A Wine Lover’s Perfect Napa Valley Day Trip Itinerary For the Harvest Season

(Wine-na) make the most of your One Day in Napa Valley?

Having lived in California for years, how could I not go to the legendary wine valley of the United States? The only problem being, I have really bad asian glow towards any and all alcohol. 

So, while I can speak to roaming the art galleries and learning the art of wine production, I’ve also got Agnes of Travel on the Reg on board to help me plan this itinerary. She’s been to Napa Valley more times than she can remember and, you know, can actually enjoy a good drink.

The hardest part about putting together a Napa day trip itinerary was narrowing down the highlights. Wine is involved, obviously. But, while the valley is just five miles at its widest point, there are 400 wineries to choose from here.

The area is also awesome for foodies, art lovers, and anyone who loves just chilling while looking at those vineyard views, all made better while swirling a glass of exceptional wine in hand.

This guide will help you make the most of a day trip to Napa, with some extra suggestions thrown in on what to do with more time.

Sample One Day in Napa Itinerary

Nicely packaged up in one scroll below, here’s a rundown of what I’ll get into in detail in this wine country guide.

And if you don’t have a designated driver, stay safe and join this small group tour if you’re already here or this group tour from San Francisco.

Morning

• Start your day with breakfast at Boon Fly Café.
• Sip on sparkling wine at Domaine Carneros.

Afternoon

• Enjoy some art at the di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art.
• Grab lunch at Oxbow Public Market.
• Taste more wine on the Silverado Trail.

Evening

• Visit downtown for shops, sips, and views of the Napa River.
• Eat at one of Napa’s best restaurants. 
• Finish with dessert at Bistro Don Giovanni. 

Recommended Places to Stay in Napa Valley

• 📍Luxury: The Inn on First
• 📍Mid-Range: Best Western Plus Inn at the Vines
• 📍Budget: Cedar Gables Inn

Quick Facts to Visiting Napa Valley

Just an hour north of San Francisco, California’s Napa Valley, though small, houses over a quarter of the state’s local wineries. This region actually kick-started California’s winemaking history way back in 1858, with sparkling wines, bold cabernets, and oaky chardonnay now being the most popular wine styles in the region.

Even if you’re not there for the vino, eat at an array of legendary restaurants, see how the wealthy live in St. Helena and Yountville, shop downtown, or drive out to the countryside.

Quick Facts	Details
Location	Northern California, USA
Best Time to Visit	September to November (Harvest season)
Where to Stay	Downtown, Yountville, St. Helena
Best Hotels	📍Luxury: The Inn on First 📍Mid-Range: Best Western Plus Inn at the Vines 📍Budget: Cedar Gables Inn
Famous For	Wine! Specifically, Cabernet Sauvignon. Also known for its beautiful vineyard tours & tastings, world-class restaurants (try this fancy food tour), and hot air balloon rides.
Population	Around 140,000
Time Zone	Pacific Standard Time (PST)
How to Get Around	Car rentals are most convenient. You can also take the Napa Valley Wine Train or use local taxi services. Use DiscoverCars to find rental car deals
City Airports	Napa County Airport (9 miles from downtown) San Francisco International Airport (SFO – 58 miles) Oakland International Airport (OAK – 50 miles) Use Expedia to find the best flight prices.
Don’t Forget!	Get the Napa Valley Wine Tasting Card if you plan to visit multiple wineries. You’ll get discounts from over 400 participating wineries!

What to Do on a Day Trip to Napa

Morning: Breakfast at Boon Fly Café

Assuming you’re not staying somewhere with breakfast, start your day off with a filling morning meal. Most trips to Napa Valley involve wine tastings, and you don’t want to do that on an empty stomach. 

The Boon Fly Café is a delicious option for breakfast and brunch classics in a farmhouse setting. 

For something light, try their egg-white scrambled with caramelized squash. If you really want a base for that wine, their chicken and waffles are a more indulgent way to start the day. But know that their portions here are generous no matter what you go with.

Taking a few of their famous Boon Fly Donuts for the road isn’t a bad idea, either.

Tip! Reservations are only available at dinner, but I’ve never had an issue getting seated upon arrival. The crowds do get thicker the later it is in the morning, but you’ll want to get an early start anyway.

Sparkling Wine at Domaine Carneros

Your first winery of the day is just a mile west of your breakfast spot, but you aren’t sacrificing anything for the convenience. Domaine Carneros is famous in these parts for its sparkling wines. 

Reserve the wine tasting that speaks to you. As I’m usually down for more than one tasting, I’m typically here for their classic Sparkling Wine Sampler. You can certainly upgrade your visit with a cheese or caviar pairing or include some of their more exclusive vintages.

A red wine tasting is also an option, but you’d really be missing out on what this place is known for: sparkling wine.

Leave some time to take in the grounds. Modeled after a French château, this intentional choice reflects the winery’s origins with the Taittinger family, renowned for their Champagne in Reims, France. This is about as close as you’ll get to French Champagne.

How many wineries should you visit in a day in Napa?

