Updated for 2026 with current winery policies, restaurant openings, and seasonal recommendations.

Dog-Friendly Napa Valley: Wine Country With Your Dog

Napa Valley and dogs go together better than most people expect. Behind the white tablecloths and $200 tasting fees, Napa has a deeply agricultural soul — and agricultural communities tend to love dogs. My golden retriever Oakley has joined me on three Napa trips now, and each time I have been surprised by how warmly he has been received at wineries, restaurants, and hotels throughout the valley.

That said, not every winery in Napa allows dogs, and the ones that do often have specific rules about where dogs can go. This guide maps out the best dog-friendly wineries, restaurants, hotels, and outdoor activities in Napa Valley so you can plan a trip that works for both the wine lover and the dog lover in your household.

Dog-Friendly Wineries and Tasting Rooms

Approximately 30 to 40 percent of Napa Valley wineries welcome dogs, though the exact number fluctuates as policies change. The key is to always call ahead or check the winery’s website before arriving — showing up unannounced with a dog at a winery that does not allow pets is awkward for everyone.

Best Dog-Friendly Wineries

Mutt Lynch Winery This winery’s name tells you everything you need to know about their dog policy. Mutt Lynch has been dog-friendly since its founding, and every wine in their lineup has a dog-themed name. Dogs are welcome in the tasting room and on the patio. They maintain a bowl of water and treats at the entrance, and the walls are covered with photos of guests’ dogs.

• Location: Downtown Napa
• Tasting fee: $25
• Reservations: Walk-ins welcome
• Dog rules: Leashed, well-behaved dogs welcome inside and on the patio

V. Sattui Winery One of the most visited wineries in Napa, V. Sattui has a sprawling picnic ground that is perfectly dog-friendly. Buy wine and deli items from their on-site Italian deli, grab a table under the oak trees, and enjoy a leisurely lunch with your dog. The tasting room itself does not allow dogs, but the outdoor areas are excellent.

• Location: St. Helena
• Tasting fee: $30 (waived with purchase)
• Reservations: Not required for picnic grounds
• Dog rules: Leashed dogs welcome on picnic grounds and outdoor areas; not inside the tasting room

Frog’s Leap Winery Frog’s Leap is an organic and biodynamic winery with beautiful gardens and a relaxed tasting experience. Dogs are welcome on the outdoor patio during tastings, and the staff is genuinely enthusiastic about canine visitors. The property has shade, water, and enough space for your dog to relax while you taste.

• Location: Rutherford
• Tasting fee: $45
• Reservations: Required
• Dog rules: Leashed dogs welcome on the patio; call ahead to confirm

Honig Vineyard and Winery Honig is a family-owned winery with a strong sustainability focus and a welcoming attitude toward dogs. Their tasting experience takes place on a lovely outdoor patio overlooking the vineyards. Dogs are welcome and the staff often brings out water bowls without being asked.

• Location: Rutherford
• Tasting fee: $40
• Reservations: Required
• Dog rules: Well-behaved, leashed dogs welcome on the patio

Clos Du Val This Stags Leap District winery has a beautiful outdoor tasting area where dogs are welcome. The wine is excellent (their Cabernet Sauvignon is consistently outstanding), and the relaxed atmosphere makes it easy to enjoy a tasting with your dog beside you.

• Location: Napa (Stags Leap District)
• Tasting fee: $50
• Reservations: Required
• Dog rules: Leashed dogs welcome in outdoor areas

Winery Etiquette With Your Dog

• Always ask before entering any building. Even at dog-friendly wineries, indoor access for dogs may be limited.
• Bring a mat or blanket. Having a designated spot for your dog to lie on during tastings makes the experience more comfortable for everyone.
• Keep your dog on a short leash. Vineyards have expensive equipment, delicate vines, and other guests’ wine glasses at dog-nose height.
• Do not let your dog drink wine. This sounds obvious, but grapes and alcohol are both toxic to dogs. Keep glasses out of reach.
• Clean up immediately. Bring poop bags and be ready to handle any accidents on the spot.
• Visit during off-peak times. Weekday mornings are quieter and more enjoyable for dogs than Saturday afternoons.

Dog-Friendly Restaurants

Napa’s dining scene has embraced outdoor dining year-round, thanks to California’s generally pleasant climate. Many of the valley’s best restaurants have patios where dogs are welcome.

