GETTING HERE AND AROUND
Most travelers to the Wine Country start their trip in San Francisco. Getting to southern Napa or Sonoma takes less than an hour in normal traffic. Using public transportation can be time-consuming. If you base yourself the Napa Valley towns of Napa, Yountville, or St. Helena, or in Sonoma or Healdsburg in Sonoma County, you’ll be able to visit numerous tasting rooms and nearby wineries on foot.
The 511 SF Bay website (
511.org) can help you plan trips to and within the Wine Country. See the Planning sections at the front of each chapter for more public transit information.
Contact 511 SF Bay. 511.org.
AIR TRAVEL
Nonstop flights from New York to San Francisco take about 6½ hours, and with the three-hour time change, it’s possible to leave JFK by 8 am and be in San Francisco before noon. Some flights require changing planes midway, making the total excursion between 8 and 9½ hours.
More than three dozen airlines serve San Francisco’s airport, and a few of the same airlines also serve the airports in Oakland and Sacramento. Fares to San Francisco are often the cheapest, but the two smaller airports can sometimes be more convenient, especially if your destination is southern Napa. Alaska, American, Delta, jetBlue, and Southwest serve all three airports. United serves San Francisco and Sacramento. Frontier and Virgin America serve San Francisco. Allegiant serves Oakland. Allegiant, Alaska’s subsidiary Horizon Air, American, and United serve Santa Rosa’s Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport. Horizon also serves Sacramento.
Airline Contacts Alaska Airlines. 
800/252–7522 www.alaskaair.com. Allegiant. 702/505–8888 www.allegiantair.com. American Airlines. 800/433–7300 www.aa.com. Delta Airlines. 800/221–1212 www.delta.com. Frontier Airlines. 801/401–9000 www.flyfrontier.com. jetBlue. 800/538–2583 www.jetblue.com. Southwest Airlines. 800/435–9792 www.southwest.com. United Airlines. 800/864–8331 www.united.com. Virgin America. 877/359–8474 www.virginamerica.com.
AIRPORTS
The major gateway to the Wine Country is San Francisco International Airport (SFO), 60 miles from the city of Napa. Oakland International Airport (OAK), almost directly across San Francisco Bay, is actually closer to Napa, which is 50 miles away. Most visitors choose SFO, though, because it has more daily flights. Another option is to fly into Sacramento International Airport (SMF), about 68 miles from Napa and 76 miles from Sonoma. Wine Country regulars often fly into Santa Rosa’s Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport (STS), which receives daily nonstop flights from San Diego, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Portland, and Seattle. The airport is 15 miles from Healdsburg. Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, and National rent cars here. ■ TIP → Alaska allows passengers flying out of STS to check up to one case of wine for free.
Airport Information Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport (STS). 
2290 Airport Blvd., 1½ miles west of U.S. 101 707/565–7243 www.sonomacountyairport.org. Oakland International Airport (OAK). 1 Airport Dr., 2 miles west of I–880, Oakland 510/563–3300 www.flyoakland.com. Sacramento International Airport (SMF). 6900 Airport Blvd., off I–5 916/929–5411 www.sacramento.aero/smf. San Francisco International Airport (SFO). McDonnell and Link Rds., San Francisco 800/435–9736, 650/821–8211 www.flysfo.com.
GROUND TRANSPORTATION
To the Wine Country: Two shuttle services serve Napa and Sonoma from both San Francisco International Airport and Oakland International Airport. Evans Airport Service, affiliated with California Wine Tours, is an option for travelers without cars staying in Napa or Yountville. The service, which costs $40 per person, drops you off at any hotel. If you’re heading elsewhere, the company will arrange for taxi service from its drop-off point. The Sonoma County Airport Express shuttles passengers between the airports and the cities of Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, and Petaluma for $34. Ask the driver to call ahead so that a taxi is waiting for you when you arrive.
If you’ll be staying in the town of Napa, it’s possible to take BART from SFO or OAK to the El Cerrito Del Norte station and then board VINE Bus 29. If you’re headed to the town of Sonoma, transfer in Napa to Bus 25. Private limousine service costs up to $300, depending on your destination. SF Limo Express charges $50 an hour with a three-hour minimum for up to four people.
Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport is just off U.S. 101 in Santa Rosa. Healdsburg is north of the airport via U.S. 101. For the town of Sonoma, drive south to Highway 12 and head east.
To San Francisco: If you’re headed to downtown San Francisco, a taxi ride from San Francisco International Airport costs $50–$55. More economical are GO Lorrie’s Airport Shuttle and SuperShuttle, both of which take you anywhere within the city limits for $18 per person. Both pick up passengers outside the airport’s lower level near baggage claim. SF Limo Express charges $70 for a town car ride. Rates for ride-sharing services Uber and Lyft vary depending on the type of vehicle and the travel time. The smallest Uber or Lyft vehicle costs $97–$126 to Sonoma, $91–$116 to Napa, and $109–$141 to Santa Rosa.
Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) commuter trains take you directly to downtown San Francisco. The trip takes about 30 minutes and costs $8.95. BART trains depart from the international terminal every 15–20 minutes, depending on the time of day. Two SamTrans buses provide another inexpensive option: the 292 (one hour, $2.25) and the KX (35 minutes, $5.50; only one small carry-on bag permitted). Board SamTrans buses on the lower level.
A taxi from Oakland International Airport to downtown San Francisco costs $41–$46.
The best public-transit option is BART. Follow signs in the terminal to the driverless BART shuttle train, which operates between the airport and the Coliseum station. After exiting the shuttle, you can purchase a ticket whose price covers the cost of shuttle and the train to your destination. The fare to San Francisco is $10.20.
Limos, Shuttles, and Ride Services Evans Airport Service. Napa Office and Airporter Terminal, 4075 Solano Ave., Napa 707/255–1559 www.evanstransportation.com. GO Lorrie’s Airport Shuttle. 415/334–9000 www.gosfovan.com. Lyft. www.lyft.com. SF Limo Express. 415/990–6364 www.sflimoexpress.net. Sonoma County Airport Express. 707/837–8700 www.airportexpressinc.com. SuperShuttle. 800/258–3826 www.supershuttle.com. Uber. www.uber.com.
Public Transit Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART). 415/989–2278 www.bart.gov. SamTrans. 800/660–4287 www.samtrans.com.
BUS AND COMMUTER TRAIN TRAVEL
The knee-jerk local reaction to the notion of getting to tasting rooms—or the Wine Country—via public transit is that it’s impossible or will take forever, but it’s definitely possible. The two easiest towns to visit are Napa and Sonoma (trips to either take about three hours), and both have numerous tasting rooms, restaurants, and lodgings in their downtown areas.
To Napa: From San Francisco or Oakland, you can take a BART train to the Cerrito Del Norte station and then pick up VINE Express Bus 29, which stops at the Soscol Gateway Transit Center in downtown Napa. Once in Napa you can connect with VINE buses that travel up the entire valley to Calistoga. VINE Bus 25 connects the towns of Napa and Sonoma.
To Santa Rosa: Golden Gate Transit Bus 101 serves Santa Rosa, from whose Transit Mall you can transfer to buses serving Healdsburg, Sebastopol, and other Sonoma County destinations. Greyhound serves Santa Rosa from Oakland.
Bus Lines Golden Gate Transit. 415/455–2000 www.goldengatetransit.org. Greyhound. 800/231–2222 www.greyhound.com. Sonoma County Transit. 707/576–7433, 800/345–7433 www.sctransit.com. VINE. Soscol Gateway Transit Center, 625 Burnell St., Napa 707/251–2800, 800/696–6443 www.ridethevine.com.
CAR TRAVEL
A car is the most logical and convenient way to navigate Napa and Sonoma. Although some thoroughfares can get congested, especially during rush hour and on summer weekends, there are plenty of less trafficked routes. Parking is generally not a problem.
To drive to the Wine Country from San Francisco International, follow signs north out of the airport to Interstate 380, which leads to Interstate 280. As you approach San Francisco, follow signs for the Golden Gate Bridge. By the time you begin crossing the bridge, you’re on U.S. 101. Head north for northern Sonoma County. For southern Sonoma County and the Napa Valley, head east on Highway 37 at the town of Novato, then follow Highway 121 into southern Sonoma. At Highway 12, turn north to reach the town of Sonoma. For the Napa Valley, continue east on Highway 121 to Highway 29 and head north.
