About
Cathy Perez, Napa Valley Itinerary Planner
I didn't grow up in Napa Valley, but I was a visitor for many years before becoming a part-time resident. I understand how overwhelming it can be to plan a great itinerary to Napa Valley, especially since researching and planning your visit can consume endless hours, leaving you feeling uncertain about your choices.
Take out the guesswork and let me assist you in streamlining your options!
I have carefully and thoughtfully learned about wineries of all sizes and types, and done the same for restaurants. I've immersed myself in the wine and food scene, and have access to small, boutique, family-owned wineries that create premium wines (and don't advertise). With so many choices of wineries and experiences, my recommendations are tailored to your personal preferences.
I design custom itineraries that include these hidden gems that are off-the-beaten-path (but not too far) and unique experiences. As a local, I know about opportunities that are not easily found through online searches. I design personalized itineraries, curating winery and restaurant recommendations to match each client's specific tastes, preferences, and budget.
Assistance from a Napa Valley Itinerary Planner
CUSTOM ITINERARIES
I specialize in custom itinerary planning by matching individual preferences, saving you time with personalized recommendations.
My bespoke itinerary will ensure exceptional value and is crafted to enhance your Napa Valley experience. I experience everything I suggest, book reservations just like any other consumer, and cover my expenses for travel, wine tasting, and dining.
WINERY AND RESTAURANT RECOMMENDATIONS
Exploring Napa Valley's ~ 500 wineries can be overwhelming. However, hidden among them, are numerous smaller, family-owned establishments that craft exceptional wines with limited production, but most do not show up in many searches.
I regularly visit wineries and restaurants to stay informed and provide reliable recommendations.
I'm passionate about finding wineries that are hidden gems! Over the past 4 years, I've checked out 50+ new wineries and re-visited half of them to taste their latest releases and ensure they're still top-notch. Additionally, I've enjoyed meals at 50+ different Napa Valley restaurants during this time, with repeat visits to stay in the loop with any changes. Consistency is key for my winery and restaurant recommendations!
ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE
OTHER ACTIVITIES: Napa Valley is full of wonderful activities beyond its delicious food and wine! With my local expertise, I love helping clients discover the perfect options for any time of year.
TRAFFIC: I leverage my regular travels between San Francisco and Napa Valley to provide insights on transportation and help navigate potential traffic concerns. My bespoke itinerary will provide you with the most efficient and safe routes in order to maximize your time and reduce any undue stress.
STOPOVERS: For short layovers, I provide personalized guidance and tips to explore San Francisco's attractions, dining, and sights.
What Clients are saying...
1-day Overnight Itinerary
“I turned to Cathy for recommendations when planning a trip to Napa to celebrate our first wedding anniversary in April. We’re not big wine drinkers and I had some ideas about the type of things we wanted to do, as well as our budget. Cathy was responsive and personable. In addition to food and wine options, she also suggested a timeframe for the activities, taking into consideration the closing times of businesses during that time of year. We loved the itinerary and have great memories of our first wedding anniversary!”
- D.P., Redwood City, CA
3-day Itinerary
“Cathy worked with me to come up with a realistic itinerary for a visit to St. Helena with 4 other couples. Our large party posed a challenge in terms of making reservations and her recommendations were ideal for us. Cathy suggested visiting a smaller, family-owned winery that we would not have known about and it turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip! She also gave us several tips including traffic patterns/timing which really helped us in the planning - and those tips weren’t found on-line. Her knowledge and experience as a local was valuable when making our plans.“
-Linda G., Minnesota
5-day Itinerary
"We took a much-anticipated trip to the Napa Valley with 3 other couples and found there was too much information to sift through on our own. Cathy was easy to work with and gave us thoughtful recommendations based on our preferences. She responded quickly to any questions and provided timely updates regarding recent changes. The information she shared with us saved us a lot of time in our planning process. As a result of her help, we had a fabulous vacation.”
-Terri Coulter, Missouri