Good time in a short time..!

I have a busy schedule this summer but I still need to have a life. Comparing with other summers in my life, this is one that I feel that I’m not having a life, because school and work but I still can say that I love my life and I love what I do, therefore I’m sure I’m not the only one feeling that way. 

So, I start thinking what can I do in a short time to have a good time? Napa Valley came to my mind..!! living in San Francisco and haven´t been there.. Am I the only one?

Napa Valley is world famous wine growing county. Do you like wine? Yes, no. extra information about wine will never hurt  anyone.  

Napa Valley is just an hour away from San Francisco driving north, How to get there? I will say that the easiest way is driving.. taking either the freeway 80 East and cross the bay bridge or taking the 101 North and start enjoying your trip crossing the Golden Gate bridge..! Therefore, it will take 20 to 40 minutes longer taking  the 101 N. Map.

If you don´t want to drive, get stuck in the traffic and lose time, there is also some same day tours that cost around $100 and $120 that  includes transportation from San Francisco to Napa Valley on shuttle and Bay cruise, picnic lunch and tours in 4 important wineries in Napa. The tour is around 8.5 hours so it can be really recommendable for one day off from work.

But to plan something longer which I will definitely do and recommend; you can start booking a room. Napa has more than 50 hotels including resorts, motels, spas, and bed and breakfast accommodations. Napa also has parks available for camping and RVs, if you want to add more adventure to your trip.

To find the best hotels deals you can always go on expedia.com or use booking.com to hold a room and there is also hoteltonight.com with really good deals. You can find rooms starting at $89 this summer. I will say that the last website could be a risky option but I think life suppose to be like that.

Another awesome thing of Napa is that they always have special events. We just need to set the date and look for the events. Here are some events for this weekend.

• July 20 -- Dance Gala
  Performing Arts: Dancers Yan Godovsky, Darya Khokhlova, and Ivan Alekseevfrom the Bolshoi Ballet, in their first-ever Napa Valley appearance, join the Russian National Orchestra for a magical evening of dance. Napa Valley Festival del Sole, Lincoln Theater - 100 California Dr., Yountville
  Fee: $45-95 Time: 6:00 p.m.       
• July 20 -- Rockin Down the Hiway
  Live Music: Rock & Roll, Country – in fact, ALL truly American music – has always had a lot of material concerning the criss-crossing and traveling around this great nation. The country roads, the highways, the big rigs, the road trips, hot rods, fast cars -- all have long been the subjects of songwriters. 530 Main St., Napa
  Fee: $15 Advance & $20 at the Door. Time: 8pm       
• July 20 -- Smokin’ Hot Cigar Party 
  Celebration: Smokin’ Hot Cigar Party at Baker Street Downtown, Fri. July 20, 2012. Featuring New Release - Romeo by Romeo - a fuller bodied cigar, but not too strong – rated 92 by Cigar Aficionado! Bourbon Tastings with Michter’s, Four Roses & John B. Stetson Bourbons, Hors d’oeuvres, prizes, camaderie & more! Free event 6-9:00pm. Fee: Free Time: 6:00pm-9:00pm 
• July 20 -- Muscat/Moscato Tasting
  Wine Tasting: The Muscat grape has taken the wine world by storm the past two years. Always a fan of the grape, Back Room Wines is pleased to present six superb examples of the grape. Dry, sweet, semi-sweet, sparkling, fortified....the grape takes many delicious forms. Come try them! First & Main Streets, Shop 120, Downtown Napa
  Fee: $10/Tasting. 10% off wines poured. Time: 5:00
• July 21 – Peju Haute Hoedown Wine, Food: Indulge your senses in a special selection of large format Peju wines and explore the diverse barbecue styles of the Carolinas, Texas and California. Then put your dancing boots to use as you boogie down to live entertainment in our beautiful H.B. vineyard setting. Peju Province Winery, 8466 St. Helena Hwy, Rutherford, CA
  Fee: $65 general/$55 wine club price Time: 6pm-8:30pm       
• July 21 -- The Pulsators
  Live Music: Rooted in the fertile musical soil of the Sonoma County Wine Country, The Pulsators are a five piece band that plays its own brand of music. 530 Main St., Napa
  Fee: $15 Advance & $20 at the Door Time: 8pm 
• July 21 - 22 -- July Vintage Aircraft Display
  Family Friendly: Saturday & Sunday - Vintage and Experimental Aircraft based at Napa County Airport will be on display. Meet at the front of the terminal building to be escorted to the display area. Terminal Building 2030 Airport Road, Napa, CA
  Fee: Free Time: 10:00am- 2:00pm Phone Number:             
•  July 22 -- Chill'n Sunday
  Live Music: Join us for music and great food! Featuring Johnny Smith. 610 First Street, Set 6, Napa
  Fee: Free Time: 4 p.m. 
• July 22 -- Richard Glazier @ Napa Valley Opera House
  Live Music: Glazier's passion for the rich cultural heritage of early 20th-century America led him to create special programs celebrating the era---the music, the composers, the performers, old-time Broadway shows and movie musicals. In these concerts, Glazier plays the piano and weaves in commentary on the history behind the songs. 1030 Main St., Napa
  Fee: $20 Time: 4 p.m.      
• July 22 -- Second Annual Mystery Writers' Panel 
  Seminar: Four "New York Times" best selling mystery writers - Robert Dugoni, John Lescroart, Sheldon Siegal & Alan Jacobson - will take questions from the audience and autograph books for sale on site. Reception will be at 5pm. Free admission. 6516 Yount Street, Yountville
  Fee: Free Admission Time: 6:15PM 

Too much information? Too many events? This is a list of just some of them, at least now you know you won´t be bored! You can also finish your weekend with a balloon trip..! if you have time and money you won´t regret.. it is usually between $190 and $230.

Do you want to go next weekend? Here is a link that can be really helpful to plan your next trip to Napa Valley and have fun..!

http://napavalley.com/