Hello. We are going to be in SF in May and would like to take a tour that picks up in SF and takes you around Sonoma or Napa. (We looked into renting a car - but that is a nightmare.) Has anyone used the following tour operators?

Max Napa Tours
Viator
Napa Valley Wine Country Tours
Extranomical

If so, did you like? Would do differently? Or if you have other recommendations.
Thanks so much!

Laura

Don't know why you find renting a car to be a nightmare...but that said, I am not crazy about wine tours as it;'s large groups taking over smaller wineries and hop-hop-hop from one to the other. We like to choose one or two wineries and relax.

That said, Napa Valley Wine Country Tours is reputable and several visiting friends have enjoyed the tours. Be advsed tasting fees are extra I believe.

I don't think Viator is a tour company, it's just a website that sells tour tickets. I would not want a 3rd party between me and the tour bus.

Max and Napa - do they pick up from San Francisco? I doubt it, but check their websites.

Extranomical - I thought they only go to Yosemite?

Why don't you use Grayline?
http://www.grayline.com/Grayline/des...anfrancisco.go

Also when you come here, there will be booklets and fliers in the hotel's lobby - sure there will be something to pick!

Also this website is useful, the official visitor beaureau's site:
http://www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com/wh...&mbc=sightwine

thanks everyone. I will check into options.

mztery - I looked into renting a car - The car rental places in SF close on Sunday at 1:00 in the afternoon. There is no way I would be back to check the car in by then. Who closes on Sunday at 1:00? Seems odd.

Max and Napa do pick up in SF.

Not sure what your trip plans are for SF, but it's always best to see the Wine Country on a weekday if you can. Weekends are crowded.

By the way, even if you rent a car and have to pay for overnight parking, it would still be a lot cheaper than having a tour company pick you up in SF. However, if you want that kind of special luxury treatment, then go for it.

I don't know who you're checking but i know Hertz and Avis are open till 6. Not a big help but do you leave form SF on Sunday night? why not keep the car till Monday AM?

If you don't want a large bus experience, try Great Pacific Tours. They include tastings at 3 wineries, plus lunch at the Swiss Hotel in Sonoma (traditional Italian-American food, eaten on their back patio when the weather is nice). One winery visit is at Domaine Chandon champagne house. I think the rate is $95 per person, including lunch and tastings. They pick up at most downtown hotels with reservations.

By the way, around Union Square most of the car rental companies stay open until 5 or 6, even on Sunday. I know Dollar does, and am pretty sure National and others do as well.

Susan