From Oakland International, the best way to get to Sonoma County is via Interstate 880 north. Follow signs for Interstate 80 East/Interstate 580 West, which takes you across the Richmond–San Rafael Bridge. After you cross the bridge, follow the signs to U.S. 101 North. From here, continue north for northern Sonoma County or head east of Highway 37 for southern Sonoma County and the Napa Valley. A quicker option if you’re heading to the Napa Valley is to stay on Interstate 80 to Highway 37 in Vallejo. Head west on Highway 37 and north on Highway 29, following the signs for Napa.
If you fly into Sacramento International, take Interstate 5 South to Interstate 80 West. Exit onto Highway 12 and continue west to Highway 29 north for the city of Napa. For the town of Sonoma continue west on Highway 121 and north on Highway 12.
From Sonoma’s airport, take U.S. 101 south to Santa Rosa and then east and south on Highway 12 to reach Kenwood, Glen Ellen, and Sonoma; head north on U.S. 101 for Healdsburg; and head south on Laughlin Road and west on River Road for Guerneville, Forestville, Sebastopol, and other Russian River Valley towns. To reach the Napa Valley, take U.S. 101 south to the River Road exit and head east on Mark Springs West Road, Porter Creek Road, and Petrified Forest to Calistoga.
CAR RENTALS
If you’re flying into the area, it’s almost always easiest to pick up a car at the airport. You’ll also find rental companies in major Wine Country towns. The beautiful landscapes make it a popular place for renting specialty vehicles, especially convertibles. Exotic Car Collection by Enterprise or the locally based City Rent-a-Car rent such vehicles. ■ TIP → When renting a specialty car, ask about mileage limits. Some companies stick you with per-mile charges if you exceed 100 or 150 miles a day.
Most rental companies require you to be at least 20 years old to rent a car, but some agencies won’t rent to those under 25; check when you book. Super Cheap Car Rentals, near San Francisco International, has competitive prices and, unlike many agencies, rents to drivers between 21 and 24 for no extra charge.
Car-rental costs in the area vary seasonally, but in San Francisco generally begin at $50 per day and $275 per week for an economy car with unlimited mileage. Rates can be slightly higher in Oakland and substantially higher in Sacramento, often offsetting any airfare savings. This doesn’t include car-rental taxes and other surcharges and fees, which can add another 20% to the per-day rate.
Rental agencies in California aren’t required to include liability insurance in the price of the rental. If you cause an accident, you may be liable. When in doubt about your own policy’s coverage, take the liability coverage the agency offers.
Automobile Associations American Automobile Association (AAA). 800/222–4357 www.aaa.com. National Automobile Club. 800/622–2136 www.thenac.com.
Local Agencies City Rent-a-Car. 1433 Bush St., near Van Ness Ave., Polk Gulch 415/359–1331 www.cityrentacar.com. Super Cheap Car Rental. 10 Rollins Rd., at Millbrae Ave., Millbrae 650/777–9993 www.supercheapcar.com.
Major Agencies Alamo. 800/462–5266 www.alamo.com. Avis. 800/633–3469 www.avis.com. Budget. 800/218–7992 www.budget.com. Exotic Car Collection by Enterprise. 415/292–2150, 866/458–9227 exoticcars.enterprise.com/sanfrancisco. Hertz. 800/654–3131 www.hertz.com. National Car Rental. 877/222–9058 www.nationalcar.com.
GASOLINE
Gas is readily available on all but the most remote back roads. Expect to pay 10%–20% more than you would back home.
PARKING
Parking is rarely a problem in the Wine Country, as wineries and hotels have ample free parking. In some communities, street parking is limited to two or three hours during the day. There are often reasonably priced municipal lots downtown; signs will generally point you in the right direction.
ROAD CONDITIONS
Roads in the Wine Country are generally well maintained. Traffic jams do occur, though the biggest tie-ups you’ll experience will likely be in and around San Francisco. Trying to negotiate morning and afternoon rush hours will add considerable time to your trip. On Sunday evening you’ll encounter lots of traffic as you head back to San Francisco, but it’s nothing compared with the crush of cars trying to leave town on a Friday afternoon. Traffic can be equally bad heading north from Oakland to Napa along Interstate 80, especially during the afternoon rush hour. For real-time traffic info, visit 511.org or tune your radio to 740 AM and 106.9 FM, which broadcast traffic news every 10 minutes.
