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The Perfect Napa Valley Itinerary for First-Time Visitors

• by JESS LANDER
• on JULY 19, 2024

Picturesque Napa Valley. Photo Courtesy of Groth Vineyards and Winery

One hour north of San Francisco, all of life’s greatest indulgences—wine, food, relaxation, and adventure—can be experienced all at once in Napa Valley , one of the top Wine Country destinations in the world.

Thirty miles long and five miles wide, this small slice of heaven is home to more than 500 wineries throughout a collection of six quaint towns: Napa, Yountville, Oakville, Rutherford, St. Helena, and Calistoga. Each has its own personality and places to discover; from Napa’s urban wine trail to Yountville’s renowned dining scene to Calistoga’s detoxifying hot springs , there’s something for every kind of traveler, whether you’re a oenophile, foodie, adventurist, or self-care aficionado.

There’s also no bad time to visit Napa Valley . While September and October are the busiest and warmest months, offering the chance to experience the annual grape harvest in action, the winter months have their own appeal. It’s quiet, uncrowded, and not too chilly, with temperatures mostly in the 50s and 60s. Plus, many hotels offer hard-to-beat off-season rates. Your best chance of rain is in the spring, but the blooming fields of bright, yellow mustard also make it one of the most Instagram-worthy seasons to plan a trip.

Whenever you do decide to pack your bags and pay Napa Valley a visit, we’ve put together the perfect itinerary for the first time visitor, covering all of the “must do’s” over a long weekend trip.

Visit a Historic Winery

Reserve a hotel room in Napa so that you can be within walking distance (or just a short drive) to downtown’s many restaurants, bars, and tasting rooms. The urban chic Andaz Napa is at the heart of downtown Napa activity, where loft-style rooms are both stylish and inviting, while Milliken Creek ’s peaceful riverfront location offers guests a quieter escape just a few minutes from the downtown scene.

For breakfast , head to chef Thomas Keller’s famous Bouchon Bakery in Yountville for pastries and espresso. Most likely there will be a line out the door, but it moves quickly. If you want to double down, you can head to Mini Model across the street. This is a smaller location of the locally-acclaimed Model Bakery . Get the English muffin. It’s so good that Oprah Winfrey actually has them flown straight to her front door. For a more elegant brunch option, head to RH Yountville , where dishes like avocado toast on charred sourdough and black forest bacon are perfectly paired with their signature RH mimosa.

Visit a Boutique Winery

Because you visited some of the oldest, largest, and most popular wineries on Day 1, make an appointment at a boutique or family-owned winery next and compare experiences. A boutique winery can mean several things: a more personalized experience (sometimes with the winemaker or owner), less of a crowd, and super primo wines (especially Cabernet Sauvignon, which Napa Valley is best known for). Some of our favorite family-owned and/or boutique wineries to visit UpValley are Goosecross Cellars , Jessup Cellars , and Cliff Lede Vineyards in Yountville, Clif Family Winery and Trinchero in St. Helena, and Groth Vineyards and Winery in Oakville or Staglin Family Vineyard in Rutherford.

Photos courtesy of Sequoia Grove Winery

Also in Rutherford is the family-owned Sequoia Grove Winery , where a variety of tasting experiences await. Check out the impressive Taste of Cabernet , where a multi-course menu crafte d by Executive Chef Spencer Conaty highlights the marriage between food and wine, o r the more approachable (and less filling) Wine + Bites experience to tide you over until lunch. 

Lunch in St. Helena

For the better part of the afternoon, drive the eight miles from St. Helena to Calistoga for some spa time. This quirky, little town is best known for its healing mineral waters from natural hot springs, plus mud baths that’ll make your skin as smooth as a newborn. Make an appointment for a spa treatment ahead of time; there are so many local spas to choose from, from luxe resorts like Indian Springs and Solage to hip boutique gems like Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs to more intimate and classically restorative escapes at Golden Haven Hot Springs .

If you have some time after, take a stroll down Calistoga’s main drag Lincoln Avenue and pop into CAMi Art + Wine for a tasting while admiring the contemporary art, or grab a pint at the Calistoga Inn Restaurant & Brewery .

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Napa Valley & Sonoma

Vacation packages, welcome to wine country, adventure out of the city and explore napa valley and sonoma..

More than just two wine regions, the valleys of Napa and Sonoma boast over 30 diverse growing regions, yielding some of the country's – and the world's – most celebrated wines. In the Napa Valley, wind your way up the Silverado Trail for wine tasting, treat yourself to a boutique shopping spree in Yountville, or dine at a Michelin-rated restaurant. Sonoma has a more intimate laid-back atmosphere, especially as you journey north toward Healdsburg and Geyserville. Little towns dot the route and you'll find an abundance of smaller wineries offering unique tasting experiences.

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Featured Deals

Napa valley/sonoma: your way hotel and wine train package.

Napa Valley Wine Train Gourmet Express Lunch Tour Included

Napa Valley: Estate Yountville Package

$100 Spa Credit Complimentary Wine Tasting for Two Reduced Mandatory Daily Resort Fee

Included Extras Valued at $270

Napa Valley: River Terrace Inn - A Noble House Hotel Package

Waived Mandatory Daily Resort Fee

Included Extras Valued at $38 Per Day

Sonoma: Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa Package

$50 Resort Credit Waived Mandatory Daily Resort Fee

Included Extras Valued at $168

Napa Valley: Silverado Resort Package

Daily $50 Resort Credit Welcome Bottle of House Wine Mandatory Daily Resort Fee Included

Sonoma: Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country Package

Daily Buffet Breakfast for Two Welcome Half-Bottle of Wine

Included Extras Valued at $80

Napa Valley: Embassy Suites by Hilton Napa Valley Package

Complimentary Daily Self-Parking Welcome Bottle of Wine Complimentary Internet in Guest Room

Included Extras Valued at $53

Napa Valley: The Meritage Resort and Spa Package

Daily $50 Food and Beverage Credit Complimentary Wine Tasting for Two

Napa Valley: Dr. Wilkinson's Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs Package

Daily $75 Resort Credit

Napa Valley: Carneros Resort and Spa Package

Daily $75 Resort Credit Daily Buffet Breakfast for Two

Included Extras Valued at $145 Per Day

Napa Valley: Estate Yountville - Hotel Only

$100 Spa Credit Daily Continental Breakfast for Two Complimentary Wine Tasting for Two

More About Napa Valley & Sonoma

Napa Valley, known for its Chardonnay, Merlots, and Cabernet Sauvignon, is a beautiful region comprised of four main towns – Napa, Yountville, St. Helena and Calistoga. With wineries clustered close together, it’s easy to hop from vineyard to vineyard to try it all. A mere hour’s drive away, the neighboring region of Sonoma is home to the main towns of Sonoma and Healdsburg as well as numerous smaller towns, each with its own charming tasting rooms. Unlike Napa Valley, Sonoma sprawls over a much larger footprint so plan for additional travel time between wineries. If you want the freedom to fully soak in the scenery between sips, consider taking part in a tour to facilitate your visit. Both Napa Valley and Sonoma can be enjoyed at any time of the year. In the spring, you’ll witness nature in full bloom. In the summer, exciting events are hosted nearly every weekend. In autumn, experience the harvest and the great crush – the first step of a grape’s transformation into wine. In winter, unwind in the laid-back atmosphere of the luxurious spas. No matter when you choose to visit, an enjoyable experience awaits!

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Before You Go

• To make it easier to replace your passport if it’s lost or stolen, in addition to your passport, take a photocopy of your passport information page (keeping it separate from your actual passport).
• Carry only a limited amount of cash, just enough for gratuities and incidental purchases. Major credit cards are widely accepted and can be replaced if lost or stolen.
• Always lock your hotel room door (including patio and balcony door on any level of the building) and use the peephole before opening the door.
• Store your valuables (such as cash, credit cards and airline tickets) in the hotel’s in-room safe or front desk safety deposit box.
• If you must carry valuables on your person, do so in a pouch or money belt concealed under your clothing. Purses and backpacks can be easy targets for thieves.
• For complete and current safety and security information, including travelers' tips, public announcements, travel advisories and more, please visit the website of the U.S. Department of State at www.travel.state.gov.
• December through February: 56° to 60° (Winter)
• March through May: 64° to 78° (Spring)
• June through August: 87° to 92° (Summer)
• September through November: 88° to 64° (Autumn)

Top Experiences

Sonoma Plaza : Located in the heart of Sonoma, a National Historic Monument that once functioned as a Mexican military station is now an eight-acre park filled with shops and restaurants.

Oxbow Public Market : This public market is a great spot for loading up on picnic essentials or checking out some delicious restaurants. The Oxbow Public Market also features an outdoor patio where you can watch the sunset while enjoying a scrumptious meal.

Wineries : In the mid-70s there were only 25 or so wineries. Now, the region is home to over 800.

Napa Valley Wine Train : The Wine Train offers a journey through the countryside in an antique Pullman railcar while enjoying a gourmet meal. The station is conveniently located in downtown Napa and the train travels to St. Helena and back.

Travel through the lush Napa Valley countryside and be transported back in time. Back to the romance and luxury of the golden age of train travel of the early 1900s, when guests explored the trains beyond their private quarters. Back to a time when a journey was meant to be savored from start to finish. Guests aboard the Gourmet Express experience three delicious courses all served in our exquisite antique Pullman railcars during a three-hour train journey from Napa to St. Helena and back.

Due to the historic nature of some facilities, certain activities may be unsuitable for people with certain mobility limitations. Facilities are not equipped with elevators and have ramp access. If you require a walker or wheelchair, please call the Napa Valley Wine train at 1-800-427-4124 or (707) 253-2111 (open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Standard Time) to ensure requirements can be accommodated. More information regarding train accessibility can be found on the Napa Valley Wine Train’s website: https://www.winetrain.com/the-wine-train/faq/.

Additional Information

• Enjoy a three-course lunch during a train journey through the countryside from Napa to St. Helena and back.
• Lunch includes a starter (choice of soup or salad), main dish, dessert, coffee and tea. Additional beverages and gratuities are not included.
• Except:  Not available on Easter weekend, Mother’s Day weekend as observed in the US, Memorial Day weekend, 4th of July weekend, Labor Day weekend as observed in the US.
• Sunday, Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
• Except:  Not available on Valentine's Day weekend, President's Day weekend, Thanksgiving weekend and Christmas week to New Year’s Eve.
• Sunday, Friday, Saturday
• 11:30   a.m. Guests must arrive at 10:30 a.m. for check-in to receive boarding passes and instructions with boarding time.
• A 100% cancellation fee will apply for no-shows or if the reservation is canceled within seven days prior to scheduled tour.

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A First-Time Visitor’s Guide to Wine Country

Finally experiencing the infamous Wine Country? You'll find our guide to first-time Wine Country visitors very helpful!

February 18, 2022

So it’s your first time visiting Wine Country, California. First and foremost, you’re in for a trip of a lifetime. But really, it’s also very easy to get overwhelmed without a proper guide to Wine Country. While a destination filled with dozens of charming towns, a never-ending stream of picturesque landscapes, farm-to-table restaurants, and incomparably beautiful hotels sounds like a dream, navigating it effectively requires careful preplanning. That’s where we step in! Before you hit the pretty road from San Francisco to Napa Valley , here’s everything you need to know about being a first-time tourist in Wine Country .

Napa Vs. Sonoma

First things first, unless you’ll be spending a long, long   time in Wine Country, then you should probably narrow down where you’d like to visit. Many people underestimate just how big the Napa and Sonoma Valley regions are. So, to avoid rushing from one place to the next, explore Wine Country one valley at a time. 

Need help picking between Sonoma and Napa? While there shouldn’t be any competition between the two, any guide to Wine Country would tell you that they are very different. Napa is where you go to live like a high roller and dine in Michelin-starred restaurants , while Sonoma is where you drive slowly down a dirt road and grab casual eats on an outdoor patio.

Of course, it goes without saying that a trip to either Napa or Sonoma is what you make of it. You can also stay in a five-star hotel and eat multi-course meals in Sonoma, and, on that very same note, bike to small family wineries and picnic in the vineyard in Napa. But based on reputations and popular itineraries, that’s what each valley offers best.

