Napa & Sonoma Travelers Recommend

Wine lovers will not want to miss a trip to the Napa Valley’s counterpart: Sonoma. The area has a well-deserved reputation for producing some of America’s top wines with many producers offering tastings, and you can try them on a Sonoma wine tour. See below for the area’s top regions.

Sonoma Valley

The historic town of Sonoma and neighboring Glen Ellen have been producing wine for more than 100 years. Take a day trip from San Francisco to wineries such as BR Cohn, Buena Vista, Benziger, D'Agostini, and Ravenswood, or combine a winery tour with a visit to the famous island of Alcatraz or to Muir Woods.

Russian River Valley

Known for its cool breezes, tree canopies, and fog banks, the Russian River Valley is home to excellent pinot noir and chardonnay wines. The area extends almost to the Pacific Ocean, so a day trip here can be easily combined with a trip to the beach. Notable wineries include Martinelli Winery, Rodney Strong Vineyards/J Vineyards & Winery, and the Korbel Champagne Cellars—one of the only places outside of France’s Champagne region allowed to use the name Champagne to describe its sparkling wine, made in the French style.

Dry Creek Valley

With plenty of Italian influence that dates back to the 1800s, the Dry Creek Valley is known for producing high-quality Zinfandels in the old-world style. The charming towns of Healdsburg, Geyserville, and Cloverdale offer plenty of places to stop and sip, including Bella Vineyards & Wine Caves, Gustafson Family Vineyards, Ridge Lytton Springs, and Ferrari-Carano.

Alexander Valley

In the warm, dry eastern part of the valley bordering Napa, the Alexander Valley is known for making big wines like cabernet sauvignon. Producers include Silver Oak Cellars, Jordan Vineyard & Winery, and Francis Ford Coppola Winery, all excellent spots to spend a few hours sipping vino and exploring the large properties and winemaking facilities. Coppola is an especially great place to visit in summer thanks to its swimming pool and cabanas.

Enjoy a full Northern California wine country experience in just three days with a combination of tours and activities that highlight the wine, food, and natural attractions of Napa and Sonoma. Here are our favorite ways to create an itinerary that hits all the top wine country spots.

Day 1: Discover Napa Valley

Start the day with a sunrise hot-air balloon ride, which often includes a sparkling wine brunch afterward. Then take a ride on the Napa Valley Wine Trolley or Napa Valley Wine Train for a fun way to explore the area scenery. The train passes by towns such as Oakville and Rutherford with some tours include winery stops, while the trolley (a replica of a San Francisco cable car) makes tasting stops at wineries. For a VIP-style wine tasting experience, opt for a private winery tour by limo that can be tailored to your wine preferences. Alternatively, get to know the gourmet town of Yountville, home to The French Laundry, on a food and wine tour.

If you didn’t ride the Wine Train earlier in the day, an evening option with dinner is available, or head to Oxbow Public Market in downtown Napa to try food and drinks from an array of vendors that includes oysters, pizza, wine, coffee, cupcakes, and ice cream.

Day 2: Explore Sonoma County

Wine-tasting tours and other activities that introduce you to the delights of Sonoma County typically start midmorning and last through the afternoon. A small-group wine tour gives you the chance to visit wineries around Sonoma County without having to worry about driving yourself after tastings, or opt for a Segway tour to enjoy the scenery and fresh air as you travel past vineyards. You also have another chance for a trolley ride with the Sonoma Valley Wine Trolley, or skip wine altogether and drink beer instead with a bike tour to the breweries of Santa Rosa and Sebastopol. Alternatively, learn more about a single town and its culinary scene with a food and wine walking tour of either Healdsburg or downtown Sonoma, both known for their attractive town squares and restaurants.

Day 3: Go Beyond the Wine

From rivers to redwoods, Sonoma County offers several ways to enjoy the natural beauty of Northern California. Popular activities include canoeing or kayaking down the Russian River, ziplining, exploring Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve by Segway, and learning about the Russian history of the area with a walking tour of Fort Ross State Historic Park, located on Sonoma’s Pacific coast. Or, discover a bit of Africa in Sonoma with a visit to Safari West, a wildlife preserve home to giraffes, wildebeest, zebras, and other animals—you can even spend the night in a safari tent from Botswana. In Napa Valley, watch the Old Faithful geyser erupt in Calistoga, or take a kayak tour down the Napa River to look for birds and learn about the area’s Native American heritage.

Tours of world-renowned Napa Valley wine country are often a highlight of a stay in the San Francisco Bay area. There are myriad ways to experience the picturesque vineyards set against a backdrop of rolling hills, from the luxury of a private limousine to a hot air balloon ride. Here is everything you need to know before you go.

