Which California Wine Country Region to Visit

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

When to Visit the California Wine Country