Overview Included & Not included Important information Highlights More information

Redwoods and California Wine Country Tour with Gourmet Lunch

food and wine pairing for lunch

Duration: 10 hours

Overview

All inclusive wine country tour with giant redwoods and a gourmet lunch

Included

Pick up at downtown San Francisco hotels
One-hour visit to Muir Woods Park
Tasting fees at 3 Sonoma and Napa wineries
Seated 3-course, wine pairing lunch
Local expert guide (English)
Foreign language audios in 8 languages

Excluded

Muir Woods entry fee
Guide gratuity

Important information

Is admission to Muir Woods included?

The tour price does not include the Muir Woods entrance fee, which is $15 per person and must be paid when you reach the entrance of the park (cash or card accepted).

How much time will I spend in Muir Woods?

Muir Woods is extremely popular and officials strictly limit the time for visitors. You will spend a bit over an hour exploring the ancient redwoods and other endangered creatures along Redwood Creek trail.

Muir Woods is considered the best redwood forest to visit from San Francisco due to its accessibility and towering coastal redwoods – some reaching 200+ feet. While you could spend days exploring various redwood parks, our tour captures the highlights of this UNESCO World Heritage site in the perfect amount of time for a day trip.

What wineries does the tour visit?

After the Muir Woods, you will be welcomed to three boutique wineries in both Sonoma Valley and Napa Valleys. Our group of partner wineries are charming, family-owned affairs. While you sip on a flight of estate-bottled wine, wine educators will explain how the local terroir and their craftsmanship make their products special. Rather than choosing between Napa or Sonoma, our tour lets you experience both regions in one day – Napa’s prestigious Carneros area and Sonoma’s laid-back family wineries, so you can taste the difference firsthand.

Does this tour go to Napa?

Yes. You will visit Napa Valley AND Sonoma Valley after the Muir Woods experience.

Must I bring a valid photo ID?

Yes. You will need a valid ID showing that you are at least 21 years old if you would like to consume alcohol.

Are wine tasting fees included in the tour?

Yes. All tasting fees at the wineries are included in the tour cost. Individual wine tastings in Sonoma typically cost $25-45 per winery, which means our tour saves you $75-135 in tasting fees alone. Optional extra wine sampling or visits to wine tasting rooms at our lunch stop in Sonoma are not included but you may purchase them a la carte on site, time permitting.

Is this tour suitable for children?

We discourage bringing children under 6 years old on this tour. Some of our winery partners do not permit children in the tasting room.

Do you pick up outside of San Francisco?

We offer a complimentary pick-up from hotels located in San Francisco. If you are staying away from the downtown area, we suggest taking a shared ride service or public transportation to the Hilton Union Square hotel on O'Farrell Street. Our pickup location is outside the Mason Street side entrance.

What should I bring?

San Francisco can be chilly in the morning and you will be spending 2-3 hours outdoors. For wine tours, comfortable casual clothing is perfect – jeans are absolutely fine. It’s best to dress in layers and wear comfortable walking shoes or sandals. Bring a valid government-issued ID, a light water-resistant jacket, camera or phone, water bottle, hat and sunscreen, umbrella (if the forecast calls for rain), and cash or a credit card for souvenirs and the park entry fee at Muir Woods (currently $15 for adults).

Are meals included? Where is the stop for lunch?

Meals are not included unless you selected the optional gourmet lunch. We will make a midday stop for a bit over an hour at Sonoma Plaza where there are many nice, casual restaurants.

Can we drink alcohol on the bus?

Yes. However, the wine at wineries is generous and our experience suggests that drinking between stops can become excessive.

What if one of the guests will not be drinking wine during the tour?

We can make special arrangements and modify the cost if one or more in your party will not be tasting wine. Please contact guest services at (415) 357-0700.

Where do we have gourmet lunch?

Our restaurant partner is the acclaimed Plaza Bistro. The restaurant serves updated California cuisine in a historic building on the Square in downtown Sonoma.

Why is the lunch upgrade not available for the kids?

The lunch is a wine pairing that is not appropriate for children. Plaza Bistro restaurant offers many kids-friendly lunch options that can be purchased on the spot.

