Best Sonoma to Napa Wine Tours in 2024
Ready to book the best Sonoma to Napa wine tours?
According to TIME magazine’s double 2021 Issue, Napa is one of the World’s Greatest Places, “Renowned for fine wine, farm-to-table restaurants, and laid-back luxury resorts… this fertile part of Northern California is demonstrating its resilience, as well as its trademark hospitality.”
As a long-time Californian, I’ve been to the Sonoma and Napa wine regions more than I can count because they are so amazing.
That said, you’re in the place to discover the best Sonoma to Napa wine tour, the best Sonoma to Napa private tours, and the best tours from San Francisco to Napa.
⭐️ OUR PICK: BEST SONOMA TO NAPA WINE TOUR ⭐️
Don’t have time to read the entire article? I recommend this Luxury Private Customizable Tour of the Napa and Sonoma wine regions. It offers comfy transportation for the drive from Sonoma to Napa, and you can customize it to see all the best spots in Napa.
Napa and Sonoma Valleys, two of the most visited places in California, are known for wine tasting, great food, and stunning landscapes with rolling green hills.
A mere 14.3 miles apart, it’s easy to see both in one day, especially if you have a local driver at the ready.
All the tours featured here offer transportation from Sonoma to Napa, so you can kick back and relax as you’re driven to different vineyards for superb wine tastings.
Drinking wine isn’t conducive to driving! And driving is the best way to get around Napa.
If you want more options, they’re all listed below — from this Luxury Private Customizable Wine Tour in an SUV to this VIP Tour that can pick you up in San Francisco and caters to small groups and luxury travelers — it’s all here.
Let’s dive in!
Quick Guide: Our Top Sonoma to Napa Wine Tours
✓ Visit 2 or 3 Napa and Sonoma Wineries
✓ Eat Lunch at Sonoma Plaza
✓ Excellent guide that offer suggestions
Best Sonoma to Napa Wine Tours
1. Luxury Private Customized Wine Tour of Napa Valley & Sonoma
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 6 hours | 🍷 Check Rates and Availability
If you’re in the market for private tours of Sonoma and Napa, this luxury option is an excellent excuse to treat yourself!
Why? Because the customizable tour puts the power in your hands.
You’ll have six hours to tour the wineries of Sonoma Valley and Napa Valley — so there’s no need to rush through the wineries or worry about drinking wine and having to drive between stops.
In fact, you set the itinerary, and it will go at your own pace.
You’ll travel in comfort and style in a luxurious SUV, stocked with an ice chest full of water and snacks.
Explore wineries are your own pace, and choose to stop at the ones you have your heart set on. See lesser-known sights, or let your guide suggest highlights suited to your preferences.
Want more time on this Luxury Private Customizable Tour? No problem! They also offer an 8 hour tour as well. The same, but longer!
Need recommendations? No problem!
Your driver knows the area well and can offer great suggestions on the best wineries in Napa and Sonoma, the best restaurants to eat at, and the best places to capture that Insta-worthy photo!
Need to be picked up in San Francisco? No problem!
This tour also offers a San Francisco pick-up for an additional fee to cover fuel costs.
💵 Tour Cost: Approx. $650 for 1-6 people; please note that rates can vary. The 8-hour tour price is higher.
2. Private Small Group Tour of Napa & Sonoma
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 8 hours | 🍷 Check Rates and Availability
Another one of the best Sonoma to Napa private tours from Sonoma (there is a San Francisco pick-up option) is this all-day Private Small Group Tour that includes everything you need to enjoy visiting the wineries—even an optional stop in Muir Woods (only available if starting in San Francisco or Marin).
After transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle, you’ll have all day to explore both Sonoma and Napa wineries, learning about the area and its best spots from your knowledgeable guide.
Re-fuel with a delicious lunch (not included in the price) at Sonoma Plaza, where you’ll have a vast selection of excellent farm-to-table restaurants, shopping, galleries, and a park. Enjoy lunch at one of the restaurants or buy a snack and picnic on the lawn.
Need recommendations?
No problem! Your driver knows the area well and can offer great suggestions on the best wineries in Napa and Sonoma, the best restaurants in Sonoma Plaza, and the best vistas to take a photo.
Need to be picked up in San Francisco? No problem!
This tour also offers a San Francisco pick-up for no additional fee.
💵 Tour Cost: Approx. $995 for 1-4 people; please note that rates can vary.
