Travel Guide
Everything you need to know β hours, tickets, tips, and how to make the most of your visit.
Overview
California's most famous wine region, about 1 to 1.5 hours north of San Francisco, with hundreds of wineries along Highway 29 and the Silverado Trail. Neighboring Sonoma is more laid-back and often cheaper. Expect Cabernet Sauvignon, vineyard views, farm-to-table lunches and towns like Yountville and St. Helena.
Insider Knowledge
Most wineries require tasting reservations, so book two or three in advance and don't try to fit in more.
Nearby
san-franciscoThe former federal penitentiary on a rocky island in San Francisco Bay that held Al Capone and other notorious inmates from 1934 to 1963. Ferries leave from Pier 33, and the acclaimed cellhouse audio tour, narrated by former inmates and officers, brings the prison's history vividly to life.
san-franciscoThe 1.7-mile Art Deco suspension bridge painted International Orange, opened in 1937 and linking San Francisco to Marin County. Walk or bike across its sidewalks for wind-whipped views of the bay, then see the classic postcard angles from Battery Spencer, Fort Point and Crissy Field.
san-franciscoA protected grove of old-growth coast redwoods about 16 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge, with trees over 250 feet tall and more than 1,000 years old. Flat boardwalk loops follow Redwood Creek, while longer trails climb toward Mount Tamalpais.
san-franciscoCalifornia's most famous wine region, about 1 to 1.5 hours north of San Francisco, with hundreds of wineries along Highway 29 and the Silverado Trail. Neighboring Sonoma is more laid-back and often cheaper. Expect Cabernet Sauvignon, vineyard views, farm-to-table lunches and towns like Yountville and St. Helena.
san-franciscoThe world's last manually operated cable car system and a moving National Historic Landmark. Three lines climb the city's hills: Powell-Hyde and Powell-Mason run from Union Square toward Fisherman's Wharf, while the California Street line crosses Nob Hill to the Financial District.
san-franciscoA hillside bayfront town just across the Golden Gate in Marin County, known for its houseboat community, galleries, seafood restaurants and views back to San Francisco. Many visitors bike over the bridge and return by ferry, one of the Bay Area's best half-day outings.
Choose a designated driver or book a guided tour, as DUI laws are strictly enforced.
Weekdays are quieter, and some wineries charge less outside weekends.
Harvest season, September to October, is beautiful but the busiest and priciest time.
Common Questions
Napa is more polished and pricier, focused on Cabernet; Sonoma is more relaxed, known for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Final tasting slots are often around 3:30-4:00 PM.
Tasting fees are sometimes waived with a bottle purchase.
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