Should you go to Napa Valley or one of the smaller wine regions of California? We detail the pros and cons of each of these wine regions.
Which wine region to visit – The Good and the Bad
You need clarification on which wine region to visit in California. We can help you determine which wine region to see by reading the pluses and minuses of California’s most important wine regions. Yes, Napa Valley and Sonoma are excellent choices, but what about California’s other incredible wine regions? Take advantage of the different wine regions making fabulous wines.
Good
- Discover amazing Pinot Noir
- Delicious Alsatian wines
- Quiet tasting rooms
- Beautiful scenery
- Many small and family-owned wineries
- Continue your stay and drive one hour to the romantic town of Mendocino on the coast. It is fantastic!
Bad
- Mendocino can be foggy in the summer (but it’s still a great place)
- In the Anderson Valley, there are few places to stay and dine.
- Restaurants choices are few especially Monday to Wednesday
Explore the Anderson Valley wine country – Guide
Healdsburg in Sonoma County
Good
- Beautiful roads lined with vineyards
- A variety of unique wineries from family-owned to large conglomerates
- Great places to stay and eat
- An easy drive from San Francisco
- Several wine appellations to explore
Bad
- Prices for lodging, dining, and restaurants has skyrocketed in recent years
- Driving through Santa Rosa on 101 is thick with traffic congestion
- Very crowded on weekends
- Few wineries have walk-in tasting
Explore the Healdsburg/Sonoma wine country – Guide
Livermore Wine Country
Good
- Home of first Chardonnay – Wente Clone
- Loaded with California wine history – Wente and Concannon
- Many Mom and Pop wineries
- Rhone varieties on the rise
Bad
- Can be very hot in the summer months
- Not enough quaint lodging and restaurants
- The city of Livermore is busy
- Some smaller wineries have limited tasting room days
- Always a worry about traffic conditions on Highway 580
- Lacking beautiful scenery
Explore Livermore wine country – Guide
Lodi Wine Country
Good
- Much more than Zinfandel in Lodi
- Unique wine varietals, especially Spanish grapes
- Many small and family-owned wineries
- Huge movement for sustainable and organic vineyards
- Old downtown Lodi is quaint
Bsd
- Can be very hot in the summer months
- It is pretty but no match for Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino
- Not enough charming lodging and restaurants in the wine country
- Not all wineries are open daily for visiting
Explore Lodi wine country – Guide
Napa Valley
Good
- One of the most famous wine regions in the world
- Napa Valley has the most excellent Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnays
- Home to many award-winning restaurants
- Many attractive Bed & Breakfast and lodging spots
- Beautiful countryside
- Wineries within a short driving distance from one another
Bad
- Lodging, dining, and tasting fees are the most expensive of any wine region.
- Most weekends bring big traffic jams
- Many of Napa Valley’s wineries are corporate or massive family-owned companies
- Wine snobbery is in the air
- Buying wine is expensive
Explore the Napa Valley with our wine country guide
Paso Robles
Good
- Many new and exciting small wineries
- On the way to San Simeon Castle
- Climate and terrain vary giving winemakers versatility in varietals
- There several beautiful backroads that lead to wineries
- Downtown Paso Robles has great shopping, dining, and accommodations
Bad
- Three hours drive from San Francisco, four hours from L.A.
- Summers can be very hot
- Once a sleepy wine country, Paso Robles is very popular and weekends draw big crowds
- You will need reservations to taste at most wineries
- Traveling costs are rising
Explore Paso Robles wine country – Guide
Santa Barbara
Good
- Beautiful roads and countryside
- Great Pinot Noir and Syrah wine
- A mix of both small and large wineries
- Not so many crowds on summer weekends
- Santa Barbara featured in the cult wine movie, Sideways
Bad
- Main wine trails are about an hour from the city of Santa Barbara
- Wineries are spread out
- Lodging and restaurants are not plentiful in the nearby towns
Explore Santa Barbara wine country – Guide
Santa Cruz Mountains
Good
- Beautiful mountain roads and Redwood Trees
- The tasting rooms are quaint
- Great Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
- Unique, small, and exciting wineries
- Quiet wine country
Bad
- 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
Explore the Santa Cruz Mountains – Guide
Sierra Foothills
Good
- Beautiful country with historic gold mining towns
- Loads of family-owned wineries, small
- Old Vine Zinfandel and other interesting varieties of wine
- Quaint Bed & Breakfast spots
- Not crowded unless you hit the “Passport Weekend.”
Bad
- A limited number of excellent restaurants
- A limited number of Bed & Breakfast spots
- Many wineries are not open all days of the week
Explore the Sierra Foothills, Amador, El Dorado, and Calaveras
Sonoma Valley
Good
- Many famous wineries
- A wide variety of excellent restaurants and places to stay
- Beautiful vineyard country
- Relatively easy drive from San Francisco
- The historic Sonoma Plaza
Bad
- Crowded on weekends
- Tasting fees are high
- The quality accommodations are very pricey
- Weekends are busy for restaurants and lodging. Book early
- Reservations are needed to taste wine
Explore the Sonoma Valley wine country – Guide
Additional information of importance when planning your wine country trip:
- What time of year is best to visit the California wine country?
- Handy travel tips for the wine country – video
- A beneficial book on the California wine country – Moon California Wine Country (Moon Handbooks)
- Wine Country Map of California – see the different regions