We recently had the perfect late October weekend getaway with 4-days in San Francisco and Napa Valley. These are two iconic California destinations that offer a unique blend of urban excitement and rural tranquility. This four-day journey will take you on a memorable tour through a few standout neighborhoods in San Francisco and the picturesque vineyards of Napa. On this adventure you’ll experience exquisite dining, wine tasting, and cultural city exploration. Northern California holds a special place in our hearts because that is where we grew up. To begin, here is our at a glance Travel Guide for this trip. Remember, if it’s in the guide, it’s great and worth your time!
4-Days in San Francisco and Napa Valley
Getting there
• For the locals – road trip! Despite the challenge of finding parking in San Francisco, we believe the beautiful drive over the Golden Gate Bridge to reach Napa is well worth the initial hassle.
• Coming from afar – you can fly into San Francisco (SFO) or Oakland (OAK) and easily take BART from the airports to your accommodation area. Once in the city, you can take public transport around and then rent a car for the Napa portion.
• For the adventurous – if you will not have a car in SF and you are ready to head to Napa, take the San Francisco Bay Ferry to Vallejo. Then use the VINE transit bus to get from Vallejo to Napa Valley. Arrange Ubers to your accommodation spot and then hire a private driver for your wine tours. We recommend MGL Limo & We Drive.
Where to Stay
San Francisco neighborhoods:
• Chinatown – iconic, cultural and close to all our food reqs!
• Russian Hill – hilly, walkable, cute boutiques and central.
• The Mission – funky, artsy and a Mexican food haven.
Napa Valley
• Stanly Ranch, Auberge Resorts Collection – what would Napa be without luxury? 😉
• Hennessey House – a Victorian inn with charming hosts and a cozy ambiance.
• Vrbo and AirBnB – budget-friendly and good for groups!
Eats
San Francisco
• 8 Tables – Chinese fine dining; elegant tasting menu to take you on unique culinary experience in the North Beach neighborhood. Sign us up for any restaurant where you enter through an industrial black gate with a doorbell, walk down a dark alleyway and head up an elevator.
• Mr. Jui’s – the IT contemporary spot in Chinatown! Chinese meets California local, sit at the bar to order a la carte or enjoy their tasting menu at a table. The sourdough scallion pancake was a fun twist on the Taiwanese classic!
*Discover more SF eats in our restaurant guide here!
Napa Valley
• Press – farmhouse gastronomic beauty. Excellent place to end for dinner after a long day of wine tasting.
• Bear at Stanly Ranch – Napa Valley fine dining at its best. We loved the vaulted ceilings and seasonal dried flowers around the restaurant.
Drinks
San Francisco
• Moongate Lounge – Chinese calendar inspired lounge and drinks. Very moody and quirky with artwork and textures to keep you entertained. Just a quick walk upstairs from Mr. Jui’s!
• Harlan Records – for the music lovers! Vintage record centric cocktail lounge with dim lights and a proper sound system to set the mood.
• Cold Drinks Bar – whiskey haven, speakeasy vibes. The best part is, this bar is located right next to 8 Tables and created by the same talented owners.
Cool Finds
San Francisco
• Kim-Ono – gorgeous unique handmade silk kimonos, perfect for lounging and going out.
• Ferry Building – world-class culinary marketplace, don’t miss their farmer’s markets!
Napa
• V. Sattui – artisan deli for edible souvenirs. We could be in here all day learning about the local products.
• di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art – enjoy huge mixed media art pieces amongst the vines. A must for art lovers!
Day Trips & Excursions
San Francisco
• Sailboat tour in the bay – classic way to see the sites from the water!
• Walk the Golden Gate Bridge – exercise with a dreamy view.
• Dipsea Trail – 10 mile roundtrip hike OR you can hike 5 miles and take a cab back from Stinson Beach to the Muir Woods Visitor’s Center. Reserved parking for this trailhead fills up, so book your spot ahead of time.
Touristy for a Reason
San Francisco
• Alcatraz – are you brave enough for the night tour?
• Pier 39 & Fisherman’s Wharf – shopping, dining, and garanteed great people watching.
• Ghirardelli Square – bustling waterfront destination with an irresistible chocolate aroma.
Outdoors
San Francisco
• Baker Beach – where Burning Man was founded in 1986 and perfect for a beach day with friends.
• Golden Gate Park – the Japanese tea garden in this park is next on our list.
• Ocean Beach – THE surf beach of the city, make sure you bring a wetsuit!
To continue learning about the adventure, keep reading below…
8 Tables
Day 1 of our 4-days in San Francisco and Napa tour- here we go! Hopefully your travel day has stirred up your appetite and you are ready for an artfully crafted dinner experience. In the evening, head to 8 Tables, a hidden gem in the North Beach neighborhood. This exclusive restaurant features a limited number of– you guessed it, 8 tables! We loved the intimate atmosphere and the ever-changing, seasonal, texture driven menu. After the lovely welcome tea ceremony, the 9 bite size appetizers featuring the 9 essential flavors of Chinese cuisine (salty, sweet, sour, spicy, bitter, sharp, nutty, numbing, and smoky) were unforgettable.
