San Francisco to Napa – How long?

[kennancat]

Hi all – I’m hoping that someone knows the San Francisco area better than I do and can advise me on travel time planning. We’re planning to stay in downtown San Francisco, probably near Union Square. We want to meet some friends in Napa, stopping through Berkley on the way. Looking at the map, I assume we’ll want to stick to I-80.

I know traffic in that area is bad, but I don’t know how bad it is. Plus, we’ll be leaving after the morning rush hour and going out of the city, so I’m thinking it won’t be too bad? I’m thinking we can leave downtown at 9:15 - 9:30 AM to make it to Berkley around 10:00 – 10:15 AM and leave Berkley around 11:30 AM to make it to Napa close to 12:30 PM. Does this sound reasonable?

 

[RonnieJo66]

I would say that it'll take you anywhere from about 1.5 - 2 hours to get to Napa. It all depends on the traffic and roadways.

Ahhh, Napa country is so beautiful

Have a sip of wine for me

 

[cindercopper]

1-1/2 hours. Enjoy!

 

[Honu]

Hi all – I’m hoping that someone knows the San Francisco area better than I do and can advise me on travel time planning. We’re planning to stay in downtown San Francisco, probably near Union Square. We want to meet some friends in Napa, stopping through Berkley on the way. Looking at the map, I assume we’ll want to stick to I-80.

I know traffic in that area is bad, but I don’t know how bad it is. Plus, we’ll be leaving after the morning rush hour and going out of the city, so I’m thinking it won’t be too bad? I’m thinking we can leave downtown at 9:15 - 9:30 AM to make it to Berkley around 10:00 – 10:15 AM and leave Berkley around 11:30 AM to make it to Napa close to 12:30 PM. Does this sound reasonable?

Depends on where in Napa you are headed, but an hour from Berkeley at that time of day is more than adequate. It usually takes me 60-70 minutes from the Peninsula to get to downtown Napa, but I speed sometimes.

 

[barkley]

we've got some major road work going on in napa right now (and will be for a looooooooong time-re-routing the napa river). so depending on where you are meeting up it may be better to go over "the bridge to no-where" vs straight into town. also-if you map quest the trip you will likely get instructions that have you taking 37 into vallejo and american canyon (which has become a horrible traffic jam in the last few years)-you may do better to continue up 80 to jamison canyon road which will take you directly onto highway 29 (the major valley road).

the only concern i have with your time line is the berkely issue-if you are going anywhere that will require parking allow LOTS OF TIME-parking is at a bare minimum and hard to find.

p.s.-the commute traffic leaving napa starts around 2 p.m.- (it can take me an hour to get to my mom's going and 3 coming back!)-so you might consider taking an alternate (more scenic) route back. you could leave napa and drive over to highway 101. the drive from napa over there is beautiful (vineyards, pastures) and you'de get to drive through marin county back to san francisco (it would give you different scenery to look at vs. the trip there).

 

[kennancat]

Thanks for all the advice - we're going to Berkley to tour the Scharffen Berger factory (mmmm.... chocolate) so I'm *hoping* that there will be parking at the factory. I will check into that, though. We don't have any other plans after Napa, so we can take our time getting back - hwy 101 sounds like a nice option!

 

[Honu]

Thanks for all the advice - we're going to Berkley to tour the Scharffen Berger factory (mmmm.... chocolate) so I'm *hoping* that there will be parking at the factory.

Yep, there is parking. They have a restaurant onsite.

 

[barkley]

Thanks for all the advice - we're going to Berkley to tour the Scharffen Berger factory (mmmm.... chocolate) so I'm *hoping* that there will be parking at the factory. I will check into that, though. We don't have any other plans after Napa, so we can take our time getting back - hwy 101 sounds like a nice option!

if you're a chocolate fan you might consider another side trip before you meet up with your friends in napa. if you go up 80 a few minutes past the jamison canyon turn-off to napa you can go to the jelly belly factory in fairfield. beyond the wonderful jelly beans (and the belly flops are great to take home) they've added a line of chocolate to die for. the tours are free and run all day. you could easily zip in and out in an hour.

in downtown napa "annettes" is an awsome candy store (fantastic truffles).

 

[bekkiz]

Another chocolate stop is in St. Helena, Woodhouse Chocolates--awesome stuff!

Like the others, I would allow 1-1.5 hours to get there. It takes me about 1.75 hours from the south bay (but I also speed and don't have to deal with bridges)

 

[kennancat]

if you go up 80 a few minutes past the jamison canyon turn-off to napa you can go to the jelly belly factory in fairfield.

Ohhh - did you say Jelly Belly? I'll have to look into that one and see if it's possible to squeeze it in!

 

[minniecarousel]

We were just in Napa right before Easter - you'll have a wonderful time. Are you just going into Napa for the day from SF? Or are you staying in Napa for a night or two?