Visiting Napa Valley

Napa is the name of a town, but it’s also the name of the wider region, the Napa Valley. As the second most visited attraction in California behind Disneyland , the Vegas of Wine Country is a great place to explore. For the best experience, drive to the scenic Napa in May to avoid the summer crowds or in September through October for delightful weather.

Napa Valley Hotels 

Want to treat yourself to the best of the best Napa Valley hotels? Whether your preference is modern or historic, close to restaurants and shops or in a remote vineyard setting, Napa Valley hotels cater to your wants and needs.

If you’re looking to escape to rolling hills, charming neighborhoods, and storied wine-growing appellations, check out the bed and breakfast inns in Napa. R INN NAPA is a great luxury option in the downtown area, while Bel Abri Napa Valley Inn is a more budget-friendly choice.

Are you a bon vivant looking for endless creature comforts and chic amenities? The resorts in Napa Valley will definitely impress. Auberge du Soleil in Rutherford is a world-renowned Napa Valley hotel and spa you can’t go wrong with, while Bardessono in Yountville is another incredible choice. Both Napa Valley hotels have outstanding restaurants on their premises.

Napa Valley Food 

Forget Napa Valley wineries, you can easily add a hundred different restaurants to your list of things to do. From Michelin star fare to farm-to-table perfection, Napa’s dining scene is incomparable.

La Toque , the Restaurant at Auberge , The French Laundry, Kenzo Napa , and Bouchon Bistro are Michelin-starred dining hotspots in Napa Valley. Want to dine al fresco? The Grove at Copia , Lucy Restaurant and Bar , and Sam’s Social Club deliver both the scenic views and delicious cuisine. And, of course, for dessert, we recommend heading to Anette’s Chocolates or Bouchon Bakery .

Napa Valley Attractions

Put your tourist hat on—it’s time to explore one of the most beautiful and eco-luxurious places in California. Golfing, hiking, shopping, spas, arts and culture, and more fun Napa attractions await.

If you’re short on time and want a list of things to do in Napa Valley that’ll satisfy anyone, we recommend riding the Napa Valley Wine Train , flying above the valley in a hot air balloon, enjoying a Downtown Napa walking tour, stopping by Oxbow Public Market , and popping into a couple of essential museums like the di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art .

Visiting Sonoma Valley

Sonoma delivers more of the country aspect of Wine Country. Similar to Napa, Sonoma is the name of a town, as well as the name of the wider region. While Napa wins on being more expensive, Sonoma is certainly more expansive , being almost double the size of Napa. Just like the rest of Wine Country, California, the best time to visit Sonoma is in May and late fall.

Sonoma Valley Hotels 

Any guide to Wine Country would mention Kenwood Inn and Spa , Vintners Resorts , Farmhouse Inn , and Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn as the creme de la creme of luxurious accommodations. But if you’re looking for a more laid-back stay, the Inn at Sonoma and Raford Inn are great options as well.

If you’re spending a few days in Wine Country, California, you should definitely venture out from your accommodation and drive to the small towns nearby. Healdsburg, Sebastopol, Guerneville, Petaluma, and Russian River Valley are great half-day road trip destinations to keep on your radar.

Sonoma Valley Food 

No guide to Wine Country would be complete without a number of Sonoma Valley restaurants to look forward to. Whether your dream dinner is in an elegant hotel, a vineyard, or at a riverfront patio, Sonoma has a seat for you at its table.

For a fine dining experience, John Ash and Co. and the Restaurant at Farmhouse Inn will exceed your expectations. But for a more adventurous culinary experience in Wine Country, California, we suggest indulging in dairy delights and meeting local cheesemakers along the California Cheese Trail , learning to cook a new dish from a Sonoma County chef, and experiencing local farms and ranches along the Sonoma County Farm Trail.

Sonoma Valley Attractions

Last but not least, as your guide to Wine Country’s Sonoma Valley, we can’t let you miss out on the best things to do here! Sonoma can fill much more than just your wine glass. 

Fill your days with fun adventures, nourish your body with healthy food, and pamper yourself with meditation and massage—a weekend adventure in Sonoma can be anything you like. As for the must-dos, make sure you visit Sonoma Plaza, hike among the redwoods, kayak on the Russian River, and roam the beaches of Sonoma Coast State Park.

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Experience a Taste of the Good Life in Napa Valley

The best things in life are the experiences we share, savor, and discover. nowhere is that more apparent than in napa valley, where anyone – and everyone – can experience a taste of the good life., napa valley trip ideas, napa valley in every season.

71 °F 46 °F

Spring is vibrant in Napa Valley, with sun and cool breezes, blooming flowers, and budding grapevines

82 °F 54 °F

Summer in Napa Valley is paradise, with sunshine, alfresco wine tasting and dining, hiking, and music

75 °F 48 °F

Fall is a time of celebration in Napa Valley, with the grape harvest, glorious weather, and colorful foliage

60 °F 40 °F

Winter in Napa Valley is tranquil, with fewer crowds, picturesque vineyards, and cozy wine tasting rooms

Best Things to Do in Napa Valley

Napa Valley's deep roots produce world-class wine. Enjoy intimate winery tastings, expansive outdoor spaces, and behind-the-scenes...

Wine Tasting Rooms

Otherwise known as urban wineries, downtown tasting rooms offer similar wine-sampling experience as a winery, just without the...

Wine Tours & Transportation

Sit back and let the professionals take care of the planning and the driving. Your options range from private tours in a town...

Where To Stay

From intimate boutique inns to full-service luxury resorts, and everything in between, Napa Valley properties welcome you with...

Restaurants

With farm-fresh cuisine ranging from casual food trucks to Michelin-Star fare, you’ll find unforgettable meals to complement...

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From winery parties and winemaker dinners, to concerts and farmers markets – there are so many ways to experience a taste of...

Towns of Napa Valley

Explore Napa Valley's 5 distinct towns and 4 regions where you can dine, shop, sip, and stay

With hundreds of wineries and miles of the valley to explore, we want you to know there's no wrong way to enjoy Napa Valley  

How many wine tastings can we do in one day?

We recommend 2 or 3 winery visits , but not more than that as most experiences take a minimum of 90 minutes and there is travel time in between. You can also hire a driver or tour company to drive you to the wineries, and they can even plan your day of tastings.

What should I wear in Napa Valley?

Spring/summer = sun dress with a cardigan and sandals . Fall/Winter = denim, sweater, scarf and boots. Denim is acceptable year round, if it is a fancier scene wear dark denim. Always bring a light jacket for the nighttime breeze from the bay.

Where is Napa Valley?

Napa Valley wine country is located in Northern California, 50 miles northeast of San Francisco , which makes it a short drive from several airports in the San Francisco Bay Area. Napa Valley is one of the world's famous wine regions, with stunning landscapes and exceptional wines .

What is Napa Valley known for?

With more than 400 wineries open for tastings and 90 urban tasting rooms , Napa Valley is known for world-class wine , as well as beautiful countryside and near perfect weather year-round. It is also known for Michelin-star restaurants, and luxurious accommodations and spas .

Napa Valley is such a beautiful part of the world. Everyone is warm and friendly and as you drive to the wineries through the valley and up into the mountains, you know it's a special place.

St. Louis, Missouri

Napa Valley is heaven on earth... or at least in the same zip code for sure!

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Nestled among rolling hills, charming neighborhoods, and storied vineyards are the most charming boutique inns

From impeccable design to lavish landscapes, Napa Valley hotels have the creature comforts and amenities for you and your loved ones

A wonderland for grown-ups, Napa Valley resorts cater to outdoor and fitness enthusiasts, bon vivants and those seeking serenity

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• Winter Vacations

This Is the Secret to Experiencing California's Wine Country Without the Crowds

There's no time like the post-holidays winter season to experience the best and most peaceful version of Northern California's wineries.

If you love sipping a perfect pinot on a sunny, 75-degree August day in California's wine country , you're far from alone. Literally. Because one unwelcome addition that idyllic day is practically guaranteed to come along with? Hundreds of other people — all vying for the same wine-tasting seats, the same coveted hotel rooms, and all waiting in the same endless lines for brunch at Bouchon . Over-touristed travel is rarely fun. The good news: There is a way to do wine country without the crowds.

According to the Napa Valley tourism bureau, the area welcomes about 3.85 million visitors per year, the majority of whom come through during the area's busiest (and sunniest) months, from summer to early fall. Luckily, as wise travelers will tell you, high season isn't the only season — in wine country or elsewhere.

Besides, there are now more wineries in Northern California than ever before (3,600 by our count) which means there's absolutely no need to elbow your way into the handful of uber-popular ones. All you need is a bit of planning and a little trust in the knowledge that when it comes to wine country, taking the road less traveled will truly make all the difference.

Plus, there's no time like the present — that is, the post-holidays winter season, from January through early March — to experience the best and most peaceful version of Northern California's wineries.

Think outside the Napa box.

Yes, Napa is central to California wine culture . But said culture is a robust and varied one, and it's far from a one-town market. Napa city proper is usually the most crowded — and can be the most expensive — choice on the map, so instead, seek out a unique experience by heading to the more laid-back (but still wine-centric) locales of Healdsburg, Yountville, and Sonoma.

On a recent wintry visit to wine country, I was pleasantly surprised — shocked, even — by the striking balance of chill and chic to be found in all three of these towns when they're at their emptiest. Especially after past trips to experience the typical summertime wine country (you know, the most basic version: tipsy in a shared rental limo zipping across Napa with a bunch of friends), I had no idea what I'd been missing: namely, wandering hushed riverside vineyards and quaint downtown streets — alone.

I started in Sonoma, Napa's slightly sleepier sister city; my first evening in town was spent at a bar with a sign reading , "Napa: Get off your high horse — sincerely, Sonoma." Said bar is the on-site cocktail hub of The Lodge at Sonoma , an Autograph Collection property. The hotel lives up to its motto, "heritage uncorked," with ample wine programming — including on-site tastings and a "pedal for pinot" project that lets you meander through local wineries on a bike — as well as design and decor that's firmly rooted in Sonoma's history as a Mexican mission. Rooms are situated casita-style, with separate entrances for each, among leafy walkways and an ancient oak.

As for downtown Sonoma, a short (free!) shuttle ride from The Lodge, the town center is always adorable, but particularly so in the sleepier season, when you can easily pop in and out of urban tasting rooms Roche , Auteur , and more, without having to jostle for a spot. Cap off your day with dinner at elegant but laid-back French eatery The Girl and the Fig . Go for the delectably simple radish appetizer and flounder meunière; stay for Geoff the uncannily knowledgeable server who truly belongs on the stage. Or at least on his own YouTube channel.

Napa's northern neighbor, Yountville, is perhaps best known as the town with the most Michelin stars per capita in North America. A relatively unsurprising feat, mind you, given Yountville's tiny (less than 3,000) population stacked against its two Thomas Keller restaurants — the aforementioned ever-busy Bouchon as well as The French Laundry .

But Yountville is more than a high-end foodie's paradise, particularly in the off season. Sure, you're more likely to get a reservation at one of Keller's restaurants on a random weeknight in January, but again, the popular spots can feel overrated — particularly wallet-wise. If you need a break from the tried-and-true (and expensive), fancy Yountville seems like it might lack options. But you just need to know where to look.

In fact, perhaps my most perfect evening in January wine country involved a stroll down the largely deserted but festively lit Yountville main drag to get to a standalone Mexican-owned taco truck on the edge of town. Tacos Garcia , operated by owner Gabriel Garcia and his family, is licensed by the city of Yountville to operate from a parking lot, slinging delicious tacos for just $2.50 apiece. That'll spare you plenty of cash for a glass of wine (or four) at the glam and cavernous RH Wine Vault on the walk back to your hotel.

And speaking of hotels, there's no better place to stay in town than Hotel Villagio, part of the 22-acre Estate at Yountville property. Hotel Villagio , like The Lodge at Sonoma, offers outdoor-entrance joined rooms, so there's no cramming into elevators or dodging fellow patrons in hallways. Its elegant but accessible accommodations include working in-room fireplaces and a seriously delicious daily breakfast that leaves most hotel buffets behind.

The last, and perhaps chillest of all, stop on my hiding-from-humans-in-wine-country tour was Healdsburg, an hour's drive north of Yountville — a micro-road trip that passes dozens of wineries on the way, so feel free to stop around at your leisure.

Hotel-wise, the go-to in town is ​​the Montage Healdsburg (you may have heard about their luxe over-the-top astro-tourism package ). Hotel Trio is another local favorite, and for downtown accommodations, Harmon Guest House is a beautiful — and eco-friendly — option.

But perhaps your best bet for a stellar experience without the crowds is just outside Healdsburg in Forestville: Stay at the gorgeous family-owned Farmhouse Inn , and you can get your own idyllic cottage with easy access to all of the property's upscale amenities, from the Michelin-starred farm-to-table restaurant that put the inn on the map to a spa whose welcoming, curated atmosphere feels authentic, not cheesy. Also on offer are local sommelier-led wine experiences, complimentary lobby bars for both hot chocolate and artisanal bath products, and rooms that make escaping the crowds easy — because you never want to leave.

Like Sonoma, Healdsburg is home to a cute downtown plaza that manages to be both full of life and far from the crowds, at least for winter visits. Start your day with phenomenal French toast — pain perdu for the traditionalists — at Costeaux Bakery , or locally roasted coffee and a violet-laden cashew butter tartine at Black Oak Coffee Roasters . And for dinner you cannot do better than Willi's Seafood and Raw Bar for cocktails, wine, winter fish options galore (the lobster roll is otherworldly).

The Best Wine Clubs for Every Type of Traveler

Unsurprisingly, Healdsburg is actually becoming celebrated for its off-the-beaten-path status. It "offers visitors a beautiful sense of small-town charm that might not be found in other similar California wine communities," explains Brooke Ross, member of the Healdsburg Tourism Improvement District (HTID) and director of sales and marketing at Hotel Trio. "The scale of Healdsburg's downtown plaza and its surrounding neighborhoods make it feel very intimate, with a palpable energy and walkability — there is an ease of connection for both locals and visitors."

She adds that "Healdsburg is one of a few wine country towns that make it easy to enjoy a full day of wine tastings, art galleries, shopping, and innovative culinary offerings without ever having to get in a car" — not quite the same as sprawling, vineyard-scattered Napa Valley itself.

If you do have a car on hand, though, it's worth the 30-minute drive to see the breathtaking — and uncrowded, this time of year — coastal redwoods in Armstrong Woods . You can even hire hike guide and health coach Karen Austin of HealthStarts2Day for a curated woodsy experience; Austin knows these trails like the back of her hand and is a pro at steering clear of the heavily trafficked times and places.

Timing is everything.

The secret formula: winter + weekdays. In addition to planning your wine country visit for the cooler-weather "off" (but still very much on-trend) season, avoiding weekends can get you prime spots for wine tastings and chef's tasting menus alike.

"Weekdays are a must," advises Nicole Hinchliffe, aka the Wine Country Mama . But she points out that "some wineries and restaurants take Mondays and Tuesdays off, so you must plan accordingly."

And don't get spooked by those potential off-season temperatures; you're not going to freeze. Both Napa and Sonoma Counties only dip down to about 40 degrees Fahrenheit in January, with highs of 58 or so. By March, you'll be seeing sunny skies and highs of 67.

Winter is "an absolutely great time to visit the Sonoma wine country," agrees Joe Bartolomei, owner of the Farmhouse Inn. "The scenery and landscape is beautiful, and you don't have to deal with the crowds. The wineries are eager to see you, you get all kinds of special attention."

Healdsburg's Ross concurs, noting that "one of the best-kept secrets of California wine country is to visit between winter and spring. After harvest and the always-busy wedding season, things tend to slow down quite a bit and travelers are able to get a real behind-the-scenes look at the destination."

Shop small.

Of course, your best bet for a behind–the-scenes look is to "visit the mom and pop shops," urges Hinchliffe. "Big, famous wineries are nice, but there's nothing better than visiting a small winery and having the winemaker and their family host you. Visit and support the smaller, eclectic wineries rather than just going by Yelp 5-star populars."

Some top options for uncrowded indie wineries include Talty Vineyards , Hanna in the Russian River Valley, and my personal favorite, Truett Hurst , a local leader in biodynamic winemaking that is taking holistic farming to a new level. Here, fourth-generation vintner Paul Dolan (official title "partner, founder, and CEO," unofficial title "wise winemaking wizard") is helming something of a sustainable wine revolution — from converting 70 grape acres to certified biodynamic and regenerative, to growing horsetail on-site that he mixes into organic bug repellent for the grapevines.

Slow travel has its perks.

On a slow day in the vineyards, you'll be surprised what delights lie in wait — that you'd likely miss if you were among the crowds whizzing from major winery to major winery in the high season. At J. Rickards winery in Cloverdale, they'll "pour you vintages that are not available to the public if it's a slow day," says Hinchliffe, "and let you lounge in the courtyard area to oversee their Alexander valley vineyards."

As for my own slow-travel wine country journey, my family and I closed out an evening at Truett Hurst with a tasting that was private, outdoors, and heated. It was a damp, chilly day and we largely had the vineyard to ourselves. My son hobnobbed with the resident goats while we dove into a cheese board laden with local goodies alongside Truett-Hurst's signature zinfandel and an aged sparkling rosé, neither of which are sold anywhere else in the world.

As the sun set and Paul kindly dazzled us with his wine wisdom (something tells me he doesn't quite have the time to do this in, say, June) I couldn't believe it had taken me so long to consider visiting wine country in the winter. I think I'm officially an off-season convert for good.

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More Information on Napa Valley tours and towns

A napa wine tour through the carneros region.

The Carneros appellation is considered the crossroads of both Napa and Sonoma Valley where the two major wine regions collide. Along with this, it is known to produce some of the finest Sonoma Valley chardonnay, pinot noir and sparkling wines. Also it should be noted that the climate with the bay breeze and foggy mornings make for the perfect growing region of these Sonoma varietals. In addition it is the perfect halfway area for a Napa or Sonoma wine tour if you are coming from San Francisco or anywhere in the bay area. Finally It is also home to the oldest winery in all of California. What winery is that you ask? None other than the Historic Buena Vista Winery. Founded by Agoston Haraszthy in 1857.

Wineries and convenient spots for lunch or dinner

Our Partners in the Carneros Region: Artesa Vineyards & Winery , Calmere Estate , Etude Winery , Domaine Carneros , Dominus Estate Winery , Buhman Estate Vineyards, Madonna Estate Winery and Cuvaison Estate Wines

Savory Eats close by: Farm at Carneros , Boon Fly Café and Stanly Lane Smokehouse

Hotels on Hwy 121: Carneros Resort and Spa

Artesa Winery

Located in the steep foothills of Mt. Veeder overlooking Los Carneros, the rocky soils and maritime climate of our Estate Vineyard produce world-class pinot noir and chardonnay. Learn More and visit Artesa winery

Staying in downtown Napa and want to take a Napa Valley Wine Tour?

Napa is the largest of Napa Valley’s six towns. Apart from this it is conveniently located just about an hour north of the San Francisco Bay Area and an hour South of Sacramento. It undoubtedly offers an array of hotel options, art galleries, boutique shops, tasting rooms and exquisite restaurants it caters to all generations.

Note-worthy Napa Wine Tours: Darioush , Domaine Carneros , Calmere , Jarvis , Silverado and Chimney Rock

Savory Eats: Morimoto , Angele , Celadon , Cole’s , Bistro Don Giovanni , Ristorante Allegria and Torc

Accommodations: The Westin Verasa Napa , The Archer Hotel Napa , The Andaz , The Embassy Suites , The Napa Valley Marriott , Hilton Garden Inn

If you’re touring Napa Valley, you will more then likely drive through Yountville

Without a doubt the town of Yountville is among the most charming little Napa Valley regions you will come across. Known for its Michelin starred restaurants, award winning Napa Valley tasting rooms and luxurious accommodations. Talk about being transported right into your very own hallmark movie.

Note-worthy Yountville Wine Tours: Domaine Chandon , Bell Wines , Robert Sinskey , Stags’ Leap Winery and Cliff Lede Vineyards

Savory Eats: Bottega, Mustards Grill, The French Laundry , ad hoc + addendum , Brix , Bouchon and R+D Kitchen

Accommodations: Hotel Villagio , Bardessono , Northblock and Napa Valley Railway Inn

Popular stops on a Napa Valley Wine Tour in Oakville, Ca

Right off Napa Valley’s Highway 29 is the small town of Oakville. How small you may say? Well if you blink you quite possibly could miss it. Furthermore, that does not mean that its bold Napa Valley wines do not pack a punch. Whereas you will find the flagship Oakville Grocery deli known throughout the Napa Valley for its delicious picnic spreads. It acts as the perfect wine tour lunch stop for all locals and visitors alike.

Note-worthy Rutherford Wine Tours: Pestoni Family Estate Winery, Grgich Hills, Honig Vineyard & Winery, Mumm Napa, Fleury Estate winery, Alpha Omega Winery, and Frog’s Leap Winery

Savory Eats: Rutherford Grill, and Bistro at Auberge du Soliel

Accommodations: Auberge du Soliel, Maison Fleurie, and Rancho Caymus

Rutherford, Napa Valley

Refined with a touch of rustic Napa Valley, Rutherford will not disappoint. This area was once a riverbed and known for its unique soil. Producing some of the best Napa Valley Cabernet with an element of spice known at the “Rutherford Dust”. Also, home to the iconic Napa staple Rutherford Grill because what is better than comfort food paired with award winning Napa Valley Wines?

St Helena Wineries, Restaurants and Accommodations

As you venture further north to the town of St. Helena you will be greeted with even more small-town culture. St. Helena is in the center of the worlds famous vineyards of the Napa Valley. Clearly perfect for those with a love of the outdoors and Napa Valley viticulture. Want to enjoy a breath-taking picnic with epic views? Particularly our dreamy Napa Valley Wine Tours will have you falling in love all over again. St. Helena is not only the center of historic Napa Valley Wines, but also the home to some of the best views around.

Note-worthy St Helena Wine Tours: Beringer Winery , Louis Martini Winery , Charles Krug , Pride Mountain Vineyards ., Piazza Del Dotto Winery & Caves , V. Sattui , Brasswood Cellars

Savory Eats: Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch , Press , Charter Oak Restaurant , Goose and Gander , Model Bakery and Gott’s Roadside

Accommodations: Harvest Inn , Southbridge Napa Valley , Wydown Hotel , Alila Napa Valley , Meadowood Resort

Calistoga Wineries, Restaurants and Accommodations

At the peak of the Napa Valley you will find the historic town of Calistoga. With its old western charm its easy to feel like you are transported back in time. With always something new to discover the Napa Wine Tasting experiences run far and wide. From higher end exclusive Napa Wineries to smaller family owned boutique estates there are a plethora of wineries to choose from for your Napa Valley Tour.

Note-worthy Calistoga Wine Tours: Castello di Amorosa , Tamber Bey Vineyards , Schramsberg Vineyards and Chateau Montelena Vineyards

Savory Eats: Sam’s Social Club , Solbar , Calistoga Inn Restaurant and Brewery , and Buster’s Southern BBQ

Accommodations: Solage Auberge Resorts , Indian Springs Calistoga , and Four Seasons

How to Plan Your First Wine Country Trip

Traveling through Wine Country is a specific joy — a mix of countryside, scenery, art, science, and shopping. A tour through a wine region delights the senses, so if you want to be a budding oenophile (i.e., wine-lover), know that vacationing in Wine Country doesn’t have to be pretentious. Here are some tips to help. Before long, you’ll be eschewing the pool or amusement park for a chance to roll a few samples around your tongue.

You will need

• 1 A vehicle
• 2 Friends (or at least a significant other)
• 3 A suitcase
• 4 A sense of adventure

Pack Your Bags

You’ll want to dress casual, because you’ll be moving around, but a little dressy, since most wineries are at least somewhat classy, no matter how relaxed they are (flannels are great, flip flops, not so much). Hats and sunscreen are necessary, because you’ll likely be outside at some point. Comfortable shoes are crucial, as is a light jacket: the temperature in most wine regions can swing unpredictably.

Do Your Research

It’s often best to look up what wineries you’ll be visiting online before hitting the road. Some may require reservations; some may have weird hours; some may have tasting fees that are outside of your budget. A little bit of Googling goes a long way.

Get a designated driver

Trust us, those small tastings add up. Have someone drive who is paying attention to how much wine they’re consuming, or hire a service. Almost all wine regions have driving services that will take groups around to different wineries, and many have special relationships with the vineyards, which lead to discounts and other special features.

Leave sorta’ early

Most wineries open around 10 a.m., and most close at 5 p.m. Wine tasting is a daytime activity, so get out of your hotel room earlier on in the day.

Tips for planning a perfect trip to California wine country

Aug 6, 2019 • 4 min read

Follow these tips for the best experience in California wine country © Sherri R. Camp / Shutterstock

A land of sunshine, grapevine-covered hills and more wineries than you could ever dream of, California Wine Country beckons wine lovers from all over the globe with its laid-back West Coast charm. 

That said, a little planning goes a long way when it comes to traveling to this wine wonderland. Here are our tips to help you maximize your time and money in one of California’s most popular destinations. 

Winery tasting and tour reservations  

Reservation policies differ at almost every winery; some allow walk-ins while others require appointments in advance. We recommend booking reservations when possible even when they aren’t required, especially on weekends when the valley lights up with activity.

Wineries usually have tours a few times each day, with the last tour running around 3:30 or 4:00pm, so keep this in mind when planning which wineries you want to tour versus the ones where you simply want to enjoy a tasting. Tasting reservation windows usually run a bit later in the day. 

It can be tempting to rush around to as many wineries as you can fit into your itinerary, but we recommend taking it slow and truly enjoying each location – nobody likes feeling rushed through their glass of wine. Tastings usually take around an hour and a half, especially if there is a tour included, and can stretch longer if you’re enjoying the setting. 

Traveling with a group 

Restaurants and wineries in wine country are not keen on splitting checks for groups, and things can get a bit crazy when it comes to organizing finances after a day full of meals and wine tastings. We recommend using a bill-splitting app like Splitwise , which has incredible versatility when it comes to entering payments and settling up. Users can create groups, assign costs to specific individuals within that group and easily pay using Venmo at the end of the trip. Other bill-splitting apps include Settle Up and Splittr . 

Vacation rentals in wine country

Vacation rental companies like AirBnB and VRBO are hugely popular across the United States, and California is no different. However, Napa Valley instituted laws in 2016 reining in vacation rentals, and properties have to register with and be approved by the local government; a public  list details all the addresses in Napa that are legally operating as vacation rentals. That said, homeowners are still hosting plenty of unregistered AirBnB options, but as a traveler, be aware not every listing is legal.  Sonoma’s policies are more lax than its neighbor.

Transportation hacks  

Drinking wine all day is bound to lead to a buzz. Designated drivers are your best bet for safe, responsible exploration of wine country, but there are plenty of other options should all members of the group want to partake. 

Ride services like Uber and Lyft frequent the valley; share costs with friends and hop along from winery to winery without worry. The area is not big – Napa Valley is only about 30 miles from top to bottom – so rideshare costs remain reasonable.

California wine country also has plenty of driving services to help visitors travel safely from destination to destination – try Beau Wine Tours or Magnum Tours .

Should I buy a bottle? Tasting fees and bottle shipping

Wineries offer wine tastings in the hope their visitors will buy a bottle (or several) after its conclusion, and tastings in wine country aren’t free, generally running around $35-45 dollars. Some wineries will waive tasting fees if you buy a bottle, while others require more of a commitment (a multiple-bottle purchase, or a wine-club membership). Always ask about the policy, because it’s generally not advertised. 

If you do find that perfect bottle of cabernet sauvignon you’d like to bring home, it’s often more budget-friendly to take the wine with you rather than having the winery ship it. Shipping services like Buffalo Shipping Post in Napa specialize in wine and offer special insulated boxes and insurance to protect against breakage and loss. If you are a US resident, be aware some states don’t allow direct shipments of alcohol; make sure you can send your bottles home before purchasing.

If you only have a few bottles and are taking to the skies to make it home, checking a bag is also an option. However, wine is more likely to break and most airlines now charge checked-bag fees, so compare shipping fees with bag fees and make the call that’s best for you.

Finding deals in California wine country

California wine country isn’t exactly a budget destination, but you can find some savings along the way. If wine is your thing and you envision returning to the valleys in the future, a wine club membership at your favorite winery could be a good option. Generally, memberships afford perks like free tours and tastings, as well as discounts at sister properties. 

Other cost-savers include apps like Winery Finder, which offer 2-for-1 deals at more than 100 wineries after you get through a $10 paywall. 

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California Wine Country: The Complete Guide

• Best Time to Visit
• Weather & Climate
• How to Get There
• Tips for Wine Tasting
• Guide to Napa
• Best Wineries
• Guide to Sonoma

Things to Do

• Best Hotels
• Healdsburg Wineries
• Santa Rosa Wineries

From its rolling vineyards to its gourmet restaurants and boutique tasting rooms, Northern California's Bay Area Wine Country—which encompasses both Napa and Sonoma valleys—is the ultimate getaway. There are more than 800 wineries in these two counties alone     , ranging from big-name producers to intimate spaces where their wines are only sold onsite, as well as a bevy of picturesque towns, cozy B&B stays, and stops for everything from mud baths to picnics. Ready to make the most of your Wine Country visit? Here's everything you need to know.

Planning Your Trip

• Best Time to Visit: With its distinct Mediterranean climate   and activities that mesh with the seasons, there's never a bad time to visit Wine Country. Summer brings the crowds, though it also offers long nights of wine tasting and live music; while the fall harvest is a celebration like no other. Spring comes alive with wildflowers and the first sprouting grapes; and winter—though often relatively frigid and rainy also sees lesser crowds, offering the opportunity for more intimate tasting experiences.
• Language and Currency: Wine Country is undoubtedly an international destination, though being in California—English is the standard language and the U.S. dollar standard currency.
• Getting Around: The easiest way to navigate Wine Country is by car, but being behind the wheel while hopping from tasting to tasting isn't an ideal scenario. Thankfully, there are several half-day and full-day wine country excursions leaving from both San Francisco and Oakland. You can also hop an Airport Express bus from either SFO or Oakland to Sonoma County, then utilize a ride-share service like Lyft or Uber to navigate between wineries. Public transit such as Sonoma Country Transit and Napa Vine buses also provide local transportation, but more between specific Wine Country towns. Two other popular options: the Napa Valley Wine Train, and bicycling.
• Travel Tip: One of the coolest things about Napa and Sonoma counties and their wine tasting culture is that each area has its own unique feel. While Napa is the more established, elder sibling of the two—home to well-known names in wine like Robert Mondavi and Domaine Carneros—Sonoma is the spunkier, more spirited region, and the largest county of the region   —one filled with small, family-run start-up wineries boasting picnic facilities and bocce ball courts, and rustic towns like Guerneville , where river tubing between tastings is a common pastime.

Even if you're not a wine drinker, there are plenty of ways to take advantage of Wine Country's ample offerings—from its spectacular hiking trails in places like Jack London State Historic Park and Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve, to ballooning over the vineyards as the sun rises to the east. Depending on the season and day of the week, you may find yourself sipping vino to live music or embarking on a guided kayaking adventure. Napa's Calistoga is home to soothing hot springs and luxury guest houses where mud baths and massage services are par for the course, while downtown Sonoma and Healdsburg are known for their gourmet restaurants and walkable charm. Sample locally made olive oil at St. Helena's Napa Valley Olive Oil Manufacturing Co., see the resident wildebeest, cheetah, and hyena of Sonoma's Safari West , or take an audio tour of the Hess Art Collection, which features works by Francis Bacon, Andy Goldsworthy, Leopold Maler and more. Don't miss these main activities:

• Wine Tasting: It's the obvious top thing to do in Wine Country, and for good reason—despite the fact that every U.S. state now produces some sort of vino, Northern California's Wine Country remains one of the most prominent and respected wine regions in the country, as well as the world. For sparkling wine, try Mumm Napa, and be sure and swing by the exquisite Francis Ford Coppola Winery in Geyserville for a walk through the winery's Movie Gallery (and a chance to channel your inner Don Corleone) in addition to sipping, swishing, and savoring Cabernet Sauvignon varietals. Napa's V. Sattui Winery features one of the best artisan delis around (it was grandfathered into the winery), while Sonoma's Balletto Vineyards boasts its own “Field of Dreams.”
• Hitting the Spa: There's something innately relaxing about wine tasting, making it little wonder that Wine Country and spa services go hand-in-hand. Calistoga is undeniably the region's top spot for soothing mineral springs and deep-tissue massages, but services like those at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa and Sonoma's ultra-luxurious Kenwood Inn & Spa are as equally as popular.
• Dining Out : Long known as one of the world's top restaurants, Thomas Keller's French Laundry in Napa's own Yountville has attracted gastronomers for decades, but it's by no means the only place to eat in Wine Country. Some of the region's most accoladed restaurants include Healdsburg's Dry Creek Kitchen and Auberge du Soleil in Rutherford. Thomas Keller's more affordable Ad Hoc in Yountville is a personal favorite, while Gott's Roadside in St. Helena can't be beat for burgers, fries, and shakes. If you're looking for a wide variety of gourmet eats, head to Oxbow Public Market in downtown Napa.

What to Eat and Drink

While much of this topic is covered above, it should be said that along with its variety of wineries and vineyards, Wine Country is seeing a growing number of breweries and distilleries, along with numerous urban tasting rooms in places like downtown Sonoma, Napa, and Santa Rosa . As far as eateries, Wine Country runs the gamut from exclusive restaurants serving up prix fixe tasting menus to casual spots such as In-and-Out Burger and Buster's Original Southern Barbecue in Calistoga. Picnicking, especially at the wineries in Sonoma County, is also quite popular and affordable.

Explore our articles on the Best Napa Valley Wineries, the Best Wineries in Sonoma County, and stand-alone Sonoma Wine Country Planning Guide to learn more.

Where to Stay

From top-notch resorts to luxury B&Bs, it's easy to find the right kind of lodging for your particular style and budget. For extreme affordability, pitch your tent at Liberty Glen Campground at Lake Sonoma, or park an RV at Napa's Skyline Wilderness Park . Airbnb stays range from Napa farmhouse cottages to a Wine Country “Cabin in the Woods,” and are often central to numerous wineries, while Calistoga is the ultimate getaway locale, with accommodations ranging from boutique hotels to clothing-optional inns.

Learn more about Wine Country's lodgings with our guides to The 9 Best Napa Valley Hotels of 2020, Where to Stay in Napa and Sonoma, and Sonoma Wine Country's Gay Hotels.

Getting There

The majority of visitors to Napa and Sonoma start their trip in San Francisco or the San Francisco Bay Area. If you're an area resident, you probably plan to drive to Wine Country. 

If you're from somewhere else or looking for a way to tour these wine regions without having to drive yourself,  check out the ways to get from San Francisco to Napa Valley .

If you're only planning to go for a day trip,  check out a fun plan for spending a wonderful day in Napa . And you'll definitely want to know  how to survive a day of wine tasting .

The most popular airports for travel to/from Wine Country are

• San Francisco International Airport (SFO): Serving many of the big-name airlines and easily accessible to/from San Francisco proper, SFO is an ideal choice for anyone looking to combine sites like the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz with a wine country visit.
• Oakland International Airport (OAK): An alternative to SFO, with often cheaper flights many of the same options for getting to/from Wine Country upon arrival, including Sonoma County's Airport Express and the SF Ferry to Vallejo, where you can can pick up the Napa Vine bus.

