When is the best time of year to go to Napa valley?

Answer 1

I can only tell you when I have been there and give you an idea.

August - hot, dry and usually a lot of tourists.

Late September - crisp, cool air (unless the summer lingers) and the smell of grapes throughout the valley as harvest time draws to an end.
Lots of color on the vine as the leaves turn color.
Go to Sonoma for the "Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival" - very nice!

December - usually rainy and cold, but still fun to visit.
Nearby Sonoma has their annual olive festival in early December and is worth the visit.

Now, I've never been there in spring, but I hear that it is beautiful, with the mustard plants in bloom and buds breaking on the vine.

I've traveled a lot through Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino Counties.
Each has its own charm and excellent vineyards and restaurants.
Napa is great, but you will miss out a lot if you don't explore Sonoma as well!

A comment on stony111's restaurant,:
It's "Mustards Grill" - and an excellent choice!!!!
Try the grilled lamb and a glass of local zinfandel!

Answer 2

Spring is magnificent, especially the first couple of weeks in March. I also recommend you try Sonoma, which has a fantastic event I have been going to for many years called Barrel Tasting Weekend. More than 100 wineries are open that weekend, many of whom are not normally open unless by appointment, and the primary function is to taste futures, right out of the barrel, but most all wineries also taste from the bottle. I usually just taste from the bottle, since I can actually buy the wine and take it home! They also frequently have food, bands, and other good fun. The weather is always beautiful and it is a great way to spend a weekend. I would also recommend planning your trip around one of the many events put on by the different winery associations. Barrel Tasting Weekend is put on by the Wine Road Association and you can find their calendar here: http://www.wineroad.com/events/index.asp

Answer 3

anytime except maybe winter from like december to early april. It rains a lot in in the early part of the year and that can last well into march.

my favorite times are right now, it is in the low 70s during the day now. Or in the fall during harvest. Harvest is usually in full swing august through october. So the wineries will be fulll of action. I would definately come up mid-week if you can chose. The weekends from Memorial Day to Labor Day are just nuts and us locals like to avoid the roads.

Mustard's Grill is nice, but I prefer the owner's other restaurant in St. Helena better. Called Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen.

Answer 4

Spring and Fall are my favorite times to go to Napa. The summers can get very hot. If you go in the summer, try to go during the week as it is very crowded on the weekend.

To learn more about Napa wineries go to: http://www.cheers2wine.com/Napa-Valley-Wine-Tour.html

To access free wine tasting coupons go to:
http://www.cheers2wine.com/free-wine-tasting-coupons.html

Answer 5

I went there in early September and it was lovely. Grapes were on the vine and the weather was not too hot. Also, it didn't seem overly crowded to me either. If you do go to Napa, have dinner at a restaurant called 'Mustard' something. I don't remember the full name but it had 'Mustard' in the name and it was fantastic!

Answer 6

Any time but Winter. Spring and Fall are absolutely gorgeous there and on the drive to the Valley.

Answer 7

When other people aren't there!

April and May. After Labor Day until mid October.

Answer 8

Springtime, I grew up in the valley and springtime everything comes to Life and then an explosion of new life and new beginnings ,,,,Have fun