Traveling to the Napa Valley
Travel Tips
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The three largest airports convenient to the Napa Valley, each about an hour's drive away, are :
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) (PHONE: 650/761-0800), just south of the city, off U.S. 101, and the major gateway to San Francisco.
Oakland International Airport (OAK) (PHONE: 510/577-4000), which is across the bay from San Francisco but not much farther away from the downtown area (via I-880 and I-80), although rush-hour traffic on the Bay Bridge may make travel times longer.
Sacramento International Airport (SMF) (6900 Airport Blvd., PHONE: 916/874-0700) lies 64 miles east of the city of Napa.
Another option is San Jose International Airport (SJC) (PHONE: 408/277-4759), which is about 40 miles south of San Francisco.
Flying time is 6 hours from New York, 4 hours from Chicago, 1 hour from Los Angeles, 3_ hours from Dallas, 10 hours from London, and 15 hours from Sydney. |
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Air Canada (PHONE: 888/247-2262).
Alaska (PHONE: 800/426-0333).
America West (PHONE: 800/235-9292, www.americawest.com).
American (PHONE: 800/433-7300, www.aa.com).
Continental (PHONE: 800/523-3273).
Delta (PHONE: 800/221-1212, www.delta.com).
Frontier Airlines (PHONE: 800/432-1359).
Horizon (PHONE: 800/547-9308, www.horizonair.com).
Jet Blue (PHONE: 800/538-2583, www.jetblue.com).
Northwest (PHONE: 800/225-2525).
Southwest (PHONE: 800/435-9792).
United (PHONE: 800/241-6522, www.united.com).
US Airways (PHONE: 800/428-4322). |
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| Transfers Between the Airport and Napa Valley |
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By Shuttle or Taxi
In San Francisco, pick up shuttles on the upper level center islands. In Oakland and San Jose, look outside baggage claim exits.
Taxi companies include:
Airport Express (PHONE: 800/811-9773).
Bayporter Express (PHONE: 415/467-1800).
East Bay Express Airporter (PHONE: 510/547-0404).
Laurie's (PHONE: 415/334-9000).
Marin Door to Door (PHONE: 800/540-4815).
SamTrans (PHONE: 800/660-4287).
South & East Bay Airport Shuttle (PHONE: 408/559-9477).
SFO Airporter (PHONE: 800/532-8405).
SuperShuttle (PHONE: 415/558-8500 or 800/258-3826).
VIP Airport Shuttle (PHONE: 408/885-1800 or 800/235-8847).
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By Bus
Greyhound runs buses from the Transbay Terminal at 1st and Mission streets in San Francisco to Sonoma, Napa, Santa Rosa, and Healdsburg. Sonoma County Transit offers daily bus service to points all over the county.
Bus Lines
Greyhound (PHONE: 800/231-2222).
Sonoma County Transit (PHONE: 707/576-7433 or 800/345-7433).
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By Car
Although traffic on the two-lane country roads can be heavy during summer and early fall, the best way to get around the sprawling Napa Valley is by private car.
From San Francisco, cross the Golden Gate Bridge, and then go north on U.S. 101, east on Route 37, and north and east on Route 121. For Napa, turn left (to the northwest) when Route 121 runs into Route 29.
From Berkeley and other East Bay towns, take Interstate 80 north to Route 37 west to Route 29 north, which will take you directly up the middle of the Napa Valley. |
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| Ground Transportation from San Francisco International Airport and Oakland Airport to and from Napa |
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San Francisco International Airport and Oakland International Airport are both approximately 60 miles from the Napa Valley. If you require ground transportation and wish to rent a car we recommend you use Hertz http://www.napachamber.dpway.com/promotions/hertz.htm |
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| If you prefer to rent a car and drive from the airport to the hotel, see the directions below. |
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Driving Directions from Area Airports
San Francisco (SFO, 60 miles southwest of the Napa Valley): Take Highway 101 north to Interstate 80 east. Cross the Bay Bridge and follow the signs toward Sacramento. Exit onto Highway 37. Turn right onto Highway 29 North.
Oakland (OAK, 50 miles south of the conference): Take Interstate 880 north to 980. Follow 980 to Interstate 580 west and continue to Interstate 80 east toward Sacramento. Exit onto Highway 37. Turn right on Highway 29 north.
Sacramento (SMF, 60 miles east of the conference): Take Interstate 5 south and then Interstate 80 west to Highway 12 west. Turn right onto Highway 29 north. |
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California Wine Tours: http://www.napachamber.dpway.com/promotions/california_wine_tours.htm
Ambassador Rolls: http://www.napachamber.dpway.com/promotions/ambassadorsrolls.htm
Gray Line (Pier 43_ Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA, 94133, USA. PHONE: 415/434-8687 or 888/428-6937, http://www.napachamber.dpway.com/promotions/grayline.htm) has buses that tour the Wine Country.
The Napa Valley Wine Train (1275 McKinstry St., Napa, CA, 94559, USA. PHONE: 707/253-2111 or 800/427-4124, (http://www.napachamber.dpway.com/promotions/napa_valley_wine_train.htm) allows you to enjoy lunch, dinner, or weekend brunch on one of several restored 1915-17 Pullman railroad cars that run between Napa and St. Helena. Prices start at $75 for brunch and $80 for lunch and go up to $85 for dinner. Special gourmet events and murder-mystery packages are more expensive. Frequency varies according to the season and demand. |
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| Getting Around the Napa Valley |
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By Bus
VINE (Valley Intracity Neighborhood Express, PHONE: 707/255-7631, Valley Intracity Neighborhood Express) provides bus service within the city of Napa and between other Napa Valley towns. |
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| When to Go to the California Wine Country |
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"Crush," the term used to indicate the season when grapes are picked and crushed, usually takes place in September or October, depending on the weather. From September until November the entire Wine Country celebrates its bounty with street fairs and festivals. The Sonoma County Harvest Fair, with its famous grape stomp, is held the first weekend in October. Golf tournaments, wine auctions, and art and food fairs occur throughout the fall.
In season (April through October), Napa Valley draws crowds of tourists, and traffic along Route 29 from St. Helena to Calistoga is often backed up on weekends. In season and over holiday weekends it's best to book lodging, restaurant, and winery reservations well in advance. Many wineries give tours at specified times and require appointments.
To avoid crowds, visit the Napa Valley during the week and get an early start (most wineries open around 9 or 10). Because many wineries close as early as 4 or 4:30 -- and almost none are open past 5 -- you'll need to get a reasonably early start if you want to fit in more than one or two, especially if you're going to enjoy the leisurely lunch customary in the Napa Valley. Summer is usually hot and dry, and autumn can be even hotter, so pack a sun hat if you go during these times |
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