Frequently Asked Questions
General
How long does it take to drive from San Francisco?
Depending on traffic, Napa Valley is about a 75-minute to 2-hour drive from San Francisco. Friday afternoon (after 3:00 p.m.) is the heaviest commute time with the Bay Area weekend getaway traffic.
What is the weather like?
Can we bring our dog/pet?
We do not have a way to safely bring pets along on a bike ride. The trailers we rent are not designed to carry pets. We do not allow pets in our trailers.
How can I get to Napa Valley from San Francisco without a car?
Starting from the Ferry Building on the Embarcadero, you can take the San Francisco Bay Ferry to Vallejo, then use Lyft/Uber for the final 25-mile drive to Napa/Yountville.
As of April 2025, the Ferry fare is $9.60 each way and estimated Lyft/Uber fare for the one-way trip from Vallejo to Napa/Yountville is $45-65.
What are the best options for biking with kids?
All three of our locations offer easy access to the Vine Trail, Napa's car-free bike path. Also, check out our Family-Friendly Bike Routes.
What should we wear while biking in Napa Valley?
RECOMMENDED: Warm layers for cool mornings, shorts or capris, longer pants with tapered/slim fitted legs, flat-soled shoes, sunglasses, sandals as long as they are securely strapped on your feet - also, sunscreen!
NOT RECOMMENDED: Denim (heavy seams can become uncomfortable), maxi dresses or wide-legged pants (can get caught in the chain or spokes which will not only ruin your garment but may also cause you to crash), wedge heels, flip flops, mules.
The wineries generally don't have a dress code, but we understand you want to blend with other guests. We advise dressing "smart active" like you would for a round of golf.
Guided Bike Tours
How far will we ride on the bike tour?
On our guided bike tours, you will ride an average of 3 to 6 miles between stops at local wineries for tastings. The terrain is mostly flat to gently rolling. The total mileage on a Half-Day Tour is usually in the neighborhood of about 12-15 miles; Full-Day Tours are usually in the 15-18 mile range.
Drinking & Biking!? Isn't that dangerous!?
Drinking alcohol to excess & riding a bike would reckless, irresponsible and indeed, dangerous.
On our guided bike tours our guests are wine tasting. Your Tour Guide can help answer any questions you may have about responsible tasting etiquette.
If you're uncomfortable about spitting or dumping, don't be! Both of these practices actually make you look like a seasoned wine taster. At the end of the day, you are the adult, and it is your responsibility to moderate your consumption.
How much should we tip our Tour Guide?
What aren't tasting fees included in the price of the tour?
Wine tasting fees are not included in the bike tour price because we vary which wineries we visit day to day and individual fees may be waived with minimum purchase or when you join a wine club (fee waiving policies vary by winery).
What happens if it's raining?
We tour rain or shine. Rain is virtually non-existent from May through October. If rain forecast is 50% or greater within 24 hours of tour Meet Time, you have the option to cancel and receive a refund less $25/person cancellation fee.
We can supply rain jackets to ward off light sprinkles or offer the option to tour by van instead on rainy days.
How much should we budget for wine tasting fees?
Average tasting fees in the Napa Valley are between $50-60. Some wineries may waive a portion or all of your tasting fee with a specified minimum purchase or if you join their wine club.
How many wineries will we visit?
On the Half-Day Tour or the Vine Trail Discovery Tour, you will visit one winery. On a Full-Day Bike Tour, you will visit two wineries.
Can I bring my own bike?
We recommend riding our bikes in the spirit of camaraderie with your fellow tour guests. All of our guided tours are on pedal-assist e-bikes. We do not offer a discount for guests joining a guided tour and bringing their own bike.
Can I bring my child on a guided bike tour?
Children ages 12+ are welcome to join an adult on the Vine Trail Discovery Tour.
Our Yountville-based Full-Day and Half-Day Tours include wineries that do not allow visitors under 21.
Many families enjoy the flexibility of Bike Rentals, which allows you to choose your route and decide whether a winery visit is the right fit for your family.
Be sure to check out for favorite Family-Friendly Bike Routes.
Self-Guided Bike Tours
What's the difference between a Bike Rental vs. a Self-Guided Tour?
Self-Guided Bike Tours include two enhancements over a Bike Rental:
- Bouchon Bakery picnic lunch, which we can deliver to a winery along your route
- Wine-purchase pickup service
The value of these features depends upon whether you’d like to enjoy a picnic at a winery (especially when you realize that wineries are not permitted to sell/serve food themselves) and whether you plan to purchase wine and might benefit from the wine purchase pickup service.
Can you help us plan our route or make our winery appointments??
When you reserve either a Bike Rental or a Self-Guided Bike Tour, your email confirmation will include a link to our super helpful Planning Guide!
Not only does the Planning Guide outline our most popular routes, but it also shows you which wineries require appointments, which wineries allow picnicking and even provides a sample timeline to guide you.
Once you’ve had a chance to review the Planning Guide, we welcome your call if you need further advice or want to run your plans by someone.
Bike Rentals
Can you recommend a route for experienced cyclists?
Should I bring my cycling shoes?
If you’re planning to get workout ride in, definitely pack your shoes and let us know what type of pedal system you have so we can equip your bike with the matching pedal system.
If you’re planning to visit wineries by bike, keep in mind that cycling shoes with cleats can be awkward for walking around at the wineries.