Money Saving Tips

• Bring along a picnic lunch, and enjoy it among the vineyards.
• If you're traveling via Lyft or Uber, visit wineries near town centers like Healdsburg , Napa, and Sonoma to cut down on transport and their associated expenses.
• Intersperse winery tastings with free activities like hiking or perusing the public art in downtown Napa.
• Research each winery's tasting fees beforehand and know how much you'll be spending (for example, some wineries waive tasting fees with a bottle purchase, or it may be most economic to split the cost of a tasting or bottle with a friend).

Sonoma County Tourism. "Wineries & Wine."

Napa Valley Vintners. "Napa Valley Fast Facts." November 27, 2019

Visit Napa Valley. "Napa Valley Weather."

Sonoma County Tourism. "Facts About Sonoma Wine Country."

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We recently added two helpful articles. The first is “ Where to Go in California Wine Country in 2023 . The second is all about the “ Big Three Wineries in Paso Robles .”

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• Sonoma West – Healdsburg
• Sonoma Valley – City of Sonoma

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Santa barbara.

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About Wine Country Getaways  

We love wine country. We love searching for wine, food, and other delights. These pages contain our discoveries from years of traveling to all the great wine regions of California and other famous wine areas. Follow our wine trails and recommendations for where to wine, dine, lodge, and have other fantastic adventures.

Since the days of COVID, wine country has been different for the traveler. Reservations at a winery are now the norm. Tasting room fees have more than doubled. Once was the day you could head to Napa Valley or Sonoma and wing it, as they say. Now it is essential to plan which wineries you want to visit and taste wine or take a tour.

What you find in these pages:  Designated wine trails in large and small wine regions in California. The wine trails lead to a mix of wineries and tasting rooms that will delight the wine country traveler. Find out which are the best wineries for visiting and learning about wine. Discover the best lodging and restaurants. Follow Insider Tips for discovering little-known backroads, picnic areas, hiking, and much more in wine country.

Wine businesses are constantly in flux, especially after the COVID epidemic. Even though we try our best, we cannot keep the listings on this website entirely up to date. Keep that in mind when you plan your trip.

Wine country Getaways takes no advertising from wineries. The winery recommendations and blog reports are solely from our travel experiences. Where else on the Internet is it possible to have this type of unbiased wine country information?

To stay in tune with the latest wine country travel information, sign up for our blog reports and articles. There is always something of current interest on Wine Country Getaways.

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A California Wine Road Trip: 10 Wineries to Try

California conjures up a different image for everyone. It might be the bright sun illuminating the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco or Los Angeles’ famous Walk of Fame as crowds of tourists seek out their favorite stars’ names. Adam and I shared a vision: to us, California was seeing the waves of the Pacific Ocean crash along the coast and sipping wine among some of the most picturesque vineyards in the United States. We brought our vision to life when we planned a California wine road trip: in addition to driving along the state’s famous Highway 1, we picked ten wineries to try in four different regions over four days. Sure, Napa may reign as the quintessential spot to enjoy a glass of wine, but grapes grow throughout the state—and we had big plans to learn and try as much as possible.

California Wine Road Trip: San Diego Wine Region

Our California wine road trip started in San Diego , which ended up being surprisingly apropos because San Diego is likely the birthplace of California wine. There are conflicting accounts as to where grapes were first planted in the state, but it is widely believed that the first record of a sustained planting was in San Diego in the 1770s, when the Franciscans produced wine in their missions. Today, there are dozens of wineries in San Diego County, and merlot and chardonnay grow well in the Mediterranean-style climate.

► San Pasqual Winery

The first California winery we visited was, in part, for a celebration. I had a chance to speak at the Association for Talent Development’s International Conference and Exposition, and a few hours after my session on storytelling and instructional design I met Adam and a few friends and former co-workers at San Pasqual Winery. San Pasqual’s main winery and tasting room is 10 miles east of San Diego in La Mesa, but we gathered at their Seaport Village tasting room that overlooks the San Diego Bay.

More Information: SanPasqualWinery.com

California Wine Road Trip: Central Coast

California’s beautiful central coast is home to hundreds of wineries that represent an incredible diversity in varietals and styles. Geography is key in this part of the state; the Transverse mountain ranges produce micro-climates that, in turn, create optimal growing conditions for many different types of grapes. That makes this part of the state ideal for trying California wine—and it’s a great region to include on a California wine road trip!

► Sanford Winery

That scene was filmed at Sanford, which looks a bit different these days thanks to some remodeling, but it doesn’t take long to understand why wine lovers will appreciate what they have to offer. Sanford is home to the oldest vineyards in the county, and the wines offered represent decades of tradition and quality.

Sanford offers two tastings—a classic flight and a reserve flight—and we ordered both so we could try a little of everything. I was particularly impressed by the Pinot Blanc, the Fleur Du Domaine, and the Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Pinot Noir. The Pinot Blanc was bright, floral, and had a touch of sweetness on the nose. The Fleur Du Domaine was one of the most complex white wines we have tried; crisp, acidic, and bursting with the flavor of summer peaches, it’s a really interesting wine. Sanford makes a few different Pinot Noirs—each of them very good—but our favorite was the Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Pinot Noir. It was really well balanced, just a little peppery to me, and full of red fruits. We loved our visit; we pulled into the driveway of the Lompoc location just as they opened, and we were treated to a lovely, relaxing tasting that made it difficult to leave.

More Information: SanfordWinery.com

► Fess Parker Winery

Of the wines we tried, it was Marcella’s—a white blend—that stood out to me. I’m a huge fan of blends, and this one is primarily Grenache Blanc and Viognier with Roussanne and Marsanne. I thought it was clean, almost bold for a white, with big apricot and apple flavors and a bit of an unexpected peppery finish. I hadn’t tried a white wine like it before, and we brought a bottle home to enjoy during the summer. The Big Easy was another winner. It’s a red blend, this time Syrah, Petite Syrah, and Grenache, with lots of red fruits like cherries and blackberries with some blueberry and vanilla on the finish.

More Information: FessParker.com

► Broken Earth Winery

We decided to enjoy the wine and cheese pairing, which was a great deal at 10 USD for six wines and six cheeses. There wasn’t a single pairing we didn’t love; from the crisp Albariño paired with salty goat Gouda to the fruit-forward Cabernet Sauvignon paired with nutty Gruyere, every sip and every bite left us wishing we could have that experience every day. The Reserve Merlot paired with truffle gouda was my favorite of the day, although the Chardonnay paired with blue cheese was a close second. Pairings change regularly, but it’s worth it to upgrade to a food pairing during your visit (and a wine and chocolate pairing is available as well!). We stayed much longer than expected because we had so much fun chatting with the staff, who were well-versed in wine and cheese and had lots of fun stories to share.

More Information: BrokenEarthWinery.com

► Pessagno Winery

Toward the northern portion of California’s central coast, we stopped in for a tasting at Pessagno Winery. Pessagno made our list primarily due to its location in the Salinas Valley, a part of the world I have always loved in part due to John Steinbeck and his masterpiece East of Eden, which was set there. The winery represents a twenty-year history of winemaking.

For 15 USD, Pessagno offers a tasting of five wines from the twenty they list on their menu. Adam and I were quick to select 10 and agree to share all of them. The stand out wines were the blends: Due, Tre, and Quattro were all excellent, although Tre was my favorite. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Tannat, the wine is smooth and spicy with lots of vanilla tones. Adam was partial to the Pinot Noirs, and I also enjoyed the Intrinity Chardonnay with its oaky, tropical finish. We arrived close to the end of the day, yet the winery was busy and almost every seat at the bar was taken. Once we sat down we weren’t rushed, and the staff was great with recommendations and ensuring our glasses were never empty.

More Information: PessagnoWines.com

California Wine Road Trip: Napa Valley

A California wine road trip wouldn’t be complete without a stop or two—or even a day—in the Napa Valley. California wine is often synonymous with Napa; many of California’s most famous wine brands are based in Napa, and it’s an incredibly popular spot for wine tourism. In some ways you can’t go wrong; our drive along St. Helena Highway through Rutherford and Calistoga took us by dozens of wineries. From world-class vintages to picturesque locations, Napa is a great wine destination.

► Castello di Amorosa – the Castle Winery

Castello di Amorosa offers several different options for visitors, from a basic tasting to a combined tour, tasting, and food pairing experience. We decided to enjoy only the basic tasting, which allowed us to select any five wines from a pretty extensive menu. Vincenzo, who greeted us when we walked into the tasting room, immediately took control of our experience, and we tried more than the five wines our admission provided. When he learned we like both red and white wines he carefully selected all of the wines he thought we should try—including a few that were not on the menu—and built a great, customized experience for us. The Sangiovese was oaky with lots of berry notes, and it was one of Adam’s favorite wines of the day. I really liked the Old Vine Zinfandel, which had notes of tobacco and berries and was well-balanced. We ended up purchasing the Il Brigante, a delightful wine that blended all of our favorites—Cabernet, Merlot, Zinfindel, and Sangiovese—into a practically perfect bottle.

More Information: CastellodiAmorosa.com

► Silver Oak Cellars

Silver Oak offered three wines during our visit: the 2012 Napa Valley Cab, the 2012 Alexander Valley Cab, and the 2006 Alexander Valley Cab. All three were exceptional; fruit-forward, balanced, and nuanced. Greg provided us with three generous pours, and when the last drop of my 2006 Cab was gone he refilled my glass without a word. In addition to enjoying our time talking with the staff and a few other guests, we loved the tasting room and had a great time walking around after our tasting to explore the view outside.

Silver Oak has one of the more expensive tasting fees we saw, but for 30 USD we enjoyed three nice pours, a bonus pour, and got to bring home Silver Oak wine glasses for our collection. Considering I got to enjoy quite a bit of the 2006 Cab—a 225 USD bottle!—it seemed like a bargain. The experience was worth every cent.

More Information: SilverOak.com

California Wine Road Trip: Sierra Foothills

Just west of Napa—yet just far enough that it falls under many travelers’ radars—is Sacramento and the Sierra Nevada foothills, an impressive region that draws comparison to Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. Wineries started popping up in the 1850s during the Gold Rush that sent thousands of people to the area. Vines benefit from a warm climate with low humidity, and temperature fluctuations between daytime and nighttime help the grapes to retain a nice acidity, which leads to well-balanced wines. We visited Amador County with Adam’s aunt and uncle, who hand-selected some incredible wineries to round out our California wine road trip.

► Amador Cellars

For 5 USD visitors have the chance to sample six different wines, and we loved them all. The GSM Blend (Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre) was an instant favorite; it had notes of blueberry and lavender, and we were quick to decide we needed a bottle to bring home with us. We also enjoyed the Rocky Point Vineyard Zinfandel, with its big, bold fruit flavors and a softness that is hard to achieve in winemaking. The staff was incredibly welcoming, making sure we had a chance to revisit favorite wines, and we felt right at home during our visit.

More Information: AmadorCellars.com

► Helwig Winery

The Helwig family isn’t originally from California’s wine country, but you would never know it—their wines taste as if they benefit from generations of winemaking expertise. Started just about a decade ago by a family that relocated from the USA’s Midwest, Helwig hosts wine tastings, concerts, and other events throughout the year.

More Information: HelwigWinery.com

► Renwood Winery

Renwood Winery has a great tradition of winemaking in Amador County. For 25 years they have produced a variety of wines with an emphasis on Zinfandel, which grows well in the region. By the time we arrived to sample a few wines the tasting room was busy, but we still had a warm, welcoming experience from several fantastic people behind the bar- including our host Nicole.

Renwood offers several different flights, including one just for Zinfandel fans, but we both tried the Taste of Renwood flight to get a more well-rounded idea of what they produce. We sampled a Sauvignon Blanc, a Tempranillo, a Barbera, a Zinfandel, and a red blend. The Zinfandel really stood out to me; it had lots of blackberry and red fruit flavors, and it was easy to drink. The Sauvignon Blanc was also great, and on a hot day its bright crispness and citrus tones would be a refreshing choice. We loved our visit and wished we had time to relax outside, where dozens of people gathered at tables with a glass of their favorite wine after their tasting was complete.

