Napa Valley, Ca: Which Airport Should You Choose?

Napa Valley, California, is a world-famous wine region, attracting visitors from all over the world. The closest airport to Napa Valley is Napa County Airport, which is just 9-18 minutes away from downtown Napa. However, this airport only services charter flights and private aircraft. For commercial airline services, the closest airports are Sonoma County Airport, Oakland International Airport, Sacramento International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, and San Jose International Airport.

Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport (STS)

The Sonoma County Airport features a single terminal serviced primarily by Alaska Airlines. It offers flights to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, Portland, Seattle, Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Minneapolis. In addition to Alaska Airlines, other top carriers serving this airport include American Airlines and Avelo Airlines.

Passengers flying with Alaska Airlines from Charles M. Schulz are permitted to check a case of wine for free, thanks to the Alaska Airlines Wine Flies Free program. Avelo Airlines has also launched a similar program, allowing passengers' wine to travel for free from STS. Car rentals are available at the airport, and ride-sharing services like Lyft and Uber are also options for transportation.

The airport covers 1,125 acres of land and has two asphalt runways. In the year ending December 31, 2023, the airport recorded 82,710 aircraft operations, with an average of 226 operations per day. The airport has undergone recent improvements, including extending its runways and constructing a new terminal building to accommodate the increasing passenger growth.

Oakland International Airport (OAK)

OAK has a range of concession offerings for passengers looking to eat, drink, or shop. Car rental companies serving the airport include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, and Enterprise. The airport has also achieved Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) STAR accreditation.

To get from OAK to Napa, you can take the ORANGE BART line to El Cerrito Del Norte station, then transfer to the VINE Transit Route 29 bus to Napa. This journey costs $5-$12 and takes about 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take an Uber, which costs around $91 for a trip of about 72 minutes, or drive yourself, which takes about 59 minutes and costs $9-$14.

San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

SFO is a bustling airport, serving over 50 airlines and accommodating nearly 50 million travellers a year. It is open 24 hours a day and offers numerous shopping and dining options, including multiple on-site wine bars. The airport has four terminals and seven concourses, and in 2022, it served over 42 million passengers.

For visitors travelling to Napa Valley from SFO, there are several transportation options. The drive can take anywhere from one to three hours, depending on traffic conditions. The Bay Area Rapid Transit System (BART) connects directly to the airport, providing easy access to the San Francisco Ferry Building, where passengers can board the Vallejo Ferry for a scenic ride across the bay. From the Vallejo Ferry Terminal, visitors can take a bus or taxi to the Napa area. Alternatively, car rental services are available at the SFO Rental Car Center, located on the fourth floor.

When planning a trip to Napa Valley, it is important to consider the travel time and transportation options from the airport. SFO offers a wide range of facilities and services to cater to the needs of its many visitors. With its convenient location and extensive flight connections, it serves as a popular gateway to Napa Valley and the surrounding wine country.

Sacramento International Airport (SMF)

The airport is about a 1½-hour drive from Napa Valley, and is 10 miles northwest of downtown Sacramento. The airport's redesigned terminal includes an elevated people mover and concourse, and car rental companies are available on-site, with a shuttle service running approximately every 10 minutes to the on-site rental car terminal.

For those looking for a more luxurious arrival, Napa Valley Tour and Transportation offers a concierge service from the airport to the valley. Alternatively, for those heading to Sonoma, Napa Airporter provides a shared service as well as personalised wine tours.

If you're feeling thirsty after your flight, Vino Volo, located in both Terminal A and B, offers hand-selected flights and glasses of premier wines from around the world.

Napa County Airport (APC)

History

Napa County Airport was originally built by the United States Army Air Forces in the early 1940s and was known as the Napa Flight Strip. It served as an emergency landing airfield for military aircraft during training flights. The airport was expanded and renamed the Napa Army Airfield, becoming an auxiliary field of the Fourth Air Force Hamilton Army Airfield. After World War II, the airport was deeded to Napa County for civil use and became a business hub for the once-rural area.

Services and Operations

Napa County Airport caters exclusively to charter flights and private aircraft. It does not offer commercial airline services or car rentals, so passengers should plan alternative transportation in advance. The airport features three runways and is known as the "Skyport to Wine Country," providing easy access to the nearby wineries.

Recent Developments

The airport has undergone several improvements in recent years, including upgrades to its control tower and a runway rehabilitation project. Upcoming projects include Phase 1 of the Terminal Redevelopment Project, Taxiway K Reconstruction, and two FBO Redevelopment Projects. The airport staff has also worked with the Noise Working Group and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to implement a safer and more neighbourly approach to Runway 19R.

Frequently asked questions