skiamoeba

I would like to find the best time to visit Napa/Sonoma area. Would prefer to go when weather is decent and crowds are not too terrible. Any suggestions appreciated.
Thanks,
Annie

socialworker

We just went in early May and had unseasonable heat---in the mid 90s--but in general I think May is a great time b/c all the flowers were so beautiful and in full bloom. If you want to avoid crowds, go mid-week as we did. For the smaller vineyards we were often the only people in the tasting rooms.

elnap29

Avoid September. April, May, June are good months but go mid-week.

boom_boom

I like March. The weather can be great and, in particular if you go mid week,the crowds slim and the tasting room folks anxious to talk about the wines. If you don't mind cold and damp, February can be fun too.

TrvlMaven

It depends on what you want to see--in Spring the hills are as green as can be and the when the mustard, poppies and lupine are in bloom--it's a living Monet! Summer brings heat and the hills are golden (some people say "dry"). September into Oct brings harvest and a bustle of activity.

skiamoeba

Are the flowers still blooming in May, or would April be better?
Thanks for all your ideas.

socialworker

HI--as I said above, when we went in May--around the 8th to the 10th--the flowers were gorgeous and a plus was that the inn where we stayed had some orange trees and the blossoms were out and perfuming the air with a wondrous scent. If you like flowers, I strongly recommend the Madrona Manor in Healdsburg which has amazing gardens!

jamesr3939

October is crush that is when you really want to see it.

kleroux

I think mid week any time of year would be OK. Even during crush, the crowds are manageable, but obviously there will be more people than in Feb. If you like flowers look into staying in private vacation rental homes, rather than hotels. Check out www.sonomacountyvacations.com and see what they offer. Madrona Manor also has lovely gardens.

traveler24

In Napa crush is just beginning and it is CROWDed-restaurants booked especially thur. thru Sundays..
Highway 29 Napa to ST.Helena --bumper to bumper -noon till 8 PM. on on days mentioned above..
IMO--First 2 weeks inMay -outstanding. Spring weather.-few crowds- everything looks so "fresh".
Good luck.

elnap29

Crush is earlier this year and August and September are the busiest months. October will be a little better.
Spring months are very good, especially mid-week. Late Spring will have the most blooms.
But - it's beautiful in each season - just different.

volcanogirl

We went in September and stayed in St. Helena - it was fun because it was harvest time. One of the wineries let us pick different varieties of grapes off the vine and try them to see how they compared. If you get a chance, take a hot air balloon ride; the area is beautiful.

GP

Hi skiamoeba

Late March early April

Have Fun
GP

MonicaH

The only time I don't like going to the wine country is during the heat of the summer. Living only an hour and half away, I like to go and stock up my car with lots of wine...hard to do when it is a 100 outside. I go almost every year in January for the Silver Oak release party and have had the best weather...cool, crisp and sunny. Perhaps it has been luck, but I love that time of year in Napa/Sonoma.