Overview

This private Sonoma excursion takes you to the birthplace of the wines of the Napa and Sonoma regions. Two wineries you visit are Buena Vista, the oldest winery in California, founded in 1857, and Sebastiani, in continuous operation since 1904.

As this is your private trip, times and stops are flexible. You can have up to seven participants, family, or friends. If there are just the two of you, we can arrange a town car.

North of Sonoma are many wineries going towards Santa Rosa and Healdsburg. We can create a custom itinerary if you want to go to other places, such as the Snoopy Museum or wineries in Windsor or the Russian River area, or as far as the beautiful Sonoma coast.
Ideally, you should plan to take such trips on weekdays.

Description

Stop At: San Francisco, San Francisco, California

Pick up from your hotel or designated point at 9:00 a.m.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Golden Gate Bridge, US-101, San Francisco, California 94129

Stop at Visitors Center. View South Tower. Take pictures, Short walk.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Buena Vista Winery, 18000 Old Winery Rd, Sonoma, California 95476

The first winery we visit, Buena Vista, founded in 1857, has survived various disasters including the 1906 earthquake. The original building has caves carved under the mountain; you can still see the pick marks in the barrel rooms. Tasting wines you can enjoy a light snack.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Sebastiani Vineyards and Winery, 389 4th St E, Sonoma, California 95476

Next scenery is Sebastiani, started in 1904 it remained family owned until early 2000s. It has historic barrels and excellent tasting rooms. Various wines offered for tasting.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Sonoma Plaza, Spain Street Between First Street East and First Street West, Sonoma, California

Entering the town of Sonoma, you see the Plaza and the City Hall built in the early 1900s and the Mission. Historic buildings dating back to 1850s and various small shops, cheese factory etc.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: General M.G. Vallejo Home, Spain Street, Third Street, Sonoma, California

General VAllejo was the last governor appointed by the Mexican Government in the 1850s. He disigned and built the Sonoma Plaza. Vallejo's home was built beside the spring and its pool in 1851–1852. The two-story, wood-frame house was prefabricated, designed and built on the east coast of United States. It was shipped around Cape Horn on a sailing ship and then assembled at its present site. The design was Victorian Carpenter Gothic highlighted by a large Gothic window in the master bedroom, twin porches, dormer windows, and elaborate carved wooden trim along the eaves. Bricks were placed inside the walls of the house in order to keep it warm in winter and cool in summer. Insulation with adobe was a material which Vallejo felt had proven practical in California's climate. The furnishings were eclectic, representing Vallejo's Spanish and Mexican heritage, the China trade, and styles popular with Americans.

Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Sausalito, Sausalito, California

Driving through San Rafael you can see the futurist Marin County Civic Center designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, built in 1960s. Return through Sausalito, a Mediterranean type of village. You have the option to return to San Francisco by Ferry at your own cost of $14.

Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes