Hire a Napa Valley Driver or Book a Tour | Local Wally's Napa Tourist Guide
NEW! Hire a driver or do a tour to see the BEST of Napa without driving your car and no DUI. Local Wally stamps his approval on Napa's best tour guides.
Getting around Napa When Wine Tasting
Hiring Napa Drivers and Tours for Wine Tasting
Sorry to be a buzz killer but it's easy to over indulge when wine tasting in Napa. I know, you’re thinking you will just take tiny sips and dump out the rest but trust me, that NEVER happens! Does your dog ever turn down treats? Do you really believe you’ll have the will power to say no to another splash of cab? Before you know it those tiny sips add up to giant goblets of wine and you’re trading the fancy resort for a bunk bed at the county jail.
What about Uber? Yes, in theory it could work. But in reality finding an Uber in Napa is harder than finding a free tasting. And remember, you need to be “on time” to your winery reservations. Do you really want to stress out at every winery stop staring at your phone and watching the little Uber car icon crawl on the map when you need to be on our way right now?
Buses, trolleys, wine train - no bueno either.
The solution is simple - hire a driver. A personal driver is yours for the day, making sure you arrive on time, leave on time, and stay safe throughout your day. Doesn’t that sound more fun than worrying about being pulled over or being late every time?
I’ve been working with drivers for years now and know that picking a good driver is nearly as hard as picking wineries. Don’t take a chance - let me refer you to drivers who have a long track record of doing a good job, folks who have driven a lot of my readers, Napa locals who know Napa! There’s no charge, of course - email me for more info. I’ll connect you with my Preferred Drivers and you can work out the details with them - whether you’re looking for someone to drive your rental or a professional driver for a corporate event, I can refer you to the right driver for your needs and budget.
Bachelorette Party? Yes, I can help! Whether you want a fancy party limo or a straightforward shuttle, I can connect you with drivers and companies at all different price ranges. And you do know I can help you with wineries as well, all for no charge - just reach out to me.
NEW FOR 2023! LET US MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS!
If the thought of picking out wineries and calling to make reservations is making you overwhelmed then hand the reins over to me and let me connect you with drivers who offer full service planning, from planning to reserving, all included in their driving rates. Email me for more info - this is so easy!
Cruising Napa in a … Tuk Tuk???
You’re not usual. In fact, maybe you’re unusual. And that makes you a perfect fit for touring Napa in a Tuk Tuk, an electric version of a rickshaw that takes your Napa experience to a whole new level.
Think of this as a Magical Napa Mystery Tour where the experience is the experience, from finding hidden wineries to gourmet picnics in the vineyards. No touristy stops, this is an elevated wine and food experience with chef prepared meals, award-winning wines and open-air transportation.
Half day, full day, groups up to 6, whether you’re a wine connoisseur or a weekend wine lover each experience is custom designed just for you - and you’re going to love it!
local Wally’s preferred drivers
There are a ton of drivers out there but only a handful make it to my Preferred Driver’s list. Drivers I recommend are hand selected and come with a long track record of excellent service, friendliness, good reviews, and reasonable rates. Basically, these are people I trust to drive my readers and do a good job, people I like hanging out with. Nice people. Dependable.
And I’ve selected drivers in different categories and price points, from those who can legally drive your rental to luxury limos and all the way up to large vehicles for corporate groups or bachlorette parties.
WANT A DRIVER WHO MAKES YOUR RESERVATIONS? Most drivers won’t make reservations for you or will charge outrageous fees to plan it out, but I have drivers who will do this for no additional cost. Email me to be connected - it’s that easy!
NEW - RENTAL DRIVER FOR 20? Drivers with commercial licenses and the proper insurance to drive large groups are few and far between but new driver Greg can do these sort of large groups. Check with him on the details, of course. Email Greg for more info.
Meet Nick From Trinity SF Bay Tours
√ Some of the best rates in Napa √ Can pick up in the Bay Area √ Bachelorette Parties his specialty! √ Free bottle of Sparkling Wine if you book through my link
Nick was one of my original drivers and has a long track record of friendly service and excellent rates. He owns Trinity SF Bay Tours and can host any group size from 2 to 9. Nick spent his childhood growing up in Napa and is a wealth of knowledge on the area and takes hospitality and friendliness to a new level. Read his TripAdvisor Reviews - Spoiler alert: All excellent!