Top Dog-Friendly Dining

Gott’s Roadside (St. Helena and Napa) This beloved roadside stand serves elevated American classics — burgers, ahi tuna tacos, garlic fries — and has a large outdoor seating area that is completely dog-friendly. The food is excellent, the vibe is casual, and dogs are genuinely welcome. This is where I take Oakley for lunch on every Napa trip.

• Cuisine: American casual
• Price range: $15-$25 per person
• Dog access: Outdoor seating
• Water bowls: Usually available

Oxbow Public Market (Downtown Napa) The outdoor seating areas around Oxbow Public Market welcome dogs, and the market’s vendors offer everything from oysters to artisan tacos to wood-fired pizza. Buy food from multiple vendors and eat at the communal outdoor tables with your dog at your feet. Indoor access is not dog-friendly, so you will need to take turns going inside if traveling with a partner.

• Cuisine: Multi-vendor market
• Price range: $10-$30 per person
• Dog access: Outdoor areas only
• Best for: Lunch or casual dinner

Brasswood Bar and Bakery (St. Helena) Brasswood has a gorgeous patio that welcomes dogs and serves excellent brunch, lunch, and dinner. The Mediterranean-inspired menu features local ingredients, and the setting is pure wine country elegance.

• Cuisine: Mediterranean-Californian
• Price range: $25-$50 per person
• Dog access: Patio seating
• Reservations: Recommended, mention dog when booking

Bistro Don Giovanni (Napa) This long-running Napa favorite has a beautiful patio overlooking vineyards. Dogs are welcome at patio tables, and the Italian-Californian cuisine is consistently excellent. The wood-fired pizzas and handmade pastas are standouts.

• Cuisine: Italian-Californian
• Price range: $25-$45 per person
• Dog access: Patio seating
• Reservations: Essential on weekends

Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch (St. Helena) Farmstead’s expansive patio is dog-friendly and overlooks their working farm. The farm-to-table menu is outstanding, with much of the produce and meat coming from their own property. Dogs receive water bowls, and the staff is unfailingly welcoming.

• Cuisine: Farm-to-table American
• Price range: $30-$55 per person
• Dog access: Patio seating
• Reservations: Highly recommended

Dog-Friendly Hotels and Accommodations

Hotels

The Westin Verasa Napa The Westin’s pet policy is among the most generous in Napa. Dogs of any size are welcome with no weight limit, and the hotel provides a dog bed, food and water bowls, and a “dog-in-room” door hanger. The location on the Napa River walk is perfect for morning and evening dog walks.

• Pet fee: $50 per night
• Weight limit: None
• Amenities: Dog bed, bowls, waste bags
• Location: Downtown Napa, riverfront

Harvest Inn by Charlie Palmer (St. Helena) This luxury inn has 8 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds that are perfect for dog walks. The pet-friendly rooms are spacious, and dogs receive a welcome kit with treats, bowls, and a plush toy. The property is adjacent to the Napa Valley Vine Trail, making it easy to get morning exercise.

• Pet fee: $75 per night
• Weight limit: 80 lbs
• Amenities: Welcome kit, grounds access, nearby trail
• Location: St. Helena

Napa Valley Marriott Hotel and Spa The Marriott allows dogs up to 50 pounds for a one-time fee. The property has a nice walking area around the grounds, and it is centrally located for winery visits throughout the valley.

• Pet fee: $100 per stay
• Weight limit: 50 lbs
• Location: Central Napa

Vacation Rentals

Vacation rentals are often the best option for dog owners in Napa. A rental with a fenced yard gives your dog freedom and space that no hotel can match. Search Vrbo and Airbnb with the pet filter enabled, and focus on properties in St. Helena, Yountville, and Calistoga for the best combination of wine access and dog-friendly outdoor space.

Typical pet fees for Napa vacation rentals range from $75 to $200 per stay.

Outdoor Activities With Your Dog

Napa Valley Vine Trail

The Vine Trail is a paved multi-use path that runs through the heart of Napa Valley, connecting downtown Napa to Yountville and eventually to Calistoga. Dogs on leash are welcome on the trail, and it is perfect for morning runs, evening walks, and casual strolls between wine tastings.

• Surface: Paved
• Distance: Currently 12.5 miles (expanding)
• Dog rules: Leashed at all times
• Best section: Napa to Yountville (6 miles one way)

Skyline Wilderness Park

Located on the eastern edge of Napa, Skyline Wilderness Park offers over 25 miles of trails through oak woodlands and grasslands. Dogs on leash are welcome on all trails. The park is never crowded, even on weekends, making it a great option for dogs that prefer quiet spaces.

