Is it better to go to Sonoma or Napa?

Visiting Sonoma Valley Napa might win on being more expensive, but Sonoma is certainly more expansive, spread out, and laid-back. (People often say Sonoma is “less commercialized” than Napa.) It's almost double the size of Napa, and grows far more grapes than Napa in a variety of conditions.



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If you plan to do both Napa and Sonoma, dedicate one day to each. Also, they're close enough that I wouldn't recommend moving locations. Just stay in one place and then you won't waste time moving from one hotel to another.

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In short, if you want a laid-back introduction to stellar vintages and gorgeous properties, Sonoma – rather than Napa – should be your California wine country destination. If you're only here for a day, consider signing up for a guided tour.

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While you could easily spend an entire month getting to know Sonoma wine country, there are a few places that you simply should not miss. Here, we focus on the town of Sonoma with our ideal itinerary for a long weekend.

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Sonoma Tastings Are More Affordable (On Average) Though wine tasting is more expensive everywhere these days, Sonoma wine tasting is more affordable on average than Napa wine tasting.

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Our beloved Sonoma County, California is renowned for amazing wines and legendary vineyards, as well as gorgeous organic produce and sustainable farming. Our natural beauty is our calling card, from our mountains, forests, rivers, valleys, and meadows, to all 55 miles of our Pacific Ocean coastline.

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Similarities between the two wine regions While similar in geography and climate, Napa tends to be warmer than Sonoma as it is further inland. Both valleys, named for the counties where they are located, are known worldwide for producing fine quality wines.

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First, Sonoma is almost double the size of Napa, which means there's more space, more grapes and fewer crowds. The Sonoma area boasts 70,000 wine-producing acres and 13 sub-American Viticultural Areas (AVAs). Sonoma has a laid-back and casual feel, which appeals to many visitors looking for a relaxing vacation.

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The high land values, as well as the cost of water and other resources, make it expensive to grow grapes in Napa Valley. Secondly, Napa Valley wines are often produced in limited quantities. Many of the wineries in Napa Valley are small, family-owned operations that produce only a few thousand cases of wine each year.

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Cooler Climates, Thanks to Miles of Shoreline (Fun fact, the winning Chardonnay was made from Sonoma County grapes!) Napa is also six to eight degrees warmer than Sonoma County, depending on the month. While this could be a perk for some, it might be a detriment for others.

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Public Transportation Then, you may want to consider getting to Sonoma Valley via public transit. One of the most convenient choices is the San Francisco to Sonoma shuttle run by Golden Gate Transit. This service operates buses from San Francisco to Petaluma and Santa Rosa.

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The closest airport and shuttle service to Sonoma County are the county's own Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport (STS), in Santa Rosa, with daily flights on three major carriers; and the Groome Transportation, which runs between Sonoma County and the San Francisco and Oakland airports.

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