Nick was AMAZING! Cannot recommend enough. He got us to all of the amazing wineries, picked up lunch for us, and made us mimosas. Book him! You won’t regret it.
BEST FOR: Couples and small groups who want the best pricing. Nick is a super nice guy, very personable, and always on time.
Meet Melissa From A Drive for Wine Co.
√ Super Nice SUV that seats 6 √ Makes Your Reservations √ Napa, Sonoma, Russian River Expert √ Expert Tour Guide, Not Just a Driver
A Napa local with a passion for the stories of wine country, Melissa excels in customizing the perfect day for guests. From iconic, historic wineries ideal for first timers to hidden gems away from the crowds, Melissa will work with you to tailor the day to make your dream trip to Napa come true. Best yet, Melissa will even make your reservations, something very few drives will do and a huge time saver.
Melissa is such a delight! She recommended amazing wineries that we would not have found on our own and even make the reservations for us, all included!
BEST FOR: Those looking for the ultimate guided tour of Napa for a good price. If you want an entertaining tour guide who knows all the Napa stories, book Melissa. She also helps with itineraries and can even make your reservations for you, a huge time saver. Groups of 6 or less.
Meet Rod From Napa Driver Tours
√ Can Legally Drive Rentals √ Trip Planning and Reservation Service Included √ Extensive wine and winery background √ Highly competitive Rates
There are plenty of drivers in Napa who claim they can legally drive rentals, but Rod is the only one who posts his documents online so you can feel confident that you are protected. Rod also can help you plan out your itinerary and will even make the reservations for you - yes, that is not a misprint! This is HUGE!
Wow, what a great value! Rod and Wally helped us pick wineries and then Rod made the reservations. We just had to show up and enjoy our day. What a treat!
BEST FOR: Those on a tighter budget who are looking for a driver with rates that don’t break the bank but also want a courteous and knowledgeable driver. If you have a rental, you need to check with Rod for his rates.
Meet Napa Valley Wine Country Tours
√ Wine Taste in Style! √ 19 person Convertible √ Limo style shuttles √ Luxurious SUV
When you want to visit Napa is luxurious style, pick Vine Country Transportation. They everything from town cars to limos to a 55 person coach and even offer complete tour packages for bachelorette parties and corporate events. Best yet, George is one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet and makes a fun day in Napa or Sonoma even more enjoyable!
This has to be by far, hands down best wine tasting tour experience ever had! Our driver George was AMAZING, he made the day PERFECT. He is super nice, attentive and outgoing.
BEST FOR: From couples to groups, Napa Valley Vine Country Tours has a number of vehicles (and drivers) with rates that are very fair for a large transportation company. Their convertible large shuttle (yes, convertible!) makes getting there half the fun, especially for bachlorette parties.
Meet Napa Sonoma Wine Tasting Driver
√ Sedans to Limos to Mini Buses √ Various Drivers Means More Availability √ Excellent Rates √ Great for Corporate and Wedding Events
With a host of professional drivers and a multitude of vehicle styles and sizes, you’ll find the right combination of style and value when you book with Napa Sonoma Wine Tasting Driver. They have vehicles in Napa, the Bay Area, even Sacramento so pickups are easy and cost effective.
We needed a professional driving company for our corporate team event. Napa Sonoma Wine Tasting Driver was perfect, a friendly driver who got us there on time and in style with good rates to boot!
BEST FOR: Large groups, airport or bay area pickups, really GREAT rates for a large transportation company. They also have smaller vehicles so if you forgot to make a driver reservation there’s a good chance they can help you out.
Meet Kelly, Napa Local Driver
√ Can drive your rental √ Previously a driver for Napa’s largest tour company
As a Napa local, Kelly knows Napa. But she also is an expert on Sonoma and the Russian River area and can custom design a wine tasting experience for you away from all of the crowds. Super nice and friendly, spending a day with Kelly is like hanging with your best friend.
Kelly is one of the nicest people we have ever met! She was on time, she kept us on time, and she was able to share some of her favorite wineries with us that we would have never found on our own! A gem!
BEST FOR: Budget focused visitors. Kelly is an independent driver who can drive your rental, or take you around in her sedan. Excellent rates, plus very knowledgeable on Napa and Sonoma since she was once a tour driver.