More Information: Renwood.com

California Wine Road Trip Map

Tips for Planning Your California Wine Road Trip

If you are thinking about planning your own California wine road trip, here are a few ideas to consider:

► Don’t overdo it

► Pick a designated driver

If possible, travel with a designated driver —either one person who doesn’t plan to drink during your trip or by alternating days with all passengers. Drinking and driving is illegal, and it is dangerous to you and everyone you encounter on the road. Make smart decisions and ensure someone is sober and ready to drive at all times.

► Take Breaks

If you don’t have a designated driver, incorporate breaks into your road trip schedule. Plan to spend time after your tasting enjoying the scenery or talking with staff before moving along to your next stop. A California wine road trip is different than a night of bar hopping; it’s not about the quantity of wineries you visit but rather the quality of each visit.

► Make responsible choices

If you are going to be driving the car during your California wine road trip, don’t drink and drive. That is the most responsible choice you can make. During our road trip we met people who shared a single tasting, sipped and then spit out wine so they didn’t ingest it, and skipped tastings completely if it was their turn to drive. Pick a responsible strategy; we strongly discourage any decisions that lead to drinking and driving.

► Pick your wineries in advance

There are hundreds of great wineries to explore, and your choices may overwhelm your experience if you don’t do some research before you get there! Some wineries focus on a single varietal, like Silver Oak, and some offer an extensive tasting menu. Doing your homework and selecting wineries in advance will help you maximize your time and your overall experience. Also, many wineries—especially in Napa—require reservations in advance, which may impact your itinerary and require some planning.

► Some wineries are expensive

► Pick your hotels strategically

Many hotels are expensive, especially during popular times of the year or on weekends, so book hotel rooms in advance and note their location based on the wineries you will visit. We had a fantastic stay at the Residence Inn by Marriott in Vacaville, CA, which was about an hour from both Amador County and Napa. The suites are enormous, so we had plenty of room to spread out, and we liked having a kitchen where we could eat a takeout pizza from Round Table Pizza (and a microwave to heat up leftovers!). We also loved the complimentary hot breakfast, and the staff was terrific—warm, welcoming, and full of suggestions for what to see and do while we were in the area.

More Information: Booking.com/Residence-Inn-by-Marriott-Vacaville

Enjoy California Wine Country!

We loved planning and taking our California wine road trip. California is a beautiful state with so much to see and do, but we especially enjoyed learning about it through the wines they have and the people who make them. Let us know where your California wine road trip takes you—and remember to be responsible, drive safely, and enjoy every minute!

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From time to time, our travels are directly impacted by a service or company. In this case, we visited wineries located throughout California, and this post includes our candid review of our experiences. We selected these wineries based on our own research, travel needs, and interests; we were not offered and did not receive compensation of any kind from them or any other party in exchange for our review.

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California Wine Country Itinerary

Both Sonoma County and Napa Valley in Northern California are the perfect destinations to visit for anyone who loves amazing wine, great food and breathtaking views all around. Overall, California Wine Country has established itself as America’s most renowned wine producing region and it is totally worth visiting and exploring through a fun road trip itinerary!

During late June 2021, I did a memorable California road trip for my 30 th birthday . I first started my road trip with Ashley from World to Wander where we spent two days exploring Palm Springs and the surrounding areas. From there, we proceeded with a stunning coastal road trip from Santa Barbara to San Francisco .

After spending two nights exploring San Francisco , my mom met me on my actual birthday and we enjoyed a wonderful time tasting wine and adventuring on a road trip around California Wine Country .

We spent six days and five nights on a road trip around California Wine Country and we split half of our time in Sonoma County and the second part in Napa Valley and Winters . In this blog post, discover the best California Wine Country itinerary .

**Please note that this blog post uses affiliate links meaning that if you make a purchase via my affiliate link, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only promote and talk about products and services that I have used and like. During my time in Wine Country, Hotel Winters hosted me for three nights. The George Napa also hosted me for a brunch during my time in Wine Country and Carboni’s Ristorante hosted me for a dinner. In addition, GetYourGuide sponsored me on a Hot Air Balloon ride over Napa Valley.

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Traveling to California Wine Country for a Road Trip:

Since I was already on a road trip when I arrived in California Wine Country, I just ended up getting my mom at San Francisco International Airport and drove to Sonoma County from there. On our way home, we flew back to Newark Airport from Sacramento International Airport with a layover in Seattle.

(Since I started my California road trip in Palm Springs, I flew from Newark to Palm Springs International Airport with a layover in Phoenix.) You can find affordable flights through Skyscanner .

Getting around California Wine Country could be done through both public and private tours, the Napa Valley Wine Trolley and the Napa Valley Wine Train , I still recommend renting a car so that you can get around freely to thoroughly enjoy this itinerary and to explore all the beautiful National Parks nearby as well as other scenic spots and restaurants.

It is common for people to do day trips to Napa from San Francisco , so there are plenty of great tours you can participate in and enjoy!

Also, if you plan to split up your itinerary for Wine Country , I recommend doing Sonoma County for 2 days , Napa Valley for 2 days and a day visiting a National Park.

*During your road trip in California Wine Country, please drink responsibly and DO NOT drink and drive! You must be 21 years or older to consume alcohol in the United States.

( Click here  if you are planning to road trip around the  United States  and want to rent an RV.)

Where to Stay in California Wine Country:

As I followed along my California Wine Country itinerary , I spent two nights at AC Hotel by Marriott Santa Rosa Downtown , which is in Sonoma County, and three nights at Hotel Winters in Winters, California , which is in between Napa Valley and Sacramento. In fact, Winters is considered the gateway to California Wine Country !

Staying at Hotel Winters during a Wine Country Itinerary:

When I visited Wine Country in June 2021, it had been only two years since Hotel Winters first opened, so it was still brand new. Hotel Winters includes a stunning lobby to relax in, an on-site restaurant with incredible food and drinks, a rejuvenating spa , a rooftop lounge to enjoy some wine at, a beautiful patio with a dipping pool, a fitness center to workout at and so much more! Hotel Winters welcomed me with a bottle of local red wine and there were so many spots around the hotel to enjoy it at.

What is also great about staying at Hotel Winters is that it is in the heart of downtown Winters where there are a lot of great restaurants , saloons, boutiques, galleries, tasting rooms and more.

Rooms at Hotel Winters :

During my three nights at Hotel Winters , my mom and I stayed in the Studio Suite , which is a spacious room that includes a comfortable king-sized bed, living room, beautiful en-suite bathroom with a walk-in shower and rainfall shower head as well as a stunning, old-fashioned clawfoot bathtub.

Our suite also included a 50-inch UltraHD television that also offered Netflix as well as a refrigerator, Keurig , an executive desk and a walkout balcony with a seating area. It was amazing and cozy!

In addition to the Studio Suite, you can also choose a Classic King room; Courtyard King room that overlooks Hotel Winters ’ courtyard; Winters King room; Winters Double Queen room; Winters One-Bedroom suite; Winters Signature Suite and a Bridal Suite.

Eating at Carboni’s Ristorante Bar & Marketplace in Winters, CA:

Located inside of Hotel Winters is Carboni’s Ristorante Bar & Marketplace . It is an Italian restaurant and full bar that serves fresh homemade pizza and pasta dishes as well as farm-to-fork fish, meat and vegetarian plates.

My mom and I ate at Carboni’s two evenings during our stay at Hotel Winters and the food did not disappoint whatsoever! During our first evening, I savored the Pollo al Mattone, which was free range chicken with pan fried polenta, smoked bacon lardons and summer pole beans with chicken jus. My mom had the Filleto di Halibut, which was a pan rosted Alaskan halibut with herbed marble potatoes, fennel, squash and citrus vinaigrette.

On our last evening, we went all out and truly enjoyed the pizza that Carboni’s offers to diners. First, we savored the delicious bread with fresh olive oil and my mom got the Caprese con Pesca salad, which consisted of grilled stone fruit, heirloom tomato, whipped burrata, pistachio with white balsamic vinaigrette.

I had the Margherita pizza, which did not disappoint, and it included San Marzano tomatoes, fior di latte and fresh basil. My mom savored the tre formaggi pie that also included San Marzano tomatoes, fior di latte, scamorza, grana Padano and garlic. Both pies, which are sized as personal pizzas, were incredible!

Carboni’s also has delicious homemade gelato, ranging from a variety of different flavors, that you can enjoy after your meal. I had the delicious chocolate gelato and it did not disappoint. In addition, the drinks at Carboni’s are also great! My mom enjoyed the local wine that the bar offered and I had an Aperol spritz with my pizza. Carboni’s also offers craft beers and artisanal cocktails for you to choose from.

This wonderful restaurant also has a marketplace where you can get grab-and-go items such as salads, sandwiches/wraps, juices and more.

Overall, I had a great stay at Hotel Winters during my CA wine country itinerary and I also had the opportunity to stay at the sister properties during past travels – Chamberlin Inn in Cody, WY and The Equus in Honolulu, HI .

California Wine Country Road Trip Itinerary:

Like I mention above, I followed a six day, five night itinerary during my time in California’s Wine Country. During my California Wine Country road trip, I didn’t only go to wineries and vineyards, I also explored the National Parks and natural beauty the entire region boasts.

Below is where you can follow my road trip itinerary for Wine Country!

Wine Tasting in Northern California – A Sonoma Travel Guide and Napa Valley Itinerary:

Day 1: wine taste at st. francis winery and have dinner in santa rosa.

St. Francis Winery & Vineyard :

I am a huge wine lover and the number one wine brand that I drink almost every night when I am home is St. Francis . (I love their cabernet sauvignon if you’re looking for a good everyday red wine to enjoy with your dinner.)

Since St. Francis Winery is located in Sonoma County, I just HAD to include it in my California Wine Country itinerary! In fact, my mom and I visited St. Francis Winery & Vineyards on my actual birthday.

Overall, St. Francis Winery & Vineyards are situated on a gorgeous property in Sonoma County, in Santa Rosa . The year that mom and I visited (2021), St. Francis was celebrating their 50 year anniversary.

It was a gorgeous day when we visited St. Francis and my mom and I did the Estate Pairing for my birthday that included both a food and wine pairing. To say everything exceeded our expectations is an understatement.

With the Estate Pairing, we had the winery’s 2020 rosé with a shrimp tostada that included shrimp, avocado, spring radishes and grapefruit. Next, we had the 2018 Pinot noir with crispy maitake mushrooms that included salsa Romesca, hazelnuts and extra virgin olive oil. We then had the 2016 Zinfandel with the sherry-soy glazed pork belly slider with pickled Fresno chilis and cabbage-carrot slaw. Lastly, we tasted the 2016 Port wine with sour cherry and pecan Florentine for dessert. Everything was delicious and even though I am not a big pork eater, I did truly enjoy the pork belly slider.

Overall, St. Francis Winery & Vineyards are ZAGAT -recommended Wine & Food Pairing and have earned global praise as being “#1 in America” in 2013 and 2015 by Open Table diners. The food being served at St. Francis is farm-to-table (there is a vegetable garden on the property) and each wine is award-winning.

Since we love St. Francis ’ Cabernet Sauvignon wines, they allowed us to taste from two of their signature bottles and also try their Sauvignon Blanc, which was also delicious!

Located at the vineyard are fresh lavender to admire, pretty gardens, walking trails and more. St. Francis also does trolley tours and tastings as well as virtual wine tastings and tours. I’m so happy I got to ring in my 30 th birthday at St. Francis .

*Please note that you will need to make a reservation in advance to visit St. Francis Winery & Vineyard .

Dinner in Santa Rosa:

For dinner, later that evening, my mom and I went to Willi’s Wine Bar in Santa Rosa that not only features renowned wines, but they also boast delicious small plates.

Since we did a food and wine pairing earlier in the day, we just got three small plates and split everything between us. During our evening at Willi’s Wine Bar , my mom and I savored the Ahi tuna tartare, curried crab tacos and scallop dumplings. For dessert, we sang happy birthday with a warm flourless chocolate cake with salted peanuts, peanut butter mousse and vanilla bean ice cream.

Day 2: Brunch at The George , Hike Muir Woods National Monument, Visit Point Reyes National Seashore and Enjoy an Evening in Santa Rosa

Brunch at The George Napa :

The day after my birthday, The George in Napa invited my mom and I to enjoy a lovely birthday brunch at their bed and breakfast.

