Napa Valley, located just north of San Franciso, is known for its world-class Napa wineries. It’s a place we’ve visited a few times and can’t recommend enough. Even if you’re not into wine, there’s a lot to love about this region of the country. The weather is pristine, you can ride hot-air balloons, experience geothermal springs, go horseback riding, indulge in a craft brewery tour, go flying fishing, or play golf.
When we last visited the Napa wineries, it was in addition to our Lake Tahoe trip. Everyone enjoyed both destinations, but the nod for me goes to Napa Valley. Ashlee and I love wine so Napa was a place we try to visit as frequently as we can. For more on Napa, in addition to this guide, Ashlee has a Napa blog post that’s also worth a read. With that said, let’s cover a few travel credit cards to bring with you on a trip to one of the best wine areas in the US.
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Best Credit Cards to Use at the Napa Wineries
American Express, Capital One, Chase, and Citi have found their groove in terms of the types of credit cards each bank wants to offer. Amex is after premium customers. Chase and Capital One are after the mid-tier annual fee customer market. Citi bowed out of the premium market and has focused its offering on the mid-tier and no annual fee market.
Some of the best credit cards out there include the Amex Gold Card, Capital One Venture Card, Chase Sapphire Preferred, and Citi Premier Card. You earn 4x points at restaurants and US supermarkets. The Capital One Venture earns 2x miles on all purchases. Chase Sapphire Reserve cardmembers earn 3x points on dining and travel. You earn 3x points on 3x points at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, air travel, and hotels with the Citi Premier Card.
When is the best time to visit the Napa Wineries?
One of the beauties of the Napa wineries is that Napa Valley generally doesn’t get too hot or too cold. Lows average 35-56 degrees and the highs average 55-93 degrees. August through October is harvest season and a time we like to visit. It’s incredible to see the hard work throughout the year come to fruition when the grapes are being picked.
August through October temperatures average 47-55 for the lows and 77-92 for the highs. For me, September is the sweet spot in terms of when to visit the Napa wineries. In reality, just being out there is good enough. This area of the country is beautiful no matter when you’re able to take it all in.
How to Fly to Napa Valley
We drove from Lake Tahoe to Napa, which is about a 3-hour drive. If you are only going to Napa, consider flying into Sacramento (SMF), Oakland (OAK), or San Francisco (SFO) as each airport is around an hour away. Plenty of driver services are available. This is the way to go as you can get picked up at a location of your choosing, driven back and forth to Napa, and then be back at your hotel for dinner.
Examples of nonstop flights on major US airlines to these airports include:
- San Franciso (SFO) <> Chicago–O’Hare, Los Angeles, New York–JFK, Washington–Dulles – Alaska Airlines
- San Fransico (SFO) <> Chicago–O’Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami, New York–JFK – American Airlines
- San Franciso (SFO) <> Atlanta, Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York–JFK, Seattle/Tacoma – Delta Air Lines
- San Franciso (SFO) <> Chicago–O’Hare, Houston–Intercontinental, Los Angeles, New York–JFK – United Airlines
- Oakland (OAK) <> Portland (OR), Seattle/Tacoma – Alaska Airlines
- Oakland (OAK) <> Los Angeles, Salt Lake City – Delta Air Lines
- Oakland (OAK) <> Atlanta, Chicago–Midway, Dallas–Love, Houston–Hobby, Los Angeles – Southwest
- Sacramento (SMF) <> Boise, Portland (OR), San Diego, Seattle/Tacoma – Alaska Airlines
- Sacramento (SMF) <> Charlotte, Chicago–O’Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Phoenix–Sky Harbor – American Airlines
- Sacramento (SMF) <> Atlanta, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Salt Lake City, Seattle/Tacoma – Delta Air Lines
- Sacramento (SMF) <> Chicago–Midway, Dallas–Love, Houston–Hobby, Los Angeles – Southwest
- Sacramento (SMF) <> Chicago–O’Hare, Houston–Intercontinental, Newark, Washington–Dulles – United Airlines
Places to Stay in Napa Valley
For our group of 8, we booked this Napa AirBnB. It was perfect for what we needed. The Airbnb was centrally located, the owner was friendly, and the space easily accommodated our group. One of the fun aspects of renting an Airbnb is all being in one place. Particularly after a day outside at the Napa wineries, it was nice to kick back at our Airbnb outside and enjoy dinner together.
