa Valley
Napa Valley is fairly accessible via plane! The easiest and most obvious option is to fly into San Francisco. This airport is only 40-80 minutes away (depending on traffic). However, there are several airports nearby that are just as good of options!
- 70 miles from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) – most accessible!
- 63 miles from Oakland International Airport (OAK)
- 75 miles from Sacramento International Airport (SMF)
- 34 miles from Sonoma County Airport (STS)
We personally flew into SFO, rented a car, and drove up to Napa Valley. Traffic made the drive a little over 1.5 hours, but the scenic views were great.
Once in Napa, we scheduled our Ubers in advance each morning so we had reliable transportation. Others often hire a driver during their time in Napa to ensure they can safely get to each wine tasting. More on this below!
How To Get Around Napa Valley
Okay, so you’re in Napa… now what?! Getting around Napa was one of the more challenging things to plan in advance. I had heard horror stories of Ubers/Lyfts being difficult to reserve and many people recommending booking a chauffeur. Obviously, you want to be safe while enjoying wines throughout the valley, so be sure to plan ahead.
Ubers/Lyfts:
Like I said, I had heard many horror stories of Uber’s being scarce and hard to come by. However, for 2 adults, it was rather easy to schedule our Ubers first thing in the morning for the entire day. This guaranteed us a ride and helped us stay on time for all of our tastings. If you have more than 4 people, I wouldn’t recommend this as Uber+ are more limited.
Chauffeur:
Many people opt to hire a driver to take them to each winery. The benefits are reliable transportation, someone to keep you on your schedule throughout the day, and a place to store snacks & waters in between wineries. We found it to be incredibly pricey, but it is definitely worth it if your group is 5 or more.
Rental Car:
We rented a car from San Fran and drove it to Napa. Having a car at your disposal is so convenient to drive to breakfast, lunch, shops, etc… but be sure to have a DD if you plan on driving to the wineries. The good news is that all wineries have complimentary parking available.
Napa Valley Train:
To avoid cars altogether, schedule a day on the Napa Valley Train! This will take you through the valley and offers stunning views. Some of the trains stop along the way at various vineyards which can be a nice way to explore.
Public Bus Transportation:
I would NOT rely on public bus transportation to get around the valley. However – it is a good option to get around various towns within the valley. There are 2 towns that offer shuttle busses that are essentially free:
- Calistoga Shuttle: Call (707) 963-4229 to schedule a pick-up; arrive within 15-30 minutes.
Cost: Free for lodging guests - St. Helena Shuttle: Call (707) 963-3007 to schedule a pick-up; arrive within 15-30 minutes.
Cost: $1
What to Pack for Napa Valley
Layers! Whatever you wear, make sure you have layers! Napa has chillier mornings & nights due to the wind coming in from the bay area – be sure to plan ahead and have a jacket nearby! Depending on when you go, it can get rather hot during the day! Always check the weather and plan for a variety of temperatures.
Packing List Ideas:
- Sweater / Jacket (for mornings & nights especially)
- Sunscreen or Hat
- Flats or Wedges (wineries sometimes have unpaved paths, especially in the vineyards)
- Umbrella or Rain Coat
- Electrolytes
While there isn’t an official dress code for most of the wineries, it is best to dress on the classier side, rather than the casual side. Avoid shorts or jeans and pull out your nicer dresses, sweaters, or dress pants!
The pictures below are from my trip to Napa in October – I wore boots with socks each day to keep warm, a hat, and dresses with short or long sleeves. I always had a jacket with me just in case and typically changed into jeans at night!
Napa Valley Questions from First timers?
What’s the difference between Napa and Sonoma?
Napa is the more well known wine region. This means that it is often more crowded and more expensive. Sonoma, on the other hand, is more laidback and has hundreds of family owned wineries.
Can I visit Napa & Sonoma both within one trip?
Absolutely! Napa and Sonoma are only 9.28 miles apart, making them very accessible to one another. Many people opt to do 1-2 days in each region.
How many days should I spend in Napa?
I advise to spend at least 3 days in Napa! This gives you time to explore both wineries and the towns nearby.
Should I go with a large group of friends or with a significant other?
One of the best parts about Napa Valley is the wide variety of visitors it attracts! You’ll find honeymooners, bachelorette parties, retired couples, friends, and more! It’s a great place to visit with friends, family, or significant others.
What can I do in Napa other than visit Wineries?
There are plenty of other activities available in Napa other than drinking wine. A few of my favorites are listed below:
– Hot Air Balloon Ride ($$$$)
– Bike the Vine Trail ($)
– Spa Day ($$$)
– Cooking Class ($$)
What are the best wineries in Napa for first timers?
Check out my full blog post for best wineries in Napa for first timers.
Final Thoughts First Timer’s Guide to Napa Valley:
Are you ready to take on Napa Valley know that you know the best tips and tricks?! There’s no doubt you’ll enjoy your time here!
If you have other advice to add to the First Timer’s Guide to Napa Valley, drop it in the comments below!
Disclosure: Some of the links in this First Timer’s Guide to Napa Valley are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. This helps me keep the content on my website free, like best wineries in Napa for first timers.
Be sure to save this post on “First Timer’s Guide to Napa Valley” on Pinterest for future reference:
To read more about my Napa experience, check out my blog post on My Favorite Napa Wineries.
Looking for more “Know Before You Go” Guides? Check out my full series below:
We have been to Napa a few times. But this new timers guide had a few good tips for a return visit. Fall is always our favourite time to visit to enjoy the harvest season. I like your suggestion about scheduling rides so you don’t have to drive for tastings. And 3 wineries for a day is a great suggestion to ensure your enjoy each one.
We have several friends who live in Napa and keep saying ‘ we should.’ But, somehow other destinations make it on to the list. This is a wealth of information and may help us get Napa back on the list.
I love Napa Valley, and I was there a few times, but I still want to go back there. Great tips for people planning their first trip.
This is a great guide to the Napa Valley – and it really makes me laugh how happy you look in front of those four glasses 😀 No wonder there is public transport resp. shuttles there – any alternative might be quite dangerous.
I loved the part where you mentioned that wearing heels in the vineyards is a DON’T, something I had to learn (more than once) the hard way. Perfect guide to Napa, this makes me want to head there on a girls trip soon again!