Month guide · Napa Valley · United States
Napa Valley in May
What May is really like in Napa Valley: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Pictured: Chateau Montelena, Napa Valley · Photo: Grendelkhan, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
May is one of the best months to visit Napa Valley. Expect average highs of 26°C (79°F), lows of 9°C (48°F), about 2 rainy days and roughly 14.2 hours of daylight. Warm, dry and busy at weekends, especially around Memorial Day.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 26°C (79°F) / 9°C (48°F)
- Rainy days
- About 2
- Daylight
- About 14.2 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Plan a trip to Napa Valley
Compare flights, places to stay and rental cars, then book with the provider you choose.
Weather in May
May is the 5th-warmest month in Napa Valley: days average 26°C (79°F) against a yearly average high of 23°C (73°F), and nights fall to about 9°C (48°F). Rain falls on roughly 2 of its 31 days. Compared with April (22°C (72°F)), May is warmer; by June highs climb to around 29°C (84°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 05:58
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 20:13
- Daylight
- About 14.2 hours
Spring (March–May). Bud break, green hills and mild weather; spring is quieter than summer and autumn, with good-value midweek stays.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May rates 4 for crowds (the peak is September at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in September). Book accommodation early: May is one of the pricier months.
Events in May
- BottleRock Napa Valley music festival (usually Memorial Day weekend)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in May
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Nature · Calistoga
Old Faithful Geyser of California
Ask at the entrance about the expected time of the next eruption so you do not miss it.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Nature
- Outdoors
Historic site · St Helena
Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park
A water-powered mill built in 1846 with a large wooden waterwheel, among the oldest of its kind in California.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Off the beaten path
Experience · Yountville
Hot-air balloon flight
Plan the flight early in your trip so it can be rescheduled if winds cancel it, and dress in layers for the chilly pre-dawn start.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours with transfers
- Cost
- Expensive
- Views
- Couples
- Photo spot
- Iconic
Experience · Downtown Napa
Napa Valley Vine Trail
A paved walking and cycling path that runs from Napa's Kennedy Park through downtown to Yountville, passing vineyards along the way, with further sections being built up-valley.
- Time needed
- 2–4 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Active
- Free
- Outdoors
- Kids
What to pack
For highs near 26°C (79°F), lows near 9°C (48°F) and 2 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May a good time to visit Napa Valley?
One of the best months to visit Napa Valley, with a notable event on the calendar. The other best months are April, June and September–October. Compare every month.
Napa Valley in other months
Questions travellers ask
+What time does the sun set in Napa Valley in May?
At about 20:13 local time in mid-May, with sunrise at about 05:58: roughly 14.2 hours of daylight.
+How warm is Napa Valley in May?
Average highs are around 26°C (79°F) and lows around 9°C (48°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Napa Valley in May?
Expect rain on about 2 days of the month, so it is usually dry.