For most cities across the United States, the end of summer means preparing for the blustery chill of winter weather. But not all hope for warm weather is lost. Always an alternative, San Francisco and its nearby Napa Valley area buck the winter weather trend. Each autumn, the region swiftly waves goodbye to summer and welcomes a warm Harvest Season with open arms.
Traveling to Napa Valley in the fall is one of the most memorable trips a wine lover can take. Just one hour north of San Francisco, Napa Valley presents the best of both worlds with beautiful wine country culture located just a short ride to urban modernity. More than 200 wineries and plenty of gourmet restaurants promise a delectable culinary experience, and many fine art galleries and luxurious spas make this area of California incredibly multi-faceted. Each town has something different to offer, so choose from Yountville, St. Helena, Oakville, Rutherford, Napa, or Calistoga, and indulge in a flavorful trip of a lifetime.
The best time to get in on the grape-picking action of Harvest Season (also called “Crush”) is right now. Although it varies slightly from year to year, it generally begins at the end of August and ends in October, so book a cheap flight to San Francisco now to soak up the aromas of this year’s batch. If you’re on a budget, consider getting a Wine Country Explorer Pass, which lets you flexibly tour your own way for one or two days without having to pay for things you don’t want to see in a more expensive package.
The cool summer and sporadic heat waves in San Francisco made the
2009 vintage a confusing one, but reports from well-known vinters like
Smith Madrone and Swanson say that while some Merlot sets have
shattered (meaning grape flowers didn’t turn into berries), they are
seeing some of the healthiest and colorful fruit than they have in the
past six years.
Here are a few sample flights to tempt your palette and your wallet:
New York flights to San Francisco from $218
Boston flights to San Francisco from $218
Miami flights to San Francisco from $228
Chicago flights to San Francisco from $282
Los Angeles flights to San Francisco from $98
© Cheapflights Ltd Andrea Mooney
