The American Canyon center point is around the area of Downtown American Canyon and 2 miles north of Six Flags Discovery Kingdom.
Peak tourist season in the area begins in August and lasts until October, corresponding with the annual grape harvest. If you want to avoid the higher prices that come with peak season, you should plan your stay for anytime between November and May. You'll save money on the cost of hotel rooms, meals, drinks, and even winery tour packages. And coming in during the end of the harvest season gives you the opportunity to catch the harvest as it's winding down and enjoy the beauty of Napa Valley in fall.
Alternatively, you can come to the area during spring to see the flowers in bloom and the vines beginning to sprout their leaves, but you want to schedule your trip for as close to May as possible. The region gets unreliable weather patterns, and the likelihood of getting rained out for the day is very high. The region sees an average of 3.5 inches of rain each month so make sure to bring an umbrella along, just in case.
American Canyon is located 46 feet above sea level, which means the weather is going to be more like the northern states of Oregon and Washington than that of Southern California. Temperatures in the winter can get as low as 37 degrees overnight and as high as 55 during the day. Peak temperatures aren't until April, when temps start climbing toward 70 degrees during the day and 50 at night. You're going to need some layers to stay warm even in summertime as the average lows are in the 60s.
In the event you want to put up with the higher cost of touring the area during harvest season, you'll find it worth the price. There are lots of interesting things to do, like watch the grape harvest and the beginning of wine making. Visitors get to participate in wine tastings at each vineyard, but there's the added attraction of experiencing picking grapes by hand and smashing them into wine with your bare feet.
You can save more money on your trip to American Canyon by using discounts that some hotels offer. The Fairfield Inn & Suites and Holiday Inn Express & Suites both offer a AAA discount of at least 5 percent, plus you can earn member points when booking a stay. The DoubleTree by Hilton also offers a 5 percent discount for AAA members, and amenities like the spa and fitness room make this hotel very attractive indeed.
There are quite a few mid-range hotels to choose from that offer a good bang for your buck. A couple miles south of American Canyon is the Courtyard by Marriott Vallejo Napa Valley. Not only is it close to American Canyon, it's also across the street from Six Flags Discovery Kingdom and the Solano County Fairgrounds, making it perfect for a family-friendly vacation. Rooms feature a king-size bed along with a sofa bed, a mini-fridge to keep everyone's drinks and snacks cold, free wireless high-speed internet to make sure everyone stays connected, and a flat screen TV with premium movie channels.
Vino Bello Resort is a full service resort of recent vintage. Its rooms are attractively priced and full of amenities that make it a great value. Rooms come in studio and suite sizes, and there are condominium-style rooms with one and two bedrooms for larger groups. Suites come with two double beds and accommodate up to four people. The bathrooms are equipped with jetted tubs for a relaxing massage, and there's access to Spa Terra at the adjacent Meritage Resort. There's a kitchenette with dining area so you can save money on your meals and eat in the room, or you can head to the dining room and enjoy a the luxury of having someone prepare you your meal. There's also a private patio or balcony with furniture so you can relax and enjoy a sip of something while watching the world go by.
American Canyon is a perfect location from which to explore the area. Hotels are reasonably priced, and some offer a spa experience for pampering. Head over to the wineries during the day, and come back to relax in your room afterward. Maybe plan a day trip to San Francisco to see Fisherman's Wharf. If you're traveling with kids, take them to one of the many nearby state parks to see the beauty of nature, and make a stop at Six Flags for those thrill rides. There's a lot to do in American Canyon and plenty of hotels to help you make the trip fantastic.
Below are reviews of the city of American Canyon, CA from an actual visitor's perspective.
Visiting friends
This was my first visit to American Canyon. I love the city. I love the convenience of the vendors near the hotel. Very nice city.
Has old town charm with new stores and easy access to wine country and waterfronts.
The city was cute!
The hotel was right by the Six Flags!