Here is the 6-Day Itinerary from our trip to Napa and Sonoma in California. Okay, so this isn’t technically a family-friendly destination, but it is the perfect trip for an adult-only getaway!
San Francisco: Day 1
We caught an early morning flight from Chicago to SFO, arriving by 7am Pacific Time. This early arrival allowed us to spend a full day exploring San Francisco before heading to Sonoma. After picking up a rental car at the airport, we drove directly to San Francisco and parked near the marina. Our day included strolling around downtown, indulging in chocolate sundaes at Ghirardelli Square, having lunch at In-N-Out Burger, and driving down the famous Lombard Street.
Our accommodation was at the Embassy Suites San Francisco Airport, a hotel chain we prefer for one-night stays due to their on-site restaurant, complimentary happy hour, and spacious rooms at a reasonable price. The Embassy Suites we stayed at offered a wonderful view of the bay, allowing us to watch planes landing at SFO.
Sonoma: Days 2-4
The journey from San Francisco to Sonoma took approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes. We lodged in a charming AirBnB conveniently situated in Sonoma, which was just the right size for the two of us.
Our initial winery stop was at Buena Vista Winery, located on a picturesque, historic estate in Sonoma. We participated in the Barrel Tasting and Winery Tour, and had a delightful experience. I highly recommend visiting this winery!
During our trip, we also explored Chateau St. Jean, an estate in Kenwood. We strolled through the stunning grounds and estate, and indulged in a tasting session. This winery stood out as one of our favorites in Sonoma.
Some other noteworthy wineries we visited in Sonoma were St. Francis Winery & Vineyards and Imagery Estate Winery. I would recommend adding both of these to your itinerary!
Napa: Days 5-6
The journey from Sonoma to Napa took just 25 minutes. During the drive, we made a stop at Hess Persson Estates situated on Mount Veeder. Undoubtedly, this winery was the highlight of our trip. Perched on top of a mountain, the location was breathtaking, and the wine they offered was the best we tasted throughout our trip.
Our accommodation was in the town of Napa, the southernmost town in Napa Valley, at Hotel Indigo. This location was conveniently close to several renowned wineries. Opting to stay in Napa proved to be a more cost-effective choice compared to staying in the towns further north in the valley. However, this decision also limited our visits to wineries situated in the northern regions. For our next trip, we are considering staying in the northern part of the valley to discover different wineries.
Raymond Vineyards was one of the wineries we enjoyed visiting in Napa. During our visit, we had the opportunity to take a comprehensive tour of the vineyard and gain insights into the winemaking process. Throughout the tour, we had the chance to taste a diverse selection of wines.
One other place we particularly enjoyed was the Robert Mondavi Winery. We had a tasting session there, and they offer a lovely patio overlooking the vineyards where you can also enjoy a glass of wine. It was the only winery we decided to visit more than once on our trip.
We loved visiting Beaulieu Vineyards (BV) and Franciscan Estates in Napa, as well!
Tips for Wine Tasting in Sonoma & Napa:
Keep in mind that a tasting experience for two individuals will cost between $30 and $70 or more, depending on the type of tasting you opt for. It's worth asking the winery if they offer any discounts for nearby wineries, as they often do. By doing so, we managed to secure some two-for-one tasting deals.
If you’re a wine club member at a local winery, check for partnerships with Napa/Sonoma wineries. We scored 2 free tours and tastings thanks to our membership at Cooper's Hawk Winery
Local grocery stores offer lower-priced wine compared to where we live, so stock up while you’re there! We grabbed a bottle of wine and ordered some pizza for dinner during a couple evenings there.
Many wineries close before dinnertime, especially on weekdays. Check hours ahead of time, and note that most tours are likely between 11am-4pm.
Space out your winery stops and don't try to pack too many into a day. We stopped at 2 (sometimes 3) wineries each day and made sure to leave a bit of time in between for exploring.
Enjoy your trip to Napa and/or Sonoma!
Comments