Attn: CA Pelicans, renting a Porsche for Napa Valley trip

[Fishman7]

Flying into San Francisco and driving along the coast also doing Napa Valley, August 1-7...looking for a Boxster, Cayman or 911 to rent. Need suggestions, anyone ever do it? Best place to rent from. Etc.

[Rick Lee]

I haven't done it and I wouldn't do it. Traffic around the wineries and well-traveled routes SUCKS on the weekends and is no picnic during the week either. I've been there many times and would much rather find the off-the-beaten-path wineries in other parts of CA nowadays. There are some nice drives in Marin and Napa Counties, but they aren't well-kept secrets anymore.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

I haven't done it and I wouldn't do it. Traffic around the wineries and well-traveled routes SUCKS on the weekends and is no picnic during the week either. I've been there many times and would much rather find the off-the-beaten-path wineries in other parts of CA nowadays. There are some nice drives in Marin and Napa Counties, but they aren't well-kept secrets anymore.

Cough... south down Hwy 1 = Big Sur (don't blame me if you get stuck behind a camper van or delivery truck) to Paso Robles.

Wineries

[Nate2046]

We go to Napa every year during the end of February to beginning of March time frame so I can't comment on traffic during the high season. It always kills me to be driving crappity rentals on those amazing roads but the only sportscar rentals I have found were in the $500/day range which I think is crazy.

As for cool drives if you do rent something fun, or even if you don't, look into some of the wineries off of US29 or the Silverado Trail up in the hills on either side of the valley. The drive up Spring Mountain Rd to Pride Winery is really cool and the wine is great. Viader and Cade Wineries are both up Howell Mountain on the East side of the valley, nice drive and great views. We went to Kuleto this year and is my new vote for most spectacular view in the valley. Also a very nice drive including several miles up their driveway with convex mirrors to see around the corners. You won't be going fast but its a beautiful ride. All of the above wineries are by reservation only so I would plan well in advance considering you'll be there during the high season.

[Rick Lee]

Yes, Hwy. 1 through Big Sur and Carmel is awesome. I've done it on the motorcycle and in a cage a few times in both directions. It's not fast when there's someone in front of you, but the scenery is breathtaking. Last time I was in Napa I had a Dodge Magnum for a rental. No chance at all to unleash the power of that car anywhere in the area except maybe around Petaluma and Sonoma. Napa was a parking lot. My once-favorite place there, V. Sattui, had a line to get into the parking lot. St. Helena was also a big parking lot. Used to be a sleepy, cool little town.

[vash]

Napa wineries are too much..

i like exploring the smaller places in Sonoma Co. i have found some gems. HWY one is fun for about 5 miles..then it turns sucky.

[911mnypt]

Napa can get a little crazy and congested...try going off the beaten path and hit the foothill wineries in the Shenandoah Valley up out of Sacramento. We will run a group of Pcars up there periodically and have a great time.

Amador Wineries Map - Personalize Winery Map For Your Interests

[nvnovrts]

I live up-valley (Napa) and work at a winery down valley. Highway 29 sucks but the upper part of Siverado trail is fun. PM me for some recomendations on wineries. Weekdays are still ok even during peak season, weekends are crazy.

[trekkor]

Yes, there are many nice places to visit that are where the crowds go.
There are about 10 wineries within 5 minutes from my house.

Artessa and Domaine Carneros are two of the more well known.

I'm five minutes from the Sonoma County line and fifteen minutes from Infineon Raceway.

Stop by and say hello!


KT

[Tobra]

If you rent a car like that and go to Napa

Oakville Grade

Be mindful that August in Napa could be sweltering hot

WAY better roads in Amador Co, in Fairplay, Fitzpatrick Winery has a little bed and breakfast setup, nice view from the deck, sort of a long dirt road up there though, looks just like this

Lodge, prior shot from the deck on the right, facing to the right. The guys in the Mercedes with the black hood were jerks

more vines and cars, that is Lapawuli's blue Fiat coupe in the middle, for any of you 914 or Fiat guys from the Bay Area, he's been gone five years now. Forget who belonged to the mint color 911

[Joe Bob]

Nobody goes there anymore, too crowded.

Yogi