What's the best way to get around in Napa?

My wife and I are headed to Napa for the first time this monday Oct 15.

We rented a car in San Francisco and will be driving to Yountville to stay for our first 2 nights.

On the maps, all the wineries in Rutherford, Oakville and even Calistoga seem very close, just a short drive.

Is there any public transportation offered such as buses, or taxis?

Drinking and driving is never a good idea, so we wanted to know our alternatives.

Limo service sounds too expensive.

What's the best way to get around in Napa?

IvanhP-

We see this is your first post-- welcome to the Napa TA forums! :)

We%26#39;re not sure if you%26#39;ve had a chance to read through the Napa FAQs:

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g32766-i258-k13704…

Lots of great info, and answers to all of your questions above.

In short, there are no buses/shuttles between wineires, unless you take an organized tour.

Virtually everyone drives, because there is a way to taste wine without getting drunk-- but you HAVE to follow each step (especially the %26#39;spitting out everything%26#39; step!).

As the FAQS mention, if you want to taste wine, you must stay sober-- if you ';drink'; the wine, your palette will be shot after the first glass.

And you won%26#39;t be able to drive well, either-- so most folks do one of two things:

1. Learn how to taste wine without getting snoggered, or

2. Hire a limo and make it a ';party car';

(Please note that almost everyone in the Valley does option #1, because it%26#39;s a bit of a waste to come all the way here just to get drunk! :)

Sorry if this sounds harsh-- there are certainly cautious folks who hire drivers/limos because they don%26#39;t want to worry about having just a wee bit too much. We applaude that.

Please do read the FAQs-- and let us know if the suggestions in there don%26#39;t work for you.

Have a great time in the wine country! :)

-The Innkeepers

Napa Old World Inn

What's the best way to get around in Napa?

My friends and I are trying to be as responsible as possible and not chance sip %26amp; spit, etc while driving. Trying to avoid spending lots of $$$ on limo service as well. I see that there is a bus (the vine) that goes from downtown napa to yountville and st. helena (with a few connections of course). has anyone considered or succeeded using this option? how long would it take? we would need to go from downtown napa to mondavi winery (on highway 29). thanks!

Hi IvanhP -

you can take taxi%26#39;s up and down the valley - but it can get pretty expensive with lots of wait time.

I%26#39;d suggest Napa Bee Driven, they will drive you around in your own car

to the other poster - yes, there is a bus that goes from downtown Napa to Oakville, and then about a 1/2 mile or more walk to Mondavi - you%26#39;ll be crossing a very busy highway on your way to Mondavi, but at least after drinking you%26#39;ll be on the right side. Walk along the vineyard and not on the highway.

I recommend avoiding taxis if possible. My wife and I were in Napa over the weekend and spent over $50 on an RT trip to dinner that was probably 2 miles each way. It isn%26#39;t like taxi service in the city where they run a meter at a rate posted on the window, they just make up a price and gouge you!