BONUS DRIVER: Not many drivers can legally drive rentals - if Kelly is booked check if this driver is available. She’s a Napa local and winery expert. Click to Email Her for Rates
Meet David from Napa Wine Project
√ Winery Expert who has visited over 1000 wineries √ Drives groups from 2 to 9
Sure, Dave can drive you around to your winery picks but he can also help custom design a deep dive experience for those looking for unique experiences, whether a romantic getaway or a wine buying safari. Expect incredible wines when Dave is helping you plan out your day.
Dave is a walking encyclopedia of information about the wineries, the people, the wines, and the history of the Valley. Thanks to his wealth of knowledge and contacts he customized a unique tour and provided us with diverse perspectives on the wine industry. I know that we would never have had such “behind-the-scenes” insight into the Valley without his tour.
BEST FOR: Wine lovers who want to deep dive into Napa. Dave really knows his wineries so if you need input picking out wineries that are off the beaten path then choose Dave. Excellent rates as well.
Meet Stu from Stu Lindon’s Wine Experience
√ Experienced tour guide for Napa, Sonoma, Russian River √ A wine lover who will share his deep knowledge of wine and wineries with you
Stu is a conduit between the winemakers and wine lovers, bringing fun and excitement to the stories he tells along the way. He knows his wines and Napa history and shares this with you throughout the day.
Stu was amazing! We wanted more than just a driver to get us from Point A to B and Stu helped us appreciate the history of the valley that really added a depth to our day that we would not have gotten with a “regular” driver.
BEST FOR: Small groups of 4 or less who want a more intimate experience of Napa, Sonoma or Russian River wine regions.
Meet Charles from Petaluma Gap Travel
√ Drive in your rental or ride in a new SUV √ Easy on the budget without sacrificing service and wine country knowledge.
Charles is a Certified Tourism Ambassador with Sonoma county and close personal friends with many of the wineries. Full service assistance to help you plan out your trip, at a price you can afford. Groups up to 6.
I almost chanced using Uber until I found Petaluma Gap Travel. For not much more and a lot less stress I was given VIP personal service, super friendly and affordable from wine experts who really knew what I was looking for.
BEST FOR: On a budget? That’s OK, Napa can get expensive so save some money and use Charles for top notch designated drivers who won’t compromise your vacation.
Meet Greg from Wine-Lyft
√ Designated Driver in your vehicle √ Commercially licensed driver for up to 20 people √ Expert photographer who can help document your experiences
Greg has over 6 years of experience in Napa, Sonoma and the Russian River area and a previous tour guide from on of Napa’s largest tour operators. He has personally visited over 300 wineries and can help you pick the best stops for your fun in wine country.
Greg has a passion for creating memorable experiences and the education and hospitality exceeded my expectations! I will absolutely be back again and highly recommend Greg!
BEST FOR: Do you have your own vehicle or plan on renting one? Whether you’re a large group or a romantic couple, let Greg take over the driving with his excellent low rates combined with knowledge of the area.
Meet Celest, Local Napa Driver
√ Designated Driver in your vehicle √ Low and affordable Rates. √ Drives your vehicle or rental
Trust a local to take you on a tour of Napa or Sonoma. Celest has been in the Napa transportation industry since 2010, mainly working as a tour guide for a large winery touring company. She loves wine, but her passion is the winery history which she can share with you along the way. Trust her to get you there on time and back safely and can even help you plan out your day.
Celest was awesome! She not only has great rates but she made our wine tasting day fun and relaxing and you can tell she really loves what she does.
BEST FOR: Coming to Napa in a rental car or driving your own vehicle? Use Celest as your designated driver, a Napa expert with super attractive rates.
My Standard Disclaimer on Drivers
While I am happy to connect you with drivers and can vouch that they have done a good job with my readers in the past it is up to you to verify their licenses, insurance, etc. I accept no liability for any driver mishaps. My role here is to simply connect you to drivers and you should do your own due diligence as to their qualifications and legalities. Does that pretty much cover it?
Wait… There’s More!
I have other drivers I can refer you to as well so just ask if you don’t see what you were looking for. Additionally, here are some other driving alternatives:
Join In Tours: Let me know if you just don’t want to hassle anything and want someone to pick you up and take you to wineries.
