The Perfect Napa Valley Long Weekend Itinerary
Three days in Napa Valley is the sweet spot for a wine country escape. Long enough to experience world-class wineries, incredible dining, and the relaxed pace of vineyard life, but short enough to leave you wanting more. This 3-day Napa Valley itinerary takes you from southern Napa's urban wine scene through the heart of wine country in St. Helena, all the way to the charming spa town of Calistoga.
Whether you're a first-time visitor or a returning wine enthusiast, this Napa Valley long weekend itinerary balances bucket-list experiences with hidden gems, famous restaurants with local favorites, and plenty of time to simply unwind.
For help budgeting your trip, see our detailed Napa Valley trip cost breakdown. For broader planning guidance, check out our comprehensive Napa Valley travel guide.
What Should You Plan Before Your Napa Valley Trip?
The key to a perfect Napa weekend is booking early: restaurants 4-6 weeks ahead, wineries 2-3 weeks out. Choose St. Helena or Calistoga as your base for central access to wineries, and plan for a rental car plus one day with a hired driver so everyone can taste freely.
Where to Stay
For a long weekend, staying in St. Helena or Calistoga puts you in the center of the action. Both towns offer walkable downtowns with excellent restaurants, and you'll minimize driving time between wineries.
St. Helena is ideal for food lovers and those who want a slightly more polished vibe. It's home to the Culinary Institute of America and some of the valley's best restaurants.
Calistoga appeals to spa lovers and those seeking a more laid-back atmosphere. The town is famous for its mud baths and natural hot springs.
Browse our curated vacation rentals in both towns for the perfect home base with full kitchens, private patios, and vineyard views.
As Napa Valley wine tour guide Michael Torres advises: "The best long weekends I've seen are ones where visitors resist the urge to cram in too much. Three or four wineries a day max, with long lunches and early dinners. That's when the magic happens."
Reservation Strategy
Most Napa wineries now require reservations, and the best restaurants book up weeks in advance. Here's your timeline:
- 4-6 weeks before: Book high-demand restaurants (The French Laundry, Bottega, PRESS)
- 2-3 weeks before: Reserve your winery appointments
- 1 week before: Confirm all reservations and build your driving route
Transportation Tips
Napa Valley stretches 30 miles from south to north, and wineries aren't walking distance from each other. Your options:
- Rent a car - Most flexible option for a long weekend
- Hire a driver - Consider companies like Beau Wine Tours for your big tasting day
- Mix it up - Drive yourself on lighter days, hire a driver for day two
Pro tip: Designate a daily driver or use rideshare apps. Napa takes impaired driving seriously, and you'll want to fully enjoy those tastings.
Day 1: Arrival and Southern Napa Exploration
Theme: Ease into wine country with a relaxed afternoon in downtown Napa and the Yountville area.
Morning: Arrive and Settle In
If you're driving from San Francisco, expect about 90 minutes without traffic (add time for Friday afternoon departures). The drive itself is scenic, winding through Marin County before crossing into wine country.
Aim to arrive by noon to maximize your first day. Head straight to your accommodation, drop your bags, and change into something wine-tasting appropriate.
Early Afternoon: Downtown Napa (12:30 PM - 2:30 PM)
Start your Napa Valley long weekend in downtown Napa, which has transformed from a sleepy town into a vibrant hub of tasting rooms, restaurants, and boutiques.
Lunch at Oxbow Public Market
Skip the sit-down restaurant on day one. Oxbow Public Market offers a food hall experience with options from oysters to tacos to artisan cheese. Grab a bite, explore the vendors, and pick up some provisions for your rental.
Must-try stops:
- Hog Island Oyster Co. for fresh oysters
- Ca' Momi Osteria for wood-fired pizza
- Model Bakery for their famous English muffins
- Fatted Calf for charcuterie to enjoy later
Urban Tasting Experience
After lunch, explore downtown Napa's tasting rooms. These offer a different experience than estate wineries, often more casual and walk-in friendly.
The River Club is a newer addition worth seeking out, serving refreshing, unconventional wines in an industrial south Napa setting. It's a great palate primer for the bigger tastings ahead.
Late Afternoon: Yountville (3:30 PM - 6:00 PM)
Drive 10 minutes north to Yountville, the culinary heart of Napa Valley. This walkable village packs more Michelin stars per capita than almost anywhere in America.
Domaine Chandon
Start with bubbles. Domaine Chandon offers one of the most beautiful tasting experiences in the valley, with sweeping vineyard views and world-class sparkling wines. Their terrace is perfect for golden hour.
Reserve: Essential, especially on weekends
After your tasting, stroll Washington Street and pop into boutiques or grab a pastry at the legendary Bouchon Bakery.
Evening: Dinner in Yountville (7:00 PM)
Splurge Option: Bottega
Chef Michael Chiarello's Italian-inspired restaurant offers bold flavors and a lively atmosphere. The burrata and any pasta dish are exceptional.
Casual Alternative: Ciccio
If Bottega is booked (it often is), Ciccio offers delicious Napa Italian in a more relaxed setting. Their pizzas and handmade pastas hit the spot after a day of travel.
