Best time to visit and other questions

What is the best time to visit Napa? Also, are there more affordable surrounding areas for a younger couple to consider?

What are some other attractions of the area besides wineries?

Thanks for any and all info!

Best time to visit and other questions

leeshajoy-

This is a popular question. Here%26#39;s a reply we posted nearly three years ago:

The wine country is beautiful almost any time of year.

It%26#39;s quite slow from Jan 2 through most of March, with the exception of Valentine%26#39;s Day and Columbus Day weekend, when the valley is packed to capacity.

Jan 2 through March is a favorite time of year for many repeat visitors-- it%26#39;s when we have the Mustard Festival, with vibrant wild mustard blossoms growing in rows between the bare grape vines. This time of year is a ';best kept secret'; for many folks who come to the wine country every year for a visit-- things are slower, so they can linger at tasting rooms and learn more about each winery, restaurants have open tables, so they can enjoy their favorite spots, and both airfare and room rates are very low, meaning many people choose to stay here for a week instead of just a day or two. This is our favorite time of year, since we get a chance to visit with some of our guests a bit more (since they stay longer).

Things get more and more busy from April through August, to the point where most of our weekends are booked long in advance (we are already getting calls now, in November, for reserving rooms next September, a year from now!).

Sept and Oct. is our busiest time of year, when we harvest all of the wine grapes (also called ';Crush';). Wineries are abuzz with activity, bringing in the grapes, making the wine, and getting the wine processed for storage into tanks or barrels. So there is lots and lots to see.

Since it%26#39;s so busy during Sept and Oct, it%26#39;s the one time all year that you%26#39;ll have to reserve restaurants weeks in advance, and book wine tours several days or weeks ahead, if you want to go to some of the popular spots.

Staying at a small Inn or Bed %26amp; Breakfast that offers full concierge services can really help, as they will book all of these hard-to-get-into spots for you ahead of time, making your stay here more enjoyable, and less frustrating.

Fall (late Oct through Thanksgiving) the grape vines look beautiful as the leaves change color (Napa is one of the only places in Northern California where people go for fall color tours).

Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, fewer people visit as everyone prepares for the holidays. This is a great time to come if you want reduced airfare, lower room rates, and like fall weather (typically in the 50s and 60s, with occasional showers). From room rates to airfare, this time is by far the best ';deal'; all year, especially if you like to chat w/tasting room staff-- since there are virtually NO LINES midweek

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The week between Christmas and New Years is very busy here-- and room rates reflect this. Also, wineries are closed on Christmas and New Years day, so there%26#39;s less to do (unless you stay someplace with a big featherbed and a cozy fireplace :o)

Whenever you visit, we hope you enjoy all the magic that Napa and Sonoma have to offer. :)

-The Innkeepers

Napa Old World Inn

PS If you mouse on over to the ';Napa'; TA forums, you will find lots of amazing threads on things to do and see. Just click on ';Overview'; at the top of this page, then ';Napa'; under ';Other Destinations-- Popular Napa Valley Destinations';. Once you get to the Napa TA forums, use the search function with keywords like ';trip report'; or ';best wineries'; -- you%26#39;ll find tons of incredible posts-- first hand accounts from fellow travelers, complete with daily itineraries and best/worst places to go. :)

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