Which California Wine Country Region to Visit
We discuss the pros and cons of visiting the various California wine country areas
Mendocino
Pluses
The coastal town of Mendocino is unique and romantic
Great restaurants and places to stay
Quiet tasting rooms
Beautiful scenery
Small but excellent wineries
Minuses
Mendocino can be foggy in the summer (but it's still
a great place)
The Napa Valley
Pluses
One of the most famous wine regions in the world
The finest Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnays are made
here
Home to many award-winning restaurants
Many good Bed & Breakfast and lodging spots
Beautiful countryside
Wineries within a short driving distance from one another
Minuses
Most weekends bring big traffic jams.
Crowded tasting rooms on weekends, you may have to wait
in line to taste
Tasting fee of $10.00 or more for tasting wine
Paso Robles Wine Region
Pluses
Many new and interesting small wineries
On the way to San Simeon Castle
Climate and terrain varies giving winemakers versatility
in varietals
The roads are quiet and the tastingrooms are less crowded
Minuses
Three hour drive from San Francisco, fours hours from
L.A.
Less restaurants to choose from
Santa Barbara
Pluses
Beautiful roads and countryside
Great Pinot Noir and Syrah wine
A mix of both small and big wineries
Minuses
Wineries are spread out
Almost all wineries charge a tasting fee of $5.00, some more than
$5.00
Santa
Cruz Mountains
Pluses
Beautiful mountain roads and redwood country
The tasting rooms are less crowded
Great growing region for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
Unique, small, and interesting wineries
Minuses
Wineries are spread out
Not all wineries are open for tasting during the week.
Mountain roads can be a challenge to some drivers, but
the roads are good
Sierra Foothills
Pluses
Beautiful country with historic gold mining towns
Interesting and mostly small wineries
Zinfandel country
Quaint Bed & Breakfast spots
Not crowded unless you hit the “Passport Weekend”
Minuses
Limited number of fine restaurants
Limited number of Bed & Breakfast spots
Russian River – Sonoma County
Pluses
Beautiful roads lined with vineyards
A variety of excellent wineries from family owned to
large conglomerates
Great places to stay and eat
Easy drive from San Francisco
Much less traffic and fewer visitors than Napa
Minuses
Popular wineries are crowded on weekends (not winter)
Driving through Santa Rosa on 101 is heavy with traffic
congestion
Sonoma Valley
Pluses
Many famous wineries
A wide variety of fine restaurants and places to stay
Beautiful country
Relatively easy drive from San Francisco
Minuses
Crowded on weekends
Tasting charge of $5.00 at many of the wineries
Additional information of importance when planning your wine country trip:
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