McNab Ridge Winery, Photo courtesy of Mendocino Winegrowers Inc.
San Francisco’s wine bars pour world-class Napa Cabs and Santa Cruz Pinots, but that’s only part of the picture. Weekend wine trips to surrounding regions mean you’ll be trading city sidewalks for rolling vineyards, but it offers much more than just great wine and scenery—think charming towns, Redwood walks, and incredible food. These 8 regions justify the drive with experiences San Francisco taps just can’t replicate.
Before picking a region, be honest about the weekend itself.
If you’re leaving late Friday and returning Sunday afternoon, closer regions matter more than ambition. If you have two full days plus travel time, longer drives become realistic. Drive time also affects how much energy you’ll have once you arrive. A one-hour drive and a three-hour drive create very different weekends, even if both are technically possible. We’ve outlined drive times to each region below, but be sure to factor in traffic during rush hour and weekends.
Both sit well under 2 hours. Both changed American wine. But they build entirely different weekends.
Drive: 1 – 1.5 hours northeast
People don’t go to Napa Valley just to drink wine. They go because Napa feels like a statement, with cinematic moments at every turn. Dawn balloon rides reveal patchwork valleys. Bothe-Napa State Park waterfalls cut through vine-covered canyons. Oxbow Market fuels picnics under oaks. Geothermal mineral springs and Old Faithful Geyser add surreal recovery. The landscape carries gravity, while the wine? Well, it speaks for itself. World-class Cabernet, Merlot, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc take center stage, accented by renowned restaurants and posh hotels.
IDEAL FOR: Luxe escapes with picturesque backdrops, hot springs retreats, Cabernet collecting, impressive food and wine experiences.
Drive: 1 – 1.5 hours north
Sonoma integrates wine into working landscapes. Vineyards share space with farms, quiet towns, and stretches of land that don’t announce themselves. Armstrong Redwoods surround Pinot rows. The Sonoma Plaza fills Friday nights with shoppers and pop-up gatherings. The Sonoma Coast reveals the region’s rugged spirit. And let’s not forget the incredible food. Expect locally-sourced ingredients on nearly every plate—the perfect accompaniment to vibrant Chardonnay, elegant Pinot Noir, rustic Zinfandel, and elegant bubbly. Sonoma appeals to people who want wine to feel integrated rather than elevated.
IDEAL FOR: Lived-in weekends, Redwood forest loops, orchard bike rides, local fare.
Read more about the differences between Napa and Sonoma here.
Not every wine weekend needs a long drive to feel legitimate. Sometimes the smartest choice is not going far.
Drive: 45 – 55 minutes east
California’s oldest wine region (and the closest to San Francisco) sits minutes from freeways but feels worlds away. Del Puerto Canyon offers rugged hikes through oak woodlands. Historic vineyard trails trace 140-year-old plantings. Tastings tend to be straightforward, personal, and relaxed—don’t expect any pretension here. The short drive leaves full days for exploring rather than transitioning—perfect when Friday ends at 5pm.
IDEAL FOR: History-rich resets without a long commute, heritage vineyard walks, budget-friendly tasting options.
Photos courtesy of Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard
Drive: ~1.5 hours south
The Santa Cruz Mountains are also close, but they offer a different reward. Redwood tunnels lead to ridge-top vineyards clinging to 2,000-foot drops. Big Basin State Park redwood-lined trails connect to ocean-view decks. The landscape feels carved rather than planted, and cool climate wines like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay mirror the maritime edge. Every turn reveals the Pacific horizon.
IDEAL FOR: Forested ridge adventures with ocean payoff, fog-drenched mornings, undiscovered winery gems.
Far enough for landscape shift, close enough for two-night depth.
Drive: 2 – 2.5 hours south
Monterey County’s Wine Country lies south along Highway 1, centered in the Santa Lucia Highlands and the Carmel Valley. Here, windswept hills and cooler coastal air shape crisp Chardonnays and structured Pinot Noirs. Expansive views highlight vineyards and mountain ridges. And relaxed moments abound in picturesque Carmel Valley. Perfect for those craving open space and quiet evenings.
IDEAL FOR: Ridgetop views, hikes, Highway 1 night drives, peaceful luxury.
Drive: 2 – 2.5 hours east
Amador County delivers California wine in its raw form. Old vines of Zinfandel and Syrah line back roads through Gold Rush towns that never got polished for visitors. Mining trails lead to creek swims. Relaxed tastings take place in stone cellars or barn decks overlooking the slopes of the Shenandoah Valley, while the area’s relaxed pace will have you feeling worlds away from the everyday hustle.
IDEAL FOR: Gold rush street wandering, hikes and exploration, heritage Zinfandel sipping.
These are the trips you choose when you’re not trying to squeeze wine into a weekend; you’re building the weekend around it.
Drive: 2.5 – 3 hrs north
Mendocino pulls you north above Sonoma County, into a quieter version of California. Here, cooling coastal influences kiss vineyards that disappear into redwood corridors. Mornings welcome foggy walks through organic vines. Afternoons drift to coastal bluffs and sleepy towns with ocean views. Wine’s the anchor, with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, and Sparkling wines dominating production, but the valley forces you outside to appreciate its rustic scenery and local charm.
IDEAL FOR: Riverbank walks, coastal bluff trails, Redwood drives, intimate tastings.
Drive: 3 – 3.5 hrs south
Paso Robles heads in the opposite direction, both geographically and in energy. The drive takes you south into open land and warmer air, where vineyards stretch out across rolling, oak-dotted hills. Sensorio’s 15-acre field of 100,000 glowing orbs transforms evenings. Downtown tasting rooms and restaurants attract happy patrons spilling out onto the brick streets. Paso is known for bold reds and Rhône-style blends, and its wineries range from rustic to grand.
IDEAL FOR: Olive grove hikes and vineyard treks, downtown eats, Wild West mentality.
San Francisco positions you perfectly to some of California’s most incredible wine regions, all no more than a few hours drive. Each region delivers a distinct mix of setting, activities, and wine style. Choose the one that matches your vibe and/or wine preferences, then get ready for a memorable weekend away.
Wineries
