Experience Napa Valley with all five senses!
Napa Valley is a renowned tourist destination for wine lovers, but did you know that it’s also great for cyclists? A Napa Valley bike rental tour is the perfect way to see all the sights while getting some exercise. There are plenty of routes to choose from, so whether you’re a beginner or an experienced cyclist, there’s something for everyone. And what could be better than enjoying a glass of wine at the end of a long day of cycling?
Experiencing the vineyards from the seat of a bicycle is undoubtedly one of the most fun things to do while visiting Napa Valley! As you pedal past rows of vineyards, you’ll enjoy a sensory experience that simply cannot be duplicated inside a car, tour van, or limo.
Tour Overview
Your journey will begin at the banks of the Napa River, where you’ll meet your experienced guide. From there, you’ll be fitted with helmets and eased onto your durable, hybrid bicycle, before being given a quick run-down of some simple safety precautions. Soon, you’ll take off on a leisurely ride through a route of sun-soaked trails and level lanes. Indeed, Carneros has come to be known as a wine-lover’s paradise, and you’ll have ample opportunity to stop into a few local wineries to find out why. All the while, your guide will regale you with information about the region’s climate and its unique wine-making tradition.
Around 12 PM, your guide will provide a break, during which time you’ll be brought to a lovely, rustic locale for a lunchtime picnic. Chow down on scrumptious artisan fare, including green salads, wild smoked salmon, freshly baked bread, and a selection of cheeses.
Moving along, you’ll be able to visit an assortment of exceptional cellars, including such local luminaries as Etude, Starmont, MckEnzie-Meuller, and Ceja. You might also have a chance to raise your glass in the gorgeous garden at Bouchaine, visit the opulent chateau of Domaine Carneros, or get a first-hand lesson in solar-powered wine creation at Cuvaison. There, you’ll sip in style from a collection of various vinos— among them bottles of Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Viognier, and many others.
So, if you’re an oenophile with an eye for the outdoors, this Cycle N’ Sip experience in scenic Carneros is tailor-made for you!
Bike Tour Preparation, Tips and Tricks
Napa Valley has fair weather throughout the year, making it ideal for exploring by bicycle. You will find stretches of vineyard-lined roads making for a captivating experience and a great alternative to driving around in a car. Taking a bike out to tour around helps you slow down, take in the beauty of the area, and truly appreciate the stunning views wine country offers.
For the most part, the roads are well paved and relatively flat, making them perfect for riding a bike on, especially if you are a beginner or just want to take it easy. If you are looking for more of a challenge, you can always take back roads and travel through the mountains that line the valley.
Be prepared
It is always a good idea to be prepared before setting out on your bike tour through Napa Valley. Some things to think about bringing along are:
- A spare tube in the event of a flat tire
- Water and a snack
- Your ID and Credit card; in case you want to stop somewhere
People 18 and under are required o wear a helmet in California, but it is encouraged for everyone riding a bike to wear a helmet. Napa Valley has some heavily trafficked roads, and the backroads are full of sharp turns that may make it hard for drivers to see people on bikes. It would be better to walk on the side of caution and wear a helmet.
If you’re looking for a fun and active way to see all that Napa Valley has to offer, then be sure to check out the bike rental tours. With routes for cyclists of all levels, you’re sure to find something that’s perfect for you. And don’t forget to enjoy a glass of wine at the end of the day!
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Bike RentalFrequently Asked Questions
You have questions? Well we have the answers… If you can not find the answer you are looking for feel free to contact us.
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.
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 October 2019, the Ferry fare is about $15 each way and estimated Lyft/Uber fare for the one-way trip from Vallejo to Napa/Yountville is $35-50.
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.
What is the weather like?
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.
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 12-14 miles; Full-Day Tours are usually in the 15-17 mile range.
How much should we budget for wine tasting fees?
Average tasting fees in the Napa Valley are between $30-50. 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).
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 many wineries will we visit?
On any of our guided bike tours, you will visit TWO wineries.
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.
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!
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).
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.
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 box 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!
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.