Going to Napa Question

Question

For others who have flown into San Fran and then went to Napa - did you go straight there upon arrival or do an evening in San Fran and then drive up in the morning?

My flight lands in the afternoon so I know by the time I would get there the wineries are closed…so deciding if I should stay in San Fran instead and then drive in the am or head straight there and get settled in? I’m planning to do two full days of wine tastings. Obviously there’s no right or wrong answer just curious as to what others have done.

Answer

When planning a trip from San Francisco to Napa Valley, the timing of your arrival and winery hours is an important consideration. Since most Napa wineries close by late afternoon (typically 4:30–5:00 PM), arriving in the late afternoon after a flight can make it difficult to fit in tastings on your first day.

Here are some common approaches travelers take in this situation:

Stay overnight in San Francisco: Many travelers choose to spend the first evening in San Francisco, especially if their flight arrives in the afternoon. This allows for:

A relaxed first evening with no rush to drive immediately to Napa.
The opportunity to enjoy a San Francisco dinner or a short evening stroll.
Starting fresh the next morning for the drive to Napa, typically around 1.5–2 hours depending on traffic.

Drive straight to Napa: Some travelers opt to drive directly to Napa even if it means arriving after most wineries have closed. The benefits include:

Getting settled at your hotel in Napa early, so you’re ready to hit the wineries first thing the next morning.
Potentially enjoying a casual evening in Napa, with local restaurants and wine bars instead of tastings.
Saving a hotel night in San Francisco if your focus is Napa rather than SF.

Additional tips based on traveler experiences:

Check your first winery’s tasting hours; some wineries have later evening tastings or special appointments that can be scheduled in advance.
Consider traffic patterns leaving San Francisco—late afternoon drives north can be heavy, so arriving after rush hour makes the trip easier.
If you plan to do two full days of wine tastings, staying overnight in Napa gives you more time to start early and visit more wineries without feeling rushed.

Summary: Most travelers in your situation prefer to stay one night in San Francisco if arriving late in the afternoon, then drive to Napa the next morning. This approach reduces stress, avoids missing winery hours, and allows a fresh start for two full days of tastings. Driving straight to Napa is also viable if you prefer to settle in immediately and don’t mind skipping tastings on the first day.

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