Once you’ve reached the Wine Country, the roads become less crowded and more scenic. Expect heavier traffic during rush hours, generally between 7 and 9 am and 4 and 6 pm. Things can also get congested on Friday and Sunday afternoons, when weekenders add to the mix. Highway 29, which runs the length of Napa Valley, can be slow going in summer, especially on weekends, and it can slow to a crawl around the town of St. Helena.
ROADSIDE EMERGENCIES
Dial 911 to report accidents on the road and to reach police, the highway patrol, or the fire department. The American Automobile Association (to members) and the National Automobile Club provide roadside assistance.
RULES OF THE ROAD
Carpool lanes. To encourage carpooling during rush hour, some freeways have special lanes for so-called high-occupancy vehicles (HOVs)—cars carrying more than one or two passengers. Look for the white diamond in the middle of the lane. Signs next to or above the lane indicate the hours that carpooling is in effect. If you get stopped for not having enough passengers, expect a fine of nearly $500.
Seatbelts. Seatbelts are required. Children must ride in child car seats in the backseat until they are eight years old or 4 feet 9 inches tall. Children under the age of two must ride in a rear-facing car seat.
Smartphone usage. State law bans drivers from using smartphones for any purpose, including mapping applications unless the device is mounted to a car’s windshield or dashboard and can be activated with a single swipe or finger tap.
Speed limit, turns. The speed limit on city streets is 25 mph unless otherwise posted. A right turn after stopping at a red light is legal unless posted otherwise.
■ TIP → If you’re wine tasting, either select a designated driver or be careful of your wine intake—the police keep an eye out for tipsy drivers.
FERRY TRAVEL
The San Francisco Bay Ferry sails from the Ferry Building and Pier 41 in San Francisco to Vallejo ($13.80), where you can board VINE Bus 11 to the town of Napa. Buses sometimes fill in for the ferries.
Contact San Francisco Bay Ferry. 707/643–3779, 800/643–3779 sanfranciscobayferry.com.
TAXI TRAVEL
Taxis aren’t common in the Wine Country, and choices in some areas are limited. Still, you might want to take a cab to and from dinner, especially if you want to indulge in a cocktail or a few glasses of wine. All cabs are metered: expect to pay $3 upon pickup and another $2.50–$3 per mile thereafter, depending on the city you’re in. Taxi drivers usually expect a 15%–20% tip for good service. Cabs must be called rather than hailed.
Yellow Cab of Napa Valley serves the entire valley. Over in Sonoma County, Vern’s Taxi serves the Sonoma Valley (Sonoma, Glen Ellen, Kenwood, Santa Rosa). Healdsburg Pedicab is a convenient option weekdays until midafternoon and until 10 pm on weekends.
Taxi Companies Healdsburg Pedicab. 707/696–2453 www.healdsburgpedicab.com. Vern’s Taxi. 707/938–8885 www.vernstaxi.com. Yellow Cab of Napa Valley. 707/226–3731 www.yellowcabnapa.com.
ESSENTIALS
ACCOMMODATIONS
Wine Country inns and hotels range from low-key to sumptuous, and generally maintain high standards. Many inns are in historic Victorian buildings, and when rates include breakfast the preparations often involve fresh, local produce. Newer hotels tend to have a more modern, streamlined aesthetic and elaborate, spalike bathrooms, and many have excellent restaurants on-site. The towns of Napa and Santa Rosa have the widest selection of moderately priced rooms.
INFORMATION AND RESERVATIONS
BedandBreakfast.com has details about member inns in the Napa and Sonoma County. The Napa Valley Hotels & Resorts page on the Visit Napa Valley website lists hotels, inns, and other accommodations throughout Napa County. The Sonoma Hotels & Lodging page on the Visit Sonoma site has similarly comprehensive listings for Sonoma County. The members of the Sonoma Valley Bed & Breakfast Association operate noteworthy small inns and vacation-rental properties throughout the valley; Wine Country Inns represents 20 small lodgings throughout Sonoma County. You can check availability at its members’ inns on the website, which can save you time. The various innkeepers share phone duties, so the level of assistance offered varies depending on whose turn it is.