The George is a brand-new luxury boutique inn located in Napa, California . They have been a historic inn since the late 19 th century, but was recently restored and renovated. (The older inn was destroyed by an earthquake that happened in Wine Country.) The George reopened in March 2021 and it is absolutely stunning and a cozy spot.

Overall, The George is part of the National Register of Historic Places and Subsequent National Parks Service Evaluation . The inn was first commissioned in 1891 by George E. Goodman Jr ., who was the son of one of Napa’s most prominent businessmen. I recommend adding this beautiful spot to your Wine Country itinerary!

When we first arrived, we were introduced to renowned Chef Alex Espinoza who whipped us up a lovely breakfast that morning. Chef Alex also gave us a tour of the kitchen. He cooks delicious farm-to-table meals at the inn and everything Chef Alex makes is delicious!

Our wonderful brunch at The George consisted of coffee and mimosas and for our meals, I savored the delicious avocado toast with bacon and a poached egg. My mom had the eggs Benedict. We also both enjoyed the roasted potatoes and our plates were decorated with edible flowers right from Chef Alex’s home garden. The George also gets their breads from The Model Bakery in Napa, which is definitely well worth a visit during a California Wine Country road trip! The eggs Benedict dish comes with the infamous English muffin from The Model Bakery . It is considered Oprah ’s favorite!

During our morning brunch at The George , we also got to hang out with Malia, who is the manager of the boutique inn. She was so sweet and accommodating to us.

Hiking Muir Woods National Monument :

During our Wine Country itinerary, my mom and I visited a winery/vineyard one day and enjoyed something adventurous the next day to break up the trip.

After brunch at The George , we made our way a little over an hour south of Napa to Muir Woods National Monument . ( Muir Woods is closer to San Francisco .)

Because Muir Woods is so close to the city, it is a National Park that attracts a lot of visitors. Please note that prior to visiting Muir Woods, you will need to make reservations ahead of time to get into the park on a specific date. Click here to make your reservations today!

The parking reservations fee to get to Muir Woods costs $8.50 USD for standard vehicles and the regular entrance fee is $15 USD for anyone ages 16 and older. Muir Woods National Monument does take the annual America the Beautiful pass since it is part of the National Park system. If you’re on a road trip and plan to see a lot of National Parks along the way, I recommend getting the annual pass for $80 USD. You will save money that way because it usually costs $35 USD to get into most big USA National Parks .

Overall, Muir Woods National Monument isn’t too big, but there are hiking trails you can take further from the park’s main trailheads. Muir Woods is iconic for its old-growth redwood trees. This was the second time I walked through a redwood forest, I got to visit Redwoods National and State Parks during my Northern California and Oregon road trip in July 2020.

Redwood trees fascinate me because they are the tallest trees on Earth. They are also strong as well! Reaching over 250 feet in height, Muir Woods’ trees are some of the last remaining ancient redwood trees in the Bay Area . Some of these trees are around 1,000 years old!

Even though Muir Woods draws a lot of visitors, it is the perfect spot for ALL to enjoy the great outdoors. That is right, most of the main trails at Muir Woods are ADA accessible and it’s also perfect for children and the elderly to enjoy.

Some of the best spots to check out are the Founders Grove with the Pinchot Tree, Cathedral Grove, Fern Creek Trail and Bohemian Grove. If you are looking for more of a challenge and less trafficked trail, hike the Hillside Trail or Canopy View Trail. If you want to catch stunning views, enjoy the Ben Johnson Trail and the Dipsea Trail.

Visit Point Reyes National Seashore on the Northern California Coastline:

Located over an hour from both San Francisco and Muir Woods is Point Reyes National Seashore . Part of the National Park system, Point Reyes is a vast expanse of protected coastline that is breathtaking!

I will admit that my visit to Point Reyes was quite disappointing because even though it was a beautiful sunny day in the Bay Area , the entire National Seashore was covered in a huge fog. There is a plethora of stunning viewpoints, but unfortunately, we didn’t get to experience any of them.

My mom and I did get to see the iconic Cypress Tree Tunnel, which is so beautiful and makes for a great photo opportunity! Other awesome spots to check out at Point Reyes National Seashore are the S.S. Point Reyes Shipwreck , South Beach Overlook, Point Reyes Lighthouse and Elephant Seal Overlook.

During your time at Point Reyes National Seashore, also drive the epic Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, which features jaw dropping views and hike the Laguna Coast Trail Loop and the Chimney Rock Trail.

Even though my mom and I didn’t experience the best of this National Seashore, we couldn’t help the weather situation. It is still a wonderful spot to include in a California Wine Country itinerary.

*Please note that both Muir Woods National Monument and Point Reyes National Seashore DO NOT have any cellular service, so it is important to download all maps, tickets, etc. ahead of time so that they are already saved on your phone for easy access.

Evening in Santa Rosa, California:

After our adventurous day, we were hungry for a delicious meal. When we arrived back in Santa Rosa, my mom and I enjoyed a lovely Italian dinner at LoCoco’s Cucina Rustica . (Definitely try to make your way here during your California Wine Country road trip!)

Voted as “North Bay’s Best Italian Restaurant 12 Years Straight”, LoCoco’s is in the heart of downtown Santa Rosa and we can attest that the food is incredible! (I recommend making a reservation because the restaurant does get crowded, even on weeknights.)

Both my mom and I had a local Sonoma County Pinot Noir. For my main meal, I had linguine and clams in a white wine sauce and my mom had the veal parm with penne pasta. Both dishes were mouthwatering! Even the bread with olive oil was great.

Once you’re finished with dinner, I highly recommend walking around downtown Santa Rosa and enjoying all of the fun vibes. There are a lot of great shops, galleries, live music, wine bars and tasting rooms as well as ice cream shops. In fact, right near LoCoco’s is Nimble & Finn’s , which is known to have incredible homemade ice cream with numerous flavors.

In addition to Santa Rosa, another wonderful town to visit in Sonoma County that is filled with great restaurants, tasting rooms and more is Healdsburg . Discover where to eat in downtown Healdsburg .

Day 3: Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride over Napa Valley, Wine Taste at Domaine Carneros and Check into Hotel Winters

Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride Over Napa Valley:

After spending two days in the Sonoma County area, my mom and I made our way to Napa . We first started our time in the Napa Valley area by taking a hot air balloon ride over the vineyards. It was magical and my mom and I did our hot air balloon ride experience with GetYourGuide ! Since we went hot air ballooning two days after my birthday, it still made for a wonderful present!

Overall, doing a California Wine Country road trip had been a major bucket list goal for me over the years that being able to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity like this during my itinerary was such a dream! I loved all the stunning views of the vineyards, mountains and breathtaking scenery all around.

For the hot air balloon ride, my mom and I had to wake up early to be in Yountville , CA by 5:30am. Once we met in Yountville, we were split up into groups and took vans to the site where we would take off in our hot air balloons. (The ride was around 45 minutes.)

Once we got to the site, we saw the balloons being blown up and getting ready to take off. It was so cool seeing them up close. (It was my very first time going ballooning!) Fire is what keeps the balloons up in the air and at a high altitude.

When we finally got up in the sky, it was magical seeing all of the balloon’s float in the air as well as admiring all of the breathtaking vineyards, mountains and scenery within Napa Valley.

We spent around an hour up in the air on our balloon before we descended and headed back to Yountville. One thing to note about doing a hot air balloon ride in Napa is that all the balloons will descend at different times and land in different spots. (Our balloon was up in the air the longest.) Once the balloon lands, your guide will call the van and they will pick you and your group up and take everyone back to Yountville.

Brunch and Morning in Napa:

After our memorable balloon ride, my mom and I headed to downtown Napa where we enjoyed a nice brunch at Grace’s Table . It is a charming eatery that offers a globally-inspired menu with great brunch, lunch and dinner options.

My mom and I both had mimosas with coffee and for our main dishes, we each got the pancakes with fresh fruit. Everything was delicious!

When we finished our meal, we walked it off by strolling around Napa and enjoying some shopping. My mom and I also headed down by the Riverfront Promenade and watched the canoes, kayaks and gondolas go by, which you can also do as well in Napa. These fun adventures are great Napa vacation ideas for all to enjoy.

Wine Taste at Domaine Carneros :

Later in the afternoon, my mom and I did another wonderful wine tasting at Domaine Carneros in Napa. This beautiful winery specializes in sparkling wines and it has a French-inspired château with formal gardens on its property! It brought me back to the Champagne region in France.

Domaine Carneros was founded by the noble family behind Champagne Taittinger , who wanted a U.S. counterpart. It is totally worth a stop during a California Wine Country road trip.

During a visit to Domaine Carneros in Napa , you can admire the château, walk through the gardens and vineyards and obviously taste a variety of wines from traditional sparkling wines to Pinot noir and estate wines.

My mom and I did a daily tasting of the blanc noir, which was a sparkling white wine; brut rosé that was a sparkling rosé; Pinot noir and the estate Pinor noir. We also savored a charcuterie board, which was amazing!

Overall, we had a wonderful time wine tasting at Domaine Carneros and feeling like we were in France. Please note that you will need to make a reservation in advance to visit Domaine Carneros . It is a place you don’t want to exclude on your Wine Country itinerary!

Check into Hotel Winters in Winters, California:

After wine tasting at Domaine Carneros in Napa, we drove around an hour east to Hotel Winters in Winters, California where we stayed for the remaining three nights of our California Wine Country road trip.

Day 4: Day Trip to Yosemite National Park

On our fourth day of our California Wine Country itinerary, my mom and I did a great day trip to Yosemite National Park , which is located over three and a half hours east of Winters, closer to the Nevada border.

Before we took off for the day, we grabbed coffee and muffins/pastries at Steady Eddy’s Coffee House in Winters. It is a charming, local coffee shop that sells comforting morning beverages and light food.

The drive from Winters to Yosemite is long, but it is easy. Once you reach the entrance to the park, it will take you around another 45 minutes or so to get to all the iconic spots. When my mom and I visited Yosemite , it was a hot day, so if you travel to this iconic park in the warmer months, make sure to bring plenty of water to stay hydrated. (I also recommend bringing snacks for the road. Thankfully, Hotel Winters provided them for us. I suggest taking a hydro backpack too.)

With only one day in Yosemite National Park , try to fit in these amazing spots:

• Enjoy the breathtaking overlook at Tunnel View: It is the most popular viewpoint in Yosemite and you can enjoy the sights of the famous natural landmarks within the full Yosemite Valley such as El Capitan, Half Dome and Bridalveil Falls. It is an epic spot! You can either hike to Tunnel View or drive. Since it was around 100 degrees Fahrenheit during our day trip to Yosemite, we just drove to Tunnel View, otherwise we would’ve hiked it.
• Hike Mirror Lake: Known as a 2.6-mile, heavily trafficked loop trail, Mirror Lake trail is easily accessible and great for all to enjoy. Since my mom and I went to Yosemite on an extremely hot day, we stuck to this hike, which was nice, but due to the dry California weather, the water from the lake had dried up. Usually, Mirror Lake offers breathtaking views of the iconic Half Dome in Yosemite.
• Hike Lower Yosemite Falls: Recognized as another popular trail in Yosemite, Lower Yosemite Falls trail is a 0.5-mile hike from the trailhead and it allows you to see the stunning waterfalls in the park. You can even see views of Upper Yosemite Falls during parts of this trail!
• Hike Half Dome Summit: One of the most strenuous hikes in Yosemite National Park is Half Dome. Please note that this specific hike takes a full day, so I recommend doing it if you’re staying a few days in the park or if you’re dedicating the entire day to this trek. There are numerous routes to take and it can be anywhere from 14 to over 16 miles roundtrip.

*If you plan to hike in Yosemite, ensure you download the AllTrails app when you have cellular service so that you have everything at the tip of your fingers when you don’t have signal.

