4 Ways To Do Napa On a Budget
Napa is a wonderful place to spend a period of time but can eat away at your budget quickly! Below are some savvy tips to help you make the most of your Napa trip without breaking the bank.
1. Purchase a Napa Wine Tasting Card
The Napa Valley Welcome Center and Napa Tourist Information Center offer a $15 “Taste Napa Downtown” experience that covers 38 tasting rooms in downtown Napa. The tasting cards are eligible all year, so it’s great to buy once and keep coming back again and again, all year. Check it out here.
2. Pack a Picnic
Some tasting rooms allow you to bring picnics so you can sip wine outside in the sunshine and munch on your own food. This option is significantly cheaper than eating at the high-end restaurants in the area, and more luxurious and Instagram-worthy than a drive through. An ice-chest filled with snacks can also double as a place to keep your wine safe later in the day, as hot cars are not ideal places for wine. Just be sure to check in advance if the winery you’re going allows picnics or requires reservations; most vineyards in Napa do not hold the proper permits to allow this. Napa Cellars does, though, and is a wonderful place to include on your itinerary.
3. Download an App
The Napa Valley Winery Finder App allows you to view wineries nearby and offers recommended places with times, phone numbers, and reviews. For a small fee, you can also get access to a ton of amazing coupons that include free tastings and two-for-one deals. It’s a great way to hit up some of the pricier places or to scope out the wineries that already have budget friendly options. Download it for ios here.
4. Do Your Research Ahead of Time
Many places in Napa offer tastings that are less than $15, but you’ll have to do your research to find them. Check out this list of every Napa Coupon on one page or try out the Napa Valley Passport. If you’re not interested in either of those, check the tasting room’s website ahead of time and plot out your trip ahead of time. Also be sure to check out Sutter Home; not only is it a brand you’re sure to be familiar with, but it’s also the last free tasting room in Napa.
Napa can be a ton of fun, and doesn’t have to cost a fortune. While it can be fun to be a high-roller, you can also do Napa in style for cheap. Plan ahead, do your research, and follow the advice above. Cheers!