3. 8-Hour Custom Private Napa and Sonoma Wine Tour
⭐️ Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 8 hours | 🍷 Check Rates and Availability
This customizable tour, Private Napa and Sonoma Wine Tour, allows you to call the shots.
After transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, you’ll have four hours in Sonoma and four hours in Napa.
This tour is nicely divided, and you’ll learn about both regions from your expert guide.
In fact, the 5 Star guide is definitely one of the main things that set this tour apart, and other travelers raved about him in several Napa Valley private tour reviews.
One traveler thanked him for helping her group get wine-tasting reservations, “He helped us get to our reservations on time and was very accommodating and helpful. I would request Lonny when booking again. Highly recommend!!”
Need recommendations? No problem! Your driver knows the area well and can offer great suggestions on the best wineries in Napa and Sonoma, the best restaurants to eat at, and the best places to capture that Insta-worthy photo!
Need to be picked up in San Francisco? No problem! This tour offers a San Francisco pick-up for an additional fee to cover fuel costs.
💵 Tour Cost: Approx. $350 (prices vary by group size); please note that rates can vary.
4. Private Sonoma and Napa Wine Tour Including Custom Concierge (from San Francisco)
⭐️ Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 8 hours | 🍷 Check Rates and Availability
Looking for a no-stress way to visit wineries from Sonoma to Napa? This Private Tour is a luxury option that gives you a knowledgeable local guide to take you through the region.
Start the day with an early morning pick-up from San Francisco. This is a more intimate experience for two with a private car and chauffeur in a luxury sedan, so you can sit back and enjoy wine tastings without the stress of where to go next.
You’ll have eight hours to visit some of the most well-known wineries in these two regions, with 17 wineries on the itinerary.
According to the reviews, the drivers of this tour get high marks. One reviewer said, “Our driver, Douglas, was knowledgeable about the history as well as the wines and added color to each stop. Without a doubt the best, and safest, way to enjoy the day.”
This tour offers a romantic and intimate way to see one of the world’s most visited places. Great for couples!
Need to be picked up in San Francisco? No problem! This tour also offers a San Francisco pick-up for no additional charge!
💵 Tour Cost: Approx. $313 for 1-2 people; please note that rates can vary.
5. Take a Bus from San Francisco to Sonoma & Napa
⭐️ Rating: 4.4 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 8 hours | 🍷 Check Rates and Availability
Inside tip: this Napa and Sonoma Valley Wine Tour is likely to sell out.
If a private tour is outside the budget, this Bus Tour with a pick-up in San Francisco is an excellent option. The experience isn’t customizable, but the price is just right.
Board an air-conditioned bus with a knowledgeable guide and enjoy three tastings at three wineries.
All tasting fees are included at three wineries, which is a perk, allowing you to sample local wines at each location for a great price!
The drawback to this tour is that the wineries are selected for you, and tours may be crowded depending on the time of year.
💵 Tour Cost: Approx. $160; please note that rates can vary.
Best Sonoma to Napa Wine Tours: FAQs
What is better Sonoma or Napa?
Both Sonoma and Napa are famous for their wine tasting vineyards.
Napa is known for its world-class wineries and tasting rooms, while Sonoma offers a more relaxed atmosphere with farm-to-table experiences. Depending on the type of wines you prefer and your desired ambiance, you may prefer one over the other. But keep in mind that you can always visit both regions during your stay to fully appreciate what each has to offer.
sonoma to napa wine tours
Looking for a private car service to Napa from San Francisco? This tour with door-to-door service comes with a private driver and a luxury car and includes service in Napa Valley. So you can enjoy the wineries with little hassle and stress. BOOK NOW.
Napa or Sonoma for Cabernet Sauvignon?
Napa Valley has gained international recognition for its exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon wines. If you’re a fan of this varietal, you should definitely include a visit to one of Napa’s many wineries specializing in Cabernet Sauvignon during your trip.
Is Sonoma or Napa closer to SF?
Sonoma is located approximately 39 miles, or about 45 minutes away from the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. During rush hour, expect to add at least an additional half-hour to your travel time.
Napa is located around 50 miles away from San Francisco and may take approximately 1 hour to reach by car. During rush hour, expect to add at least an additional half-hour to your travel time.
📍SONOMA AND NAPA MAP
Can you stay in Sonoma and go to Napa?
