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 a wine tour 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!
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, 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, and Napa Valley Wine Country Tours offer a much more boutique experience and visit a standard 3-4 wineries.
With any 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 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 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 personalized experience, consider traveling with a company that leads private tours.
Also, be sure to inquire about what is included with 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 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.
Getting Around
How to Get From San Francisco Airport to Downtown
How to Ride San Francisco’s Historic Streetcar
How to Ride BART in San Francisco
How to Get to Alcatraz: Visitor’s Guide to Alcatraz
Tours of San Francisco
San Francisco Boat Tours and Cruises
San Francisco Hop-On, Hop-Off and Other Bus Tours
Things to Do
Top 10 Things to do in San Francisco
A Perfect Day: 24 Hours in San Francisco
Visiting San Francisco on a Budget
Best Seafood in Fisherman’s Wharf
Go San Francisco Card 3-Day Itinerary
