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California, US, United States · Trip plan

3 days in Napa Valley

Harvest season, vineyard tastings and Michelin-starred dinners.

Best time
Sep – Nov
Ideal length
3 days
A day, mid-range
$400 per person
Trip for two
about $2,400

Planning a 3-day trip to Napa Valley? Here's a day-by-day Napa Valley itinerary with what it costs, where to stay and how to get there, ready to follow or make your own.

Why go now

September to November is harvest ('crush') season, when the vineyards turn gold and wineries are at their liveliest.

Napa Valley is America's most famous wine region, a 30-mile valley of vineyards, wineries and world-class restaurants north of San Francisco.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep: a good time to go
  10. Oct: a good time to go
  11. Nov: a good time to go
  12. Dec

October to November: 10–24°C, sunny.

Create my Napa Valley trip

Don't miss

Best things to do in Napa Valley

  • 01

    Wine tastings

    Over 400 wineries, from icons to small family estates.

  • 02

    Napa Valley Wine Train

    Lunch in vintage rail cars through the vineyards.

  • 03

    Hot-air balloons

    Sunrise over the valley.

  • 04

    Calistoga

    Mud baths and hot springs.

Day by day

Napa Valley itinerary for 3 days

  1. D1

    Day 1: Downtown Napa

    Morning
    Arrive and browse the Oxbow Public Market for oysters, cheese and coffee.
    Afternoon
    Walk to downtown tasting rooms along the river.
    Evening
    Dinner at a farm-to-table restaurant.

    Downtown tasting rooms don't need a car.

  2. D2

    Day 2: Balloons and the Wine Train

    Morning
    Sunrise hot-air balloon ride over the vineyards.
    Afternoon
    Lunch on the Napa Valley Wine Train in vintage Pullman cars.
    Evening
    Dinner in Yountville, home to some of America's top restaurants.

    Book balloons and the train well ahead.

  3. D3

    Day 3: Calistoga and home

    Morning
    Soak in a volcanic-ash mud bath in Calistoga.
    Afternoon
    Visit Castello di Amorosa, a 13th-century-style Tuscan castle winery.
    Evening
    Drive back to San Francisco and fly home.

    Allow 2 hours for traffic.

Want it hour by hour?GoRoam plans every stop with times, maps, costs and bookings for your dates.

Shorter or longer

Napa Valley in 2, 3 or 5 days

2 days in Napa Valley

Follow days 1 to 2 above and leave out “Calistoga and home”. Start early each day and book the main sights ahead.

5 days in Napa Valley

Slow down with a free day for a spa, a cooking class or simply wandering, then add 1 day in Palm Springs.

What it costs

Napa Valley trip budget

StylePer person, a day3 days for two
Budget$200$1,200
Mid-range$400$2,400
Luxury$1,000+$6,000

Stay, food, local transport and entry fees; travel to Napa Valley is extra. Rough guides from recent prices, so check before you book.

Where to stay

Best hotels in Napa Valley for every budget

  • Budget

    Motels in Napa town

    Napa

    Walk to downtown tasting rooms.

    from $180 /night

    Prices
  • Mid-range

    Inns in Yountville

    Yountville

    Walkable foodie village.

    from $450 /night

    Prices
  • Luxury

    Auberge du Soleil

    Rutherford

    Hillside views over the vines.

    from $1,500 /night

    Prices

What to eat

Food to try in Napa Valley

  • Farm-to-table cooking

    Napa's specialty.

  • Oysters

    From nearby Tomales Bay.

  • Cabernet Sauvignon

    Napa's signature wine.

Getting there

How to reach Napa Valley

Travel
San Francisco and Oakland airports are about 1.5 hours away.
Getting around
A car or a driver; bikes on the Silverado Trail.
  • Book tastings ahead; many wineries are appointment-only.
  • Hire a driver if you're tasting.

Before you go

What to pack for Napa Valley

  • Power bank and charging cables
  • Passport and visa printouts
  • Clothes that cover shoulders and knees for temples
  • A forex card or some local cash
  • Travel insurance

Good questions

Napa Valley trip FAQs

How many days are enough for Napa Valley?

3 days are enough to see the highlights: Wine tastings, Napa Valley Wine Train, Hot-air balloons. Add a day or two if you like a slower pace.

How much does a 3-day Napa Valley trip cost?

Roughly $200 a day per person on a budget, $400 mid-range and $1,000+ for luxury, not counting travel to get there. For two people mid-range, that's about $2,400 for 3 days.

What is the best time to visit Napa Valley?

Sep – Nov. September to November is harvest ('crush') season, when the vineyards turn gold and wineries are at their liveliest.

Where should I stay in Napa Valley?

Budget: Motels in Napa town (Napa), from about $180 a night. Mid-range: Inns in Yountville (Yountville), from about $450 a night. Luxury: Auberge du Soleil (Rutherford), from about $1,500 a night.

How do I reach Napa Valley?

San Francisco and Oakland airports are about 1.5 hours away.

Is 2 days enough for Napa Valley?

Yes, if you focus: follow days 1 to 2 of the itinerary above and skip "Calistoga and home". 3 days is the comfortable length.

What is the weather like in Napa Valley?

October to November: 10–24°C, sunny.

What food should I try in Napa Valley?

Farm-to-table cooking: Napa's specialty. Oysters: From nearby Tomales Bay. Cabernet Sauvignon: Napa's signature wine.

How do I get around Napa Valley?

A car or a driver; bikes on the Silverado Trail.

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