The Perfect Napa Valley Recommendations (and Sonoma!)

Last updated: February 2026

Looking for the perfect Napa Valley recommendations from a local? I got you! Just a short drive from San Francisco, Napa Valley and Sonoma are amazing getaway trip. These renowned wine regions offer stunning vineyards, world-class wineries, and unforgettable experiences. Explore the best of wine country with my curated recommendations. Cheers to your next great escape!

San Francisco to Wine Country

One of the best parts of living in San Francisco is that wine country is only an hour or two away. This makes it all too easy to swing by for a day trip, but you can certainly stay for longer if you would like to. If you are visiting or you have friends and family in town, check out my suggested 3 day itinerary. Pre-COVID, we would actually go to wine country once a month!

Napa Valley actually got it’s start back in the 1800s, when European settlers brought grapevines to the region. However, the valley really only gained international recognition at the 1976 Judgment of Paris when Napa wines beat French wines in a blind tasting. Today, Napa Valley is a world-renowned wine region that is most celebrated for its Cabernet Sauvignon. Sonoma Valley is a much larger wine region that many now prefer to go to instead because it’s a little less snobby and more laid-back. Because Sonoma Valley encompasses so much land with both hot and cool coastal climates, it’s diversity of wine is also larger. Notably, Sonoma Valley has great Pinot Noirs and Chardonnay and many more other wine varietals.

Helpful Tips in Wine Country

• Keep in mind that you may want to arrange transportation and there is no public transportation between San Francisco and Napa/Sonoma. With a car, you can take the Bay Bridge or the Golden Gate Bridge. Also note that you will need to pay a toll for either bridge.
• Napa and Sonoma locations can be rather far from each other. Unless you plan on staying the night (or longer), it would be best to choose just one broader location and be sure to map out their exact locations and the driving distance between them. Broader Napa can encompass Downtown Napa, St. Helena, Calistoga, Angwin. Broader Sonoma can encompass Downtown Sonoma, Healdsburg, and Geyserville.
• Most people can only visit 1-3 wineries in one day (unless you are a champion drinker) and wineries tend to close early, by 4 or 5pm.
• Tastings are not cheap and many tasting rooms are by appointment only.

Napa Valley

Wineries in Napa Valley

• Mumm Napa
• RH Yountville Wine Vault
• Darioush
• Stags’ Leap Winery
• Nickel & Nickel
• Alpha Omega Winery
• Corison Winery
• Matthiasson Winery
• Orin Swift Cellars
• CADE Estate Winery
• Quintessa
• Joseph Phelps Vineyards
• Caymus Vineyards
• Paraduxx
• Rombauer Vineyards
• Stags’ Leap Winery
• Ashes & Diamonds Winery
• St Clair Brown Winery & Brewery
• Domain Carneros
• Newfound Wines

Non-wine Options in Napa Valley

• Mad Fritz Brewery and Malthouse – beer
• Hanson of Sonoma Distillery – vodka

Restaurants in Napa Valley

• The Model Bakery (Downtown Napa and St. Helena)
• The Station
• Bouchon Bistro
• Bouchon Bakery
• Oxbow Public Market
• The Charter Oak Restaurant
• PRESS Restaurant
• Mustards Grill
• Oakville Grocery
• Ad Hoc
• Lunch Box at Copia
• Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch

Sonoma

Wineries in Sonoma (and cider shop!)

• Bedrock Wine Co
• Auteur Wines
• Pomme Cider Shop & Tap Room – for cider
• Kamen Estate Wines
• Merry Edwards Winery
• Gloria Ferrer Wines
• Wilson Winery

Restaurants in Sonoma

• El Molino Central
• Golden Bear Station (haven’t tried yet but I went to Animo and it was amazing)
• the girl & the fig

Map of Napa and Sonoma Top Spots

Zoom out and use the side bar button to view all of the recommendations in the map!

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FAQ: Napa & Sonoma from San Francisco

Is Napa or Sonoma better for a day trip from SF?

Sonoma is more casual, less crowded, and slightly closer. Napa is more upscale with bigger-name wineries. For a first visit, I’d say Sonoma for the relaxed vibe, Napa for the wow factor. Both are about 1-1.5 hours from SF.

Can I do Napa Valley as a day trip from San Francisco?

Yes, but it’ll be a full day. Drive up in the morning, visit 2-3 wineries, have lunch, and drive back. Leave SF by 9 AM to maximize your time. Consider a designated driver or tour service so everyone can taste.

How do I get to Napa without a car?

Take the Golden Gate Ferry from the SF Ferry Building to Vallejo, then the Vine bus to Napa. You can also book a guided wine tour that includes transportation from SF. Several companies offer full-day tours with hotel pickup.

How many wineries should I visit in one day?

Three is the sweet spot. More than that and palate fatigue sets in. Book your favorites in advance — popular wineries like Opus One and Domaine Carneros require reservations.