To fully enjoy and engulf yourself in the Napa Valley experience ride through the beautiful scenic winelands and reach remote vineyards you will need to hire a car. There are plenty of rental car options available at the airport as well as in downtown Napa and some of the other towns nearby. A new trend in the Napa Valley area is for-hire driver services with companies providing you with a “designated driver” to conduct wine tours while they drive your rental car or a personal vehicle. 

There are private wine country drivers that can be hired for the day, many transportation companies in the region offer this service. They have a fleet of vehicles and employ plenty of drivers to host private wine tours, the rates depend upon the type of vehicle you choose and the number of passengers. These companies have a dedicated team that will communicate with you to plan your wine tour itinerary in advance of your tour date. 

The best way to get around Napa Valley is by car as the sprawling vineyards and wineries are spread out among the 30-mile-long, 5-mile-wide verdant valley, making getting to these establishments harder without a car. If you plan to strictly stay in Napa’s downtown area then you do not need a car, the Vine Transit is the valley’s bus transportation system with routes running throughout central Napa.

Yes, walking around Napa Valley’s five main towns is easily done on foot. The towns are very walkable and it can take about a day to explore each one on foot. Walking around these charming quaint wine towns allows you to immerse yourself in the unique sights, sounds, and flavors of the wine valley. There are over 50 walkable tasting rooms located in Downtown Napa Valley this alone could take up quite a few days on foot. If you’re a hiker, go hiking in American Canyon, follow the Art Walk, and stroll along Napa Valley’s Main Street in Ste. Helena and soak up all the laid-back vibes. Take a walk on the Vine Trail, which runs parallel to Highway 29 offering an easy walk to many top wineries.   

Riding a bicycle in Napa Valley is about as popular as sipping a glass of wine. There are plenty of options to get around on two wheels in Wine Country. Many of the lodging facilities in teh Napa Valley region offer bicycle rentals, and there are also several bike rental companies in the different wine towns to hire two wheels for the day. Napa Valley and the spectacular Wine Country in California feature spectacularly varied terrain, breathtaking natural scenery, and mild weather, it’s the ideal destination for a bike ride and to take in stunning views. There are cruiser bikes available for rent in Yountville where riders can check out the Napa Valley Vine Trail. Downtown Napa Valley has e-bikes for rent with many tasting rooms to visit. The Napa Valley Vine Trail is a 12.5-mile walking/biking trail that runs from the City of Napa north to Yountville. The Napa Valley Vine Trail Coalition is working to build 47 safe and scenic miles of level, paved, family-friendly, free-access class 1 trail, which will run the entire length of the valley from the Vallejo ferry to Calistoga. 

Napa Valley is considered a very safe destination to visit. Take the necessary precautions when sightseeing, use common sense, and keep your valuables out of sight from pickpockets, especially in crowded areas like markets, and tourist attractions. At night stay in well-lit and populated areas, and use reputable transportation companies instead of taking rides from strangers. 

The Napa Valley region offers visitors five fantastic towns with spectacular shopping opportunities to immerse themselves in. Many of the shopping establishments are locally owned and operated boutiques selling and showcasing local gifts, souvenirs, fine art, clothing, jewelry, and more. The options are endless if you are interested in a fun-filled day of retail therapy. Many new and existing storefronts are popping up around the valley, and each town features its unique mixture of retailers. The stores here sell pretty much everything from exquisite oil paintings to handmade Persian rugs, antique lamps, or a handcrafted table, you name it they sell it. 

In Downtown Napa the heart of the shopping world is found on First Street Napa offering shoppers a unique selection of the best fashion, home decor, and gifts. The street is also home to several trendy tasting rooms and plenty of restaurants to dine at and spend some time in. The downtown area features an iconic contemporary market hall brimming with a wide variety of food and wine stalls and merchants selling home goods and unique gifts, it is also one of the best places to grab a bite to eat. Napa’s Riverfront Promenade has more unique shopping options featuring local upscale boutiques, and antique stores dotted along Second and Main Street. The Napa Premium Outlets are also a great option with over 40 brand-name stores to find discounted items. In Downtown Yountville the wine-tasting rooms located here offer a selection of retail products to purchase such as fine art, jewelry, apparel, accessories, and home decor. There is also a unique assortment of high-end items found along the scenic Washington Avenue. Main Street in downtown St. Helena is a charming and historic spot where shoppers will find an eclectic collection of posh boutiques, artisan shops, art galleries, and wine-tasting rooms. Downtown Calistoga is a fun and welcoming place to explore shopping, dining, and wine tasting, especially along Lincoln Avenue the main drag in town. 