For most people, visiting 2-3 wineries in a day is doable. Each tasting takes about an hour to 90 minutes, plus travel time. You also don’t want to feel too rushed.

And if you can’t decide where to go or how to get there, you can sign up for this award-winning Napa tasting tour that will take you to three of the most popular spots.

Afternoon: di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art

Take a quick art break before continuing your wine adventures at this gallery across the road from Domaine Carneros. The di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art operates as a contemporary art gallery and a sculpture garden.

This place never gets too busy, but I’d suggest grabbing tickets in advance from their website because they have limited hours. They’re usually open from 11am to 4pm on Thursdays to Sundays and have private appointments available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

If you’d like to bring some snacks for the garden, you’ll want to prep for that with a grocery stop in downtown or the public market at my next stop.

Lunch at Oxbow Public Market

When you’re as indecisive as I am, a public market with a bunch of food stalls may sound like it should be a nightmare scenario. The thing is, more options means I get to try more things. This place can turn into a fun tapas situation if you want it to.

There are 20 different stalls to choose from here, and about a dozen of those have some solid lunch options. My last visit involved sandwiches from Loveski Deli and empanadas from El Porteño, but you can also grab pizza, burgers, and even oysters.

If you want a wine break, a brewery and distillery are also on site.

Wine Tasting on the Silverado Trail 

The Silverado Trail is what many visitors think of when they hear “Napa Valley.” It features vineyards stretching across rolling hills as far as the eye can see. The wineries are tucked down winding gravel paths, making the 20-minute drive north of the public market even more scenic.

Treat yourself to a contemporary tasting experience at one of the best wineries in the region at Paraduxx. This is one of my favorite wineries in Napa.

First of all, it just feels cool. A lot of Napa can come off as very traditional and Old World, which is a nod to the wine-making traditions. (Something you should show respect towards while you’re there)

This winery has a more modern approach. Book one of their small-production tasting rooms in their cute courtyard before walking in their vineyard. 

Warning! Watch out for rattlesnakes. They’re a thing here!

Alternative: The renowned Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars is just down the road if you love options. Not all wineries offer cave tours, but this winery does. Book well in advance if you’re interested.

Evening: Downtown Napa Shops & Strolls

Return to downtown just 15-20 minutes south of the wineries along the Silverado Trail. Walk the Riverfront, the main street of downtown, for scenic views of the Napa River. 

This is where you’ll find a boutique shopping scene, smaller art galleries, and some Michelin-starred restaurants.

If you have room for more wine, this is also where you’ll find the urban wine-tasting scene. I love the Ackerman Heritage House, a historic carriage house that doubles as a wine-tasting venue, and the more classic wine bar vibes of Brendel Wines.

Dinner at One of Napa’s Best Restaurants

Napa is almost as well-known for its fine dining scene as it is for its wine. If you’re really here for a bucket list eating experience, it doesn’t get bigger than The French Laundry, one of the few 3 Michelin stars restaurants in the country!

One of my trips to Napa was because I landed a last-minute reservation at Chef Thomas Keller’s famous eatery, and I can honestly say it was one of the best meals of my life. The service was impeccable, and every dish was almost too pretty to eat. Almost.

If you’re not looking to take out a second mortgage to eat a meal, you have many other options.

Bouchon Bistro, also in Yountville, is Chef Keller’s more casual option. It’s still not a budget-friendly meal, but it’s nowhere near the cost of The French Laundry. 

For a meal truly on the cheap but almost as mouthwatering, find Tacos el Muchacho Alegre, the town’s best taco truck. I’m serious. It’s just the ticket after a day of pure alc.

If you can’t decide what to eat, discover Michelin-starred restaurants and farm-to-table dishes paired with local wines on this Yountville Food Tour!

Dessert at Bistro Don Giovanni

This Italian restaurant serves up decent plates of pasta and seafood, but you’re here for the dolce. (That’s the sweets in Italian.) Pair an evening coffee, hot tea, or something stronger with one of their decadent desserts. 

The cabernet chocolate cake is a perfect way to end the day in wine country.

Where to Stay in Napa

Figuring out where to stay can be a bit of a challenge. You’ll have some tough decisions to make, and keep in mind that staying overnight can get pretty pricey. Napa is all about luxury travel, so finding budget-friendly accommodations is not really all that budget relatively.

If it’s your first time and you’re finishing up your evening downtown, the easiest option will be to overnight in downtown. You’ll find more options and a better chance at something a bit less expensive than out by the vineyards. 

If you’re a repeat returner, want a taste of winery life, and don’t mind the extra cost, there are all kinds of cute accommodations in the areas just outside of downtown.

