Wine Country Getaway: Which Airport For Napa?

what airport for napa wine country

Napa Valley, California, is a world-class wine-growing region, home to renowned wineries, top-ranked restaurants, luxurious spas, and pristine golf links. With five airports nearby, each with its unique benefits, visiting Napa Valley has never been easier. The closest airport to Napa Valley is the Sonoma County Airport, which is serviced by Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, and Avelo Airlines. Napa County Airport, also known as Napa Valley Airport, is a small airport that serves charter flights and private aircraft only. Other nearby airports include San Francisco International Airport, Oakland International Airport, and Sacramento International Airport.

Characteristics Values
Number of airports near Napa Valley 4 international airports and 3 local airports
Airports with commercial airline service Sonoma County Airport, Oakland International Airport, Sacramento International Airport, and San Francisco International Airport
Closest airport to Napa Valley Sonoma County Airport
Travel time from Sonoma County Airport 30 minutes to Calistoga, 1 to 2 hours to Napa
Airlines that service Sonoma County Airport Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Avelo Airlines
Napa Valley Airport characteristics Services charter flights and private aircraft only; no commercial airline service; located 5-9 miles outside downtown Napa
Travel time from San Francisco International Airport 1.5–3 hours
Travel time from Oakland International Airport 1–2 hours
Travel time from Sacramento International Airport 1.5 hours
Travel time from San Jose International Airport 2–3 hours
Travel time from CCR (Buchman Field Airport) 1 hour

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Napa County Airport

The history of Napa County Airport dates back to the early 1940s when it was constructed by the United States Army Air Forces. Initially called Napa Flight Strip, it served as an emergency landing airfield for military aircraft. During World War II, the airport played a vital role as an auxiliary airfield, training replacement fighter pilots for overseas deployment. After the war, the airport transitioned to civil use, and businesses began to establish themselves on the premises.

Today, Napa County Airport is a hub for private aviation, offering convenient access to Napa Valley's wineries, restaurants, spas, and golf courses. While there are no car rental agencies available at the airport, visitors can arrange car transport in advance through companies like Pure Luxury or California Wine Tours. For those travelling by train, the Bay Area Rapid Transit System (BART) connects directly to the airport, providing easy access to the Napa Vine Route 11 shuttle that leads to downtown Napa.

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Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport

The airport is served by several airlines, including Alaska Airlines, which is the dominant carrier, offering flights to various destinations within the United States, such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, Orange County, Portland, Seattle, and more. Other airlines that have served the airport include Allegiant Air, which offered flights to Las Vegas and Phoenix, and Avelo Airlines, which provided service to Hollywood Burbank Airport and Las Vegas. Sun Country Airlines also previously operated from the airport, offering seasonal flights to Las Vegas and Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport.

The airport has a rich history, dating back to the 1930s when a small municipal airfield was located about six miles southeast of the present-day airport. During World War II, the original airfield was discontinued, and operations shifted to the current airport site due to improved facilities. In June 1942, the airport opened as the Santa Rosa Army Air Field and served as a training airfield for the Fourth Air Force.

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San Francisco International Airport

SFO offers non-stop flights to Asia, the South Pacific, Europe, Canada, Mexico and the US, and has world-class facilities, shopping and dining. The airport has a long history of international service, with overseas travel rapidly expanding after World War II, when the airport was used as a Coast Guard base and Army Air Corps training base. In 1961, Lufthansa began a weekly service to Frankfurt via Montreal and London Heathrow, and in 1962, Delta Air Lines began flying one of its first international jet services to Jamaica and Venezuela via Dallas and New Orleans.

The airport is owned and operated by the City and County of San Francisco, and has a Rental Car Center where travellers can pick up and drop off rental cars in one convenient location. For those travelling onwards to Napa, there are numerous options. The Bay Area Rapid Transit System (BART) connects directly to the airport, and a short ride will take passengers to the San Francisco Ferry Building, where they can board the Vallejo Ferry for a scenic ride across the Bay. Once across, travellers can board the Napa Vine Route 11 shuttle to downtown Napa.

For those looking for a more direct route, the Napa County Airport is just nine miles from downtown Napa, and is also known as the 'Skyport to Wine Country'. However, it is important to note that this airport only services charter flights and private aircraft, with no commercial airline service.

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Oakland International Airport

The history of Oakland International Airport dates back to the 1920s when the city of Oakland began considering the construction of an airport. In 1927, the announcement of the Dole Air Race incentivised the purchase of land for the airport. During World War II, the U.S. Armed Forces took over the airport, transforming it into an airlift base for military flights to the Pacific islands. After the war, airlines gradually returned to Oakland, with Western Airlines commencing flights in 1946, followed by other major carriers. Oakland became a hub for non-scheduled and supplemental air carriers, with several large companies basing their operations there.

During the Vietnam War, Oakland International Airport played a significant role in transporting thousands of military personnel to their bases in Southeast Asia through World Airways. This led to the construction of an international arrivals facility, enabling the airport to accommodate international flights. In the 1990s, Southwest Airlines expanded its presence at Oakland International Airport, becoming the dominant passenger carrier. The airport also witnessed the emergence of low-cost carriers, providing domestic and international destinations.

Today, Oakland International Airport continues to serve as a convenient gateway to Napa Wine Country, offering a range of options for travellers, including on-site rental cars, shuttles, and a BART connection. The airport has a variety of concession offerings for passengers, including dining, shopping, and duty-free options. Oakland International Airport is committed to improving its facilities, with modernisation projects and terminal development plans underway.

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Sacramento International Airport

The airport has a rich history, having initially served as an Air Force base. It opened on October 21, 1967, as Sacramento Metropolitan Airport, with a single 8600-foot runway. Over the years, the airport has undergone expansions and improvements, including the addition of Terminal A, which led to its renaming as Sacramento International Airport. The airport faced challenges during the economic downturn in 2008, with reduced passenger numbers and increasing costs. However, it persevered, and by 2014, it had posted twelve consecutive months of improved passenger traffic.

Frequently asked questions

The closest airport to Napa Valley Wine Country is the Napa County Airport, also known as the Napa Valley Airport. It is located just five miles outside of downtown Napa. However, it only services charter flights and private aircraft.

Yes, there are four other major airports and two local airports near Napa Valley Wine Country. These include:

- Sonoma County Airport

- Oakland International Airport

- Sacramento International Airport

- San Francisco International Airport

San Francisco International Airport is approximately 1.5 to 3 hours away from Napa Valley Wine Country, depending on traffic conditions.

If you are travelling from San Francisco International Airport, you can take the Bay Area Rapid Transit System (BART) to the San Francisco Ferry Building and then board the Vallejo Ferry. Once you arrive at the other side, you can take the Napa Vine Route 11 shuttle to downtown Napa.

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