Hit the Road: A foodie foray to Sonoma and Napa counties

We hope you’ve packed your appetite. We’re revisiting our Hit the Road series with a foodie foray into wine country. Besides, the most affordable time is now.

Whether you’re interested in taking a farm or winery tour, putting your cooking skills to the test at a Relish Culinary class, or trying Michelin-starred Single Thread, this driving-distance destination is every foodie’s dream.

Before you start packing your bags, here’s everything you need to know about the area + our insider recommendations.

Drive time: ~3 hours from downtown San Jose
Est. combined population: 616,950
Avg. high in January-February: 58°-63°

🎟️ Things to do

Tour a winery
With over 450 wineries, there’s no way you can visit the Sonoma or Napa counties without stopping by one. Enjoy an intimate tasting at the smaller Napa Cellars , or feel royal at Beringer Vineyards — which features a castle.

Food and Farm Tours
For all things local + sustainable, try one of Food and Farm’s three tours that offer day excursions for a group of up to eight people — Flavors of Point Reyes , Oyster Lover’s Tour , or the Cheese Lover’s Tour .

Relish Culinary
Get hands-on cooking experience with locally-sourced ingredients from around the county. Professional chefs will guide you through making a full meal, along with drink pairings.

Napa Valley Balloons
Float above Napa Valley and learn about the historic wine region from the sky — then, continue the adventure on the ground with Platypus Wine Tours, which will pick you up from the balloon and whisk you to nearby wineries.

Napa Valley Wine Train
Take a ride on a refurbished antique Pullman rail car while enjoying a multi-course, gourmet meal through Napa + St. Helena.

🍲 Memorable eats

Farmstead , 738 Main St., St. Helena
Located at the historic Long Meadow Ranch , this farmhouse eatery serves up classic American with estate-grown wine, olive oil, beef, lamb, fresh eggs, and honey right from its backyard.

Single Thread , 131 N. St., Healdsburg
From the World’s 50 Best, this Michelin-starred restaurant is one of only three US eateries that made the list . Enjoy delights from a Japanese-inspired menu, made with fresh ingredients from the head chef’s farm.

Celadon , 500 Main St., Ste. G, Napa
Dig into Celadon’s award-winning “Global Comfort Food” featuring dishes inspired by Mediterranean, Asian, and American cuisine.

boon eat + drink , 16248 Main St., Guerneville
This farm-to-table bistro is a product from award-winning chef + restaurateur, Crista Luedtke. Enjoy seasonal and sustainably-focused ingredients, as well as Russian River wines and microbrews from Sonoma and Mendocino Counties.

Wit and Wisdom , 1325 Broadway, Sonoma
Enjoy American comfort food + a robust wine list from Chef Michael Mina’s first wine country eatery — which also won Wine Spectator’s 2022 “Best of Award of Excellence.”

the girl & the fig , 110 W. Spain St., Sonoma
This rustic, French bistro offers an award-winning Rhône-Alone wine list — serving varieties from the Rhône Valley in France + Rhône-styled California wines.

🏨 Accommodations with award-winning cuisine

boon hotel + spa , 14711 Armstrong Woods Rd., Guerneville
Relax at this intimate, boutique stay that offers lawn games, free bikes to borrow, CBD oil massages, and more. It is also a five-minute drive from sustainable eatery boon eat + drink .

Two-person cottage , Glen Ellen
This 1BD, 1BA cottage is a five-minute walk to the historic village of Glen Ellen — where you can enjoy several restaurants, cafes, and a gourmet grocery store. Take your picnic to the nearby 39-acre Jack London State Historic Park , which tells the story of famed writer Jack London, who called Glen Ellen his home.

MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa , 29 E. MacArthur St., Sonoma
Walk the gardens of this six-acre estate, and you’ll find gorgeous Victorian architecture, art installments, and a stylish mid-century pool. Plus, enjoy a bite in the airy dining room of Layla — the hotel’s Mediterranean bistro.

4-person cottage , Sonoma Plaza
This modern 2BD, 1BA cottage is perfect for the family and complete with a large private deck, pool, and outdoor games. Just a few blocks away from Sonoma Plaza, you can enjoy a multitude of restaurants from fine dining to pub grub.

4-person house , Windsor
This luxurious, and recently renovated 1BD, 1BA house includes two beach cruisers, a chef kitchen, and an outdoor fire pit.