Reservations are a good idea, especially from late spring through the fall harvest season and on many weekends. Two- or even three-night minimum stays are commonly required, especially at smaller lodgings; if you’d prefer to stay a single night, innkeepers are more flexible in winter. Some lodgings aren’t suitable for kids, so ask before you make a reservation.
Contacts BedandBreakfast.com. 844/271–6829, 512/322–2710 www.bedandbreakfast.com. Napa Valley Hotels & Resorts. 707/251–9188, 855/333–6272 www.visitnapavalley.com/hotels. Sonoma Hotels & Lodging. www.sonomacounty.com/hotels-lodging. Wine Country Inns. 800/946–3268 www.winecountryinns.com.
FACILITIES
When pricing accommodations, always ask what’s included. Some small inns may not have air-conditioning, so be sure to ask if you’re visiting in July or August, when temperatures can reach 90°F. Most hotels have Wi-Fi, although it’s not always free. Most large properties have pools and fitness rooms; those without usually have arrangements with nearby gyms, sometimes for a fee.
PRICES
Wine Country lodging prices, which on average exceed those even in high-end San Francisco, may come as an unpleasant surprise. Even the humblest accommodations start at nearly $200 a night in high season. Rates are often lower on weeknights, and generally about 20% lower in winter. If you’re having difficulty finding something in your price range, remember that Napa and Santa Rosa have the widest selection of moderately priced rooms. Rates vary widely; call the property directly, but also check its website and online booking agencies.
Our local writers vet every hotel to recommend the best overnights in each price category, from budget to expensive. Unless otherwise specified, you can expect private bath, phone, and TV in your room. Prices in the reviews are the lowest cost of a standard double room in high season. For expanded reviews, visit Fodors.com.
EATING OUT
Excellent meals can be found in all the major Wine Country towns, and tiny Yountville has become a culinary crossroads under the influence of chef Thomas Keller. In St. Helena the elegant Restaurant at Meadowood, helmed by chef Christopher Kostow, has achieved almost as much critical acclaim as Keller’s The French Laundry, yet is somewhat easier to get into. And the buzzed-about restaurants in Sonoma County, including Kyle and Katina Connaughton’s SingleThread and the Farmhouse Inn, offer equally intricate cuisine.
The Wine Country’s top restaurants tend to serve what is often called “California cuisine,” which incorporates elements of French and Italian cooking and emphasizes the use of fresh, local products. If the restaurant scene here has a weakness, it’s the absence of a greater variety of cuisines. However, the number of immigrants from Latin America ensures that in almost any town you’ll find good, inexpensive spots selling tacos, fajitas, and similar fare.
Vegetarians shouldn’t have any trouble finding excellent choices on Wine Country menus. The region’s fresh produce and California’s general friendliness toward vegetarians mean that restaurants are usually willing to go out of their way to accommodate them.
The Wine Country’s restaurants, though excellent, can really dent your wallet. If you’re on a budget, many high-end delis prepare superb picnic fare. Stopping for lunch or brunch can be a cost-effective strategy at pricey restaurants, as can sitting at the bar and ordering appetizers instead of having a full meal. It also doesn’t hurt to ask about a restaurant’s corkage policy: some restaurants eliminate their corkage fee one night a week, or even every night, hoping to attract locals in the wine industry who would rather drink bottles from their own cellar than the restaurant’s.
Except as noted in individual restaurant listings, dress is informal. Where reservations are indicated as essential, book a week or more ahead in summer and early fall. Prices in the reviews are the average cost of a main course at dinner or, if dinner is not served, at lunch.
MEALS AND MEALTIMES
Lunch is typically served from 11:30 to 2:30 or 3, and dinner service in most restaurants starts at 5 or 5:30 and ends around 9 or 10. The Wine Country is short on late-night dining, so don’t put off eating until any later than 10. Most hotels and inns offer breakfast service—anything from a basic continental breakfast to a lavish buffet to an individually prepared feast—but if yours doesn’t, you’ll find a good bakery in just about every Wine Country town.
Some restaurants close for a day or two a week, most often on Tuesday or Wednesday, when the number of visitors is fewest, so be sure to check in advance if you’re planning on dining midweek. Unless otherwise noted, the restaurants listed here are open daily for lunch and dinner.
