{"id":13572,"date":"2018-10-30T23:21:29","date_gmt":"2018-10-30T23:21:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/winecountrygetaways.com\/?p=13572"},"modified":"2023-07-21T18:13:34","modified_gmt":"2023-07-21T18:13:34","slug":"what-is-the-difference-between-the-napa-valley-and-sonoma","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/winecountrygetaways.com\/what-is-the-difference-between-the-napa-valley-and-sonoma\/","title":{"rendered":"What is the difference between the Napa Valley and Sonoma?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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To the Napa Valley or Sonoma?<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

What is the difference between the Napa Valley and Sonoma?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Should I travel to the Napa Valley or should I go to Sonoma? What is the difference between the two wine regions and which one is better?<\/p>\n\n\n

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St. Francis Winery in Sonoma. In the background are the Mayacamus Mountains.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Main differences between the two wine regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
We travel to Napa Valley and Sonoma regularly. Wine country travelers often struggle over which to visit. Sometimes they decide to try both on a visit. That’s okay if you have more than a few days. If not, stick to one of these areas a vacation. Consider these ideas on deciding to visit Napa Valley or Sonoma wine country.<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Geographic area<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
The Napa Valley runs north and south for 30 miles. To the south is the city of Napa, and at the northern end is the town of Calistoga. At its widest point, the Napa Valley is five miles. However, the Sonoma wine region is much larger than the Napa Valley. Sonoma has several valleys, including the Sonoma Valley, Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley, and the Russian River Valley.<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Main Towns<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
The Napa Valley has four tourist destination towns. These are Napa, Yountville, St. Helena, and Calistoga. Sonoma’s most popular destination wine towns are Sonoma and Healdsburg. In Sonoma County, small cities include Geyserville, Forestville, Sebastopol, Graton, and Occidental. All of which are fun wine towns.\n

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Looking down Lincoln Avenue in Calistoga<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

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Vineyards, wine, and tasting rooms<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Napa Valley wineries make many varieties of wine. Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon have the greatest vineyard acreage and production. Sonoma has more varieties of wine. These wines include Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Zinfandel, and others. The large geographic area of Sonoma lends itself to growing many types of grapes.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The Napa Valley wineries are close to one another and are easy to find and visit. Drive along Highway 29 or the Silverado Trail, and there are many wineries to visit. Sonoma wineries are more spread out. There are many more secluded backroads in Sonoma<\/a>. <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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There is much more traffic and congestion in the Napa Valley. Sonoma is larger, so there are more roads to travel to wineries. Napa Valley tasting rooms can be very crowded with tourists. The same can be said for the popular Sonoma wineries. Many Napa Valley tasting rooms require reservations. <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Tasting room fees are higher in the Napa Valley by a wide margin. <\/span>Napa Valley Tasting Room Index<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n
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Beautiful and quiet backroad in Sonoma County – West Dry Creek Road<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Restaurants<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Napa Valley wins the restaurant comparison. <\/span>Napa Valley has many upscale restaurants<\/span><\/a>. Three Michelin Star rated restaurants if the French Laundry<\/a>.  The towns of <\/span>Healdsburg<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Sonoma<\/span><\/a> have excellent choices of restaurants. The Single Thread<\/a> in Healdsburg is also a Three Star Michelin restaurant.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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Chef Thomas Keller tends to his French Laundry garden<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Lodging<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Both the Napa Valley and Sonoma have many great choices for lodging. Budget to luxurious accommodations can be found in both regions.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Madrona Manor – excellent accommodations and upscale restaurant near Healdsburg<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Intangibles<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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