The best time of the year to visit California’s wine country

Image source: VisitTheUSA.com 

The wine country located in Northern California enjoys mild Mediterranean weather as well as breathtaking hilly landscapes. Situated two hours from San Francisco, it’s highly accessible and is also home to a host of outdoor activities. The question is, what’s the best time of the year to visit this wonder?


In the winter, it’s rainy season in wine country, and the air tends to be very humid in areas near the shore. In the spring, tourist season starts as the crowds at wineries begin to thicken. The vines and vineyards spot the first signs of growth with green that intensifies as the year proceeds. In the summer, tourists can be seen flocking the wine country, and winery tours are in full swing. Crowds appear for summer events, from Fourth of July festivities to local heritage festivals.


Now, fall is harvest season: tourists witness the process of pressing and bottling the wines, while temperatures slightly cool off and crowds tend to be quite large. But the vines and trees begin to show off fall colors, a delightful time for photographers and those who want some lovely fall colors in their view. Thanksgiving weekend is rather busy.

Image source: CNN.com 

November proves to be an ideal time of the year to visit, as it’s undoubtedly the most beautiful time of the year in wine country. During this season, various grape varieties change color at various times, producing awesome patchwork quilt views.


The best time, however, largely depends on what you’re after. Spring offers a good mix of weather and outdoor thrills, and summer provides the same pretty landscapes but with larger crowds. Fall is for falling in love with viticulture, while winter is for simply sampling the wines and enjoying the local life without the crowds.


Doug Grady has been a realtor in Austin, Texas, for over a decade now. He is fond of cooking, wine collecting, and sports as hobbies. For similar reads, visit this page.