32 Activities
Exploring Vineyards and Variety in California's Top Wine Regions
Starts from
Napa
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Activities
32
Duration
4 days
Length
162 mi
In partnership with
Guide details
Starts from
Napa
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Duration
4 days
Length
162 mi
Frommer's Travel Guides
- Most important wine regions.
- The sites that celebrate literary icons.
- Exotic wildlife.
- Prehistoric redwoods.
Sure, the Napa and Sonoma wine regions have wine. But often overlooked is the culture, history, and natural wonders of a Northern California destination that has attracted travelers from all walks of life since well before author Robert Louis Stevenson referred to it as a wine region "still in the experimental stage."
(Unless noted otherwise, wineries require a reservation or appointment for tastings. Plan ahead.)
(Unless noted otherwise, wineries require a reservation or appointment for tastings. Plan ahead.)
Categories
Sure, the Napa and Sonoma wine regions have wine. But often overlooked is the culture, history, and natural wonders of a Northern California destination that has attracted travelers from all walks of life since well before author Robert Louis Stevenson referred to it as a wine region "still in the experimental stage."
(Unless noted otherwise, wineries require a reservation or appointment for tastings. Plan ahead.)
(Unless noted otherwise, wineries require a reservation or appointment for tastings. Plan ahead.)
In partnership with
Frommer's Travel Guides
- Most important wine regions.
- The sites that celebrate literary icons.
- Exotic wildlife.
- Prehistoric redwoods.
Travel itinerary
9 Activities
Day 1
16 mi0.7 mi
Napa Valley 101: Legacy Wineries, a Baloon Ride, and French Cuisine
Napa Valley is probably the best-regarded wine region this side of the Atlantic, and tasting your way through the valley's bounty is why you've come here. But it would be a mistake not to also taste the local history, culture, and culinary prowess that helped put the region on the map. We recommend a sunrise balloon ride, strolling through an iconic wine town, attending a culinary college, feasting on a hearty cassoulet, and yes, tasting some of the finest wines on earth.
8 Activities
Day 2
33 mi
Eco-Friendly Vino, 19th-Century Bubbly, a Burger Shack With a Wine List
Today is a learning vacation with perks. You'll learn about author Robert Louis Stevenson's visit to the region in the late 1800s, and then, after invading a castle that is a monument to cuisine, visit the extraordinary wine caves where Stevenson and the original owner sampled vino. You'll also be doing your own wine tastings at two wineries known for their positive approaches to better health, both for the taster and the planet.
8 Activities
Day 3
60 mi0.1 mi
Zebras, Zinfandels, Stone Trees, and the Man Who Gave Us 'Good Grief!'
The windy pass through the mountains between Napa and Sonoma valleys reveals the natural wonders of a prehistoric world, as well as exotic wildlife from the other side of the world. A side trip up to Healdsburg offers a peek at the more laid-back, country vibe that is the hallmark of Sonoma County, and the shrine-like museum and complex dedicated to Charles M. Schulz, the most accomplished cartoonist in history.
7 Activities
Day 4
53 mi0.2 mi
A Taste of Sonoma History With Winemaker Chaser
Robert Louis Stevenson wasn't the only great author to call these valleys home; explore the property where the writer behind "The Call of the Wild" found peace among Sonoma's rolling hills. Then visit a peaceful, small-town plaza that has been the backdrop for some of California's most important historical figures — Spanish missionaries, a great Mexican leader, and those who fought for independence. Finish off the day with tastings at three of the Sonoma Valley's best-known wineries.