Big Bus · San Francisco
Big Bus drives you from Fisherman's Wharf over the Golden Gate to two Napa wineries, where the tastings are included, and back at sunset. It's the cheapest way to taste in Napa from the city, and it throws in a 24-hour hop-on hop-off bus ticket.
Big Bus runs this from its Visitors Center at 99 Jefferson Street at Fisherman's Wharf, where you swap your voucher for a ticket. An air-conditioned motorcoach crosses the Golden Gate Bridge, passes Sausalito and heads into the valley. You visit two Napa Valley wineries, each with an estate or barrel room tour and three to five pours, all included. The listing doesn't name them; guests mention Madonna Estate in Carneros and Backstage Winery on Big Ranch Road, both inside Napa County.
It's six hours door to door, with roughly two of those on the bus. You come back over the bridge as the sun goes down. And the extras are real: a 24-hour Big Bus hop-on hop-off ticket, a one-hour Panoramic Sunset Tour and a one-hour Chinatown walking tour through the app. If you were going to buy a city bus pass anyway, this is the best-value day on the site.
The catches: it's a coach group, not a small van, and two wineries is a short tasting day. Food isn't included, so eat before you board. Under-21s can't come. If you want three Napa stops and a slower pace, stay in the valley and book the picnic lunch tour; if you want redwoods too, the Muir Woods day adds them, along with a lot of Sonoma.
Swap your voucher at the Big Bus Visitors Center at Fisherman's Wharf.
Across the Golden Gate and past Sausalito into wine country.
A tour of the estate or barrel room, then three to five pours.
Another tour and tasting. Buy bottles here if you like them.
Return to Fisherman's Wharf. Your hop-on hop-off ticket runs for 24 hours.
★★★★★Enjoyable experience with a amiable and knowledgeable guide at a reasonable price.
★★★★★Great adventure. Madonna winery was very informative and the wine were delicious.
★★★★★Not really a nature person but our guide Viktor made the whole trip enjoyable!
★★★★★Truly a fantastic experience, all winery's were beautiful and our tour guide was fantastic!
Read next:
Two Napa Valley wineries that the listing doesn't name. Guests mention Madonna Estate in Carneros and Backstage Winery north of the city of Napa. Both are in Napa County.
Yes. Each winery pours three to five wines, and both tastings are in the $110 price. Food isn't.
At the Big Bus Visitors Center, 99 Jefferson Street, Fisherman's Wharf. There is no hotel pickup.
For a taste, yes. For the valley itself, no: two wineries in Carneros or south Napa won't show you Yountville or St. Helena. Our tour comparison sets out the options.
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The cheapest day in Napa from San Francisco: two wineries with tastings included, plus a hop-on hop-off bus pass.
Napa & Sonoma Valley Wine TourThree wineries with tastings included and 90 minutes on Sonoma Plaza, from Union Square or Fisherman's Wharf. Mostly Sonoma.★ 4.5 · 8 to 9 hours · from $157
Muir Woods, Napa & Sonoma Day from San FranciscoAn hour in the redwoods, then three tastings included and lunch on Sonoma Plaza. Two of the three wineries are in Sonoma.★ 4.7 · 10 hours · from $179
Premium Small-Group Napa & Sonoma TourTwelve guests at most, tastings included at Jacuzzi and Artesa, two hours on Sonoma Plaza and two Golden Gate viewpoints.★ 4.7 · 9 hours · from $148