Ultimate Dog-Friendly Guide to Visiting Napa Valley

Napa Valley, California is a wine destination known around the world. Of course, if you know much about the history of wine-making, this wasn’t always the case. It took some time for Napa to be recognized as a premier wine-growing region. If you haven’t seen it, the movie Bottle Shock gives a pretty accurate depiction of how Napa was eventually put on the map. Nonetheless, people travel from all over the country, and the world, to visit Napa each year. We’re lucky enough to live less than two hours from Napa Valley, and we have scouted out some of the best wineries and activities in the area, and we’ve created a full list, highlighting those that are dog-friendly.

BEST TIME TO VISIT NAPA

We wouldn’t say there’s a bad time to visit Napa, but you may find larger or smaller crowds depending on the season. As long as reservations are made three to four weeks in advance, then crowds are not a concern. However, it is very important to make tasting reservations in advance, as many wineries cannot accommodate walk-ins. We always recommend allotting 1.5 hours for each tasting. The weather can vary depending on the season, so here’s what to expect:

Spring – Temperatures are milder in the spring – expect upper 60s to low 70s. Everything will be turning green during this time, and crowds may be lighter.
Summer – Napa can get hot in the summer. High temperatures may average around mid 80s, but it’s not uncommon to see 90F. If visiting with a dog, then it may be best to avoid summer since will likely be seated outside.
Fall – Harvesting begins in the late summer/early fall, and Napa is usually buzzing around this time of year. This is our favorite time to visit because you can feel the excitement around the harvest, temperatures are nearly perfect in the mid 70s, and the colors on the vines are stunning.
Winter – If you want a low-key visit to Napa, December – February is your time. Be prepared for the possibility of rain, but don’t worry about having to contend with huge crowds.

ETIQUETTE TIPS FOR VISITING WITH A DOG

It’s important to distinguish that these wineries and restaurants are top-tier whether you are traveling with a dog or not. So feel free to utilize this list for a dog-free visit to Napa as well! However, it’s necessary to point out that not all dogs are suited for an environment like a winery. It’s up to you, as an owner, to recognize if your dog’s behavior or tendencies are compatible with a wine-tasting experience. A few things to consider:

Not everyone at a winery or tasting room will have a dog, and many people may be visiting on vacation. If your dog frequently barks in public, gets distressed, or is generally difficult to control, we do not recommend bringing them so as not to take away from anyone else’s experience.
Other dogs may be seated nearby, if your dog does not like being around or interacting with other dogs, it may be best to leave them behind.
Many tasting rooms in Napa are located within vineyards, and grapes are toxic to dogs. If your dog is very curious or likes to investigate by tasting, this could be very dangerous to them, and it’s best to keep them away from the vineyard.
Many wineries have sculptures or art around the tasting room. Always keep dogs leashed and close by to ensure they do not inadvertently bump into or destroy artwork or property.

DOG-FRIENDLY WINERIES

Migration

This might be the most dog-friendly winery we’ve visited. When making a reservation online, there’s an option to include a “Barkuterie” board for your pup, which might be the cutest thing ever. It comes with treats like dried sweet potato bites and duck sausage links for an additional $15 fee. It was so special to see Chloe’s face light up when she realized she was included in our tasting.

Trefethen

Trefethen is one of the few wineries we have visited where pups are allowed inside for tastings. The property here is beautiful and historic, and the wines are quite tasty! The staff always greets Chloe enthusiastically and treats her to plenty of pets and attention.

Black Stallion

This winery is another beautiful location in Napa Valley, where dogs are enthusiastically welcomed. The staff greeted Chloe with treats, a bandana, and bottled water. The staff kept stopping by our table to give Chloe pets, and we really enjoyed the wine there.

More dog-friendly wineries we love:

Judd’s Hill
Laird Family Estate
Green and Red Vineyard
St. Clair Brown
Hope and Grace
Ashes and Diamonds
Gundlach Bundschu (Sonoma)

MUST-TRY RESTAURANTS

Angele

A perfect spot for dinner in the Historic Napa Mill, serving French country cuisine. The patio is beautiful and dog-friendly. Be sure to try the “Cochon in a Blanket”.

Bistro Don Giovanni’s

We love stopping here for lunch between tastings. They specialize in homemade pasta, and if you have room for more wine, their wine list is extensive. We also appreciate that they can make any pasta on the menu gluten-free!

More dog-friendly restaurants we love:

Grace’s Table
Morimoto
R&D Kitchen (Yountville)

WHERE TO STAY

When considering where to stay in Napa, there are several factors that can shape the experience. Location here is probably the most important to consider. In our opinion, staying downtown is most ideal because it’s central to most wineries, and many restaurants are within walking distance of the downtown area.

Amenities can also make or break the experience. We always prefer places where breakfast is included. Especially if we have a full day of tastings on our schedule, then eating breakfast is key! Of course, we frequently travel with Chloe, and we require our hotels to be dog-friendly, However, that doesn’t mean we want to compromise on cleanliness.

Additionally, price is always a huge factor, especially since we love traveling often. We want our money to go further so we have a budget left for more trips.

Napa River Inn

We’ve found that Napa River Inn consistently meets all of these needs and more! They could not be more dog-friendly. Chloe is always greeted very warmly by the staff, and our room was stocked with a dog bed, water and food bowls, and pet waste bags. They also include a list of options for dog walkers or sitters, if you’d like to let your pup have some time to rest while you continue to explore.

The location is in the Historic Napa Mill, which is within walking distance of many restaurants, shopping, and one of our favorite new cocktail bars, The Fink! It’s also right on the riverfront, which is one of the most picturesque parts of town.

Hotels in Napa are getting very pricey these days, but Napa River Inn is still quite affordable, especially if staying on a weekday, or during the off-season. Breakfast is also included, which is a huge convenience. Each morning you have the option of getting assorted sweets delivered to the room from Sweetie Pies, which is located right beside the hotel, or you can go select your own breakfast from their menu with a $10 credit per person.

Book Your Stay Here

OTHER ACTIVITIES (NOT DOG-FRIENDLY)

If traveling without a dog, or if you find a sitter or daycare for the day, here are a few other activities we would recommend to get the full Napa Valley experience.

Oxbow Public Market – Within walking distance of Napa River Inn, this market has plenty of shops and restaurants inside. It’s a perfect way to spend a quiet afternoon, and a great place to find some souvenirs from your trip! Dogs are not allowed inside but may be seated on the deck outdoors.
Hot Air Balloon Ride – What better way to view the valley than by air?! This is a bucket list experience and would be great to add to a Napa itinerary.
Kayak the Napa River – Rentals are available just behind the Napa River Inn, and it’s the perfect way to get some exercise during a trip full of food and wine!

Napa is such a special part of California, and we would highly recommend it as a local getaway or even as a longer vacation. There’s so much history in the region, and even if you’re not an avid wine drinker, it’s fun to learn about the wine-making process and how much goes into creating a single bottle of wine.

Always remember to drink responsibly. Consider using Uber or Lyft to get to and from tastings. If traveling with a dog, keep in mind that Uber does have an option for pet-friendly rides.