What Not to Forget When Planning a Wine Tour San Francisco

What activities should you include when planning a wine tour in San Francisco? There are many activities you can choose from, so here are some suggestions. A wine tour will make for a great side trip when you’re staying in the San Francisco, or maybe even more than that!

When planning a wine tour near San Francisco, you are faced with a variety of options. You may pick the activities that you wish, but there are other things that you should not miss when visiting the Wine Country such as the Napa Valley.

Naturally, since Napa Valley is part of the wine region, going to the vineyards and wineries should always be the top consideration. You cannot truly call it a visit to the Napa Valley if you haven’t been to at least one or a couple of wineries. Which wineries should you visit? This may put you at a conundrum. Although Napa Valley’s number of wineries pales in comparison to those of the other US wine regions – at only around 400 — they are still a lot to choose from, especially to the first-time visitor.

First-time visitors may want to visit the established and iconic wineries such as the Domaine Chandon, Robert Mondavi Winery, Louis Martini Winery, Castelo di Amorosa, and Charles Krug Winery. Or if you’re too overwhelmed by their names, you may want to try the off-the-beaten-path wineries. Artesa Vineyards and Winery, The Hess Collection, Burgess Cellars, and other smaller family-owned wineries will give you an extraordinary wine touring experience.

Napa Valley’s 100 or so restaurants have won more Michelin stars per capita than any other wine region, not only in the US, but in the whole world. So it’s not a surprise to see that tourists flock to Napa Valley for its diverse and high-quality cuisine apart from its world-famous wines. And a lot of these restaurants are owned by some of the world-famous chefs.

Napa boasts its local cuisine and at the same time it also embraces international flavors, so dining there will be an unforgettable experience. American comfort food, French, Italian, Japanese, you name it! Among the recommended ones being Ad Hoc and The French Laundry (both owned by  chef Thomas Keller), Morimoto (owned by chef Masaharu Morimoto), Gott’s Roadside, The Restaurant at Meadowood, Bistro Jeanty, Redd, Goose and Gander, La Toque, Solbar, and Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch are among the essential Napa restaurants to check out.

You cannot leave Napa Valley without viewing and capturing photos of its picturesque wine country scenery, whether you’re standing from the hilltop winery or taking close-up pictures of those beautiful velvety-looking Pinot Noir grapes.

But the most spectacular views that you will ever see will come from thousands of feet above the ground — we’re talking about riding a hot air balloon!

Whether it will be your first time or your tenth time, hot air balloon rides will always be a fun and exciting experience. You will get to see the vineyards with their many rows of grapevines, the rolling hills along with some deep valleys. You may also see some fog as you greet the rising sun. Everything is so majestic and picturesque!

When you add a hot air balloon flight to your list, do not forget to look for the best hot air balloon operator: Balloons Above the Valley (BATV).

Operating for over 40 years, Balloons Above the Valley is still soaring high above the competition. Not only we do only provide sunrise hot air balloon flights but also other amenities such as pre-flight breakfast and coffee but also post-flight champagne brunch. Plus we offer packages with wine tours, some sightseeing, picnic style lunches, limo bus transportation (with onboard breakfast), and so much more. Of course, our hot air balloon rides will always be the highlight of your moments with us!

Do not forget the hot air balloon ride when you plan to do a wine tour in San Francisco! And when you do, don’t forget to include Balloons Above the Valley for the most awesome hot air balloon rides over Napa Valley.