Napa Valley
America's most famous wine country - a lush valley of vineyards, tasting rooms and fine dining north of San Francisco.
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Illustrative image - a scene in the spirit of the place, not a photograph of it. Real photos are below.
Napa Valley is the most celebrated wine region in the United States, a lush valley an hour and a half north of San Francisco lined with hundreds of wineries, from grand chateaux to small family estates. Famous above all for Cabernet Sauvignon, it pairs tastings with some of the country's finest restaurants and a genuinely beautiful landscape of vines and hills.
What you actually see
- The wineries and tastings - the estates from grand to boutique along the valley.
- The vineyard landscape - the rows of vines and rolling hills.
- Fine dining - the acclaimed restaurants of the valley.
- The Wine Train and hot-air balloons - the scenic ways to see the valley.
When to go
Late summer and autumn for the harvest and warm days; spring for green vines and fewer crowds. Summer and autumn weekends are busy, so book tastings and tables ahead.
Honest expectations
It has become expensive and busy, with many wineries charging significant tasting fees and requiring reservations, so plan and budget. It is a driving region, so arrange a designated driver or a tour given the tasting. Neighbouring Sonoma is often more relaxed and affordable.
Nearby
Sonoma wine country is next door; San Francisco is ninety minutes south.
What to pack for Napa Valley
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
