Getting to Napa Valley is easy. Getting around it well takes one good decision, made before you land.
Which airport
- San Francisco (SFO) — the main gateway, roughly 1.5 hours' drive depending on traffic. Most flights, most options.
- Oakland (OAK) — often faster to the valley than SFO, especially for the south end. Worth checking fares.
- Sacramento (SMF) — about 90 minutes to the valley's north end, and an easy drive.
- Santa Rosa (STS) — the closest airport, twenty minutes from Calistoga. Fewer flights, but unbeatable if the schedule works.
The drive in
Two roads run the valley's length: Highway 29, the main artery through every town, and the Silverado Trail, its quieter, prettier sibling to the east. Learn both — 29 for errands, Silverado for pleasure. Arrive before dark if you can; the valley's light at golden hour is the welcome committee.
Getting around: hire the driver
This is the one decision that matters. A driver for the day costs less than one mediocre bottle and transforms the trip — no compromises, no clock-watching, no debates about the third tasting. Book the driver when you book the tastings, especially on weekends and in harvest season.
What not to do
- Don't rely on rideshares between wineries — coverage is thin and waits are long.
- Don't try to drive Highway 29 at midday on a Saturday if you can avoid it.
- Don't over-schedule. Two tastings a day, a long lunch, and a driver — that's the formula.
Landed and ready? How wine tasting actually works — the reservations, fees, and etiquette.