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 are the best options for biking with kids?

The Oak Knoll Section of the Napa Valley Vine Trail is a 7-mile bike path connecting the towns of Napa and Yountville that is perfect for a scenic (and totally car-free!) family-friendly ride. You can rent bikes and access the Napa Valley Vine Trail easily from either our Napa or Yountville shop locations.

From our Yountville shop, families also enjoy a 6-mile out-and-back ride along Yount Mill Road. There is not a bike lane on Yount Mill Road, but most families are comfortable riding single file along this road since it is very lightly trafficked. You can also check out The French Laundry Culinary Garden, Yountville Park and visit the resident herd of longhorn cattle on Yount Mill Road.

Can we bring our dog/pet?

We do not have a way to safely bring your dog or pet along on a bike ride. Pets are not allowed in the child trailers that we rent.

We have seen visitors bring their own backpack or other device to carry their pet. Unfortunately, we have also seen more than one occasion where this ended with a trip to the veterinary hospital.

We do not recommend bringing your dog or pet along for a bike ride.

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 May 2022, the Ferry fare is $9-11.25 each way and estimated Lyft/Uber fare for the one-way trip from Vallejo to Napa/Yountville is $45-65.

What is the weather like?

View Average Temps & Rainfall

What should I wear to go 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 combined with the friction while riding 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 drssing "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 10-12 miles; Full-Day Tours are usually in the 12-15 mile range.

Drinking & biking?! Isn't that dangerous?!

Well, yes, drinking alcohol to excess & riding a bike would be a terrible idea. 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's up to you to moderate your consumption to have a fun and safe experience.

How much should we tip our Tour Guide?

The typical range is $15-30 per guest. All gratuities are split between your Tour Guide and Van Support.

Why aren't tasting fees included in the price of the bike 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 $40-60. Some wineries may waive a portion or all of your tasting fee with a specified minimum purchase or if you join their wine club (fee waiving practices vary from one winery to the next).

How many wineries will we visit?

On the Half-Day Bike 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, and we do not offer a discount for guests joining a guided tour and bringing their own bike.

If you have your own bike and decide a guided tour isn't the best fit for you, we’re happy to act as your “touring center” and provide free maps and advice. Yountville is the best place in wine country to start your ride!

Can I bring my child on one of your guided bike tours?

Our guided tours are adult-oriented and wine-focused and many of the roads we ride on are not appropriate for younger riders; also, many of the wineries we visit cannot allow visitors under 21. For these reasons, children are not allowed on our guided bike tours.

We find that families with children prefer the flexibility of a Self-Guided Bike Tour or Bike Rentals, since you can choose your route and decide if and when to include winery visits along your route.

Our favorite family-friendly wineries along the Napa Valley Vine Trail are Laird Family Estate and Silenus Winery.

Self-Guided Bike Tours

What's the difference between a Bike Rental vs. a Self-Guided Bike 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 & 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. We’re happy to help!

Bike Rentals

Do you have any 30- to 60-mile route recommendations for experienced cyclists?

You bet! Check out our Top Routes for Avid 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.

However, if you’re planning to visit wineries by bike, cycling shoes with cleats can be awkward for walking around at the wineries. Also consider you may not need to clip in if you’re riding with less experienced riders.