Month guide · Napa Valley · United States
Napa Valley in September
What September is really like in Napa Valley: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Pictured: Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park, Napa Valley · Photo: Sanfranman59, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
September is one of the best months to visit Napa Valley. Expect average highs of 30°C (86°F), lows of 11°C (52°F), about 1 rainy days and roughly 12.4 hours of daylight. Peak harvest season with the most activity and highest prices; book everything early.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 30°C (86°F) / 11°C (52°F)
- Rainy days
- About 1
- Daylight
- About 12.4 hours
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Plan a trip to Napa Valley
Compare flights, places to stay and rental cars, then book with the provider you choose.
Weather in September
September is the 3rd-warmest month in Napa Valley: days average 30°C (86°F) against a yearly average high of 23°C (73°F), and nights fall to about 11°C (52°F). Rain falls on roughly 1 of its 30 days. Compared with August (31°C (88°F)), September is about as warm; by October highs drop to around 26°C (79°F).
- Sunrise (15 September)
- About 06:51
- Sunset (15 September)
- About 19:18
- Daylight
- About 12.4 hours
Autumn (September–November). Harvest and crush season with golden vineyards; the busiest and most expensive time, and a period when wildfire smoke is possible.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, September rates 5 for crowds (the peak is September at 5) and 5 for hotel prices (highest in September). Book accommodation early: September is one of the pricier months.
Events in September
- Harvest (crush) season (usually August to October)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in September
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
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
Nature · Calistoga
Robert Louis Stevenson State Park
Start early in summer because there is little shade, and turn around at the halfway viewpoint if time or heat runs short.
- Time needed
- 4–5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Active
- Views
- Outdoors
- Free
Gallery · Carneros
di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art
A large collection of Northern California art displayed in galleries and outdoor sculpture grounds on a lakeside property in Carneros, built by collector Rene di Rosa.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Rainy day
- Outdoors
- Off the beaten path
What to pack
For highs near 30°C (86°F), lows near 11°C (52°F) and 1 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; comfortable walking shoes.
Is September 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 October. Compare every month.
Napa Valley in other months
Questions travellers ask
+What time does the sun set in Napa Valley in September?
At about 19:18 local time in mid-September, with sunrise at about 06:51: roughly 12.4 hours of daylight.
+How warm is Napa Valley in September?
Average highs are around 30°C (86°F) and lows around 11°C (52°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Napa Valley in September?
Expect rain on about 1 days of the month, so it is usually dry.