Fly into SF, Oakland, or Sacramento to go to Wine Country?
 

Could someone give me advice on which airport to fly into since we are going to be driving to Sonoma right when we arrive in Ca.? We are driving the coast in October and the first day we are going to be staying in the wine country. We don't have our reservations yet but I don't know which airport is the best location. Thanks so much.

Sacto is a great airport. When I picked up my sis and headed out to Sonoma I was surprised to find that it took only 1 hour to get there. Picked her up mid morning like between 10-11. We were in Sonoma before lunch.

Personally my last choice would be SFO because they are notoriously behind schedule there. Almost any flight I have to meet there is delayed.

I think it would take you about the same amount of time from Oakland or Sacramento, and maybe 30 minutes longer from SFO.

I think Oakland would take a bit more time until you get out of the East Bay traffic. I always go into Oakland...get the best fare but you can check the prices..either SACTO..the MOST convenient or Oakland is best. SFO is NO unless you absolutely have to.

I agree with the call on Oakland. However, from my personal viewpoint, I have arrived there because that airport tends to have the best airfares associated with it.

crefloors and ssm are right, depending on what time of day you arrive. If it's anywhere near either morning or evening rush hours, Oakland will take considerably longer because of traffic.

Southwest has a special right now for $99 oneway at all three of those locations. I just really want the best location as far as traffic and travel times. Thanks.

Another question I have is about the wine country and the coast from Jenner or Stewarts Point down. We are driving down the coast and flying out of LA. Since we are going to Big Sur and Santa Barbara, could we skip the area north of SF and get the same taste of the coastline through Big Sur and the wine country in Santa Ynez? Thanks for your help.

Yes, absolutely. I live quite near the Pt. Reyes coast and love the scenery of Rt. 1 north of there, but if you are pressed for time, it is not as spectacular as Big Sur.

I love the drive from SFO to Sonoma. It is much more scenic than the other two. If the prices are all the same, I would recomend the drive through San Fran along the bay and over the Golden Gate. It's a great start to a wine country stay. My choice in Sonoma is the Rennisance or anywhere in Hledsburg.

Have a great trip!

Well, if the price is all the same and the times suit you, then I would take SACTO for the convenience. The drive from SFO is a long one and frankly I don't see what's so scenic about it...it's fun to cross the Golden Gate Bridge if you never have and if it's not foggy you'll have a great view in your rear view mirror until you get into the Waldo Tunnel. I don't know, maybe from having lived down there for 20 years, I'm jaded. Maybe it's like someone who's lived in Paris all their life waiting in line so they can get the view from the top of the Eiffle Tower. In October the days will be getting shorter so if you don't know where you are going you might prefer getting to your destination before dark so SACTO would be a shorter drive.

There's no need for them to drive from SFO to Sonoma because they are going to drive that same route the other direction. They are heading down to Big Sur and points south, right? So they will cross the GG Bridge and drive through SF.

Hi ladynole, just a correction. Southwest could not have a special fare to fly into SFO as Southwest no longer flys into SFO. They left SFO some time ago. They do use Oakland and Sacramento airports. Best wishes.

Good catch, LoveItaly! (I knew that, but never noticed.)

Well duh!!!!! LoveItaly you are one smart woman!!! And now I say "I knew that" and I did but it just didn't "hit" me. I"m packing, finishing up work stuff for my Significant Other...getting ready to take off tomorrow...flying into Oakland by the way...so MUST be over tired. I just will NOT say senior moment..I'm not ready to admit that yet. LOL

I vote for Sacramento. Great little airport. Easy to get to Sonoma from there. Most folks who live in Napa fly from there whenever they can.

Thanks for all the advice. On the Southwest website, they still show Jax. to SF. I think I will fly into Sacramento and then drive down. I love all the help that you all give. Thanks.

Hi everone, once in awhile my brain works, LOL. Ladynole, I agree with others here. Sacramento is a very user friendly airport (I use it anytime I can) so I think you have made a good decisions. Have a beautiful time in California!

Just a little FYI about JAX to SFO
on Southwest-it's actually an ATA flight.
R5

Ah razzledazzle, the mystery is solved!! Thanks! I have been wondering on and off all day why S/W would show a flight to SFO. Thanks for the info.

Thanks to all who helped me with my air travel. I booked a flight with Southwest flying from Jax. to Sacramento. I now have another question. We are going to visit Chateau Souverain Winery & Ferrari-Carano and then drive over to Jenner and start our drive down the coast. I was wondering if staying in Santa Rosa would be a good option? Thanks.

Santa Rosa is not a particularly charming place to stay. If you are going over to the coast and continuing south, why not stay on the coast? There are several lovely places, like Bodega Bay.

We were going to go to a couple of the wineries and I thought that was a central location. Is it to far of a drive to stay on the coast? And also, we are flying into Sacramento Airport and then will have the drive to where ever we are staying. Thanks.

Ah, I see. That's different. I thought perhaps you were driving down the coast and making a loop back to Sacto. No, in that case you do not want to stay on the coast.

Santa Rosa is a central location, just not as charming as Sonoma, for example. Maybe R5 will jump in here with some specific recommendations?

We are flying in Sacramento and touring the wine country for a day. Then it is over to the coast and down from there. We are going to SF, Carmel, Big Sur, Santa Barbara, LA and flying out from there. I was wondering if the coast from Jenner down to SF is something we shouldn't miss or should we concentrate on the coast from SF down? We have 10 days of travel and 2 days of flying. Thanks.

I suggest skipping the coast from Jenner to SF- especially since you are going from Carmel to Morro Bay on the Coast. The town of Sonoma has a couple of Best Westerns. Be sure to check out winecountry.com for info on all of California's wine countries. I just clicked on Sonoma Valley lodging & there are tons of choices.

Don't forget to pack layers - it can be hot inland and cool on the coast. But usually October is gorgeous on the Coast -especially in Monterey/Carmel.

Enjoy!

Cobbie,

I talked to a girl last night and she said that we could miss the drive from Jenner to SF if we are going to drive down the coast from SF to LA. That is what I am leaning toward. I have another question-when we stop in Carmel for the night, where would be another good stop? SLO or Cambia or Pismo Beach? What is your suggestion? Thanks.