How to Plan the Perfect Day Trip Itinerary
If you are living in or are visiting San Francisco, one of the benefits is your proximity to places like Napa Valley. Also known as wine country, a trip to Napa Valley is a breath of fresh air from the busy streets of San Francisco. If you are planning a day trip to Napa Valley, this itinerary will help you get the most out of your time going to and arriving at wine country.
The Trip
Before you start planning for your itinerary, it would be good to do a little research about your destination. Napa Valley comprises several regions, and the notable wine places are Napa, Calistoga, St. Helena, Rutherford, Oakville, and Yountville. It all comes down to preference but it is recommended that you start all the way north so that going back to San Francisco will be a shorter trip.
There are very few options to visit Napa from San Francisco. Public transport like train or bus have no routes for Napa Valley, and your only affordable option is to book a guided tour. That being said, the most convenient way to travel to wine country is by renting or driving your vehicle.
For the trip itself, driving from San Francisco to Napa Valley takes about 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on the traffic, and add a bit more if you are going to take a scenic route along the way.
The Route – Places to See Along the Way
What makes a vacation memorable is not only the destination but also the trip along the way. If you want to maximize your road trip to Napa Valley, the best route would be via the Golden Gate Bridge to the Marin Headlands. This will just add about 15 minutes from your total travel time so you can adjust your itinerary accordingly, but the breathtaking vistas are worth it.
From the Golden Gate Bridge, you have two options. Driving along Conzelman Road provides a shorter scenic detour. For a longer one, from the Golden Gate Bridge, drive along Highway 1 to Stinson Beach, where you can enjoy the scenic route of the coastline.
The Morning Drive
Wineries in Napa Valley open at 10 AM. For you to maximize your day, leave early and work back your travel itinerary so that you can enjoy some quick stops along the way. If you want to grab a bite, you can go to Ariscault Bakery and get their popular Chocolate Almond Croissant.
However, if you can hold your hunger and want to have your breakfast in downtown Napa, you can visit The Model Bakery and get the English muffin – Oprah’s favorite.
After the side trips, you can head directly to St. Helena for your very first wine tasting at V. Sattui. This place requires reservations so you should plan accordingly. V. Sattui is a family-owned winery and their wines are only sold on-site, so it is not available anywhere else. This place is famous for its laid-back atmosphere as well as its great outdoor area. In addition, there is a food truck stationed by the garden where you can have lunch, but note that they only serve small bites.
Afternoon Schedule
If you are craving more wine in the afternoon, you can go straight to the Round Pond Estate Winery along Rutherford. It is branded as one of the best “California” tasting sites, with huge palm trees leading you to a magnificent building that overlooks the breath-taking vineyards. This winery also requires reservations so make sure you book ahead of time.
However, if you think that you already had your fill of wine for the day, you can go to Oakville for your next stop and drop by the Oakville Grocery. It began operation way back in 1881, so Oakville Grocery is known to be the oldest Californian grocery store in operation. You can purchase some groceries and ready-to-eat items and enjoy them on the store’s patio. You can also stop by Oakville Wine Merchant and get some wine per glass.
Capping Off in the Evening
If you can still hold your alcohol for one more tasting before returning to San Francisco, you can make a quick stop in Napa to visit Darioush. This winery is built by an Iranian and is Persian-inspired. The place is constructed to be like the Persepolis and French wine is the inspiration for their spirits. Same as other wineries, a visit to this place requires reservations and they close at 5 PM.
Before saying goodbye to Napa, you can stop by numerous restaurants to have dinner. Try the Angele Restaurant and Bar, a bistro at the riverfront in a timeworn boathouse that serves French food.
If you are craving Italian food, you can visit Bistro Don Giovanni. They also have French food, and the ambiance gives you that warm, rustic Italian vibe.
Now if you think that you have had too much to drink and need to spend the night in Napa, you can visit Andaz Napa or Archer Hotel Napa that are both located downtown.Going to Napa Valley from San Francisco can be enjoyable from the trip to the destination if you do a little research, book your schedules, study the routes and traffic situations and plan your time. If you are short on time, this itinerary is the best option for you.