Yes. You can stay in either Sonoma or Napa and visit the other. Napa is a little more expensive. If you have a few days in the wine country, visit Sonoma one day and Napa the next. Sonoma is a little less “corporate,” and you’ll find smaller vineyards more tolerant to the wine-tasting “pop-in.” Almost all wineries in Napa require a reservation made in advance.
If you have one day, try a winery in Napa and then take a leisurely drive to Sonoma to experience a smaller vineyard.
Try one of the tours mentioned here to enjoy a driver taking you from vineyard to vineyard.
sonoma to napa wine tours
Where to stay: Napa or Sonoma?
Both Napa and Sonoma offer unique experiences and accommodations. If you prefer a more upscale, luxurious stay, Napa might be the better choice.
However, if you’re looking for a laid-back, charming atmosphere, you might prefer staying in Sonoma. Ultimately, the decision comes down to your preferences and the kind of experience you want to have during your visit.
How far apart are Sonoma and Napa?
Sonoma is 14.3 miles from Napa and takes about 20 minutes in normal traffic.
How far is the Sonoma Coast from Napa?
The Sonoma Coast is about an hour and a half from the city of Napa. Take Highway 29/121/12, US-101, and Highway 116.
Is Napa cheaper than Sonoma?
No — Napa tends to be pricier than Sonoma for accommodations, restaurants, and wine tasting fees.
How far is downtown Sonoma from downtown Napa?
Downtown Sonoma is about 14 miles from downtown Napa, or a 20-minute drive.
Is one day in Napa enough?
You can do a lot in one day in Napa if you want to see a few wineries and have a few tastings. All the tours on this list are day trips.
You can find them here.
However, a long weekend is the sweet spot. That way, you can experience some excellent Napa restaurants, take a mud bath in Calistoga (an experience like no other) and hike in this beautiful part of the country.
Is it worth getting a guide to Sonoma and Napa?
Yes! — Getting a guide is hands-down the best way to get from Sonoma to Napa and enjoy what both have to offer — exceptional wine-tasting experiences.
The best private tours Napa and Sonoma offers usually include a local driver who knows the area well and can help you plan your itinerary that covers the wineries and attractions you’re most interested in.
Trying to get to Napa from San Francisco?
Visit our extensive guide, How to Get to Napa from San Francisco: 3 Options
Final Thoughts: Best Sonoma to Napa Wine Tours
And there you have it: The best Sonoma to Napa wine tours the valley has to offer! Not sure which to pick? This Fully Customizable Private Luxury Tour of Sonoma and Napa gets our vote!
If that one won’t work, here are a few more options: You can take this Private Sonoma and Napa Wine Tour Including Custom Concierge, which includes a pick-up in San Francisco for no additional charge, or combine a visit to Sonoma and Napa with Muir Woods on this Private Small Group Tour of Napa & Sonoma.
No matter which Sonoma to Napa tour you pick, you’re sure to have an awesome time exploring Napa and Sonoma’s most famous wineries and vineyards.
⚠️ Napa and Sonoma Pro Tips: Before booking, read the frequently asked questions sections for the tour (s) you’re considering to ensure you pick the best one for your needs and interest.
Read More About California
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- How to Plan a Road Trip in 19 Steps
- Renting a Golf Cart on Catalina Island
California Travel Planning Guide
🚑 Should I buy travel insurance for California?
100% YES! – With basic coverage averaging $1.50 USD per day, enjoy peace of mind with a plan from SafetyWing, one of the biggest names in travel insurance. (Read more)
💦 Can you drink the water in California?
Yes — But I wouldn’t. It doesn’t taste very good and there are contaminants in it. You’ll want to buy a Water-To-Go Bottle, which filters drinking water while on the go (traveling) and helps keep you hydrated.
🚙 Is it safe to rent a car in California?
Yes — Renting a car in California is one of the best ways to explore this vast, awesome state, and kind of a must! I always rent with Discover Cars, which checks both international companies and local California companies, so you get the best rates. (read more)
🏨 What’s the best way to book my California accommodations?
For California hotels, Booking is the best site, but for hostels, use Hostel World. If you’re considering a California Airbnb, don’t forget also to check VRBO, which has better rates than Airbnb.
🧳 What do I pack for California?
Head to the Ultimate California Packing List to get all the information you need about packing for a trip to California.
🛫 What’s the best site to buy airfare to California?
For finding cheap California flights, I recommend Skyscanner.