Napa Valley in Spring: 14 Best Things to Do + What to Pack

There’s something truly magical about spring in Napa Valley. If it’s your first time visiting and you’re thinking about coming in the spring, let me tell you, you’re going to love it. It’s hands down my favorite time to experience wine country.

You will find fewer crowds, gorgeous weather (even when it rains), cheaper accommodations, spring releases, and there are beautiful golden mustard flowers blooming throughout the valley.

I live in the the San Francisco Bay Area, and since I moved here in 2017, I love coming back every spring.

As a first time visitor, you may be worried about the weather, what to pack, and things to do. That is why I have curated this guide to help you create the best spring itinerary in Napa Valley. And I’ve included all of the packing essentials and outfit ideas that you’ll need.

Best Things To Do & Events in Napa Valley in Spring

Let’s make your first Napa Valley spring one to remember! There are so many amazing things to do in Napa Valley year-round, but these are my personal favorites that truly take advantage of Napa’s beautiful spring season.

a gorgeous bright yellow wild mustard field with mountains in the distance

1. Experience the Magic of Napa’s Wild Mustard Bloom

One of the most breathtaking sights in Napa Valley each spring is mustard season. The bright yellow blossoms blanket the lush green hills that stretch across the valley.

Mustard flowers begin to pop up as early as January and last through March, with their season coming to an end when bud break signals the start of a new growing season.

You see mustard in Napa because it’s used as a cover crop, helping to prevent soil erosion while enriching the soil with nitrogen, preparing the vineyards for the upcoming growing season.

The best places to see it is to simply drive through the valley, but I have pulled over and taken pictures of it on Highway 29 or the Silverado Trail.

2. Take a Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride

Spring is one of the best times to take a hot air balloon ride in Napa Valley. You’ll usually get clear skies, minimal fog, and comfortable temperatures, perfect conditions for soaring above wine country.

And, the landscape is absolutely breathtaking this time of year, with rolling green hills from the winter rains and wildflowers blooming across the valley.

✅ I recommend Napa Valley Aloft for a hot air balloon ride, you can check there rates here!

3. Book an Outdoor Wine Tasting

Spring is the best season to sit back, unwind, and soak up the warm sunshine with a glass of vino in hand.

One of my favorite ways to experience Napa Valley is with an outdoor wine tasting, surrounded by sweeping vineyard views, lush gardens, and the stunning backdrop of rugged mountains. There’s nothing quite like it.

Some of my favorite wineries with gorgeous outdoor tastings:

Amizetta Vineyards: one of the BEST views in Napa, overlooks the valley and Lake Hennessey
Barnett Vineyards: Another phenomenal view at your private table that sits overlooking the valley floor.
Quintessa: Private tastings in an open-air pavilion with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking panoramic vineyard views.
Far Niente Winery: Property that looks like a fairytale, with its breathtaking gardens, sweeping vineyards, and historic wine caves.
Round Pond Estate: A stunning property where your tasting can take place on the terrace or a table among their vineyards.
Jospeh Phelps Vineyards: Breathtaking views of their vineyards from the patio.

A cozy indoor tasting in March at Amizetta Winery

4. Catch a Rain Shower

If rain is in the forecast for your Napa Valley trip, don’t worry, I promise it won’t ruin your trip!

In fact, it might just make it even more special. With fewer crowds, you’ll get a more intimate tasting experience, and many wineries have stunning indoor spaces, some with cozy fireplaces or an exclusive wine cave.

Sure, outdoor tastings might be off the table, but trust me, Napa in the rain is stunning. This time of year, the hills are an emerald green, and for a moment, you might feel like you’ve been transported to the countryside of Ireland.

Assorted Cheese and Charcuterie and a glass of white wine from Tres Sabores

5. Picnic Among the Vineyards

Soak up the gorgeous spring weather and bring your own picnic to enjoy at a winery outdoors. A lot of the wineries in Napa Valley do not serve food or allow outside food, however, there are a couple of gems that do.

BYOP wineries that allow picnics or have designated picnic areas:

Tres Sabores Winery: Enjoy your picnic along with your tasting on their dirt patio next to rows of vineyards.
Pride Mountain: Picnic benches with sweeping views from Spring Mountain
Rombauer Vineyards: Book their outside experience and bring your own picnic to enjoy in their gardens.
V. Sattui: Has an onsite deli and picnic spots, gets pretty crowded on the weekends.
Black Stallion Winery: Reserve their Estate Picnic Experience and designated picnic table in the winery gardens.