When to Go

From early August through October, summer transitions to crisper temperatures, leaves turn to gem colors, and Napa Valley becomes a frenzy of grape harvesting. The “crush” starts with grapes for sparkling wines, while late-harvest varietals linger longer on the vine. Whether you choose to partake in festivities that celebrate the harvest or simply join a food and wine-tasting tour, there’s really no bad time of year to sample the vintages of this premium wine region.

How to Go

Gain insight into the winemaking process on a group tour, or opt for a private wine-tasting with friends and receive the undivided attention of your guide. Excursions may include top wineries and tasting rooms such as Beringer and Castello di Amorosa in St. Helena; Madonna Estate Winery and Hagafen Cellars in Napa; Robert Mondavi in Oakville; and Domaine Chandon in Yountville. The Napa Valley Wine Train serves gourmet meals and lets you hop off at Grgich Hills Estate, Charles Krug Winery, or Raymond Vineyards, while the Wine Trolley makes a scenic journey aboard a replica San Francisco cable car. Sunrise hot-air balloon rides usually include breakfast and a sparkling toast.

Things to Know

• The Napa Valley is located about 60 miles (100 kilometers) north of San Francisco, across the Golden Gate Bridge.
• Guided tours typically provide round-trip hotel transport, leaving you to consume alcohol safely without the worry of navigating city or highway traffic.
• Michelin-starred, farm-to-table restaurants abound in Yountville; oysters, gourmet cheese, and artisan-made chocolates stand out at the Oxbow Public Market in downtown Napa. Many tours pair food with wine tasting.

For lovers of wine and scenery, a trip to the Napa Valley is a must. On a guided group outing or private tour to North America's premium wine country, sample varietals, learn how wines are made, and enjoy a landscape dotted with vineyards. Here are some of Napa Valley’s top wine areas.

Oakville and Rutherford

Robert Mondavi put Oakville on the wine lover's map, and the region continues to be known for its Bordeaux-style wines (as does neighboring Rutherford). Frog’s Leap, in Rutherford, has earned a reputation as one of the area’s top organic producers, and Rutherford Ranch is another well-known winery. A stop at the Oakville Grocery for lunch offers a step back in time, while Mustards Grill and the Rutherford Grill are more upscale options.

Calistoga and St. Helena

Pride Mountain Vineyards and Modus Operandi cellars are just two of St. Helena’s excellent producers. In the town of Calistoga, known for its Old Faithful geyser and mud baths, you can stop by tasting rooms such as Vincent Arroyo and Teldeschi Family Winery. A ride on the Napa Valley Wine Train is a fun way to see the area.

Diamond Mountain and Spring Mountain

The Diamond Mountain and Spring Mountain districts are best known for their cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, and petit verdot. The famous Schramsberg Vineyards produces some of America’s best sparkling wine. For big reds, stop by Abreu, Sherwin Family Vineyards, or Castello di Amorosa—a medieval-style castle winery.

Los Carneros

Further south, Napa Valley’s cooler and foggier Carneros region is known for making excellent pinot noir, chardonnay, and sparkling wines. Schug, Domaine Carneros, and Cuvasion are just a few of the big names here.

With two days in California wine country, you can spend one day in Napa and the other in Sonoma, allowing you to compare and contrast the wines, wineries, food cultures, and general vibes of the two separate counties. Here are our favorite ways to create an itinerary that suits your interests.

Day 1: Discover Napa Valley

**Morning:**Watch the sunrise on a hot-air balloon ride followed by a bubbly brunch at Domaine Chandon. Then hop aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train or the Napa Valley Wine Trolley—the train passes by towns such as Oakville and Rutherford while the trolley (a replica of a San Francisco cable car) stops at wineries.

**Afternoon:**For a VIP-style experience in Napa, book a private winery tour by limo that can be tailored to your wine preferences, or opt for a food and wine tour of the gourmet town of Yountville, home to The French Laundry, if you’re also interested in discovering Napa’s food scene.

**Night:**If you didn’t ride the Wine Train earlier in the day, take an evening tour to enjoy twilight views of the vineyards and an onboard dinner. Or head to Oxbow Public Market in downtown Napa for food and drinks—including oysters, pizza, wine, coffee, cupcakes, and ice cream—from an array of vendors.

Day 2: Explore Sonoma County

**Morning:**Starting in late morning, various wine-tasting tours and other activities introduce you to Sonoma County. You have another chance for a trolley ride with the Sonoma Valley Wine Trolley, or perhaps choose a Segway tour. To go beyond wine, opt for a bike tour of breweries in Santa Rosa and Sebastopol.

**Afternoon:**A small-group wine-tasting tour gives you the chance to visit wineries around Sonoma County without having to worry about driving after tastings. Alternatively, learn more about a single town and its culinary scene with a food and wine walking tour of either Healdsburg or downtown Sonoma.

**Night:**Experience a bit of Africa in Sonoma with a visit to Safari West, a wildlife preserve home to animals like giraffes, wildebeest, and zebras. The preserve is open all day, but you can go at the last entry time for an evening experience, and there is even the option to spend the night in a safari tent from Botswana.

