Planning for BottleRock Napa Valley

Slightly aerial view of BottleRock festival. The foreground is filled with people and a stage is seen in the distance.
Photo by Clayton Humphries

For just over a decade, BottleRock Napa Valley has annually brought a substantial number of visitors to the Napa Valley area to enjoy wine, music, and culinary delights, and to spot favorite chefs and celebrities. This year, close to 100,000 guests are expected for the three-day festival, May 24-26, 2024.

Code 3 Transportation will be there to assure our clients arrive and depart in comfort and style. Because anytime you have that number of people converging in one location, you can almost always guarantee one thing…you guessed it. Traffic. 

As we plan our routes and assist our clients in their itineraries for BottleRock Napa Valley 2024, we figured we could offer a few tips for others in the planning process.

Who is playing at BottleRock Napa Valley 2024? 

Acts this year range from Ed Sheeran and Pearl Jam to Stevie Nicks, Norah Jones, and Megan Thee Stallion. Talk about variety. Click here to view the full Bottle Rock lineup. 

What do you wear to BottleRock Napa Valley 2024? 

We always suggest you dress for the variable California weather, which means layers! Days can be warm and nights cool, so be ready to don or shed layers. We also recommend comfortable shoes for walking from event to event, and you might consider a hat and sunscreen. 

Stay aware of the bag policy, and consider renting a locker. With a locker rental you receive access to the locker and cell charging stations throughout your time. Reserve one for 2024 here.

Otherwise, the Festival does not permit any bags larger than 12”L x 6”W x12”L, and any bags larger than 6”x9” must be clear. Lanes are typically available for guests entering with no bags. For more efficient entrance, consider a clear bag, or no bag. More details are provided here. 

What is BottleRock Afterdark?

The BottleRock festival takes place in an area with a pretty strict sound ordinance. You’ll notice all events stop at 10 p.m. The party continues with BottleRock Afterdark, with concerts held around the Bay Area. Venues are typically in San Francisco and Napa, as well as Berkeley, Novato, San Jose, Sacramento, and more. Tickets for Afterdark concerts can be found here. 

How do I ensure my experience with BottleRock Napa Valley 2024 is as stress-free and enjoyable as possible? 

Often, stress surrounding events like these are associated with your arrival and departure – driving, parking, etc. BottleRock Napa Valley provides bus shuttles to assist. Noël Burgess writing for Forbes about BottleRock offers this pro-tip, “Napa is not San Francisco or Oakland when it comes to Lyft or Uber. You could be waiting for hours (if they come at all) if you try to use an app-based ride share. If you’re driving, be extra cautious as there are thousands walking around after the festival ends. Parking further away from downtown and walking to your car is safer if you can’t score a spot in a BottleRock parking lot.”

Another thing to consider is eliminating these uncertainties by reserving personal transportation in advance with a company like Code 3 Transportation. 

How do I know what is happening and when at BottleRock Napa Valley? 

There are a lot of online resources available, including BottleRock’s primary website. You can also download the BottleRock app for iPhone or Android to build your schedule and plan out your one or three days at the Festival. 

BottleRock Napa Valley is a popular three-day festival for a reason – music, wine, culinary events, and more. Help create a stress-free experience by planning in advance, and consider booking transportation in advance to be sure you aren’t stuck walking the Bay Area in search of a concert Afterdark.