Best time to visit · Napa Valley · United States
The best time to visit Napa Valley
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Pictured: Calistoga mud baths and hot springs, Napa Valley · Photo: Oleg Alexandrov, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Quick answer
The best months to go are April–June and September–October. Harvest in September and October is the most atmospheric but the busiest and priciest. Winter is quiet and good value, with mustard flowers in the vineyards from January to March.
Key facts
- Best months
- April–June and September–October
- Shoulder season
- March, July–August and November
- Warmest month
- July (avg high 31°C (88°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 14°C (57°F))
- Rainiest month
- January (~10 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- January
Plan a trip to Napa Valley
Compare flights, places to stay and rental cars, then book with the provider you choose.
Seasons
Napa Valley has a Mediterranean climate: dry, warm-to-hot summers with cool mornings and evenings, and mild, wet winters. The south near the bay is cooler; Calistoga in the north is usually several degrees warmer in summer.
March–May
Spring
Bud break, green hills and mild weather; spring is quieter than summer and autumn, with good-value midweek stays.
June–August
Summer
Warm to hot, dry days with cool nights; ideal for balloon flights and outdoor dining, busy at weekends.
September–November
Autumn
Harvest and crush season with golden vineyards; the busiest and most expensive time, and a period when wildfire smoke is possible.
December–February
Winter
Cool, rainy and quiet, with the lowest prices, cosy tasting rooms and mustard flowers between the vines.
Seeing more of United States? The best time to visit United States compares the best months of our 44 destinations there.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14°C 57°F | 3°C 37°F | 10 | 9.8 h | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| February | 17°C 63°F | 4°C 39°F | 9 | 10.7 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| March | 19°C 66°F | 5°C 41°F | 8 | 11.8 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| April | 22°C 72°F | 6°C 43°F | 5 | 13.1 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| May | 26°C 79°F | 9°C 48°F | 2 | 14.2 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| June | 29°C 84°F | 11°C 52°F | 1 | 14.8 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| July | 31°C 88°F | 12°C 54°F | 0 | 14.6 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| August | 31°C 88°F | 12°C 54°F | 0 | 13.6 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| September | 30°C 86°F | 11°C 52°F | 1 | 12.4 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| October | 26°C 79°F | 8°C 46°F | 3 | 11.1 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| November | 19°C 66°F | 5°C 41°F | 7 | 10 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| December | 14°C 57°F | 3°C 37°F | 9 | 9.5 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Mustard bloom in the vineyards (usually January to March) |
| February | Valentine's Day weekend events at wineries and restaurants |
| May | BottleRock Napa Valley music festival (usually Memorial Day weekend) |
| June | Auction Napa Valley charity wine auction (usually early June) |
| July | Fourth of July celebrations in Napa towns |
| August | Harvest begins (usually mid-to-late August) |
| September | Harvest (crush) season (usually August to October) |
| October | Autumn vineyard colour (usually late October to November) |
| November | Thanksgiving weekend events at wineries |
| December | Calistoga Lighted Tractor Parade (usually early December) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in January, and the sights are quietest in January.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Spring | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Napa Valley?
April–June and September–October are the best months. Of those, April is usually the least crowded and September the warmest, with highs around 30°C (86°F).
+When are hotel prices lowest in Napa Valley?
Usually in January. Cool and rainy, with the year's lowest prices and quiet tasting rooms.
+What is the rainiest month in Napa Valley?
January, with about 10 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Napa Valley get?
The warmest month, July, averages highs of 31°C (88°F) and lows of 12°C (54°F).