🇺🇸 Napa Day Trip: 7 Stops & Wineries on a Budget 💰

Yesterday we drove from the Bay Area to Napa for a day of fall views, wineries, and tastings 🍁🍷. We visited 7 spots and spent only $60 per person! Most were free and no reservation needed. Here’s our route from south to north — all stops are along the same road. Next post: Napa food recommendations! 😋 1️⃣ Yountville Downtown Beautiful autumn scenery 🍂 + a free vineyard open for photo ops! 📸 2️⃣ Welcome to Napa Valley Sign (South) There are two signs (north & south). This one has railroad tracks — watch for real trains! 🚂 Also has a large free vineyard for photos. 3️⃣ Far Niente Winery Two gorgeous rows of ginkgo trees 🍂. We didn’t have a reservation — parked on the street and took photos outside. Security guards won’t let you in without a tasting reservation (~$100+ per person). 4️⃣ Inglenook The gate was closed when we arrived, so no photos this time. 5️⃣ Ruthford Hill Winery Drive up a hill to reach this spot 🏞️. Beautiful red and yellow leaf vines covering the walls — super photogenic! 🍁 6️⃣ Del Dotto Estate Winery & Caves A elegant little fountain at the entrance ⛲ — great for pictures. 7️⃣ Beringer Vineyards Even has Chinese text at the gate! The winery looks like a small castle 🏰 — perfect for photos on the lawn. 8️⃣ Castello di Amorosa 🏰 ✨ Looks like a castle straight out of Game of Thrones! Reservation required — we booked the Seated Reserve Tasting ($60/person), which includes castle access + 5 wine/juice tastings. ✨ Book in advance — weekends get busy! ✨ Extremely photogenic 😍 — best light is around 4-5 PM with gorgeous sunset skies. ✨ We loved the sweet wines — the server arranged the tasting from sweetest to driest. Our favorite was Fantasia (strawberry & pomegranate). Non-drinkers can choose grape juice — also delicious! 🍇 #WeekendInBayArea #BayArea #BayAreaLife #DayTrip #WeekendGetaway #FallInNapa #NapaWineries #NapaOnABudget #CaliforniaTravel #FallVibes