If I don’t select the gourmet lunch, what are the options for lunch?

Sonoma Plaza has over a dozen casual and tasty restaurant choices. We love the Red Grape, a casual, family-run Italian restaurant; the Sunshine Café, featuring local, organic ingredients on a sunny patio; the Girl & The Fig and its French country cuisine; and garden seating in the historic Swiss Hotel. However, keep in mind that the wait time can be long at the above-mentioned restaurants. Our lunch upgrade option helps you maximize your free time at the plaza.

Can you accommodate dietary restrictions at the gourmet lunch?

The Plaza Bistro has dairy-free, gluten-free and vegetarian options. Vegan options are not available.

What's the best time of year for this wine and redwood tour?

This tour operates year-round with each season offering unique benefits. Spring through fall (March-October) provides the warmest weather for redwood hiking and optimal vineyard views during the growing season. Summer offers the longest days but larger crowds. Fall (September-November) is ideal for harvest season in wine country, while winter provides a quieter experience with possible redwood fog mystique. The redwoods are beautiful year-round, and wineries offer cozy tasting rooms during cooler months.

How does this compare to other San Francisco wine tours?

This is the only San Francisco tour that combines ancient redwoods with wine country and includes a gourmet lunch. Most wine tours from San Francisco are 6-8 hours and visit only wine regions. Our 10-hour experience includes Muir Woods National Monument, three wineries across both Napa and Sonoma valleys, and a wine-paired lunch. While typical wine tours cost similar amounts, you’re getting redwoods, lunch, and dual valley access that others don’t offer.

How far is the wine country from San Francisco, and do I need to drive?

Sonoma County is about 1 hour north of San Francisco, while Napa Valley is 1.5 hours. Our tour handles all transportation, so you can relax and enjoy the scenic drive across the Golden Gate Bridge. This eliminates the stress of navigating wine country roads, finding parking at wineries, and ensures you can safely enjoy tastings without worrying about driving.

Highlights

More information

This special wine country combo tour from San Francisco begins with a convenient pick-up at major downtown hotels, then a scenic morning cruise across the Golden Gate Bridge. Your guide will set the mood and prepare you for a day loaded with sensory experiences. Do Some Redwood Forest Bathing in Muir Woods On our way to Napa and Sonoma Counties, we’ll make a stop in Marin County at the Muir Woods National Monument. There, you will enjoy an easy stroll through the ancient forest of Coast Redwoods, many as tall as 200 feet! After communing with nature on the Redwood Creek trail, hop back on board to continue the trip to Napa Valley. Lift a Glass and Toast Spectacular Napa Valley Your wine country tour starts at a quintessential Carneros winery. A wine educator will present a flight of wines hand-picked by the winemaker. Enjoy every sip as you explore their art salon and wrap-around porch overlooking a sun-soaked vineyard. The wines are only available at the winery, so pick up something for dinner! Wine and Dine on Historic Sonoma Plaza All smiles and a bit hungry, the tour heads to historic Sonoma Plaza filled with boutique shops and restaurants, catering to every taste. There, you will settle in for a specially arranged 3-course, wine pairing lunch at the Plaza Bistro. Then, relax on the lawn surrounding the 150-year old Sonoma City Hall before its time to re-join your tour. Get to Know Sonoma Through its Winemakers After lunch, we’ll go deeper in search of the laid-back Sonoma Valley vibe at two boutique, family-owned wineries. Learn how winemakers use the unique soils and micro-climate in their vineyard to create their latest estate wines. If you find something you love, check with your host to see if wine can be shipped to your home. Take a Moment at the Golden Gate Bridge Heading back to San Francisco, you’ll travel the historic El Camino Real, reflecting on the amazing day you just had! For a perfect ending, we’ll make a photo stop (weather permitting) at the Golden Gate Bridge for stunning views of the city skyline and Alcatraz Island, perhaps shrouded in a bit of good ol’ San Francisco fog. Things to Know About this Wine Country Tour Itinerary destinations may change due to weather, road conditions, or special events. For international guests, the legal drinking age in the United States is 21.