Napa/Sonoma during weekend?
 

We will be in the San Francisco area for a week & are debating whether we should visit the Napa/Sonoma area on the weekend, or wait for Monday. Is it very crowded on the weekends - even Sunday? We are staying in San Rafael over the weekend, so we'll be a bit closer to Napa, but we are willing to wait until Monday if it's going to be crazy. We were thinking of possibly stoping at COPIA first to do the Wine 101 class.

It will no doubt be busier on the weekend than during the week - but I don't think I've ever been up there when it's been "crazy" crowded.

I think as long as you're not hitting any special fairs, art-shows, festivals, etc. It should be fine.

What time of year ?????

In September it will be a zoo.... in Feb, very enjoyable...

Stu Dudley

We're leaving Friday; so we were thinking of heading up to wine country either Sat. and/or Sunday.

Some restaurants and wineries are closed on Mondays, so if there was somewhere in particular you wanted to visit you might want to check wtih them first.

The wineries are open 7 days a week, usually. The restaurants close either Mon. or Tues. There are fewer people mid week than weekends, it just depends on where you want to go and what you want to see.

There are definitely more people in both Sonoma and Napa areas on weekends, but it should be doable if it fits your schedule better. There are 2 routes up the Napa Valley with several crossroads over to each side (conveniently named Oakville Crossroad, Rutherford Crossroad, etc.) So you can navigate your way Upvalley pretty easily. Get a detailed map of the Napa Valley and you'll be fine!

Weekends are much more crowded and the traffic is much worse. Your biggest problem is getting back to San Rafael on Saturday or Sunday. Avoid the 4 to 6 pm rush. The backup at Schelleville can be miles long. This is a two lane road with a 4 way stop in the middle. It's best to stop for dinner and then drive back just before sunset (or later).