• Entrance fee: $5 per car
• Trail difficulty: Easy to moderate
• Dog rules: Leashed on all trails
• Highlight: The Buckeye Trail has beautiful valley views

Bothe-Napa Valley State Park

This state park between St. Helena and Calistoga has hiking trails through coastal redwoods, a swimming pool (humans only), and campsites. Dogs are allowed on paved roads and in the campground but not on most trails — check the current trail map for dog-accessible routes.

• Entrance fee: $8 per car
• Dog rules: Leashed on paved areas and in campground; limited trail access
• Camping: Available with reservations

Alston Park (Napa)

Alston Park has a dedicated off-leash dog area within the larger park, plus leashed trails through rolling hills. It is the best off-leash option within the city of Napa and a great place to burn off energy before or after wine tasting.

• Entrance fee: Free
• Size: 157 acres total, designated off-leash area
• Dog rules: Off-leash in designated area, leashed elsewhere

Planning Your Dog-Friendly Napa Itinerary

Sample 3-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Downtown Napa and Southern Valley

• Morning: Walk the Vine Trail from downtown to Yountville (6 miles round trip)
• Late morning: Tasting at Clos Du Val (patio, dogs welcome)
• Lunch: Gott’s Roadside (outdoor seating)
• Afternoon: Tasting at Mutt Lynch Winery
• Evening: Dinner on the patio at Bistro Don Giovanni

Day 2: St. Helena and Mid-Valley

• Morning: Hike at Skyline Wilderness Park (2-3 hours)
• Late morning: Tasting at Frog’s Leap (patio, reservations required)
• Lunch: Picnic at V. Sattui (buy from their deli)
• Afternoon: Walk through downtown St. Helena (many shops allow dogs)
• Evening: Dinner at Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch (patio)

Day 3: Calistoga and Northern Valley

• Morning: Walk the Oat Hill Mine Trail from Calistoga (leashed dogs welcome)
• Late morning: Tasting at Honig Vineyard (patio)
• Lunch: Calistoga Inn and Brewery (dog-friendly patio)
• Afternoon: Drive the Silverado Trail with scenic stops
• Evening: Casual dinner at Oxbow Public Market (outdoor seating)

Seasonal Considerations

Spring (March-May): The best season for dog-friendly Napa travel. Wildflowers are blooming, temperatures are mild (60-75 degrees), and wineries are less crowded than summer and fall.

Summer (June-August): Hot. Temperatures regularly exceed 95 degrees, making outdoor tastings uncomfortable for dogs and potentially dangerous. Review the AKC’s heat safety tips before planning a summer visit. If you visit in summer, schedule winery visits for early morning and retreat to air-conditioned spaces by noon.

Fall (September-November): Harvest season. Wineries are busiest, roads are congested, and some dog-friendly outdoor spaces may be closed for harvest activities. It is beautiful, but plan for crowds.

Winter (December-February): Cool and quiet. Some wineries have reduced hours, but the lack of crowds means a more relaxed experience. Temperatures range from 40 to 60 degrees — perfect for dogs.

Tips for Wine Tasting With Dogs

1. Designate a driver and a dog handler. If you are tasting, have your partner manage the dog, and switch roles at the next winery.

2. Bring a travel crate or mat. Your dog needs a designated spot during tastings. A crate in the car (with the engine running for climate control) or a mat under the table both work.

3. Limit your tastings. Three wineries in a day is plenty when you have a dog. Rushing between appointments increases stress for everyone.

4. Hydrate your dog. Carry water and a bowl. The Napa Valley can be warm even in spring and fall.

5. Know your dog’s limits. If your dog is showing signs of boredom or stress, cut the day short. There is always tomorrow.

Final Thoughts

Napa Valley is genuinely dog-friendly in a way that surprises many first-time visitors. The agricultural roots, the outdoor dining culture, and the relaxed pace of wine country combine to create an environment where dogs are welcomed and appreciated. You will not be able to visit every winery or dine at every Michelin-starred restaurant, but that is true even without a dog. What you will find is a slower, more deliberate experience — mornings on the Vine Trail, afternoons on a winery patio, evenings at a farm-to-table restaurant with your best friend at your feet and a glass of world-class wine in your hand.

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