A Romantic, Self-Guided California Wine Tour
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If you are thinking about taking a California wine tour, both Napa and Sonoma Valleys are 2 places that will be high on your list!
The Napa and Sonoma Valleys in Northern California are famous for their beautiful countryside, fresh air, fine dining, and choice of romantic accommodation.
California Wine Country is also becoming one of the top spa destinations in the U.S.
And of course, you'll find vineyard after vineyard of great wine, tours and tasting!
So let's get started on a romantic, scenic California wine tour...
California Wine Tour: Best Time to GoWhen is the best time to visit Napa valley? Consider scheduling your California wine tour for either May to early June, or for the fall harvest in September and October.
It can get quite busy here in the summertime, and especially on weekends. If you can arrive mid-week, you might have a bit more room to yourselves. California Wine Tour: ActivitiesThere’s a long list of things to do when you arrive. Here’s just a short sample…
Napa Valley Guided Tours: There are several companies, both in Napa and from San Francisco, that offer half-day and full day wine tours of Napa Valley, often including a lunch or dinner. 
Many wineries are open for tasting from about 10AM to about 4 PM. The bigger ones usually run organized tours of their winery explaining the whole process from the vineyard to the glass.
If you’re a wine aficionado, get a local winery map of the area and pinpoint in advance the wineries you want to see.
When you get to your accommodation, remember to check the brochure racks near the front desk for any special events, tastings and tours taking place.
Napa Valley Wine Train: 3 hour lunch and dinner rail tours that depart from Napa ( 11 AM or 5:30 PM ) Have a delicious meal as you wind through the pretty California wine country in an exquisitely restored early 1900’s dining car. Now beginning to stop for tastings too! 1-800-427-4124.
Hot Air Balloon Rides: Just like you’ve always seen on postcards and in the movies! Usually start in the early morning, so you can behold the morning sun rising on the vineyards! Balloon gondolas can hold anywhere from 6 to 14 people.
A great romantic excursion, very safe, and an experience that will last a lifetime. Info available at tourist information, brochure stands, etc.
Day Spas and Resort Spas: You'll find many spas and resorts in the Calistoga area. Hot springs, mineral and sulphur pools, mud baths and saunas, as well as all the traditional spa programs and facilities. You could actually combine a California wine tour and spa vacation all in one. Copia: The American Center for Wine, Food and the Arts: An educational pavilion with displays, exhibits, and classes on wine and food. Entertainment, art and dining too. California Wine Tour: Napa Valley
Napa Valley is the largest valley in the California wine country, and as a result, is the starting point for lots of other tasters on a California wine tour. But it’s not a long drive - only 27 miles long and just a few miles across.
The Napa wineries tend to be a bit more on the larger, more commercial scale. A lot of them now charge for tastings – anywhere from $3 to $10 for a sampling of 4 or 5 wines (sometimes you can keep the glass). Some of the best Napa Valley wineries are the smaller, out of the way vineyards which still offer free tastings.
Some of the wineries even offer musical entertainment, food and wine combos, and educational programs of their operation, including tours. A word of caution: enjoy your tasting, but set a limit!
Romantic Vacation Rental Homes in the Napa Valley - a selection of Wine Country Vacation Rentals in California
California Wine Tour: Sonoma Valley
The Sonoma Valley might be a little closer to the California wine tour you have in your imagination! Smaller, slower paced and less commercialized than Napa, and equally beautiful.
Tastings in Sonoma are more likely to be free. Rather than large, commercial establishments, these wineries are more the family-run “ring the bell when you enter” type place. And you’ll most likely be sampling a chardonnay with the owner! California Wine Tour: EatingA lot of the wineries here sell food, and many have picnic facilities too. That's a cheap, fun and romantic option for lunches.Oakville Grocers: Our favorite picnic supply! A great little place for a gourmet lunch of fresh rolls, cheese, deli meats, and of course, wine (if you haven't already picked up a bottle). 7856 St. Helena Highway, Oakville, CA.
As with many popular areas, dining in Napa Valley can be expensive. Hwy 29 has a good selection of eateries though, for every budget too. California Wine Tour: DrivingIf you’re starting off from San Francisco, you need to begin your California wine tour by going north over the Golden Gate Bridge on US 101.
Next, look for the Hwy 37 turn off, and stay on 37 until you come to Hwy 29, near Vallejo, and then take 29 straight north into Napa.
Highway 29: The main Napa wine country corridor is full of accommodation choices and eating establishments. But it can sometimes look like a Napa “strip mall”!
A better scenic road, and quieter one, is Silverado Trail, which runs parallel to 29 and is located just east of it. It’s a gorgeous drive great for viewing the beauty of the area, and taking some nice photographs. The road passes many smaller, family run wineries.
In Napa, take Trancas Ave east and then turn north when you find Silverado. The beauty of driving yourself is that you can just wander at your own pace, and stop when you want.
More Romantic California Wine Tour Resources
If you'll be in San Francisco without a car, there are a number of companies that offer California winery tours complete with wine tasting and return transportation (sometimes in a limo!). Check the hotel front desk and brochure stands for details.
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The reason: These are very attractive seasons in the valley, and crowds are fewer. And the full range of services will be open. That way, you can dodge the summer crowds, dust, and heat, and you avoid the winter rain!