PAYING
Almost all restaurants in the Wine Country accept credit cards. On occasion, you might find a bakery or a casual café that takes cash only. For guidelines on tipping see Tipping, below.
RESERVATIONS AND DRESS
The sheer number of Wine Country restaurants means you can always find an empty table somewhere, but it pays to make a reservation, even if only a day or two before you visit. In reviews we mention reservations only when essential (i.e., there’s no other way you’ll ever get a table) or when they are not accepted. For popular restaurants, book as far ahead as you can, and reconfirm as soon as you arrive. If your party is large, it’s wise to call ahead to check the reservations policy. Tables at many Wine Country restaurants can be reserved through OpenTable and Urbanspoon.
Customs regarding attire tend to be fairly relaxed in Sonoma except in the most expensive restaurants. Matters are slightly more formal in the Napa Valley, where you’re less likely to see jeans or shorts at dinner except at casual restaurants. In both counties, jackets are rarely required for men, though they’re necessary for both lunch and dinner at The French Laundry and would certainly be appropriate at top-tier restaurants such as The Restaurant at Meadowood and SingleThread Farms Restaurant. We mention dress only when men are required to wear a jacket or a jacket and tie.
Contacts Open Table. www.opentable.com. Urbanspoon. www.urbanspoon.com.
WINES, BEER, AND SPIRITS
Nowhere in the United States are you more likely to see someone enjoying a glass or two of wine not only with dinner, but with lunch as well. Only the smallest dives and most casual cafés lack a wine menu; lists here are usually strongest in local bottles, with other West Coast wines and perhaps some French and Italian wines as well. Upscale restaurants generally have full bars. Although it’s legal to serve alcohol as late as 2 am in California, most restaurants close down by 10 pm or so.
HOURS OF OPERATION
Winery tasting rooms are generally open from 10 or 11 am to 4:30 or 5 pm. Larger wineries are usually open every day, but some of the smaller ones may open only on weekends or for three or four days. Tuesday and Wednesday are the quietest days of the week for wine touring. If you have a particular winery in mind, check its hours before you visit, and keep in mind that many wineries are open by appointment only.
MONEY
The sweet life costs a pretty penny in most Wine Country areas, where even a basic hotel tends to cost around $200 per night. That said, it is possible to stick to a lower budget if you’re willing to stay in a fairly basic motel, eat at some of the less expensive restaurants, and take advantage of the many picnicking opportunities.
Prices for attractions and activities are given for adults. Reduced fees are almost always available for children, students, and senior citizens.
SAFETY
The Wine Country is generally a safe place for travelers who observe all normal precautions. Most visitors will feel safe walking at night in all the smaller towns and in the downtown area of towns like Sonoma. Still, the largest towns, such as Napa and Santa Rosa, have a few rougher areas (typically far from the tourist spots), so you should check with a local before you go wandering in unknown neighborhoods. Car break-ins are not particularly common here, although it’s always best to remove valuables from your car, or at least keep them out of sight.
The main danger you face in the Wine Country is the threat of drunk drivers. Keep an eye out for drivers who may have had one too many glasses of wine, as well as for bikers who might be hidden around the next bend in the road.
SHIPPING
Because alcoholic beverages are regulated by individual states, shipping wine back home can be easy or complicated, depending on where you live. Some states (e.g., Alabama and Utah) prohibit direct shipments from wineries. Others allow the shipment of limited quantities—a certain number of gallons or cases per year—if a winery has purchased a permit to do so. The penalties for noncompliance can be steep: it’s a felony, for instance, to ship wines to Utah (this includes shipping the wines yourself). Since selling wine is their business, wineries are well versed in the regulations.
If you decide to send wines back home, keep in mind that most states require that someone 21 or older sign for the delivery. The Wine Institute, which represents California wineries, has up-to-date information about shipping within the United States and abroad.
Information Wine Institute. www.wineinstitute.org/initiatives/stateshippinglaws.
SPECIAL-INTEREST TOURS AND EDUCATION
BIKING, HIKING, KAYAKING
Biking, hiking, and kayaking tours of the Wine Country range from one-hour and one-day excursions to weeklong vacations with lavish picnic lunches, leisurely dinners, and stays at luxury inns. You might pay less than $100 for a half- or full-day trip; multiday excursions can cost $250–$500 per person per day.