Return to your rental for a quiet evening. Open a bottle you picked up at Oxbow, relax on the patio, and rest up for the main event tomorrow.
Day 2: The Ultimate Wine Tasting Day
Day 2 is your main wine tasting day, featuring four carefully selected wineries from St. Helena to Calistoga. Plan for a hired driver so everyone can taste freely, and space your appointments 90 minutes apart to avoid rushing.
Theme: This is your big day. Four carefully chosen wineries spanning the valley, from iconic estates to hidden gems.
Morning Prep
Have a substantial breakfast at your rental or grab something quick. Wine tasting on an empty stomach is a rookie mistake. Drink plenty of water and wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking on gravel and grass.
Today's Route: We'll work our way up the valley, starting near St. Helena and ending in Calistoga, minimizing backtracking.
First Tasting: Beringer Vineyards (10:00 AM)
Start with history. Beringer is the oldest continuously operating winery in Napa Valley, having never closed since 1876. The Rhine House, a stunning Victorian mansion, makes for incredible photos.
What to expect: Choose the Legacy Cave Tour for an immersive experience through their historic caves, or opt for a standard tasting in the old stone winery.
Price: Tastings from $40-$75 depending on experience
Second Tasting: O'Brien Estate Winery (11:30 AM)
Now for a hidden gem. O'Brien Estate is a family-owned property known for limited-production wines and sustainable farming. It's strictly appointment-only with no crowds, offering an intimate, elegant experience.
Why we love it: The personal attention is unmatched. You'll likely be hosted by family members who genuinely love sharing their wines.
Price: Around $45-$60 for tasting
Lunch Break: St. Helena (1:00 PM)
Head into St. Helena for lunch. You've earned it.
The Charter Oak
This New American restaurant from Chef Christopher Kostow offers an incredible lunch experience. The house-baked bread is legendary, and the seasonal dishes showcase the best of Napa produce.
Casual Alternative: Gott's Roadside
Sometimes you just want a burger. Gott's (formerly Taylor's Automatic Refresher) serves elevated American classics at reasonable prices. Their ahi burger is a local favorite.
After lunch, take a stroll down Main Street. Pop into Woodhouse Chocolate for truffles or browse the boutiques.
Third Tasting: Rutherford Hill Winery (3:00 PM)
Head to Rutherford for stunning views and excellent Merlot. Rutherford Hill sits atop a knoll with arguably the best panoramic views in the valley.
Must-do: The cave tour here is exceptional, with nearly a mile of underground tunnels. They're also one of the few wineries that welcome picnic lunches, so bring cheese and charcuterie from earlier.
Price: Tours and tastings from $65-$125
Fourth Tasting: Hans Fahden Vineyards (5:00 PM)
End your tasting day with something special. Just outside Calistoga, Hans Fahden looks like a Monet painting. Expect ponds, bridges, and a natural setting that feels worlds away from the more commercial estates.
The wine caves here are a must-see, and the boutique wines are excellent. This is the kind of place where you discover your new favorite bottle.
Price: Around $40-$50 for tasting
Evening: Dinner in Calistoga (7:30 PM)
Upscale Option: Violetto at Alila Napa Valley
Housed in a Georgian mansion, Violetto offers refined Italian-influenced cuisine without the stuffiness. The four-course option at $125 is excellent value for this level of cooking.
Casual Option: Sam's Social Club
For a more relaxed vibe, Sam's offers American comfort food with lovely deck seating. After a full day of tastings, sometimes simple is perfect.
Day 3: Relaxation and Departure
Theme: Slow down, indulge in wellness, and ease back into reality.
Option A: The Spa Morning
Calistoga is famous for its geothermal springs and volcanic mud baths. This is not a gimmick. It's a genuine wellness tradition dating back over a century.
Dr. Wilkinson's Hot Springs Resort
This iconic spa has served guests for over 65 years. Their signature treatment includes a volcanic ash mud bath, mineral whirlpool, steam room, blanket wrap, and massage. Allow about two hours.
Alternative: Indian Springs Resort
For couples, Indian Springs offers a romantic atmosphere. Their massive mineral pool is heated naturally by geothermal springs and is perfect for a leisurely float.
Book your treatment for 9:00 or 10:00 AM to have time for brunch afterward.
Option B: The Adventure Morning
Not into spas? Napa Valley offers plenty of alternatives.
Hot Air Balloon Ride
For an unforgettable experience, book a sunrise balloon ride with Napa Valley Aloft or Napa Valley Balloons. You'll drift over vineyards as the sun rises, followed by a champagne toast. Flights launch around dawn and last about an hour.
Price: Starting around $250-$300 per person
Other Morning Activities:
- Hike at Robert Louis Stevenson State Park
- Visit the Petrified Forest in Calistoga
- See Old Faithful Geyser (yes, Napa has its own)
- Olive oil tasting at Round Pond Estate
Late Morning: Brunch (11:30 AM)
Solbar at Solage Calistoga
This chic restaurant balances indulgence with lighter, health-conscious options. Perfect after a spa treatment or balloon ride. Their outdoor patio is stunning.
