Comparison · Los Angeles vs Napa Valley · United States
Los Angeles vs Napa Valley
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Gnaphron, CC BY-SA 2.0
.jpg){kind=link}
Quick answer
Choose Los Angeles for Hollywood, beaches, lower day-to-day costs and beaches; choose Napa Valley for Cabernet Sauvignon, winery tastings and a short break. Los Angeles is generally less expensive, and the two are about 595 km (370 mi) apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 595 km (370 mi)
- Less expensive
- Los Angeles
- Best time for Los Angeles
- March–May and September–November
- Best time for Napa Valley
- April–June and September–October
Plan either trip
Compare flights, places to stay and rental cars, then book with the provider you choose.
Side by side
| Los Angeles | Napa Valley | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United States | United States |
| Known for | Hollywood, Beaches and Griffith Observatory | Cabernet Sauvignon, Winery tastings and Fine dining |
| Best time to visit | March–May and September–November | April–June and September–October |
| Ideal stay | 6 days | 3 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | US$250–400 | US$350–600 |
| Cost level | Expensive | Very expensive |
| Warmest month | July, 29°C (84°F) | July, 31°C (88°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 20°C (68°F) | January, 14°C (57°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 10 | 3 |
| Day trips in our guide | 7 | 6 |
| Beaches | Santa Monica State Beach | — |
| Airports | LAX, BUR, LGB, SNA, ONT | SFO, OAK, STS |
Month by month
Going by our guides' own ratings, the better pick is Los Angeles in November–March, and Napa Valley in June–August. Both are at their best in April–May and September–October.
| Month | Los Angeles | Napa Valley | Better pick |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20°C (68°F), 6 rainy days · shoulder season | 14°C (57°F), 10 rainy days | Los Angeles |
| February | 21°C (70°F), 6 rainy days · shoulder season | 17°C (63°F), 9 rainy days | Los Angeles |
| March | 22°C (72°F), 5 rainy days · best time | 19°C (66°F), 8 rainy days · shoulder season | Los Angeles |
| April | 23°C (73°F), 3 rainy days · best time | 22°C (72°F), 5 rainy days · best time | Both at their best |
| May | 24°C (75°F), 1 rainy day · best time | 26°C (79°F), 2 rainy days · best time | Both at their best |
| June | 26°C (79°F), 0 rainy days · shoulder season | 29°C (84°F), 1 rainy day · best time | Napa Valley |
| July | 29°C (84°F), 0 rainy days | 31°C (88°F), 0 rainy days · shoulder season | Napa Valley |
| August | 29°C (84°F), 0 rainy days | 31°C (88°F), 0 rainy days · shoulder season | Napa Valley |
| September | 28°C (82°F), 1 rainy day · best time | 30°C (86°F), 1 rainy day · best time | Both at their best |
| October | 26°C (79°F), 2 rainy days · best time | 26°C (79°F), 3 rainy days · best time | Both at their best |
| November | 23°C (73°F), 3 rainy days · best time | 19°C (66°F), 7 rainy days · shoulder season | Los Angeles |
| December | 20°C (68°F), 5 rainy days · shoulder season | 14°C (57°F), 9 rainy days | Los Angeles |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Los Angeles for…
Hollywood, beaches, lower day-to-day costs and beaches. Los Angeles is a sprawling region of distinct neighbourhoods rather than a single centre: Hollywood and Griffith Park below the hills, Santa Monica and Venice on the beach, a revived Downtown of museums and food halls, and Beverly Hills and West Hollywood in…
.jpg){kind=link}
Choose Napa Valley for…
Cabernet Sauvignon, winery tastings and a short break. Napa Valley is a narrow valley about 50 km long, running from the Carneros wetlands at the top of San Francisco Bay north to Calistoga at the foot of Mount St Helena. Highway 29 and the parallel Silverado Trail link the towns of Napa, Yountville, Oakville…
Top sights compared
| # | Los Angeles | Napa Valley |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Griffith Observatory | Napa Valley Wine Train |
| 2 | Hollywood Walk of Fame and TCL Chinese Theatre | Oxbow Public Market |
| 3 | Getty Center | Downtown Napa tasting rooms |
| 4 | Santa Monica Pier | Castello di Amorosa |
| 5 | Venice Beach Boardwalk and canals | Beringer Vineyards |
Food compared
| Los Angeles | Napa Valley |
|---|---|
| Tacos al pastor | Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon |
| French dip sandwich | Carneros sparkling wine and Chardonnay |
| Korean barbecue | Tasting menus |
| Double-Double burger | Oysters |
Which is cheaper?
Los Angeles is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about US$250–400 per person there, against US$350–600 in Napa Valley (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Los Angeles on a budget.
Los Angeles or Napa Valley from the U.S.
Worked out from time zones and airport coordinates: straight-line distances, not flight routes.
| Los Angeles | Napa Valley | |
|---|---|---|
| Time vs New York | −3 h | −3 h |
| Time vs Los Angeles | Same time | Same time |
| From New York (JFK) | 2,460 mi (3,960 km) | 2,560 mi (4,120 km) |
| From Los Angeles (LAX) | 12 mi (19 km) | 371 mi (596 km) |
| U.S. plugs | U.S. plugs fit | U.S. plugs fit |
Los Angeles and Napa Valley are about the same distance from New York.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Los Angeles and Napa Valley are about 595 km (370 mi) apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 6 days in Los Angeles and 3 in Napa Valley.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Los Angeles or Napa Valley cheaper?
Los Angeles is usually less expensive: about US$250–400 a day mid-range against US$350–600 (estimates).
+Is Los Angeles or Napa Valley better for a first trip?
Pick Los Angeles for Hollywood, beaches, lower day-to-day costs and beaches, or Napa Valley for Cabernet Sauvignon, winery tastings and a short break.
+How far is Los Angeles from Napa Valley?
About 595 km (370 mi) in a straight line.