Backroads. This Berkeley-based outfit conducts several premium multiday guided tours of various levels of difficulty. A typical Sonoma County tour might start in the Russian River Valley and take in Dry Creek Valley and Alexander Valley wineries as well. Some Napa Valley tours cover out-of-the-way wineries and the greatest hits. Overnight stays are at top hotels, luggage transfers and other logistics are taken care of, and support vans are stocked with all the comforts and necessities riders need. 800/462–2848 www.backroads.com 
From $1,998.
Napa & Sonoma Valley Bike Tours. Afternoon and all-day guided and self-guided tours of wineries, vineyards, and other sights are this company’s specialty. The pace is leisurely, and all-day tours include a picnic lunch at a winery. One combination tour starts with an early-morning balloon ride. 707/251–8687 for Napa trips, 707/996–2453 for Sonoma trips www.napavalleybiketours.com From $108.
Wine Country Bikes. This family-owned Healdsburg outfitter rents bikes by the day and organizes single- and multi-day trips throughout Sonoma County. 707/473–0610, 800/922–4537 www.winecountrybikes.com From $149 for all-day trips.
Wine Country Trekking. This well-regarded company has multiday self-guided “luxury on foot” experiences. Participants hike through vineyards, meadows, and mountains, stopping at wineries along the way and staying in stylish small inns and hotels. The excursions include hiking and running Sonoma Valley treks and a Napa Valley hike. Glen Ellen 707/ 935–4497 winecountrytrekking.com From $1,000.
CULINARY TOURS AND CLASSES
Tours usually include one or more of the following: cooking classes, festive dinners at fine restaurants, excursions to local markets, and the opportunity to meet some of the area’s top chefs. Tours can last from a few days to a week and start at around $500 per day, accommodations included.
Culinary Institute of America at Copia. In late 2016 the institute reopened the long-dormant Copia food and wine facility adjacent to the Oxbow Public Market in Napa and began offering daily classes and demonstrations. Among the topics covered are sparkling wines, sauces, honey, ancient grains, cheeses, food-wine pairing, preserving foods, and making hors d’oeuvres that wow guests. Some classes are family-oriented. Weekend classes are also held at the institute’s Greystone campus in St. Helena. 500 1st St., near McKinstry St., Napa 707/967–2500 enthusiasts.ciachef.edu/cia-at-copia From $15.
Culinary Institute of America at Greystone. The chef-instructors at the institute’s Greystone campus present live one-hour cooking demonstrations on most weekends. Attendees taste the dish made, accompanied by a glass of wine. Hands-on cooking classes cover topics such as baking, grilling, making sauces, and pairing food and wine. 2555 Main St., St. Helena 707/967–1100 enthusiasts.ciachef.edu/ca-cooking-demonstrations-and-tours From $25.
Food and Wine Trails. Providing its clients with insights into more than just Napa and Sonoma wines and wine making is the goal of this company that folds spa and restaurant trips and non-wine activities into its custom itineraries. 800/367–5348 www.foodandwinetrails.com Varies depending on itinerary and time of year.
Ramekins Culinary School. Locals and visitors attend the wine-and-food events and hands-on and demonstration cooking classes at Ramekins. The topics range from soups, game, and the cuisine of Peru to the flavors of fall and how to shop at a farmers’ market; current and former Wine Country restaurant chefs teach some of the courses. Winemaker dinners often introduce up-and-coming talents. 450 W. Spain St., Sonoma 707/933–0450 www.ramekins.com From $65.
WINERY TOURS
With several million visitors to the Wine Country every year, dozens of tour companies have sprung up to provide tours. Many of these companies are well organized and will chauffeur you to places you might not otherwise find on your own. Whether you’re content to tour the Wine Country in a full-size bus with dozens of other passengers or you want to spring for your own private limo to take you to your favorite wineries, there are plenty of operators who can accommodate you. If you know the wineries, regions, or even the grape varietals that interest you, these operators can help you develop a satisfying itinerary.
