Best Times To Visit Napa Valley
The best time to visit Napa is August through October or March through May. Napa's peak tourist season corresponds with the region's harvest season (August through October). During this busy time, expect crowds and high prices for just about everything, especially accommodations. If you catch the tail end of the harvest season, you'll enjoy the area's beautiful autumn weather, complete with changing leaves and the chance of lower hotel rates. March through May, when spring is in full bloom and the summer rush has yet to arrive, is another prime time to visit. If you're looking to save a few bucks and don't mind chillier weather, a trip between December and February will likely be less crowded and more affordable (just remember to pack an umbrella). Plus, there's a number of food events that take place during this time, including Napa Valley Restaurant Week. Regardless of when you plan your Napa vacation, you'll find plenty to do, as wineries don't experience seasonal closures and festivals are held year-round. Temperatures vary greatly across the valley between morning and evening (sometimes by as much as 30 degrees), so you'll want to pack a light jacket no matter what time of year you visit.
Weather in Napa Valley
Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center
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| August-October | Heavy crowds roll into Napa during this time, and for good reason: it's harvesting season. During harvest season, visitors can enjoy fun seasonal activities, such as harvest dinners, balls and grape smashing. What's more, daytime highs are next to perfect, with highs in the low 80s during August and September and then dropping to the upper 70s in October. It's important to know that due to the season's popularity, you should be booking accommodations, tours and even tastings at least four months in advance. And no matter what month in this time frame you choose to visit, it's wise to bring a jacket, as temps tend to drop in the 50s and 40s at night. Key Events:
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| November-February | November through February is considered Napa's low season thanks to the chilly weather (think highs in the 50s and lows in the 40s) and occasional bouts of rain. However, if you're looking to experience Napa for less, this is the time to visit, as rates for accommodations are at an all-time low and many wineries offer deals to draw in more travelers. Plus, if you're a foodie, you'll no doubt enjoy the seasonal food festivals that take place during this time, which you should no doubt pair with a cabernet (cabernet season runs from November to April). Key Events:
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| March-May | If you're interested in experiencing more than just wine, consider visiting Napa March through May, when spring is in full bloom and greenery is aplenty. March can still be a bit chilly, especially at night, when daytime highs in the low 70s drop down to the 40s. Expect the temps to get significantly warmer April through May, with daytime highs between the low 70s and lows hanging in the mid-40s. Key Events:
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| June-July | Visitors and locals alike love summer in Napa, which is characterized by long, sunshine-filled days. There are plenty of music and cultural festivals enticing crowds. Temperatures are warm, with highs in the low 80s and lows in the mid-50s. While there are certainly lots of perks for visiting during the summer, it's hard to avoid the masses of people during this time, especially on the weekends, when day-trippers mix with the overnight guests. Accommodations start to boost their rates and wine tours begin to fill, so book your reservations well in advance. Key Events:
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Popular Times to Visit Napa Valley
Tourism volume is estimated based on in-market destination search query interest from Google and on travel.usnews.com in 2015-2016. Hotel prices are sourced from a sample of U.S. News Best Hotels rates through 2015-2016.
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