Each of the major points hotel brands has Napa Valley properties. While we’ve never stayed at these properties, there are a few that jump out. Hotel Indigo Napa Valley and Mr & Mrs. Smith Milliken Creek Inn & Spa from IHG. Andaz Napa and Alila Napa Valley by Hyatt.
Best Restaurants in Napa Valley
We structure our Napa wineries trip around the wineries themselves. So, recommendations on the best food and drinks are a bit limited. However, breakfast at Napa Valley Coffee is a great way to start your day. Follow that up with lunch at Oxbow Public Market or Gott’s Roadhouse. Both are solid. Allegria for dinner hits all the spots for an Italian meal. Drinks at Napa Palisades Saloon is a fun place to catch a game.
Best Wineries in Napa Valley
Domaine Carneros, Cuvaison Estate Wines, Rombauer Vineyards, and Honig Vineyard treated us well during our last Napa Valley trip. Each winery is unique in its own way. Domaine Carneros has the largest operation while Cuvaison has the smallest. Most unique go to Rombauer when you factor in the customer service and the property.
On a previous trip (see Ashlee’s post), we visited Azur Wines, Bell Wine Cellars, and Holman Cellars. We’ve also visited Baldacci Family Vineyards. However, the experience wasn’t great. Maybe we just caught them at a bad time.
Best Things to Do in Napa Valley
Day 1 of Napa Wineries
Start your first 24 hours of Napa wineries at Oxbow Public Market or Mustards Grill. Oxbow Public Market is an interesting space that sells everything – local produce, food, wine, you name it. There’s even beer brewed onsite. From there, walk next door for lunch at Gott’s Roadhouse. Pro tip: arrive before 1130a on Saturdays to beat the soccer/sport’s game crowds. After you finish lunch, it’s time to head to your first winery.
Domaine Carneros is the first of your Napa wineries. The Domaine Carneros grounds are palatial. Seriously! Go with the champagne tasting (very good!) and tour. Once the tour concludes, grab a glass of their rosé to walk around the property and take pictures with. Next, walk across the street to Cuvaison Estate Wines. Cuvaison is a small operation with an intimate feel. The views from its tasting room are fantastic. As was the customer service. Try the Syrah and the Rosé. With two Napa wineries, it’s time to head to dinner at Allegria. Indulge in the Penne Con Pollo and Pinot Noir from Carneros.
Day 2 of Napa Wineries
Your second 24 hours begins with breakfast at Napa Valley Coffee. Next, walk around downtown Napa to get a feel for the city. V. Sattui is your next step a BBQ lunch or club sandwich, and the Sattui Family Pinot Noir. From V. Sattui, get a Lyft/Uber to Rombauer Vineyards. The property is beautiful and the wine was delicious! Try the Sauvignon Blanc.
That afternoon, catch another Lyft/Uber to Honig Vineyard. While the views won’t impress in eh same way that Domaine Carneros, Cuvaison, and Rombauer do, Honig sports wine that is solid. Once you’ve had your fill of Honig, head to Napa Palisades Saloon for a nightcap.
Best Things to do in Napa Valley FAQs
What is there to do in Napa Besides wine tasting?
Ride hot-air balloons, experience geothermal springs, go horseback riding, indulge in a craft brewery tour, go flying fishing, or play golf are fun things to do besides the wineries.
Is Napa or Sonoma better?
This is like asking which of your children do you like better. We’ve never visited Sonoma so it’s impossible to answer. Each of these places is one of the best wine regions in the US.
Conclusion on Napa Wineries
August through October is generally a great time to visit Napa Valley. If you decide to make the trip, Sacramento (SMF), Oakland (OAK), or San Francisco (SFO) are the airpots to focus on flying into. In terms of where to stay, Andaz Napa and Alila Napa Valley by Hyatt are on my shortlist.
What do you think are the best things to do in Portland Maine? Please let me know in the comments or by sending me an email on my contact page.
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