Most tours last from five to seven hours, with stops at four or five wineries. Rates vary widely, from $80 per person for a day of touring to $250 or more, depending on the type of vehicle and whether the tour includes other guests. Some rates include tasting fees, but others do not. You can also book a car and driver by the hour for shorter trips. Rates for a limo generally run $50–$85 per hour, and there’s usually a two- or three-hour minimum.
Perata Luxury Tours & Car Services. Perata’s customized private tours, led by well-trained, knowledgeable drivers, are tailored to its patrons’ interests; you can create your own itinerary or have your guide craft one for you. Tours, in luxury SUVs, cover Napa and Sonoma. The options include exclusive, appointment-only boutique wineries. 707/227–8271 www.perataluxurycarservices.com From $85 per hr for 2 guests (includes tax, fuel, and 15% gratuity but not tasting fees).
Platypus Wine Tours. The emphasis at Platypus is on “fun” experiences at off-the-beaten-path wineries. Expect intimate winery experiences with jolly, well-informed guides. You can join an existing tour with other guests or book a private one. 707/253–2723 www.platypustours.com From $110 (excludes tasting fees).
Segway of Healdsburg. There’s nothing quite like watching the vineyards zip by from the vantage of a Segway. After a 20-minute safety and training session, the solicitous guides at Shira Steiger’s company conduct tours to two boutique Russian River Valley wineries (the lineup varies) for a total of two hours. There’s also a tour through Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve in Guerneville. Look for off-season deals through Groupon and similar websites. Healdsburg 707/953–3477 segwayofhealdsburg.com From $99.
Valley Wine Tours. Historic, family-owned wineries are the specialty of this Sonoma-based company that provides a gourmet picnic lunch—on china with cloth napkins, no less. 707/975–6462 www.valleywinetours.com From $135 (includes tasting fees).
Woody’s Wine Tours. The amiable, well-informed Woody Guderian favors small wineries but will customize a tour to suit your taste and budget. In addition to winery tours in both Napa and Sonoma, Woody and his guides also conduct tours of craft breweries. 707/396–8235 www.woodyswinetours.com From $80 per hr (excludes tasting fees).
TAXES
Sales tax is 8% in Napa County and 8¼%–9¼% in Sonoma County. The tax on hotel rooms adds 9%–14% to your bill in Sonoma County and 14% in Napa County.
TIME
California is on Pacific Time. Chicago is two hours ahead of the West Coast, and New York is three hours ahead. Depending on whether daylight saving time is in effect, London is either 8 or 9 hours ahead and Sydney is 17 or 18 hours ahead.
TIPPING
VISITOR INFORMATION
Visitor Centers California Welcome Center. 9 4th St., at Wilson St., Santa Rosa 800/404–7673 visitcalifornia.com/attraction/california-welcome-center-santa-rosa. Napa Valley Welcome Center. 600 Main St., at 5th St., Napa 707/251–5895 www.visitnapavalley.com/welcome_centers.htm. Sonoma Valley Visitors Center. 453 1st St. E, east side of Sonoma Plaza, Sonoma 707/996–1090, 866/996–1090 www.sonomavalley.com.
Visitor Information Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau. 707/996–1090, 866/996–1090 www.sonomavalley.com. Visit Napa Valley. 707/251–5895, 855/847–6272 www.visitnapavalley.com. Visit Sonoma. 707/522–5800, 800/576–6662 www.sonomacounty.com.
Websites and Apps CellarPass. 707/255–4390 www.cellarpass.com. VinoVisit. 888/252–8990 www.vinovisit.com. Wine Country. www.winecountry.com/regions. Winery Finder. www.econcierges.com.
Wines and Wineries Alexander Valley Winegrowers. 888/289–4637 www.alexandervalley.org. Carneros Wine Alliance. 707/996–4140 www.carneros.com. Heart of Sonoma Valley Winery Association. 707/431–1137 www.heartofsonomavalley.com. Napa Valley Vintners Association. 707/963–3388 www.napavintners.com. Russian River Wine Road. 707/433–4335, 800/723–6336 www.wineroad.com. Sonoma County Vintners. 707/522–5828 www.sonomawine.com. Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Alliance. 707/935–0803 www.sonomavalleywine.com. West Sonoma Coast Vintners. www.westsonomacoast.com. Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley. 707/433–3031 www.drycreekvalley.org.