Last Updated on August 21, 2024 by Tori’s VA
Napa Valley is one of the most desired vacation destinations in the U.S. And for good reason! It is the home of U.S. wine production and a luxury getaway in the states. However, with so many amazing things to do in northern California, you may not have time to spend several days in the valley. Instead, opt to take a Napa Day Trip from San Francisco, or one of the other nearby destinations.
San Francisco is one of my favorite cities in the United States. There are so many wonderful things to do in San Fran. Napa Valley included, of course. So plan out your trip to San Francisco and include a Napa day trip from there.
(Be sure to read my San Francisco Guide and guide to planning a perfect vacation first!)
You might be visiting Sacramento, Santa Rosa, Oakland or San Jose, and adding a Napa day trip makes perfect sense from any of those destinations, as well.
This post may contain affiliate links for activities, destinations and products that I love, and think you will too!
How to Get to Napa for a Day Trip
Getting to Napa is easy. If you have a car, or are willing to rent one, Napa is only about an hour north of San Francisco and is a beautiful drive. Take the slightly longer route if you want to cross over the famous Golden Gate Bridge on the way. Stop at Battery Spencer just after crossing the bridge for my favorite view of the bridge and the city as the backdrop.
The drive up to Napa is beautiful and a very easy one. Leave early in the morning so you can spend as much time as possible in the valley. If you choose to rent a car you’ll have more flexibility, you can control how long you stay and where you go.
Alternatively, if you don’t have a car, you can opt to book a tour to Napa Valley. These are going to be more restrictive, as you will go where they take you. But, they are especially great if you don’t want to rent a car. It also allows everyone in your group to drink throughout the day. You don’t have to worry about having a designated driver. If you want to visit multiple vineyards for tastings, then this is the way to go.
How Long to Stay in Napa for the Day Trip
If you plan to drive there yourself, I recommend you allow at least ten hours. You’ll need two hours just for driving to Napa, and then many of the vineyards are north of Napa, so it might take even longer to drive to those.
You’ll want to visit a few wineries and have time to explore downtown Napa as well. There are high-end and eclectic shops to wander through. The many tasting rooms downtown are also an easy way to discover some of the local varieties. Once you get hungry, have lunch downtown, or at one of the other incredible restaurants all throughout the valley. More on those later.
When to take a day trip to Napa Valley
Napa is beautiful year-round. We were there most recently in the winter and the weather was incredible! It was in the 60s but with the sun shining on us we were warm. I also love Napa in the winter because they have great Christmas decorations and events to enjoy!
Wineries to Visit on a Napa Day Trip
With more than 400 wineries located in Napa Valley, it will seem very daunting to decide which ones to visit. If you are taking a tour, you will likely have to go wherever they plan. But if you are planning your own day, I recommend that you start by thinking about what is important to you. Ask yourself these questions:
Do you want to try mostly reds? Whites? Sparkling? A variety?
Do you want to visit small wineries that are focused solely on the wine? Or do you prefer a place that has a really unique experience?
Do you want to visit wineries that also offer food or charcuterie boards while you taste the wine?
Do you want to stay as close to Napa as possible? Or are you willing to drive further up the valley?
Do you want to visit the smaller, family-owned wineries or would you rather visit the larger more famous brands?
Answering these questions will help you narrow it down. What is one person’s favorite winery, might not be yours. Since they are so many, and are all so wonderful, select the ones you visit based on the answers to those questions.
Some Wineries to Consider
Castello Di Amorosa
I personally like having a unique, immersive experience. Something that offers a little more than just sitting around drinking wine. That’s why I wanted to visit Castello di Amorosa. A real-life castle built in the most northern part of Napa Valley, it is one of the furthest options from Napa, but has a lot more to offer than just sitting and drinking wine.
The castle is beautiful and you can explore pretty much the entire thing. Wander around, climb to the top for views of the valley, and enjoy the beautiful craftsmanship. Outside they have many farm animals that live on the property as well.
The wine itself is delicious and they offer a wide variety of red and white wines. You can buy bottles there, or have them shipped directly home instead!
This winery is especially great for people who have kids with them. There’s so much to do to keep the kids entertained, and space to run around. But the castle is super romantic which is also why this makes Napa a romantic getaway for couples.
Domaine Carneros
Another great winery I recommend is Domaine Carneros. I love this option for a few reasons; first, they have a gorgeous property featuring a French-style château. It’s gorgeous and totally instagram worthy.
But the other unique thing here is their focus on sparkling wines. They offer several different sparkling options and a few sparkling flights. I love this, since most of Napa valley focuses on red wines, as those grapes are what are grown the most in the area.
But the other amazing thing about this place is their food options. I love food as much as (if not more than) wine, so it’s important to me to experience the delicious food of this area as well. They offer a variety of cheese and charcuterie plate options and even offer vegan cheese pairings.
