| Best time to visit Napa Valley
First the question is why have you decided to
come to Napa Valley. Usually the stated reason
is the wine, but we think it's the romance and
ambiance that Napa Valley has to offer couples
and friends.
Second is how much skin do
you want to show - no, really. You might consider
coming during the warmer months with that new
love. You might consider coming to Napa Valley
during the colder months to get cozy. There are
a zillion reasons to visit Napa Valley any time
of year but here are some considerations for the
Winter,
Spring,
Veraison
- Summer &
Harvest seasons
in Napa:
Spring time in Napa
Valley (March, April & May) Personally, I
think March is the most beautiful time of year
in Napa Valley. All of the trees are blooming
with pink and white blossoms and the yellow
mustard is sprinkled all over the Napa Valley.
It's just gorgeous here in the spring. The
weather is it's most erratic at this time of
year when packing can be a pain. It can be a
warm as 80 degrees one week and as cold as 40
degrees the next or raining in between. In any
case, it's still gorgeous just a little goofy
for planning on what to wear. As for the hotel
and bed & breakfast room rates they are still
low until the middle of April at around 30% less
than high season.
Veraison - Summer time in Napa (June, July & August) So much fun
and a lot to do during this time of year.
Veraison (a French term) is when the grapes are
"full grown" and changing color on the vines. The
restaurants and wine bars are hopping, the
Chef's Market is in full swing. The Farmer's
Market at the Oxbow will launch this year to
much hullabaloo. The weather is, at it's
lowest around 70 degrees but through much of the
summer in weekly stints it can be as high as 105
in late July. Except for exceptionally hot days,
it will cool off at night to the high 60s. In
June, sometimes the morning fog won't burn off
until noon. But last year we barely had any, so
we could get lucky again this year. Hotel and
Bed & Breakfast room rates are at their highest
or almost at this time of year. The weather is
fabulous and fun for wine tasting however, try
to drink the red wines before it gets too hot.
Napa Valley Harvest time
(September, October & November) We
tend to get Indian-summers here where it can be
in the 90s in November. September can get really
hot and into the 90s almost the entire month. In
September and October as the grapes are
harvested, you can smell the grapes as you drive
throughout the Napa Valley - it's incredible.
The restaurants in Napa Valley are amazing to
start with but they all offer the most fabulous
specials because they use locally grown produce
that will knock your socks off - eat well at
this time of year (starve yourself the month of
August). This is HIGH-high season, room rates
and room availability is slim and none. We
suggest booking your rooms at least 8-10 weeks
in advance for this time of year. However, after
November 15 the room rates drop nearly 30% so
keep that in mind as well.
Winter time in
Napa (December, January & February) It
gets dark around 5 pm, its cold by California
standards at around 40-55 degrees throughout the
day and early evening. Sweaters and jackets are
recommended. It tends to rain a lot in January
and some in February, very little in December.
But the most important reason to come to Napa
Valley during these months is the awesome hotel
and bed & breakfast room rate prices that are
sometimes as much as 40% lower than high season.
The wineries, hotels, bed & breakfasts,
restaurants will treat you like VIPs because you
are supporting them during the low season -
thank you! It is beautiful during this time of
year because all of the early spring grasses
come up and brighten up the whole valley despite
the vines being bare and black. Also the Napa
Valley Mustard Festival is in full swing by
February and there is no shortage of events,
things to do and winery release parties nearly
every weekend!
No matter what, Napa Valley is a gorgeous place
to visit that offers all the senses something to
delight in. Napa Valley is an incredibly
romantic place to spend time together and wine
helps any little spark right along...it can happen
here!!
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have an insider plan your next trip to Napa
Valley☺
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