Wine Country Day Trips from San Francisco

With Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley just a one- to two-hour drive from San Francisco, it’s easy to pop up from the city for a day of tasting wine and exploring the rolling vineyards. Here are your options for wine tours with transportation from SF.

Napa Valley Wine Tours

California has many wine regions, but Napa has long been the star of the show with its highly renowned wineries and celebrity restaurants such as the French Laundry. The valley stretches along Highway 29, dotted with cute towns like St. Helena, Rutherford, Yountville, and Calistoga. Day trips to Napa often include a stop for lunch at the Oxbow Public Market or a casual but upscale restaurant in Yountville or St. Helena. For something a little different, book a tour that includes a ride on the Napa Valley Wine Train.

Sonoma Valley Wine Tours

Sitting just west of Napa Valley, Sonoma Valley stretches along Highway 12 and takes in the towns of Sonoma, Kenwood, and Glen Ellen. Day tours often include a stop in the town of Sonoma, whose large square is surrounded by cafes, restaurants, and tasting rooms where you can enjoy lunch and more wine.

Combo Tours

It’s common for tours to include a bit of both Napa and Sonoma valleys or give you the option to select the region you’d like to visit if you book a private, customizable tour. Alternatively, combine a Sonoma Valley wine tour with a stop at Muir Woods National Monument to see the grove of towering redwood trees.

Things to Know

• Tours vary on whether they include wine-tasting fees in the price, so be sure to check the Inclusions and Exclusions.

• Tasting fees at most wineries range from $10 to $20 and are sometimes waived if you purchase a bottle.

• Napa and Sonoma sit north of San Francisco, but not all tour routes take you over the Golden Gate Bridge, depending on the tour’s starting point and destination.

• Many wineries do not allow group tours on larger vehicles, so if you have particular wineries you want to visit, book a private tour with access to smaller boutique wineries.