Any time can be a good time for fun things to do in Napa Valley, depending on how you look at it. Even during the gloomiest season of the year.
The winter season in Northern California may not be the typical snowy winter, but it occasionally experiences rains and showers. Rainy days in Napa may make you feel a little gloomy, but it doesn’t mean that the touring and fun days are over. Or if your scheduled trip to Napa meets an unexpected downpour, you don’t have to turn your car around and drive home — you’ll still find a wonderful time in Napa Valley even during a rainy day.
But of course, staying indoors should be the priority of your visit. Find a hotel or inn with a nice, warm bed, a private tub with a warm water to soak the rainy day blues away, and a private fireplace where you can sit beside to warm yourself up while sipping a Cabernet Sauvignon.
The great news is you’ll find plenty of discounted hotel rates in the winter as this season the cooler months are Napa’s lowest in tourism. A hotel you’re having trouble reserving for the summer suddenly becomes cheaper and more available.
The chilly, wet days are also great days for warm and hearty meals. And you’ll have no trouble finding delicious comfort foods in Napa as the region is brimming with restaurants that go from a Michelin-starred fine dining spot down to a trendy joint which serves up hefty organic burgers or a freshly brewed coffee.
This might surprise you, but you can even do some extreme sports in the middle of the showers. Take zip lining through the tall redwood trees — while this activity is usually done on a clear, sunny day, doing this as the rain pours down can also be an exhilarating experience!
What else does a lazy rainy day in Napa urge you to do? Relax and luxuriate yourself at a spa! Although there are a lot of cities in Napa with their own spa and massage establishments, Calistoga is the best place to go. This city is known for its natural hot springs, so you’ll find plenty of spas, massage and wellness places there to refresh, rejuvenate, indulge and get pampered.
To be honest, Napa Valley isn’t a place where you’ll find an ugly time or season of the year. But a lot of people agree that a sunny day in Napa is the best time to do lots of fun activities.
Summer in Napa means flocking by the Lake Berryessa or the Napa River. Choose from activities like swimming, kayaking, fishing, volleyball, boating, or just having a picnic or relaxing on the beach. There are several marinas at the shoreline that provide boating rentals and other accommodations.
Summertime is a also a peak time for outdoor entertainment, such as series of late afternoon to evening concerts in Calistoga during this very season. Bring your blankets, picnic munchies, portable chairs and tables, and celebrate the summer with music and camaraderie. Great for families and friends!
Sunny days are also great for biking, hiking, golfing, or simply exploring in Napa. Not a few people say that autumn is the best time for Napa Valley as the weather is cool but still sunshiny. Surround yourself with the beautiful changing colors of the season and discover the full, ripened grapes ready for harvesting, as well as the act of the harvesting itself.
A clear, sunshiny day is also a great day for a hot air ballooning. This is best done where the sun has just started to shine and the Napa fields are going to see the light! Get settled into the basket, lift off, and effortlessly drift over the picturesque or “Instagram-worthy” Napa fields — the trim, clean rows of vineyards, green and rolling hills, deep valleys, and the wonderful natural colors no matter the season especially when basked under the rising sun.
Waking up to such an adventure couldn’t be any more fun, special or memorable! This is especially true when you opt for a dependable hot air balloon operator like Balloons Above the Valley (BATV). We have over 40 years of experience of giving our guests the most memorable time of their Napa visit. We are veterans in entertaining our guests not only by amazing sunrise hot air balloon flights, but also by other activities like post-flight champagne brunch celebrations, pre-flight breakfasts, and wine tours in Napa as well as Sonoma. You can even enjoy a picnic lunch at one of the wineries, shopping, and more sightseeing.
And of course, a Napa sojourn is not complete without visiting the vineyards and the wineries — rain or shine. Whether you visit the more established wineries or the smaller, boutique counterparts, most of the wineries in the region are family-owned and are ready to showcase their own varietals with pride. If you want a more intimate tasting session, it is wise to book for a place in the tasting rooms in advance. Or pick BATV’s tour packages like the “Sunrise Balloon Flight – Champagne Brunch – Wine Tour” for the complete Napa touring experience (of course, you can do this only a sunny day).
As long as you are capable (and a little inventive) of finding great things to do in Napa along the way, you will still be able to enjoy your holiday there to the hilt, whether the day rains or shines.