San Francisco Wine Tours + Tastings (Napa vs. Somona)

This post will help you decide between visiting Napa or Sonoma Valley.

We share our favorite wine tours of both areas, as well as recommend things to know before booking one of the best wine tours from San Francisco.

Napa Valley vs. Sonoma Valley
Tours of Napa
Tours of Sonoma
Things to Know Before Booking
Visiting San Francisco
Other Day Trips from San Francisco

Disclosure: While our recommendations are always unbiased, we may receive a small share of sales through some of the links below at no cost to you. See the full text.

NAPA VALLEY OR SONOMA VALLEY

Napa and Sonoma are world-class wine regions, not just for the amazing wine that comes out of the area, but also because of the incredible views of Napa and Sonoma Valley.

Both areas are just north of San Francisco and very close to one another (approximately a 30-minute drive).

You really can't go wrong with either. Both produce similar quality wines and offer equally stunning landscapes. And luckily, you often don't have to!

Both places provide wine lovers with a curated experience to explore renowned wineries, indulge in tastings, and immerse themselves in the rich wine-making culture.

Most companies leading wine tours from San Francisco offer trips that feature both locations. However, if you only have time to visit one, there are a few things to consider.

Yet, generally speaking, Napa Valley does tend to be slightly more expensive than Sonoma.

Of course, the actual cost will vary depending on the tour company and the wineries that it visits, but often Sonoma is a bit more affordable.

However, with all that being said, if you ask any wine country local, they would probably say that the Napa and Sonoma Valley are too similar to differentiate and that you should absolutely visit both.

With this full-day tour of both Napa and Sonoma by Skyline Sightseeing, you can see both! It's $144.99 per person including one wine tasting fee.

TIP: For some wine tours in San Francisco, you can get up to a 20% discount using the Go SF Card Build Your Own Pass.

BEST WINE TOURS OF NAPA VALLEY

There are several different companies that offer both group and private tours of Napa Valley.

Some, such as Skyline Sightseeing Tours, are traditional hop-on-hop-off tours that drop guests at 2-4 wineries throughout the day.

Others such as Wine Country Tour Shuttle, Platypus Wine Tours, Green Dream Tours, and Napa Valley Wine Country Tours offer a much more boutique experience and visit a standard 3-4 wineries.

With any small group tour to Napa Valley, be sure to ask whether or not wine-tasting fees are included in the price of the tour and if snacks will be provided.

Check out our post Reviews of the Best Napa Valley Wine Tours.

Extranomical Tours

Extranomical Tours is a popular wine tour company that offers excellent tours, including these:

9-hour San Francisco Wine Lover's Tour
9 hour Wine Country + Muir Woods Tour
Wine Country + Alcatraz Ticket Tour

See all of their wine tour options.

Complimentary hotel pick-up, a guided tour of San Francisco’s wine country, and wine-tasting fees for at least 2 different wineries are included in each.

Reviews for Extranomical are very good, with many guests praising the company for offering such a convenient and affordably priced wine country experience. TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5 stars.

Runners-up: Skyline Sightseeing, Tower Tours, and Wine Country Tour Shuttle.

Check out our post Reviews of the Best Napa Valley Wine Tours.

To visit both Napa and Sonoma, check out this full-day tour by Skyline Sightseeing. It's $449.99 per person including one wine tasting fee and hotel pick-up.

BEST WINE TOURS OF SONOMA VALLEY

As is true with Napa Valley, wine tours that visit Sonoma Valley generally visit 3-4 Sonoma wineries and spend approximately 1 hour at each.

Some of the most popular companies include Tower Tours, Sonoma Valley Wine Trolley, Skyline Sightseeing, and Grapeline Wine Tours, amongst others.

If you're looking for a more intimate experience, consider traveling with a company that leads private tours.

Also, be sure to inquire about what is included in the price of the tour.

Just like the Napa Valley wine tours, only some Sonoma wine tours include wine-tasting fees and food pairings in the total cost.

Check out our post Reviews of the Best Sonoma Valley Wine Tours.

Best Value Wine Tour of Sonoma Valley: Skyline Sightseeing

Skyline Sightseeing Tours are classic hop-off-hop-on bus tours that take visitors to several different tourist destinations.

They offer half-day and full-day tours of Napa Valley and Sonoma.

The half-day and combination tour options visit 2-3 wineries, while the full-day tour visits 4.

The first wine-tasting fee is included in the price of the full and half-day tours, but all additional tastings must be paid separately.

This outfit offers complimentary hotel pick-up from San Francisco.

