Day Trip to Napa

Napa Valley is only an hour's drive away from San Francisco. If you are already visiting the City by the Bay, love good wine and good food, and have a day to spend, make sure to save some time to explore Napa Valley wine country.

Many bus tours are available leaving from some of the hotels in San Francisco. However, if you have the use of a car, forego the bus and the 60 other tourists and explore Napa on your own. There are over 300 wineries in Napa Valley alone, and it's easy to feel overwhelmed. However, even without concrete plans or a road map, you can have a wonderful time driving along the valley, and enjoy a few wine tastings as well.

To get to Napa Valley, travel north from San Francisco on Highway 1. This route involves going over the world famous Golden Gate Bridge. Take it to route 37, and then to Highway 121 and follow the directions from there. The road to Napa is well marked.

The first stop on your Napa Valley journey should begin at COPIA, the American Center for Wine, Food and the Arts. (500 First St. Napa) This is especially critical if this is your first trip to Napa. If you have time, take the Wine Tasting 101 class, which is only $15 for non members and $10 for members. (A side note: seriously consider membership! Even if you live on the other side of the country as I do, it is well worth the associate membership of $50, particularly if you're in the area a few times a year.) Wine Tasting 101 includes the Wine Country Passport, a coupon collection which will save over $500 in Wine Country attractions. There are daily wine tasting classes from 2:00 to 2:30, which change monthly.

Also at COPIA are spectacular outdoor edible gardens, art exhibitions and restaurant. Concerts are held Thursdays and Saturdays. You can pick up a souvenir or two at Cornucopia, the museum store located on premise. Free information on local wineries is provided, and you can pick up maps as well. For more information on COPIA click here.