Making the move to the west coast meant many things: warmer year-round weather, more expensive rent and, of course, easy access to Napa Valley and Sonoma County.
When I lived in New York I really didn’t take advantage of nearby day trips and I didn’t want the same thing to be true of San Francisco.
In the last year, I’ve made it to Napa three times and while I’m certainly no expert, I’ve rounded up a few tips that have helped me make the most of my getaway.
SEE ALSO: What It's Like To Eat A $445-Per-Person, 5-Hour Dinner At The French Laundry In Napa Valley
Get an early start (and enjoy the view).
I’m not advocating early morning day-drinking but I do recommend getting an early start, especially if you’re only there for a day. Many travelers opt for car rentals, since they offer more flexibility in terms of planning. If you do rent a car, make sure to get insurance because you just never know. For our last trip, my in-laws were in town so we decided to hire a driver for the day. They are from Argentina so obviously, none of us wanted to be the designated driver. I suggest taking the scenic route and stopping for photos at the viewpoint stop-off near the Golden Gate Bridge. You can also take a peek at the colorful floating houses in Sausalito.
Theme your trip (or set realistic goals).
There are over 400 wineries in Napa and Sonoma so visiting all of them is impossible. With so much variety, your jaunt through the country can suddenly become overwhelming, which is why setting realistic goals is so important. If you’re really into wines, it’s a good idea to express that to your travel partner so that you can narrow down your winery options. If, like me, you simply enjoy drinking wine in general, your itinerary can be more free-flow. Because of the type of weather conditions in Napa, many wineries grow Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay varieties. That said, there is a popular winery that specializes in Champagne-style sparkling, too.
Work with the weather.
Northern California in winter is definitely warmer than it is on the east coast but that doesn’t mean it’s all sunshine and rainbows. The good thing about Napa is that many of the attractions (i.e. the wineries) are indoors. Sure, it would be nice to have a picnic outside in the vineyards but the weather may or may not permit that. Typically, there’s a lot of fog in the morning as your leave San Francisco but the deeper you drive into Napa and Sonoma, the more sunshine prevails. If you tend to get cold easily like I do, bring a sweater and maybe even a hat. During winter, bring an umbrella in case you suddenly get the urge to frolic through the vineyards.
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