Half-Day Wine Tour– $79.99 per person, including 1 wine tasting fee. Children $66.99

Runners-up: Tower Tours, Grapeline Wine Tours, and Platypus Wine Tours.

Check out our post Reviews of the Best Sonoma Valley Wine Tours.

To visit both Sonoma and Napa, check out this full-day tour by Skyline Sightseeing. It's $144.99 per person including one wine tasting fee and hotel pick-up.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE BOOKING

Confirm what exactly is included in the cost and what is not.

For example, the price of group tours often does not include wine-tasting fees, and the price of private tours often does not include the cost of gas.

It is important to know the approximate cost of the day so that guests can plan accordingly.

Do your research beforehand.

Though some group tours have a set list of wineries that they visit, some group tours and all private tours will try to accommodate any requests made by the guests.

If there is a particular winery you want to visit, read up on it beforehand and ask your guide if it could be done.

Don’t forget your ID!

The last thing you want is to pay for a wine tour and then not be able to drink the wine!

TIP: For some wine tours, you can get up to a 20% discount using the Go SF Card Build Your Own Pass.

VISITING SAN FRANCISCO

Most people visiting Napa or Sonoma Valley also spend at least 1 day in San Francisco.

Here are several of our guides and ‘how-to’ posts we think you will find helpful.

VISITING WINE COUNTRY

Here are a few more details you might want to consider before heading out to either Napa Valley or Sonoma.

We'll answer questions about both locations separately.

NAPA VALLEY

How do you get to Napa Valley from San Francisco without a car?

To travel from San Francisco to Napa Valley without a car, there are several transportation options available. Here are a few ways to reach Napa Valley:

Public Transportation: Train to the Martinez Station by Bay Area Rapid Transit, then Amtrak to Napa Valley Wine Train Station or Vine bus service to Napa Valley.
Ferry: San Francisco Bay Ferry from San Francisco to Vallejo and then transfer to a Vine bus service.
Rideshare Services: Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are available in San Francisco and can transport you to Napa Valley.
Guided Tours: There are tour companies that offer day trips from San Francisco to Napa Valley. These tours typically include transportation, wine tastings, and visits to different wineries. Click here to know more about such tours.

How far is Napa Valley from San Francisco?

Napa Valley is located approximately 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of San Francisco.

The driving distance between the two cities is typically around 1.5 to 2 hours.

What is the best time of year to visit Napa Valley?

The best time to visit Napa Valley is during the fall (September to November) when the weather is pleasant and the vineyards display vibrant autumn colors.

This season coincides with the harvest season, offering a festive atmosphere.

However, it's worth noting that Napa Valley is a year-round destination, and each season has its own unique charm.

How long does a Napa Valley wine-tasting tour take?

The duration of a Napa Valley wine-tasting tour can vary depending on the specific tour package you choose and the number of wineries you visit.

Half-day wine-tasting tours typically last around 4 to 5 hours. Full-day wine-tasting tours can last anywhere from 6 to 9 hours or more.

SONOMA

How do you get to Sonoma from San Francisco without a car?

There are several options to get from San Francisco to Sonoma. These options are:

Public Transportation: You can use a combination of public transportation options, primarily buses and trains, to reach Sonoma. Bay Area Rapid Transit from San Francisco to the Santa Rosa North Station. From the Santa Rosa North Station, transfer to a Sonoma County Transit bus that serves various locations within Sonoma.
Guided Tours: There are tour companies that offer day trips from San Francisco to Sonoma. These tours typically include transportation, visits to wineries, and the opportunity to explore the beautiful Sonoma Valley. Click here to know more such tours.

How far is Sonoma from San Francisco?

Sonoma is located approximately 45 miles north of San Francisco. The driving distance between the two cities is typically around 1 hour.

What is the best time of year to visit Sonoma?

The best time to visit Sonoma is during the fall (September to November) when the weather is pleasant, and vineyards display vibrant fall foliage.

This season coincides with the grape harvest, providing a lively atmosphere.

However, each season has its own unique attractions, and Sonoma's wine country is a year-round destination with something to offer in every season.

How long does a Sonoma wine-tasting tour take?

The duration of a Sonoma wine-tasting tour can vary depending on the specific tour package, schedule, and the number of wineries included.

Half-day wine-tasting tours in Sonoma typically last around 4 to 5 hours. Full-day wine-tasting tours can range from 6 to 8 hours or more.

OTHER DAY TRIPS FROM SAN FRANCISCO

San Francisco Wine Tours + Tastings

Napa and Sonoma Valleys

NAPA VALLEY OR SONOMA VALLEY