My work partners have a trip planned to San Francisco. The package includes a trip to Napa, however, the group bus won't leave SF until 2:30 on a Tuesday. They visit one winery, go to Pine Ridge for a tour and dinner in the cave. Here is the dilemma...

My partners would like to go earlier but meet up with the bus group when they get to Napa. They would like to take the bus back to SF. Would you recommend renting a car and leaving it in Napa? Is that pricey? What would you do?

Maybe you can hire a car (a limo?) with a driver?

It would likely be expensive to drop the car in Napa, but probably no more expensive than a limo or hired car with driver.

Also check with the tour company to make sure they don't forfeit anything by not showing up for the ride there.

Where exactly do you plan to meet up with the bus? In Napa or at Pine Ridge?

You could take the ferry up to Vallejo and then have a limo meet you for the day. Or you could take a bus into downtown Napa from the ferry terminal. There are a number of tasting rooms in downtown Napa and there's Copia which you could visit.

Pine Ridge is about 8 miles north of Napa.

I know they would love the idea of taking the ferry to Vallejo. Great suggestion! They want to meet with the bus at Pine Ridge. I assume that if they rent a limo, the limo could drop them off there.

If you do drive, make sure you have a designated driver or hire a limo. Do not be irresponsible and think that an afternoon's wine tasting will not impair your ability to drive. It certainly does.