So make sure to plan these wineries during lunch time and you can grab yummy picnic supplies from Oxbow Market, Palisades, Oakville Grocery, Station in St. Helena, or my favorite deli Guigni’s in St. Helena for fresh made sandwiches.

6. Bike Through Scenic Wine Country

Rent a bike for the morning or afternoon and cruise through scenic wine country along the Vine Trail. There are plenty of bike and e-bike rental shops in every Napa town, or some hotels will have complimentary bikes for you to use during your stay.

The Napa Valley Vine Trail is a safe, scenic, and beautiful way to experience the valley. Stretching 47 miles from Vallejo to Calistoga, it winds through charming towns and picturesque vineyards, perfect for getting some fresh air and exploring Napa at your own pace.

A woman standing on a balcony overlooking Napa's pituresque vineyards — View from Domaine Carneros

7. Visit a Winery With a Beautiful Garden

There are some wineries in Napa Valley that are well known for their insanely gorgeous manicured gardens. And spring is the perfect time see these gardens green and starting to bloom!

Far Niente: Probabaly one of the most stunning properties in Napa Valley. 13 acres of landscaped gardens filled with blooming azaleas each spring.
Frog’s Leap Winery: Gorgeous property with lush gardens, fruit orchards, olive trees, chickens, and historic red barn.
Peju Winery: Beautiful gardens, sculptures, creek, koi pond, and unique Dr. Seuss like Trees
Domaine Carneros: Stunning French inspired Chateau, surrounded by garden beds and manicured shrubs.
Beringer Vineyards: Historic grounds and gorgeous 1884 Victorian mansion. Great for an indoor or outdoor tasting. The property has vibrant gardens, rose bushes, plants, and vineyards.

The lush and vibrant view of gardens and mountains from Brix Restaurants patio — View from Brix’s patio

8. Dine Al Fresco

Besides wine, Napa Valley is also reowned for its exceptional cusinie. From Michelin Starred, farm to table, to famous bakeries. Taking full advantage of Napa’s food scene is a must!

Spring is the start of patio season! So between your wine tastings, make sure to reserve lunch reservations, and eat outside. A lot of restaurants have outdoor seating, but some of the more memorable ones are:

Auberge du Soleil Restaurant: Hands down the BEST restaurant with a view in Napa, features breathtaking vistas that stretch across the valley and the Mayacamas Mountains.
Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch: The grounds are simply stunning, blooming gardens, rich greenery, and breathtaking views of the vineyards
Brix Restaurant: Be sure to grab an outdoor table, it’s the best way to take in the lovely garden views with the mountains as your backdrop.
Oxbow Market: Situated along the Napa River, perfect for a casual and delicious meal
Bistro Don Giovanni: A cozy restaurant Italian restaurant that overlooks vineyards
Sky & Vine Rooftop Bar: Located on the rooftop of the Archer Hotel in downtown Napa. Awesome views, vibes, and drinks. If you can, go at sunset!

9. Get Some R&R in Calistoga’s Hot Springs & Mud Baths

If you are looking for the perfect rainy day activity or just want to plan a day of pamerping, you can unwind in one of Calistoga’s hot springs. The town of Calistoga is known for its mineral-rich hot springs that offer many therapetuic benefits and rejuvenating mud baths.

Book a massage or mud bath, or you can grab a wellness pass at one of Calistoga’s luxury resorts to access their amenitites for the day.

I recommend either Indian Springs Resort for its olympic sized mineral pool. Or Golden Haven Hot Springs, is a little bit more budget friendly, and they have romantic couples mud baths if you are visiting with your special someone.

10. Go For a Hike

Another one of my favorite things to do in wine country besides wine tasting and eating out is getting outdoors and going on a hike. It’s a great way to enjoy the mild weather and Napa’s natural beauty.

Napa Hikes to Check Out:

Bothe-Napa Valley State Park: Walk along trails with beautiful giant costal redwoods
The Petrified Forest: Uncover 3.4 million-year-old petrified redwood trees
Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park: Visit a mill built in the 1800’s
Skyline Wilderness Park: Explore scenic trails along the foothills of Napa Valley

11. Explore the Outdoors on the Napa River

Take a break from wine tasting and enjoy a relaxing afternoon on the Napa River in downtown Napa. There are numerous outdoor activities you can do including kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, or even a romantic gondola ride.

