Napa Valley Travel Tips

Here you will find many tips to help plan your visit to legendary Napa Valley. Everything from which airport to fly into, hotel options, weather, attire, car services, maps, etc. so please scroll down and read through this comprehensive list. In addition, please be sure to go to VisitNapaValley.com to discover Napa Valley's world-renowned wines, Michelin-star restaurants, healing spas, cultural arts, and our luxurious hotels, resorts, and cozy B&B's. I think you'll definitely want to stay longer!

AIRPORTS

There are four commercial airports that are close to Napa Valley, depending on which is most convenient for you:

1. San Francisco International Airport (SFO) - 60 miles to Napa
2. Oakland International Airport (OAK) - 53 miles to Napa
3. Sacramento International Airport (SMF) - 68 miles to Napa
4. Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa (STS) - 48 miles to Napa

Of course, if you are in Southern California or somewhere on the West Coast, it might be more convenient for you to drive. By the time you get to the airport, park, check in, go through security, fly, claim your bags and rent a car, that could take 5-6 hours which is the same as driving in some cases. This is something to keep in mind if you prefer to have your own car and save some money.

HOTELS

Westin Verasa Napa

Our returning hotel sponsor from the first year is back! I love staying at the Westin with their 'heavenly' beds and chic decor. The lobby bar which spills out to the fire pit/pool area is our spot for the "Late Night Hangs" as well. Unfortunately, our block of discounted rates are sold out.  If you're interested in staying here, please book your rooms directly on their website; we are not able to help with any rates via phone or email.

Silverado Resort & Spa

A new partner with us this year, Silverado Resort & Spa is set on two 18-hole championship golf courses with stunning views all around and is only five minutes from downtown Napa! If you're looking for more of a relaxing 'nature' experience in a historic setting and are on a budget, Silverado is the place for you.

Unfortunately, our block of discounted rooms has completely sold out!  However, there are still rooms available online at the Silverado Resort website (here).

Other Hotel Options

There are many other hotels in the Napa area depending on your preference and budget. For less expensive options, check out Homewood Suites in Fairfield or Holiday Inn Express in American Canyon which are both just outside of Napa. Others downtown Napa include Andaz Napa, River Terrace Inn , Embassy Suites or Napa River Inn. Or if you prefer B&B's, check out Old World Inns. On the luxury higher end, there is Auberge du Soleil, Villagio Inn & Spa or the Vintage Inn. The most high end you can go is The Poetry Inn with only 4 rooms in the converted hillside mansion.  

CAR RENTALS

I highly recommended that you rent a car so that you can experience all that Napa Valley has to offer. Just driving up and down Highway 29 and Silverado Trail is spectacular!!  It is very easy to navigate while in wine country as both of those highways are the two main roads in Napa Valley. They run parallel to each other for about 30 miles up the west and east sides of the valley with 'cross-roads' every few miles connecting the two.

If you are planning to rent a car at an airport, the major highways in the area (80 & 880) will be quickest to get to Napa Valley. However, if you fly into San Francisco (SFO), taking the 101 North up through Marin County and the back roads in Sonoma County on the way to Napa is quite scenic. I recommend a navigation system as to not get lost on those back roads. If you fly into Sonoma County Airport (STS), you’ll take Petrified Forest Road over to Calistoga and then Highway 29 South to Napa which is a very scenic drive as well.

AIRPORT SHUTTLE SERVICES

If you would prefer not to rent a car or wish to avoid Bay Area traffic, shuttle services are available. 

San Francisco (SFO) and Oakland (OAK) both have shuttle buses that run to the city of Napa. To arrange shuttle service call either:

Evans Transportation:  707-255-1559
California Wine Tours:  800-294-6386 

In most cases there will be an extra fee for this service. Some hotels may offer a shuttle service to and from the Evans terminal, so be sure to check with your hotel to see if they offer this service. 

The only non-hotel shuttle to Napa Valley available from the Sacramento Airport is the Fairfield Airporter.

Fairfield Airporter:  877-424-7767

You will need to call in advance to reserve this service. You can simply ride the Airporter all the way and arrange for someone to pick you up.

LIMO SERVICES

We are recommending Beau Wine Tours who are participating in our ACCESS CARD program and giving nice discounts. Please call them at (800) 387-2328 for rates on limos, airport transfers and wine tours. The Westin Verasa is recommending Corpex Limousine. Please call them at (415) 504-7777 to make reservations.  Miner Family Winery is recommending Napa Tour and Transportation. Please call Georgia Buck at (707) 251-9463 to make reservations. 

PARKING

There is a large free parking lot for the Napa Valley Opera House on Pearl and West Streets behind the Century Napa Cinedome 8. There is a short walkway from the lot to Main Street, which takes you to the entrance of the Opera House a half block down on the left. There is ample parking at The Westin Verasa and Silverado Resort in both self-park and valet. There is a large free parking lot at The Lincoln Theater in addition to valet for a small service charge. The wineries all have fairly small parking lots so again, please make reservations before going for tastings.

WINE TASTING ETIQUETTE

Check out this article as it is a good source for wine tasting etiquette while in Napa Valley:

  > Wine Tasting Etiquette

NAPA VALLEY AVA's

Did you know that Napa Valley is actually made up of 14 distinct regions called AVA's (American Viticultural Areas)? Check out this very interesting article that explains the characteristics of each region:

> Napa AVA's

Here's a cool map of the region that shows each AVA:

> Napa Valley AVA Map

LIST OF WINERIES

Here is a comprehensive list of the over 400 wineries located in Napa Valley in alphabetical order:

> Napa Valley Wineries

DRINKING AND DRIVING

Never ever drink and drive. 

While visiting the wineries, please have a designated driver with you in your party. 

If you plan to partake without a designated driver, please consider hiring a limo service. Or, if you are tasting and then driving, please make use of the spit buckets as it is perfectly acceptable to not actually ‘drink’ the wine. 

We want everyone to have a safe Napa Valley experience!

WEATHER

Evenings can be cool, even in summer, so bring a sweater for outdoor dining. In the town of Napa, the average temperature in June is 66 degrees, while the average high is 78 degrees and the average low temperature is 51 degrees.

ATTIRE

I am recommending that everyone wear upscale casual and comfortable clothing during the day. Men: nice jeans or slacks, a button down or polo shirt and a sweater or light jacket depending on the temperature. Women: nice skirt, slacks or sun dress with a casual top plus a sweater or light jacket again depending on the temperature.  

And just like last year, for the evening concerts I would like for everyone to bring it! Men: suits and ties are recommended, but not required. Women: evening dresses or skirts with nice tops.

Let us know if you have any other questions regarding your travel into and around Napa Valley. Email us anytime at:  NapaValleyJazzGetaway@gmail.com

BC