There's something about California Wine Country that’s innately romantic. With Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Healdsburg, and Santa Rosa all just a short drive from San Francisco, it's no wonder it's a romantic getaway for many. Here are the best options when it comes to wine tours in this romantic destination.

Highlights

• Take the elegant Napa Valley Wine Train through the valley's many vineyards and estates; then sit down for a gourmet lunch or dinner on board.

• Enjoy great food, wine tasting, and beautiful scenery and stop into small wine country towns like St. Helena, Rutherford, and Yountville.

• Hop a helicopter from San Francisco to Napa and enjoy views from the air before wine pairings and a luxury tasting experience.

• Get active on a leisurely bike ride of the Russian River Valley that stops at three or four tasting rooms as it winds through miles of wine country.

• Enjoy a hot air balloon ride (with sparkling wine) as you're treated to sweeping views of Napa Valley below and a delicious brunch afterwards.

• For a little more privacy or a special occasion, book a private tour. Most provide transportation from San Francisco.

California’s renowned Napa Valley is the most prestigious of the state’s many wine regions but that doesn’t mean you have to spend all day in tasting rooms. In addition to wineries, there are several outdoor adventures and culinary experiences to be had in and around Napa. Here are the top ways to enjoy the best of the valley with limited time.

Morning: Take to the Sky and Rails

Start your day on a high note with a hot-air balloon ride over Napa for the chance to look down on the vineyard-covered landscape as the sun rises. Afterward, brunch with sparkling wine awaits at Domaine Chandon. In the late morning, hop on either the Napa Valley Wine Train or the Napa Valley Wine Trolley for a fun way to explore wine country. Options for lunch are included on both tours but the activities vary—if you choose the train, you stay on the whole time, passing by towns like Oakville and Rutherford; on the trolley, which is a replica of a San Francisco cable car, you make stops at wineries.

Afternoon: Get Your Wine On

With just one day in Napa, consider booking a private limousine tour so you can make the most of your time. A private tour means you choose when you want to depart and enjoy a personalized experienced tailored to your wine preferences. Those interested in discovering Napa’s food scene can opt for a food and wine tour of Yountville, a town known for acclaimed eateries such as The French Laundry. Alternatively, soak in the fresh air of wine country on a bike tour of the Carneros region, or if you prefer to go wine tasting independently, purchase a Napa wine-tasting pass for discounts and tastings at participating wineries.

Night: End Things on a Gourmet Note

If you didn’t take the Napa Valley Wine Train earlier in the day, do so in the early evening to admire the vineyard scenery at twilight. Dinner is served onboard with wine available to taste and to purchase. Alternatively, start your night at the Oxbow Public Market in downtown Napa to peruse a variety of food and drinks from various vendors, including oysters, burgers, pizza, wine, coffee, cupcakes, and ice cream, before heading to one of the many gourmet restaurants in Napa or Yountville for dinner.

With a natural focus on the delights of drinking wine and enjoying the food that goes with it, Napa is designed for romantic getaways. From hot air balloon rides and winery tours to intimate dinners and small-group food and wine tastings, here are several romantic activities to satisfy even the most ardent Valentino.

Highlights

• Tour the Napa Valley in a chauffeur-driven private vehicle, making stops at wineries and other sites you choose.

• Take in a Napa Valley sunrise from a hot air balloon while sipping sparkling wine before savoring breakfast at Domaine Chandon.

• Explore the African wildlife at Safari West in Santa Rosa via open-air Jeep.

• Discover the best food, wine, and cocktails in Sonoma on a walking tour of downtown Healdsburg.

• Delve into wine production along the back roads of quiet northern Sonoma.

• Pedal among the vineyards before stopping for a picnic lunch on a guided bike tour.

• Sample wine-infused chocolates, breakfast tacos, artisan salumi, and other flavors of Napa during a tour of downtown Napa.

• Meet the winemaker and sip exclusive wines with a Sonoma wine tasting priority pass.

Wine country with kids just sounds wrong, right? Wrong. In the vast agricultural Napa and Sonoma regions, wine is just the beginning of what’s on offer. From encounters with African giraffes and learning about local wildlife to kid-friendly wineries and picnic lunches in the vineyards, here’s how to do the wine country with kids.

• Whet your appetite for a picnic lunch and two wine tastings as you bike the Carneros wine region and kayak up the Napa River.
• Solve clues about the sights, sounds, and tastes of downtown Napa in a brain-teasing educational walking tour.
• Soar among ancient redwoods in a 7-line zipline course in Sonoma.
• Float down the Russian River on an inflatable canoe, making stops to swim and scout out indigenous wildlife.
• Explore the African wildlife at Safari West in Santa Rosa via open-air Jeep and on foot.
• Paddle through the Napa River Oxbow Preserve, keeping an eye out for turtles, herons, and other wildlife from your kayak.