Moody Speakeasy
If your taste buds have recovered from the numbing pink peppercorns and you are not ready to call it a night, walk to Cold Drinks Bar around the corner for a nightcap. This whiskey forward, moody speakeasy, serves up innovative cocktails in an atmosphere that perfectly captures the essence of the city’s nightlife. I loved their knowledge of Japanese whiskey and their ability to whip up an off menu drink with flavors I was craving. Design geeks, we know all your senses will be pleased here.
Ferry Building
Start with art! Begin your day with a visit to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) and immerse yourself in contemporary art. After your small art coma, walk through the Yerba Buena Gardens, a beautiful oasis in the heart of the city. I don’t know about you, but museums always make me hungry and now it is time to eat.
Next walk to the Ferry Building, right on the water. We hope your tastebuds are firing because this is the place for local sweet and savory treats. Whether you’re in the mood for fresh oysters, gourmet sandwiches, farm-to-table salads, or ethnic cuisine, you’ll find an impressive selection of options to satisfy your cravings. This is also the perfect place to pick up local wine or a gift for your next dinner party. The Ferry Building’s lusty architecture and waterfront location make it a delightful place to enjoy a meal while daydreaming of what event you want to host there. Think wedding, charity event or a private ‘The Rife Guide’ dinner party! 🙂
Golden Gate to Grapevines
Day 3 of our 4-days in San Francisco and Napa tour- over the Golden Gate to grapevines we go! Enjoy the views of the iconic bridge as you leave city life behind and head to Napa Valley. This region has achieved international acclaim, contributing to California’s reputation as a top wine-producing region. As avid wine country enthusiasts around the world, Napa does hold its own in beauty, class and taste. In just 90 minutes from the city you will be whisked away to sprawling grapevines, 2 lane country roads and farm to table magic.
Sunset Dinner
After settling into your accommodation of choice and perhaps a massage, head off to an early sunset dinner at Bear at Stanly Ranch. As the sun says goodbye over the rolling vineyards, Bear unfolds an elegant dining experience set against a backdrop of lush grapevines and a serene ambiance. The rustic charm of the ranch blends seamlessly with modern sophistication, creating an inviting atmosphere that sets the stage for an extraordinary evening. We loved arriving early to check out lush vegetable gardens, grapevines and amazing viewpoints on the sprawling property.
Bear has an extensive wine list that features both local and international varietals which all complement the diverse menu. We loved the way they elevated everyday dishes and let the ingredients speak for themselves. My favorite dish was the extra crispy fried oyster mushrooms that were not oily at all. Have you ever had crispy mushrooms that were not oily? We are still shook.
Wine Tasting
Finally some wine tasting! For the first stop of the day, head to Paraduxx, where they are known for bold reds and elegant whites. We savored a flight of their unique wines and a perfectly paired charcuterie board, all while taking in the serene vineyard surroundings. Their lovely outdoor space with private tables of all sizes makes this the perfect place for a party of 2 or 6+.
In the afternoon, make your way to ZD Wines, a family-owned winery known for its world-class chardonnay and pinot noir. The patio area is elevated from ground level which makes for spectacular views of the vineyard during your tastings. Napa is knows for big, bold, high in alcohol reds~ which we love, however the ZD Pinot Noir was a nice midday switch-up. It is a bit lighter, but still full of flavor and satisfying. We are always searching for excellent organic wines, and ZD has done an exceptional job making organic and biodynamic wines incredibly tasty!
Magical Market
Next up V. Sattui! This lovely establishment is not only a winery, but it’s also a very impressive upscale magical market for a large selection of local goodies. Immerse yourself in a sensory feast as you explore an array of artisanal cheeses, freshly baked bread, and an assortment of delectable treats. Intelligently, there are irresistible samples that will help you dial in your buying. We left with citrus and habanero infused olive oil, artichoke and green olive pesto and gourmet pretzels for dipping. Drool.
Dinner at Press
We know the nooks and crannies of V. Sattui market could hook you all day, however we must move on to dinner at Press. Not to worry if you are getting sideways, Press is right across the street. An iconic culinary haven and perfectly appointed staff to execute the mission. We love this family affair of father as the founder and daughter as the owner. The gastronomic twist of each dish will leave you asking, what did we order? Their menu is a celebration of locally sourced ingredients and it unfolds like poetry in your mouth. My favorite dish was the Burgundy truffle ricotta gnudi. BTW gnudi and gnocchi are related but different, Google it!
This 4-days in San Francisco and Napa foodie tour offers an exquisite blend of urban delights and rural charm. This getaway left us wondering, when will we return and with whom? San Francisco’s eclectic neighborhoods and Napa’s scenic vineyards provide a harmonious balance between cultural exploration and culinary bliss, making it a perfect long weekend for any traveler. While we are fans of all dining styles, we want to mention the restaurants on this list are on the higher end. Also, if you need one last exquisite bite, stop into Oxbow Market in downtown Napa for fresh oysters or edible souvenirs. ;). Please let us know how this guide inspires you and where you end up!
With love,
Rachel and Bekah
PS ~ Make sure you check out TRG’s San Francisco restaurant guide here to get a deeper dive into our Asian culinary explorations!