Napa Valley Wine Train: Get the discount on the Priority Wine Pass and use the train to take you to wineries. Click here to get it with my discount - you only need ONE pass only for every 4 people. It will be $39.99 and you’ll get the following Napa Wine Train discounts. You can also use the pass for two for one’s and other discounts - here’s the list of deals.
Legacy Tour: $35 off pp Sun-Fri. $10 off pp Saturdays. A group of 4 can get $140 off (minus the cost of the pass)!
Gourmet Lunch or Dinner Express: $25 off pp Sun-Fri. $10 off pp Saturdays
Can I Use Uber or Lyft Instead of Hiring a Driver?
Short answer, no. The problem is that because of Covid-19 wineries now require reservations - no more pop into the bar tastings. Many require your credit card to hold your spot. If you don’t show, you still get charged. If you arrive late, they’ll shorten your tasting. With tasting fees now at an all time high you don’t want to show up late. And that’s the problem with Uber and Lyft. Calling a ride share app means waiting, sometimes significantly and unpredictably longer than you thought. And using the app means you need a cell phone data connection which is often spotty when you get off the main roads. So unless you are only going to one winery or willing to schedule your winery stops hours apart “just in case”, using Uber is not recommended for winery transportation.
Planning a Bachlorette Party?
Don’t make the mistake of waiting too long to book your transportation. I know a number of transportation companies who can pick you up at the airport or any other location and will take good care of you throughout the day. Party bus? Limo? Or on a budget but don’t want it to show? I work with drivers and transportation companies at all price levels so just ask.
I can also help you plan out your event stop by stop, from finding wineries that can take large groups to figuring out your food or picnic options. Best yet, I don’t charge to help so reach out to me and I’ll get you going in the right direction.
NAPA TRANSPORTATION FAQ’S
How Much Does a Driver Cost?
The cheapest transportation are drivers who can (legally) drive your rental. Figure $50 to $55 per hour and most will charge a 6 hour minimum. As the vehicles get fancier and larger the prices go up - estimate $180 an hour for a large Sprinter, $350 an hour for a 32 person bus.
Before you decide to roll the dice and drive yourself a DUI in California will cost you approximately $15,000 after fees and penalties. Oh, and don’t forget that many employers can fire you for a DUI if driving is a job requirement.
Wait - Some drivers can legally drive a rental?
Yes, I work with some drivers who can provide you with insurance documents that show that they can legally drive your rental. However, I’m smart enough to say that I am not responsible for any claims and recommend that you do your own due diligence :-) I will warn you that there are plenty of part time drivers who can absolutely not legally drive but claim they can so do your homework.
I saw you can ride a trolley to wineries. And what about the vine bus?
The Napa Valley Wine Trolley is the fake trolley car on wheels that takes you to various wineries - you don’t get to pick which ones. It’s basically a wine tour company and at $125 per person, not including the winery tasting fees, it’s not much cheaper than a private driver for 6 hours. I’m not knocking it, it does look fun, but it’s not a cheaper way to get around Napa. As for the Vine Bus line, it seems more trouble than it’s worth and you still have the same issue of needing to be ON TIME and having to rearrange your day to make sure you can get to the bus on time.
can a driver pick me up at the airport?
Yes, but it’s expensive as you’ll be charged travel fees and time to drive from Napa to the airport and back. It’s best to rent a car to get from the airport to Napa and then use a driver to get you around.
can a driving company pick up my group in san francisco or another bay area location?
Yes, I do have companies that have vehicles around the bay area and Sacramento who specialize in corporate group pickups and can take you to Napa and back.
do drivers make my winery reservations?
Most drivers will not make winery reservations but I do have a couple of drivers who will so if this is important to you make sure you ask. Coming with a large group? I have friends at wineries who LOVE it when I send in big groups and happy to make everyone happy.
do you offer a full service TOUR?
Yes! I now have drivers who work with me and you to plan out your perfect agenda and will even call to make the reservations. If you are short on time just request Wally’s Full Service and leave the rest to us.
Disclaimer: While I am happy to help you connect with drivers and driving companies I am in no way implying or accepting any legal responsibilities for the drivers or their actions. Do your due diligence when selecting a driver.