Or, for the ultimate foodie experience, book a reservation for the seasonal food and wine pairing. You’ll get a variety of seasonal bites that each pair perfectly with one of their wine offerings.
Frog’s Leap
For a more casual option, visit Frog’s Leap where you can taste delicious wine and see the working farm. You can choose a seated tasting, or the better option is to book a tour of the property with the tasting. Watch the grape go from the vineyards to fermentation, barrel, cask and finally make its way into the bottle.
This winery produces a nice variety of reds and whites, and you’ll get to try five of them during your tasting. And, you’ll get a free snack plate included in the cost of the tasting!
But the best part? Dogs are welcome to visit Frog’s Leap, so bring your furry friend along on the adventure with you! Read this for more information about great dog friendly wineries in Napa!
Where to Eat in Napa
Again, there are so many great spots to dine in Napa, you won’t know where to pick! Try to do research before you visit from blogs written by locals or frequent visitors, as they will know best. Picking the top restaurants on Tripadvisor is not usually the best way to go, as you’ll likely end up at a touristy spot instead. Some blogs I recommend are below:
20 Can’t Miss Napa Valley Restaurants
The Best Napa Restaurants You Must Experience
I will say, there’s every type of restaurant located here in the valley, from casual to extravagant. Napa Valley is even home to seven Michelin Star restaurants, so check them out if you’ve got the budget and are looking for something extremely high quality.
When we took a Napa day trip, we ate at Brasswood Bar + Kitchen after reading many great reviews from bloggers. The restaurant is located pretty far north in the valley, close to Castello Di Amorosa. It was a beautiful property and restaurant design.
The menu was eclectic, service was great and the food was amazing. Not only was it high quality and delicious, the flavors were just unique and on another level than most restaurants you’ll visit. We ordered the fresh mozzarella special that they make in house and it was something I’ll dream of forever.
Things to Do During a Napa Day Trip
In addition to the wineries, there are many other great things to do in Napa Valley during your Napa day trip.
Napa Valley Wine Train
This is always my first recommendation when someone is planning a trip to Napa. It’s not cheap, but the Napa Wine Train is a super unique experience. Choose to ride the train for lunch or dinner through the rolling hills for gorgeous views, exquisite food and local wines to enjoy.
Hot Air Balloon Ride
Another really special thing to do in the valley is taking a hot air balloon ride! You’ll get to experience the absolute best views of the hills and vineyards from the sky. Keep in mind the time commitment though if you are just visiting for a Napa day trip. The rides are one hour long, but take a total of about 3 hours including check-in, inflation, etc. Also, the trips are booked early in the morning when the winds are the calmest.
Spas
Another great way to spend a few hours in Napa Valley is at one of their luxury spas. There are so many to choose from, but I personally love the Calistoga Spa Hot Springs. You can enjoy a volcanic ash mud bath and then melt all of your stress away in the natural hot spring baths. The natural sulfur in the water does wonders to your skin.
In addition to these great options you can also golf, hike or go on a bike tour for those wanting something active. Or for art lovers, visit one of the many galleries or listen to live music all over the valley.
What to Wear in Napa
Generally speaking, Napa Valley is an upscale area where you’ll want to dress the part. Wear something nice, typically a flowy dress for women and khakis for men. Depending on your planned activities, you can definitely dress more casually, or fancier at the Michelin Star restaurants or on board the wine train in the evening.
My biggest tip? Don’t wear green! I learned this the hard way…
If you plan to take any photos in the vineyards, you’ll blend right into the background. Instead, choose red, yellow or pink to really pop against the green background of the lush hillside.
For shoes for ladies, be sure to wear flats or a chunky heel. Visiting wineries you’re bound to walk through some of the vineyards, so you won’t want to go sinking into the dirt in a thin heel.
What to Bring for a Napa Day Trip
A few things that I think you need:
A Power Bank – this is my number one most important item when I travel anywhere. Especially on a Napa day trip, you’ll be out and about all day long without a chance to charge up your phone. So, bring this power bank in your purse and you’ll get five full charges out of it. It’s a lifesaver when you want just one more photo of the sunset over the vineyard’s rolling hillside, or you need directions to get back to the hotel.
A Hat – Not only are they super stylish and a perfect accessory for photos in the vineyards, they’re also important to protect yourself from the strong California sun.
A Jacket – Once the sun drops behind the hills, it can cool off quickly. Pack a light jacket to stay warm in the evening.
A Designated Driver – Okay but seriously, with all of this delicious wine everywhere, please don’t drink and drive. Bring a designated driver with you or book a tour instead.
I hope you decide to take a Napa day trip, you won’t regret it! Have fun and be safe!