Goose & Gander in St. Helena
If you're heading south early, stop in St. Helena for brunch at this beloved local spot. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the food is consistently excellent.
Early Afternoon: Last Stop
Before heading home, make one final stop.
Castello di Amorosa
If you haven't seen it yet, this authentically-styled 13th-century Tuscan castle is worth a visit. It's touristy, yes, but genuinely impressive. The castle took 15 years to build using traditional methods.
Clif Family Winery
For something more low-key, stop at Clif Family near St. Helena. Their bruschetta truck serves delicious bites that pair perfectly with their organic wines. Play bocce ball on the lawn before departing.
Departure Tips
- Leave by 3:00 PM to beat Sunday traffic returning to San Francisco
- Stop in Napa for a final coffee at Ritual Coffee or to grab bottles at a wine shop
- Wine shipping: If you bought more than you can carry, most wineries will ship directly to you
Alternatives for Non-Wine Lovers
Traveling with someone who doesn't drink? Napa Valley has plenty to offer.
Food Experiences
- Cooking classes at the Culinary Institute of America
- Olive oil and balsamic tastings at various estates
- Cheese tasting at Oxbow Public Market
Outdoor Adventures
- Kayaking the Napa River
- Biking the Vine Trail
- Hiking at Skyline Wilderness Park
Culture and History
- The Hess Collection Art Museum (world-class contemporary art)
- Napa Valley Museum
- Historic downtown Napa walking tour
Wellness
- Calistoga mud baths and mineral pools
- Yoga classes at various resorts
- Golf at Silverado Resort
Tips for Making the Most of Your Long Weekend
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Book strategically: Space tastings 90 minutes apart minimum. You'll need time to savor, buy wine, and drive between locations.
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Eat well: Never skip meals. Bring snacks in the car. Stay hydrated.
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Use the spit bucket: Wine professionals do it. There's no shame in tasting without drinking everything.
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Buy what you love: Shipping is easy, and you won't find many Napa wines in stores back home.
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Talk to the staff: Tasting room associates love wine and love sharing knowledge. Ask questions.
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Embrace the slow pace: This isn't a race. The best moments happen when you linger.
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Prepare for weather swings: Morning fog, afternoon sun, and cool evenings are typical. Dress in layers.
Sample Budget Breakdown
Here's what to expect for a long weekend in Napa Valley (per person, excluding accommodation):
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tastings | $150-$200 | $250-$350 | $400-$600 |
| Meals | $150-$200 | $300-$400 | $500-$700 |
| Transportation | $50-$100 | $100-$150 | $200-$300 |
| Spa/Activities | — | — | $200-$400 |
| Total | $350-$500 | $650-$900 | $1,300-$2,000 |
Budget notes: Budget assumes 4-5 tastings at $35-$45 each, casual/mid-range dining, and rental car split with travel companions. Mid-range includes one upscale dinner and one day with a hired driver. Luxury covers private tours, fine dining, and private driver throughout.
For a complete breakdown of Napa Valley costs including accommodations, see our detailed trip cost guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many wineries can you visit in a day in Napa?
Plan for three to four wineries maximum on a full tasting day. Appointments typically last 60-90 minutes, and you need time for driving and lunch. Trying to cram in more leads to palate fatigue and rushing through experiences.
Is 3 days enough for Napa Valley?
Three days is ideal for a first visit or a focused getaway. You'll experience the highlights without feeling rushed. For a deeper exploration of the valley, consider five to seven days.
Should I stay in Napa, Yountville, St. Helena, or Calistoga?
For a long weekend, St. Helena or Calistoga offer the most central location. Yountville is best for food lovers who want walkability. Downtown Napa works if you're on a tighter budget or want urban energy.
What is the best month for a Napa Valley long weekend?
September and October during harvest season offer stunning weather and vineyard activity. May and June bring beautiful weather with smaller crowds. Winter (January-March) is least crowded with the best deals, though some wineries have limited hours.
Do I need a car in Napa Valley?
For a long weekend covering multiple wineries, yes. Public transportation is limited, and rideshare availability is inconsistent outside downtown Napa. Consider renting a car for two days and hiring a driver for your main tasting day.
How far in advance should I book winery reservations?
Two to three weeks ahead is generally sufficient for most wineries. High-demand spots like Opus One or Screaming Eagle require months of advance planning. Popular weekend slots book faster than weekdays.
Is Napa Valley worth it compared to Sonoma?
Both regions offer exceptional wine experiences. Napa tends toward upscale, polished experiences with world-famous Cabernet Sauvignon. Sonoma offers more casual vibes and variety at generally lower price points. For a first wine country visit, Napa's concentrated excellence makes it slightly easier to plan.
What should I wear wine tasting in Napa?
Smart casual works everywhere. Dark jeans, comfortable shoes suitable for gravel or grass, and layers for temperature changes. Avoid strong perfumes, all-white outfits, and uncomfortable heels.
Ready to plan your Napa Valley long weekend? Browse our vacation rentals in Calistoga and St. Helena for the perfect home base with vineyard views, full kitchens, and more space than any hotel room.
