Season guide · Napa Valley · United States
Napa Valley in autumn
September–November: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Pictured: Domaine Carneros, Napa Valley · Photo: Fred Hsu on en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Harvest and crush season with golden vineyards; the busiest and most expensive time, and a period when wildfire smoke is possible. Expect highs up to 30°C (86°F) and lows around 5°C (41°F), with about 11 rainy days across September–November. September–October are among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- September–November
- Temperatures
- 5°C (41°F) to 30°C (86°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 11
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
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Weather in autumn
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September | 30°C (86°F) | 11°C (52°F) | 1 | 12.4 h | 5/5 |
| October | 26°C (79°F) | 8°C (46°F) | 3 | 11.1 h | 5/5 |
| November | 19°C (66°F) | 5°C (41°F) | 7 | 10 h | 3/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 25°C (77°F) against a yearly 23°C (73°F), and 11 of the year's roughly 55 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 4/5 and hotel prices 4/5 on average.
What's on in autumn
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- September: Harvest (crush) season (usually August to October)
- October: Autumn vineyard colour (usually late October to November)
- November: Thanksgiving weekend events at wineries
Make the most of the weather
Experience · Yountville
Hot-air balloon flight
Balloon companies launch around sunrise from near Yountville and Napa, drifting over vineyards and hills for about an hour in calm morning air.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours with transfers
- Cost
- Expensive
- Views
- Couples
- Photo spot
- Iconic
Experience · Downtown Napa
Napa Valley Vine Trail
Rent a bike in downtown Napa, ride to Yountville for lunch, and come back in the afternoon before the valley breeze picks up.
- Time needed
- 2–4 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Active
- Free
- Outdoors
- Kids
Nature · Calistoga
Robert Louis Stevenson State Park
On the slopes of Mount St Helena, where the author honeymooned in 1880, a trail climbs about 8 km each way to the 1,323-metre summit with views over the valley and, on clear days, to the Sierra Nevada.
- Time needed
- 4–5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Active
- Views
- Outdoors
- Free
Gallery · Carneros
di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art
Combine it with a tasting at Domaine Carneros nearby, and check the current exhibitions and opening days before you go.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Rainy day
- Outdoors
- Off the beaten path
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Experience · Downtown Napa
Napa Valley Wine Train
Restored early 20th-century Pullman cars run a roughly 58 km round trip between Napa and St Helena while passengers eat lunch or dinner, with some packages adding winery stops.
- Time needed
- 3–6 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Iconic
- Couples
- Food
- Views
Day trips in autumn
- Healdsburg and the Russian River Valley (About 1 hour 15 minutes by car) — Healdsburg's plaza is lined with tasting rooms, restaurants and shops, and nearby Dry Creek and Russian River valleys are known for Zinfandel, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
- Point Reyes National Seashore (About 1 hour 45 minutes by car) — A wild coastal peninsula with the Point Reyes Lighthouse, elephant seals, tule elk and long beaches.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- A packable rain jacket for showers
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is autumn a good time to visit Napa Valley?
Yes: September–October are among the best months. Harvest and crush season with golden vineyards; the busiest and most expensive time, and a period when wildfire smoke is possible.
+What is the weather like in Napa Valley in autumn?
Highs of up to 30°C (86°F) and lows around 5°C (41°F), with about 11 rainy days over the season.