San Francisco to Sonoma Day Trip

Sonoma Mountain

You don’t have to take a huge chunk out of your time in San Francisco to get a taste of Northern California’s famous Wine Country, Sonoma County.

With just a day, you can easily hop across the Golden Gate and head one hour North to the land of rolling vineyards, legendary Pinot Noirs, and the kind of elevated country cuisine that foodie magazines and restaurant critics go mad for.

Get the best day of your vacation started with our guide to visiting the chic boutiques and restaurants in the town of Sonoma, the hidden wineries of Carneros, and the most picturesque spots in between.

City Hall on the Sonoma Plaza on a clear day
City Hall, Sonoma

We’ll even have you back to the City by the Bay by bedtime. Here are some common questions we get about how to get to Sonoma County in case you want to skip the car. If you prefer not to drive, consider flying into STS – Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa, where you can fly direct from Portland, Seattle, Los Angeles, Santa Ana, San Diego, and more.

But if driving north from San Francisco to Sonoma Wine Country appeals, here are some great ideas.

First Stop: Strolling Through Gardens

Stroll through the Sunset Gardens at Cornerstone Sonoma
Cornerstone Sonoma

Mornings on the San Francisco Bay are famously foggy, so make like a local and embrace the mist as you head straight for the source this morning. After crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, keep cruising along Highway 101 North about 20 miles until it splits off for Highway 37.

From there, it’s less than 10 miles to CA-121, and on up into the Sonoma Valley. This will take you right to your first stop of the day: Cornerstone Sonoma, a wine country marketplace that offers unique stores, boutique wine tasting rooms, artisanal foods, art-inspired gardens, and the Sunset magazine test gardens and outdoor kitchen. It’s a great place to stroll and browse, getting into the relaxed, laid-back Wine Country lifestyle.

Next Stop: Wine Tasting

You may not exactly have full-bodied red wines on the mind in the morning, so ease your way into an afternoon of wine tasting by heading four miles south on CA-121 to Gloria Ferrer Caves and Vineyards.

The expansive view from the deck at Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards, Sonoma
Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards

The winery is famous for its sparkling wines, and a glass or flight of bubbly will start your day off on a light, relaxing note. 

Gloria Ferrer’s located in the Carneros appellation – or American Viticultural Area (AVA) – a cool-climate little slice of land that’s shared between Sonoma and Napa counties. In addition to the kinds of sparklers found at Ferrer, Carneros’s exposure to ocean breezes and fog create perfect growing conditions for Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays.

You can try both just a few minutes’ further north on CA-121 (turn off at Bonneau Road) at Schug Carneros Estate. After your tasting, ask winery staff about a self-guided walking tour that will get you up close with the vines at your own pace.

Just off CA-121 in the other direction, Cline Family Cellars and Jacuzzi Family Vineyards each offer tours and tastings. If you’re ready for a break from the sipping, try sampling oils and vinegars from the Olive Press instead. It’s located in Jacuzzi.

A fountain in front of 	Jacuzzi Family Vineyards, Sonoma

Jacuzzi Family Vineyards

Hit the Sonoma Plaza for Lunch

From the Carneros wineries, head north on CA-121 to the city of Sonoma’s lovely little town Plaza for lunch. Endless easy options abound along its borders: Opt for thin-crust pizza at the Red Grape, casual French-inspired food at Basque Boulangerie, or hearty sandwiches and salads at Sunflower Caffé (below).

A hearty salad at Sunflower Caffe, Sonoma
Sunflower Caffe

Sonoma County’s vineyards extend far beyond Carneros, so there are plenty of other vintages to try here in Sonoma. And luckily, most wineries’ downtown tasting rooms stay open until at least 5 p.m., making it easy to wind down your day with a few sips of everything from Pinot Noir to Zinfandel.

Within steps of Sonoma’s historic Plaza, you can stop by a handful of beautiful tasting rooms. Read more about some of the tasting rooms found on the Sonoma Plaza.

The swanky interior of the Pangloss Cellars tasting room, Sonoma
Pangloss Cellars

Had enough wine for the day? Opt for some shopping around the Plaza instead. From clothing, to kitchenware, to home furnishings, this area is well stocked with everything you need to recreate the Wine Country-chic lifestyle back home.

Final Stop: Dinner in Sonoma

To end the day on a high note, step up your dinner game with seasonal staples at the longtime local favorite girl & the fig. Just off the plaza, you can get exotic with Mayan flavors at the aptly named Maya or Portuguese cuisine at LaSalette.

A steaming dish of mussels at LaSalette Restaurant, Sonoma
LaSalette Restaurant

Heading back to San Francisco for the night will take you just over an hour: Simply follow CA-121 south and CA-37 west until you hit Highway 101 south and you’re on your way.

Stay the Night Instead!

Of course, if you want to stick around for the night and do it all again tomorrow, we can’t blame you. Book yourself in for the night at the charming and eclectic Sonoma Chalet Bed and Breakfast, just a few minutes’ drive from the historic Plaza, or opt for the iconic Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn

A fountain in front of the iconic Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa
Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa

Another option is to drive about 15 minutes northwest on Highway 12 to the little hamlet of Glen Ellen

This tiny town packs an outsized punch when it comes to accommodation: grab a room at the chic Gaige House + Ryokan, a cozy cottage at the Glen Ellen Inn, or a vintage-cool suite at the affordable The Jack London Lodge, and wake up ready to spend the next day sipping, tasting, and exploring even more of the Sonoma Valley.

The Zen suite at the Gaige House + Ryokan, Glen Ellen
Gaige House + Ryokan

Or, find hotels and lodging throughout Sonoma County.

Have more questions about taking a trip to Sonoma County? This FAQ page might have the answer to what you’re looking for.

Written by Sonoma Insider Jessica Quandt.

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