If you would prefer to stay on land, stroll the scenic riverfront, then grab lunch and some sweet goodies at the Oxbow Public Market, a popular food hall.

12. A Weekend at Bottle Rock Napa Valley

If you visit late spring, Bottle Rock is a must for live music, local wine, and an insanely good gourmet food menu in the heart of Napa Valley.

Held over Memorial Day Weekend, Bottle Rock is an annual three day music festival in downtown Napa. They always have an awesome music lineup, featuring artists like Green Day, Benson Boone, Justin Timberlake, Kaskade, and lots more.

It is more of upscale and high end festival experience with food from michelin starred restaurants, a spa, and unique art installations throughout the grounds.

13. Attend More Spring Events & Festivals

Another popular annual event you can attend in napa valley is the Napa Valley Streamfest, a modern day film festival on April 24-27, 2025. What makes streamfest unique is that it celebrates all forms of content creation including Podcasts, Series, Films, and Social Content.

Or if you have always been wanting to complete a half or full marathon, what better place to do it then Napa Valley! Sign up and participate in the Napa Half (April 27th, 2025) or Napa Marthon (March 1st 2026) and run through wine country’s beautiful landscape.

🍷 Wine Gal Tip: Thinking about going to StreamFest? Many lodging properties around Napa are offering special discounts including, Archer, Andaz, Meritage Resort, and more.

14. Experience Napa Valley Through Art

Art plays a big part into Napa Valley’s culture, you’ll find galleries, free exhibits, and events throughout the year featuring local artists and Napa’s love for the arts.

On Saturday, May 17, 2025, Yountvilles annual Art, Sip & Stroll is Napa Valley’s largest visual arts event. It’s free so you can stroll the local food vendors and wineries, while your view various works of art from over 70 different artists.

Don’t Miss These Spring Events at The Wineries

Mark your calendar for these fun springy events at the wineries! These dates are for the 2025 calendar year.

March Events

The Celebration of Women in Wine March 5–8
March Macaroon Madness at Trinitas Cellars!
Sundays at Silver Oak: Cabernet and Caviar February 16 – Sunday, March 30

April Events

Lobster Fest at V. Sattui, Friday, April 11th
Annual Cabernet Cookoff at HALL, Saturday, April 12th
Spring Sparkling Wine and Cheese Pairing Class at Mumm, Thursday, April 17th

May Events

Pig Roast at Profile Estate (Merryvale Vineyards), Saturday, May 3
The Grand Barrel Party at Castello di Amoroso, Friday, May 09
Paella with PEJU, Saturday, May 10
Taste of Howell Mountain, Saturday, May 31

What to Wear For a Spring Napa Trip

When you are planning your Napa Valley outfits, think Wine Country Casual. You want to dress nice but also be comfortable, so ditch the heels and opt for flats or sandals instead.

Out of all of the seasons, the spring months in Napa Valley have the most unpredictable weather. Most days are full of sunshine, but you can get the occassional spring shower.

My number one tip is to pack and wear layers, because there are a lot of temperature swings throughout the day. Most days are warm and sunny, but the mornings in Napa start off very chilly, and cool, crisp evenings.

And make sure to always have a light sweater or jacket with you during your tastings and wear comfortable shoes, sometimes you will be outside touring the property or exploring chilly wine caves.

A woman with a jean jacket and dress standing in front of a historic building and fountain — A warm sunny day wine tasting in Napa in April

Spring Packing List

Cardign/Sweater/Jean Jacket for wine tastings and dinner
Maxi or Sun Dresses for wine tastings
Comfortable Shoes: Flats, sandals, low block heels, or stylish sneakers are perfect. Or Knee high boots for those rainy days
Comfortable jeans or stylish trousers Also great for chillier days at the wineries and dinner.
Swimming suit if you plan on visiting one of Calistoga’s mineral pools!
Reusable water bottle a must to stay hydrated in between tastings
Sunscreen, Hat, + Sunglasses for those sunny spring days
Advil and electrolyte powder you’ll thank me later! Tastings add up way quicker than you think.

FAQ: Napa Valley in the Spring

What is the weather like in Napa spring?

In the spring, most days in Napa Valley are mild, with sunny days in the high 60s to mid 70s and cool, crisp evenings that dip into the 40s. There is occassional rain, usually in March.

Is spring a good time to visit Napa Valley?

Spring is one of the most magical times to visit Napa Valley! With fewer crowds, better rates on accommodations, and a landscape bursting with lush, rolling hills and vibrant wildflowers.

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