Napa and Sonoma Valleys: Day Trips and Tours from San Francisco

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city on a day trip to Napa and Sonoma Valleys from San Francisco as you travel along the rolling green hills, lulling rivers and verdant valleys! Discover the diverse landscapes, people and flavors of Napa and Sonoma Counties while sipping and swirling truly out-of-this-world regional varietals at multiple wineries, including both big-name and family-run estates.

You can learn about the age-old winemaking techniques and shop for awe-inspiring, sophisticated delights and souvenirs at local shops. What’s more, indulge your appetite with a stop for lunch at the historic central square of Sonoma, which is one of the largest plazas in California.

After relishing the enticing blend of learning and revelry, you will find yourself at home racing down at the Sonoma Raceway, a year-round motorsports complex where you can speed around on go-karts down the drag.

You will find below all you need to know about Napa and Sonoma Valleys, one of the best day trips from San Francisco.

How do I get to Napa and Sonoma Valley and how long does it take?

A Sonoma and Napa Valleys day trip from San Francisco is worthwhile doing in a single day. It takes approximately an hour to reach Sonoma from San Francisco. Napa Valley is another 10-15 minutes in drive time from Sonoma.

There are a few different driving options, but the quickest route is from San Francisco through Golden Gate Bridge to Sonoma. There are a few methods of transportation to consider for your Sonoma and Napa Valleys day trip from San Francisco.

By car: You can get a rental car and reach Sonoma from San Francisco in about an hour. However, the length of time in the car may depend on traffic, especially if your hotel is in situated in South San Francisco.

By bus: A popular way to reach Napa Valley and Sonoma from San Francisco is via a shuttle bus. The bus service is very appropriate for wine country tours since you’ll likely be sampling wine at different wineries throughout the day.

What kind of Sonoma and Napa Valleys tour from San Francisco are available? How much do they cost?

Your Sonoma and Napa Valleys day trip from San Francisco has several options depending on the type of tour:

Sonoma and Napa Valleys Wine Tours

Schedule your day trip of the Sonoma and Napa Valley Wine Country during a half-day tour with prices that average US$140. Full-day tours start at US$150 and may cost more with other perks like lunch. The size of the tour group is larger, but you might make some new friends in the process.

Private Day Trips to Sonoma and Napa Valleys

Private tours of Sonoma and Napa Valleys is the best way to keep the number of group participants exclusive to friends and family. It’s a good option for situations like a wedding group or business group. Private tours cost a lot more and range in cost from US$350 to US$1,000.

Sonoma and Napa Valleys Combo Tours

Your Sonoma and Napa Valleys day trip from San Francisco has the option to combine with other tourist destinations in the area. Muir Woods National Monument is one of the most popular, since it’s on the way from downtown San Francisco. Tickets start at US$170.

What will I see and do in Sonoma and Napa Valleys?

There is plenty to do in vintage northern California wine country.

Sightseeing

Northern California wine country is notorious and gorgeous. The scenery is something to enjoy and a much-needed escape from the hustle and bustle of San Francisco. A Sonoma and Napa Valleys day trip from San Francisco is the ideal scenic escape.

Vineyard Tours

Wine tours in Sonoma and Napa Valleys are very popular. It is important to schedule a tour with plenty of notice to secure your spot. It provides a rich experience where you learn more about the wine-making process with a  spectacular landscape.

Wine Tastings

No vineyard tour is complete without stopping by the winery at the end of the trip to sample some of its wine. Wine tasting tours enable you to visit multiple wineries in a single day without having to worry about getting behind the wheel.

Dining

Once you start sampling wine, you’ll probably want to get a meal in your stomach. Thankfully, California wine country also caters to tourists by offering a surplus of fine dining options.

Hiking

If you have time for a longer day trip, why not consider visiting Muir Woods National Monument on the way to Sonoma and Napa Valleys and go hiking? Muir Woods makes for a great detour as it's on the way from downtown San Francisco via the Golden Gate Bridge.

Are there any other places to visit on the way from San Francisco to Sonoma and Napa Valleys?

A Sonoma and Napa Valleys day trip from San Francisco presents the opportunity for several detours along the way to northern California wine country:

Golden Gate Bridge

If you are staying in San Francisco, you should take the Golden Gate Bridge up to Sonoma and Napa Valleys. The bridge is one of the most iconic in the world and is truly a marvel to behold.

Muir Woods National Monument

Muir Woods contains some of the oldest trees in the world with Sequoias and redwoods that date back thousands of years. The massive, natural skyscrapers greet you upon entrance and provide a quick pitstop. You can hike to stretch the legs before getting back in the car.

Alcatraz Island

Step back in time and admire the legendary island which has been one of the most famous prisons in the world. Alcatraz was once home to infamous gansters such as like Al Capone, George “Machine Gun” Kelly, and Robert “The Birdman” Stroud.

When is the best time to visit Sonoma and Napa Valleys?

The best time to visit Sonoma and Napa is March through May and August through October when the temperatures are very pleasant. The peak season corresponds with California's harvest season from August to October. Expect large crowds and high prices.

What other day trips can you do from San Francisco?

• Day trips to Sausalito from San Francisco
• Day tours to Yosemite National Park from San Francisco
• Day trips to Monterey and Carmel from San Francisco
• Day tours to Silicon Valley from San Francisco

Travel Tips

• Make sure you are prepared. Touring the vineyards requires a fair amount of walking and outside in the elements. Wear comfortable shoes, appropriate clothing, and bring a jacket for northern California’s shifting temperatures.
• Don’t drink and drive. Sonoma and Napa Valley wine tours are available to prevent people from getting behind the wheel after visiting a wine tasting. Have fun, but stay safe during your time in California Wine Country.