All these choices, not sure what is best, want to take my friends to Napa thinking that it is the best now I see all these Sonoma which is best? I want them to have the best experience possible, can we do both the same day (not sure how close to each other they are)

Sonoma -- not as crowded, easier to find better wines.

Just spend the day in Sonoma. Plenty of maps available. Don't miss Schug, Nicholson Ranch, Domaine Carneros (the chateau).

I agree, lots more tourists in Napa and great wineries (and olive oil) in Sonoma!

I lived in SF for 10 years, and took many friends to the "wine country" As far as destinations go, Sonoma has a very nice square to walk around, and I think the traffic is lighter. Hwy 29 can be a crawl on nice weekend days. Also, check out my favotire small town -Healdsburg, has a square filled with Redwood trees, good coffee, a great bakery and chocolate shop. And Jordan is near by. They have a top notch tour, but you need reservations. I made my NY friends nearly fall over when I took them there. Have fun.

Sonoma, in addition, is a much more relaxed, casual atmosphere & you won't be charged a tasting fee at many in Sonoma. They all charge in Napa.

Thank you all for your help I am not from there either we all live in Miami, Fl. And I went to Napa once before was not particularly impressed now I hear so much about this other place I will try it. Can anyone tell me if it can be done as a day trip from San Francisco? Since I was originally thinking Napa I made my reservations around that. Once again thank you.

Would ya all stop telling people to come to Sonoma !
It's going to get as crowded here
as Napa !

and BTW, the local trend is that more and more Sonoma county wineries are charging for a taste, sometimes, not always, if you make a purchase, the tasting fee will be waived.

Now that Coppala has taken over Chateau
Souverain (in everything but the CS
name) it will be interesting to see not if they charge for tastings, but how much.

R5

Sonoma is about a 45 minute drive from San Francisco, so, yes, it can be done as a day trip, but if you will be tasting, you might not want to drive back the same day. If you decide to stay overnight, the El Pueblo Inn is fairly reasonable, has nice grounds and is about a mile north of the Plaza.