Best Hotels in Napa

Hotel Name	Benefits
📍Luxury: The Inn on First	– Champagne and cookies upon arrival – Garden AND mountain views close to downtown – Sustainable practices
📍Mid-Range: Best Western Plus Inn at the Vines	– Well-known brand with varied room options – Easy access to the river – Short drive to downtown
📍Budget: Cedar Gables Inn	– Classic bed and breakfast vibes with plentiful food options – Spacious rooms with thoughtful decor – Easy access to downtown attractions

Places to Visit with More Time

Other Things to Do in Napa Valley

• Napa Valley Wine Train: Leave the driving to someone else with a scenic ride on a vintage train.
• Uptown Theatre: See a live show in a historic venue from 1937.
• Skyline Wilderness Park: Take a hike, bike, or plan an overnight camping trip in the valley’s foothills.
• Valley Hot Air Balloons: Plan the ultimate bucket list adventure with a hot air balloon ride over the vineyards. (Click here to book)
• Sonoma County: If you’re looking for more wine (because why not?), Napa is just east of the Sonoma Valley, known for its more casual wine-tasting scene. 
• Calistoga: Known for its natural hot springs, mud baths, and wineries, Calistoga is a quieter small city.
• Sterling Vineyards: Renowned for its panoramic views, Sterling Vineyards has a unique aerial tram that takes visitors to its hilltop winery.
• The Castello di Amorosa: An authentically-styled 13th century Tuscan castle with their own winery tour

Day Trips from Napa Valley

• San Francisco (1 hour): Think fog, the Golden Gate Bridge, and clam chowder in sourdough bowls. Boat out to Alcatraz – it’s pretty eerie but oh-so-cool.
• Sacramento (1 hour): Fancy a trip to California’s capital? Sacramento has an old-world charm with its historic district and the California State Railroad Museum.
• Point Reyes National Seashore (1+ hour): For those craving a bit of nature, Point Reyes has stunning coastal views, cute seals, and a historic lighthouse. 
• Santa Cruz (2 hours): Beach Boardwalk, surfing, and laid-back beach vibes, Santa Cruz is the perfect seaside escape.
• Monterey (2.5 hours): Monterey Bay Aquarium, anyone? Plus, Cannery Row and Fisherman’s Wharf are must-sees. And if you have time, drive down the scenic 17-Mile Drive and down to Big Sur.
• Lake Tahoe (3 hours): Get ready for some jaw-dropping lake-side activities in both summer and winter.
• Yosemite National Park (3+ hours): Ok, this one’s a bit of a stretch, but the waterfalls are epic, the giant sequoias are mind-boggling, and the mountains are breathtaking.

Can you do Napa for a day?

1 day in Napa Valley may be enough if you can start touring around before breakfast and plot out any winery stops ahead of time.

Unless you’re sticking to downtown, you likely won’t be able to just walk into a winery for a same-day tasting. This is one of the most famous wine regions in the world. Tastings book up weeks in advance, especially at some of the more prominent wineries. 

best time of year to visit Napa Valley

The best time of year to visit Napa Valley is the fall. You can expect warm days and cool nights in September and October. This is also harvesting time at wineries, or the seasonal “crush.” If you visit during this time, see if any wineries are planning grape stomping parties in honor of the harvest.

Sadly, this time of year also brings the possibility of wildfires. I’ve been during a rough California wildfire season, and it wasn’t exactly the best time for spending a lot of time outdoors.

How to Get There

You have a few options for getting to the city of Napa. Flying into Sacramento, just over an hour’s drive, is the easiest drive. 

Tip! Find great rental car deals with DiscoverCars and score the best flight prices using Expedia.

San Francisco and Oakland are options if you find better airfare deals there, but you’ll encounter more traffic and potential delays across the Golden Gate Bridge or the Bay Bridge.

No matter how you get there, you’ll need a car once you’re here. So, have a designated driver (or someone allergic to alcohol like me) to have a safe plan for transportation to and from wine tastings.

Final Thoughts: 24 Hours in Napa Valley

It may feel like you’ll spend quite a bit of time relaxing during your Napa valley day trip, but a full day there always exhausts me. Wine and sunshine have a tendency to do that to you! That said, it’s a place that always leaves me wanting more and coming back.

The wine and food scene is perfectly matched, and it’s one of the most scenic wine regions in the world. It’s also an easy add-on to adventures in California road trips in Northern California that include cities like San Francisco and Sacramento. 

Before you Close That Tab…Where to Next in California?

I’ve lived and vanlifed around, about, and through all of California for 3 years. If you’re looking for more information on California, check out these other destination itineraries.

• Perfect One Day In Lassen Volcanic National Park Itinerary
• Perfect One Day In Redwood National Park Itinerary
• Perfect One Day In Joshua Tree Itinerary For First-Timers
• One Day In Death Valley Itinerary For Adventurers
• Perfect One Day in San Diego Itinerary: What Not to Miss
• Perfect One Day in San Francisco Itinerary for First Timers
• Day Trip to Lake Tahoe: One Day Itinerary for All Seasons
• Perfect Day Trip to Sonoma Itinerary for Wine Lovers
• Perfect Day Trip to Napa Valley Itinerary for Wine Lovers
• Perfect One Day in Los Angeles Itinerary from a Local

MY FAVORITE TRAVEL RESOURCES

✈️ Find amazing guided tours and experiences with Viator to maximize your time! 🏘️ Plan ahead and secure your accommodation with Booking.com in advance. 🧾 Rent a car with Discovercars in advance and get the best prices for your day trip adventures.