The official language spoken in Napa Valley is English. Many people speak fluent English, especially in hotels and restaurants. We recommend getting a good English guidebook and learning the basic questions like please, thank you, and numbers 1-10.

Napa Valley features a mild, Mediterranean climate featuring warm, dry summers, and cooler winters with some rain and clouds. The valley is temperate year-round, but temperatures can dramatically change from daytime to night sometimes by as much as 30 degrees!! So be sure to layer up. Napa sees about 260 days of sunshine a year on average, it is an ideal destination to visit year-round. 

The currency of Napa Valley is the US Dollar ($, USD). You will need to exchange your currency for the US Dollar, which can be done upon arrival at the airport currency exchange desks or banks and specialized stores called Foreign Exchange Bureaus. ATMs can be found in the city, tipping is discretionary and appreciated, and cash is usually preferred. 

Visiting Napa Valley isn’t just for wine lovers these days it’s an increasingly popular culinary destination with Michelin-starred restaurants paired with world-class wines. Napa is one of California’s most popular tourist destinations known for its sprawling verdant vineyards, excellent restaurants, luxurious accommodations, and healing hot springs. There are some fantastic culinary experiences to enjoy when visiting the beautiful Napa Valley and getting a taste of the good life. There is so much to check out including farm-table cuisine, casual food trucks, creatively themed restaurants,  and world-class Michelin-star restaurants serving up unforgettable meals. In the five main towns around Napa, there is something for every palate, many of the ingredients are locally sourced, and it’s no secret that enjoying a great bottle of wine is equally as wonderful when paired with really great food. There are some great places to grab a burger and go, and upscale restaurants serve world-famous delicacies, no matter where you go in Napa you will be greeted with excellent food and wine, after all, it is a wine and food lovers haven. There is no shortage of fantastic restaurants up and down the valley. Some things that Napa is famous for are of course its world-class wines, Olive Oil is grown here in the fertile soils and warm climate, and there are many olive groves where visitors can go and sample the different varieties of olive oil. Cheeses, there is a great range of cheeses and many cheese shops to visit in Napa to sample the different varieties such as creamy brie, or artisanal goat cheese, pairing them with a glass of wine is one of the ultimate culinary pleasures. Napa is also known for its artisanal bread that is made with local high-quality ingredients. The bread is baked fresh each day and there are several bakeries in town to sample the goods. Chocolate in Napa is made from local ingredients, it is very rich in flavor and some great chocolate shops are selling different varieties of chocolate to check out. Craft beer is another big thing in Napa, the region is home to some of California’s best craft breweries. Be sure to check out as many dining opportunities as you can when visiting this culinary hotspot. 

When it comes to Napa at nighttime there are plenty of options to explore. There’s a great variety of bustling bars, posh wine-tasting rooms, and a host of different music venues, some say that the best nightlife can be found in the town of Napa. There’s a lively nightlife scene to enjoy when visiting town such as live music, bowling, craft breweries, exceptional eateries with entertainment, and theatre. There are a number of excellent wine bars to visit in Napa and the surrounding towns, this way after the daytime tasting is over you can keep the party going. There are plenty to choose from in Downtown Napa alone. In Yountville spend a night at the theatre, the Lincoln Theatre features many excellent shows including musicals, Symphony Napa Valley performances, and ballets. The Napa Valley Opera House was constructed in 1880 and is one of downtown Napa’s oldest structures, a spectacular setting to take in a show. Uptown Theatre is another great establishment to enjoy everything from rock bands to irish step dancers. There are karaoke bars, nightclubs, live performances, and more where visitors can go for a great night out in Napa town. 

In case of an emergency dial 911 for police, ambulance, and fire.

Hospitals:Providence Queen of the Valley Medical Center tel. 707-252-4411.