If you have time, other cool spots to check out in Yosemite National Park are below:

• Visit Mariposa Grove: A fun fact about the big trees of California are that redwoods are famous for being near the coast in the northern part of the state and sequoias are iconic to the eastern part of the Golden State . Since Yosemite is located just north of Sequoia National Park, you bet that you can find sequoia trees in Mariposa Grove. Overall, this area in Yosemite is home to over 500 sequoia trees and there are different hiking trails to enjoy.
• Admire the views at Glacier Point: Just like Tunnel View, another epic viewing point within Yosemite National Park is Glacier Point. You can drive to Glacier Point and there is a short and easy trail that leads you to the overlook. From there, you can enjoy incredible views of Half Dome, Nevada Falls, Vernal Falls and the entire Yosemite Valley.

(You will definitely need more than one day to see all of the iconic spots Yosemite boasts, but I was happy my mom and I got to see a lot. I’m glad we got to visit Yosemite during our Wine Country journey .)

After an awesome day enjoying everything Yosemite National Park has to offer, my mom and I drove back west to Winters. On the way back, we stopped to grab dinner at Tasty Pot in Stockton, California, which boasts delicious Taiwanese hot pot meals.

I absolutely LOVE hot pot and hadn’t savored it since my trip to Vietnam back in February 2020. I had the seafood hot pot and my mom got the veggie one. Everything exceeded our expectations!

Day 5: Explore Winters and Visit the Tuscany of Napa – Castello di Amarosa and V. Sattui Winery

Explore Winters, California during a Wine Country Itinerary:

Like I mention above, Winters, California is in between Napa Valley and Sacaremento and it is a center for agriculture and passenger rail service. It was founded in 1875 and it maintains its historic charm and rural beauty and lifestyle.

The town of Winters is fairly small, but it offers tasting rooms to enjoy, featuring renowned local wine; a town saloon; cafés; a BBQ restaurant; a taqueria; a brewery; pizzerias; ice cream shops and more! I highly recommend taking the time to stroll around and see what this lovely town has to offer.

Before we went wine tasting on our fifth day of our California Wine Country road trip, my mom and I enjoyed a lovely breakfast at Putah Creek Café . This family-owned restaurant not only has a great breakfast menu, but they also serve delicious brick oven pizzas, local wine and more. My mom and I enjoyed the French toast for breakfast.

Winters is also known for its endless fields of sunflowers. When you travel to the Sacramento area during the summer, you cannot miss out on visiting a beautiful sunflower field in Winters . They are great for photos, engagement proposals, sunflower picking (if it’s allowed) and more!

Visit the Tuscany of Napa Valley – Castello di Amarosa and V. Sattui Winery :

On our final day of our California Wine Country road trip, my mom and I visited Castello di Amarosa in Calistoga , California and its sister winery, V. Sattui in St. Helena .

Castello di Amarosa is a winery and vineyard located in a 13 th – Century Italian castle on the main Wine Country road . The one thing to know though is that Castello di Amarosa isn’t a real castle! 4 th generation winemaker Dario Sattui built a Tuscan castle winery in Calistoga in honor of his Italian heritage, deep love for medieval architecture and, of course, wine!

Overall, Castello di Amarosa is open for tastings and tours. They do not sell food and they do not host events, like weddings, because they try to keep the castle as authentic as possible. It is known as one of the most beautiful wineries in Napa Valley and cannot be excluded from your Wine Country itinerary.

My mom and I did our tasting in the wine cellars of the castle. We both got to choose between six different wines (red, white, rosé and a dessert wine) and we even did a chocolate pairing with it. (The chocolate was amazing!)

After your wine tasting, I recommend walking around the castle’s property, seeing the vineyards and checking out the farm animals. During the previous year, Napa Valley was hit with a bad wildfire and the back part of Castello di Amarosa was burnt. Thankfully, all the animals ran away from the fire and returned right back to the property when everything was better! (Animals are so smart.)

Later in the afternoon, we drove around 15 minutes over to the sister winery of Castello di Amarosa called V. Sattui Winery where you can have food and host events. It is also a beautiful property that attracts more people, since you don’t need a reservation to go there, and it includes a marketplace where you can get bottles of wine, cheeses and cured meats to pick on as well as fresh fruit, bread/crackers, salads, paninis, pastas, pizzas and more.

At V. Sattui Winery , you can also do a tasting, enjoy live music, have a picnic and so much more.

Day 6: Fly Home from Northern California

During our last day of our time in Wine Country, my mom and I headed back to the airport to fly home from Sacramento.

If you’re a wine lover, discover these other great destinations:

Cape Town, South Africa

Hudson Valley, New York

Low Key Bachelorette Party Ideas

I hope you all enjoyed discovering the best California Wine Country road trip itinerary and reading about my experience staying at Hotel Winters . If you have any questions, please email me at [email protected].

Basic Facts of the United States:

Currency: United States Dollar, Capital: Washington D.C., CA State Capital: Sacramento, Time Zone: Pacific Standard Time

*Anything could happen during your travels. Always make sure you are insured in case there are unforeseen circumstances such as lost luggage/theft, natural disasters, personal liabilities and more.  Click here  to get insured for your next trip.

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Looks like you had the best trip! I love California wine country. I really need to get up to Santa Rosa and Point Reyes. Muir Woods is one of my favorites as is Yosemite.

Thank you Francesca and I definitely did! Santa Rosa was a beautiful town and I wish I stayed longer in Sonoma County and visited more wineries there. 🙂

This was such a wonderful, packed with a lot of fun activities trip ~ so glad to spend your 30th birthday with you in breathtaking wine country. It was so much fun visiting the 3 wineries, Yosemite national park and Muir Redwoods ~ loved staying at Hotel Winters and enjoyed eating at their restaurant. Also, enjoyed the breakfast at the George ~ but my favorite activity was flying on the hot air balloon over stunning Napa Valley vineyards ~ what a wonderful experience ~ this was a fabulous trip! Thanks for writing this amazing blog to bring back all the great memories we made there! Your photos bring this trip back to life ~ I really enjoyed this blog! Awesome job ~ love you, mom 👩xoxo ♥️

Yes, it really was a great trip! I want to go back! Thank you mom again for meeting me there and helping me celebrate my milestone birthday. Love you! <3

What a fantastic California wine country road trip. Some iconic things you did like hot air ballooning, Muir Woods. So bad you had lots of fog at Point Reyes.

Thank you Cosette! It truly was a great trip. 🙂

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Laid-Back Luxury Trip to Northern California Wine Country

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QUINTESSA WINERY IN THE NAPA VALLEY

PHOTO BY RACHEL WEILL

With numerous Michelin stars, stylish resorts and spas, and hundreds of top wineries, Northern California Wine Country represents the good life, in just about every way. For travelers, the region is best explored slowly, with plenty of time to stop, relax, and appreciate breathtaking views and memorable experiences.

This 6-day itinerary offers the best of Sonoma and Napa counties, plus a jaunt into Mendocino’s Anderson Valley. The agenda features our picks for the best of the best, and includes four big, over-the-top dinners. Our advice is to build in time for yoga, hikes, or other physical activity every day. This will reset your body (and your palate) for the parade of rich food and great wine.

Itinerary / 6 DAYS

TRIP HIGHLIGHT

TRIP DESIGNER

Visit california.

FARMHOUSE INN, SONOMA

DAY 1 Introduction to Sonoma County

ARMSTRONG REDWOODS STATE NATURAL RESERVE

DAY 2 Into the Woods

CAMPO FINA IN HEALDSBURG

DAY 3 A Taste of Mendocino

THE RESTAURANT AT MEADOWOOD

DAY 4 Relaxing in Style

THE HESS COLLECTION

DAY 5 Cheers to Art

QUINTESSA IN ST. HELENA

DAY 6 Bottoms Up

These Are the Top Wine Country Hotels

These are the best wine country properties from Mexico to Northern California.

A veggie-forward spread at Dawn Ranch in Guerneville, California. Photo by Gentl & Hyers.

The Sunset Travel Awards celebrate the best in travel in the West, and this year we had another record-breaking number of entrants of the highest level across all categories. These hotels and resorts are the 2024 winners of the Where to Stay: Wine Country Escapes category . Check out the complete list of winners here . For our definitive and searchable travel directory to help you plan your next trip in the West, click here .

Banyan Tree Veya

Fernando Marroquin

It’s been a while since Valle de Guadalupe has celebrated an opening of this gravitas. The expansive 16-acre villa-only property levels up this already white-hot wine region in Northern Baja with rooms outfitted with private plunge pools, plus seven standout culinary outlets, a botanical garden, and the hotel’s own Grenache-focused Pictograma Winery .

Gentl & Hyers

The recently renovated 22-acre Dawn Ranch in Guerneville, California, offers a dreamy getaway in the woods, with its cozy cabins, glamping tents, and access to the Russian River. Extensive programming includes scent-making classes, guided foraging, and treatments at the Spa at Dawn Ranch. The Lodge at Dawn Ranch, led by Chef Fernando Trocca, serves a vegetable-forward menu with craft cocktails. Amenities like Fender guitars and Swarovski binoculars make for a delightful rustic luxe reset.

MacArthur Place

Courtesy of MacArthur Place

MacArthur Place Hotel and Spa is set on a lush six-acre property right in the heart of the town of Sonoma. With multiple pools, outdoor showers, a renovated spa, and three restaurants and bars celebrating local ingredients, serving craft cocktails, and pouring regional wines, it combines the best of the city and the surrounding wine country. Add the hotel’s acclaimed art collection and artist-in-residence program and a stay here adds up to a vibrant cultural and culinary experience.

Huttopia Wine Country

Courtesy of Huttopia Wine Country

There’s no shortage of slick, luxury hotels in wine country, which is what makes a quirky glamping option like Huttopia Wine Country stand out from the pack. Perched amidst vineyard hills with panoramic views, it offers 63 fully solar-powered wood and canvas tents. Enjoy family-friendly amenities like electric mountain bike rentals, a solar-heated pool, and games like ping-pong and pétanque. Located near Clear Lake and Napa Valley , it’s an off-the-grid haven perfect for nature lovers and wine enthusiasts alike.

Bob McClenahan

Live like a Napa Valley wine baron at this house on a hill offering privacy and serenity in the Stags Leap District. Accessible only to guests, the resort features suites tricked out with fireplaces, soaking tubs, and balconies with epic valley views. Poetry Inn guests will now have access to  Sullivan Rutherford Estate . Situated in the heart of the Napa Valley and surrounded by lush gardens and a picturesque pond reminiscent of Monet’s Garden, Sullivan Rutherford Estate has been quietly producing world-class merlot and cabernet sauvignon wines for over 50 years.

The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern

Courtesy of The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern, Auberge Resorts Collection

The latest thing in luxury lodging in the Santa Ynez Valley , The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern in Los Olivos, CA, blends modern farmhouse design with luxe ranch style . Formerly a stagecoach stop, the property boasts well-curated rooms with fireplaces and firepits, and offers activities like winemaker experiences, knife-making, and chef-led dinners. The original historic structure retains that throwback stagecoach vibe with rustic furnishings and multiple fireplaces, albeit now with an exceptional restaurant and craft cocktail bar. An elevated ranch retreat.

Stables Inn

Courtesy of Stables Inn

This Paso Robles property captures the rustic charm of the Central Coast’s most fantastic wine regions with its quirky indie spirit and down-home hospitality. Each of the 19 stylish rooms is uniquely designed with a nod to the area’s equestrian heritage. Guests enjoy amenities like plush bedding, local artisan touches, and a central location perfect for exploring nearby wineries and downtown Paso.

Harmon Guest House

Courtesy of Harmon Guest House

Located in downtown Healdsburg, Harmon Guest House embodies the eco-chic charm that draws visitors year after year to the heart of Sonoma’s wine country. Its 39 rooms, including six suites, are nestled in intimate pods for a private getaway vibe. Each room features balconies or patios with views of the bustling main street, tranquil garden courtyards, or the serene pool and creek park. Don’t miss the rooftop lounge for elevated bites and craft cocktails worthy of the region’s excellent food scene, as well as panoramic vistas of Fitch Mountain and the Sonoma Hills.

Keep Reading:

• 2024 Sunset Travel Awards
• 2024 Travel Awards
• 2024 Travel Issue
• luxury hotels
• luxury travel
• sunset travel awards
• wine country

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