A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Napa Valley vs. Hood River for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Napa Valley or Hood River?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Napa Valley and Hood River can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Napa Valley or Hood River?

Napa Valley

Napa Valley, in the Bay Area of California, is a popular destination for its wineries and beautiful scenery. The area, referred to as Wine Country, is just north of San Francisco and makes for a great day or weekend trip. Many honeymooners visit the area for its romantic setting and popular bed and breakfasts. The best time to visit is during the months of September and October when the grapes are wipe. This time is referred to as the harvest "crush." The summer months are also a popular time but the crowds are often overwhelming.

Hood River

The city of Hood River is the seat of Hood River County, Oregon, United States. It is a port on the Columbia River, and is named for the nearby Hood River. The dynamic town of Hood River is one of the best windsurfing and kiteboarding destinations in the world. Strong river currents, prevailing westerly winds and a vast body of water provide the perfect conditions for these wind sports, attracting sometimes hundreds of photogenic enthusiasts who zip back and forth across the wide Columbia River.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage.


Which place is cheaper, Hood River or Napa Valley?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Napa Valley is $288, while the average daily cost in Hood River is $145. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Napa Valley and Hood River in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Napa Valley $126
    Hood River $78
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Napa Valley $252
    Hood River $156
Compare Hotels in Napa Valley and Hood River

Looking for a hotel in Napa Valley or Hood River? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Napa Valley


Hotels in Hood River


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Napa Valley Hotel Prices and Hood River Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Napa Valley $183
    Hood River $46

Is it cheaper to fly into Napa Valley or Hood River?

Prices for flights to both Hood River and Napa Valley change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Napa Valley $62
    Hood River $40

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Napa Valley $28
    Hood River $18

Tours and Activities in Napa Valley

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Napa Valley.

  • #1 Sonoma Walking Food, Wine & History Tour (Small Groups): $179
  • 3 hr Guided Wine Country Tour in Sonoma on Electric Trike: $175
  • Behind-the-Scenes Food and Wine E-Bike or Regular Bike Tour: $179
  • Full-Day Napa Valley E-Bike Tour: $225
  • Half Day Bike Tour: $139
  • Half Day Tour: $139
  • Half-Day Napa Valley E-Bike Tour: $184
  • Napa Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $25
  • Napa Valley - River History Kayak Tour - 2 person Tandem : $158
  • Napa Valley - River History Kayak Tour - Single Kayaks: $79
  • Napa Valley Wineries Tour Including Picnic Lunch: $125
  • Napa and Sonoma Wine and Food Experience (Napa pickup): $109

Tours and Activities in Hood River

For Hood River, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Gift Basket Factory Tour: $31
  • Orchard Tour: $31
  • Railbikes Experience: $211
  • Portland: Multnomah Falls Scenic Air Tour: $199

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Napa Valley $66
    Hood River $19

Sample the Local Flavors in Napa Valley

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Napa Valley:

  • Napa Private Wine Tour: $35
  • 6 Hour Wine Tour in Napa & Sonoma with Pick-Up from Napa: $109
  • Napa Cable Car Wine Tasting Tour: $129
  • Sonoma Valley Bike and Wine Tour (E-bike or Regular): $189
  • Intro to Wine Tasting with Napa Sommelière : $195
  • Healdsburg Cycling Wine Tour : $199
  • Affordable Wine Tour in Napa and Sonoma: $200
  • Yountville Food and Wine Tour in Napa: $275
  • Private, Customized Sonoma Valley Wine Tour: $300


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Napa Valley and Hood River, we can see that Napa Valley is more expensive. And not only is Hood River much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hood River would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hood River and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Napa Valley would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Napa Valley than you might in Hood River.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Napa Valley Expensive? and Is Hood River Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Napa Valley or Hood River?

Napa Valley has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Hood River. When comparing the sizes of Napa Valley and Hood River, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Napa Valley or Hood River?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Napa Valley or Hood River in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Napa Valley and Hood River. Many travelers come to Napa Valley for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Napa Valley is generally a little warmer than Hood River. Daily temperatures in Napa Valley average around 73°F (23°C), and Hood River fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hood River this time of the year. In Napa Valley, it's very sunny this time of the year. Napa Valley usually receives more sunshine than Hood River during summer. Napa Valley gets 439 hours of sunny skies, while Hood River receives 338 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Napa Valley usually receives less rain than Hood River. Napa Valley gets 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain, while Hood River receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Napa Valley 73°F (23°C) 
    Hood River 68°F (20°C)

Should I visit Napa Valley or Hood River in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Napa Valley as well as Hood River. Many visitors come to Napa Valley in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Napa Valley is a little warmer than Hood River in the autumn. The daily temperature in Napa Valley averages around 62°F (17°C) in October, and Hood River fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Napa Valley this time of the year. In the autumn, Napa Valley often gets more sunshine than Hood River. Napa Valley gets 300 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hood River receives 155 hours of full sun.

Napa Valley usually gets less rain in October than Hood River. Napa Valley gets 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain, while Hood River receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Napa Valley 62°F (17°C) 
    Hood River 55°F (13°C)

Should I visit Napa Valley or Hood River in the Winter?

Both Hood River and Napa Valley are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Napa Valley for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

The weather in Hood River can be very cold. In the winter, Napa Valley is much warmer than Hood River. Typically, the winter temperatures in Napa Valley in January average around 46°F (8°C), and Hood River averages at about 40°F (4°C).

Napa Valley usually receives more sunshine than Hood River during winter. Napa Valley gets 149 hours of sunny skies, while Hood River receives 86 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hood River. In January, Napa Valley usually receives less rain than Hood River. Napa Valley gets 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain, while Hood River receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Napa Valley 46°F (8°C) 
    Hood River 40°F (4°C)

Should I visit Napa Valley or Hood River in the Spring?

Both Hood River and Napa Valley during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Napa Valley because of the natural beauty.

In April, Napa Valley is generally a little warmer than Hood River. Daily temperatures in Napa Valley average around 56°F (13°C), and Hood River fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

In Hood River, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Napa Valley. In the spring, Napa Valley often gets more sunshine than Hood River. Napa Valley gets 328 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hood River receives 231 hours of full sun.

Napa Valley usually gets less rain in April than Hood River. Napa Valley gets 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain, while Hood River receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Napa Valley 56°F (13°C) 
    Hood River 51°F (11°C)

Typical Weather for Hood River and Napa Valley

Napa Valley Hood River
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 46°F (8°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm) 40°F (4°C) 5.2 inches (132 mm)
Feb 51°F (11°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm) 44°F (7°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Mar 54°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm) 47°F (9°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)
Apr 56°F (13°C) 1.2 inches (31 mm) 51°F (11°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm)
May 64°F (18°C) 0.2 inches (5 mm) 57°F (14°C) 2 inches (51 mm)
Jun 69°F (21°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm) 64°F (18°C) 1.5 inches (39 mm)
Jul 73°F (23°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm) 68°F (20°C) 0.7 inches (18 mm)
Aug 72°F (22°C) 0.1 inches (1 mm) 69°F (20°C) 1 inches (25 mm)
Sep 70°F (21°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm) 63°F (17°C) 1.7 inches (44 mm)
Oct 62°F (17°C) 1.3 inches (33 mm) 55°F (13°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm)
Nov 54°F (12°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm) 46°F (8°C) 5.4 inches (136 mm)
Dec 46°F (8°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 40°F (5°C) 6.1 inches (156 mm)