SIGN UP FOR MY EMAIL TO RECEIVE YOUR FREE SAN FRANCISCO PLANNING GUIDE.
- Home
- Attractions
- SF for Wine Lovers
San Francisco for Wine Lovers: 6 Fun Activities All Around the City
by Jill Loeffler •
Updated: January 6, 2024
My "San Francisco for Wine Lovers" guide will tell you everything you need to enjoy the best wine in and around San Francisco.
The city is full of wine-related events and activities, from tasting award-winning wines to sipping on a bay cruise.
If you enjoy discovering unique wines, you will find a wide variety at my favorite SF wine bars.
It's also fun to hop in a car or on a tour bus for a day of wine tasting in Napa and/or Sonoma. Both are just over an hour north of San Francisco.
Read on to learn more about the best ways to enjoy wine in San Francisco.
Disclaimer: I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.
1. Wine Tasting Rooms in San Francisco
Wineries in and near San Francisco have been producing quality wines for decades. However, it wasn't until recently that these wineries started to open their doors for public wine tastings.
Most source their grapes from our incredible Northern California wine regions.
The Winery Collective offers tastings from several boutique California wineries, right in the heart of Fisherman's WharfYou will find familiar varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chardonnay. You will also find varieties such as Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, and Tempranillo.
The best San Francisco tasting rooms are in Fisherman's Wharf, the SOMA district, Dogpatch, and on Treasure Island.
>> Read about my ten favorite wine tasting rooms in SF
2. Wine Bars in San Francisco
It seems like these days, you can find a new wine bar on almost every corner. However, just because the city has quite a few options, it does not mean all of them have high quality wines.
You'll find a lot of great places in North Beach, the Financial District, and a few gems in Union Square. Some of my favorites are in the more local neighborhoods, such as Hayes Valley, Nob Hill, and Russian Hill.
You'll find everything from local Napa and Sonoma wines to great selections from around the world.
>> Discover my favorite San Francisco wine bars
3. Annual SF Wine Events
San Francisco hosts almost a dozen large wine events every year. The most famous is the Chronicle Wine Tasting Competition every February. It's the largest competition of American wines in the world.
After the judges sample and select the winners, they feature a public wine tasting event. During the event, you can check out both the winners and the other wines they competed against.
You will also find smaller, dedicated wine events that focus on either a specific wine or group of wines. The ZinEX Festival in January/February, for example, is focused just on Zinfandel wines.
>> Check out the full calendar of wine events this year
San Francisco Chocolate: Many annual wine tasting events take place at the Fort Mason Center, just steps away from Ghirardelli Square, home to the longest continually running chocolate factory in the US. Don't forget to pick up your delectable SF treats to pair with your wine when you get home.
4. Wine Cruise on the Bay
Cruise around the bay as you sample great Northern California wine.
On this 90-minute boat ride, you will see the sights around the SF Bay, including the Golden Gate Bridge, the Palace of Fine Arts, and Alcatraz.
It's a small group cruise with less than 30 people, which creates an intimate, relaxing atmosphere to travel around the bay.
It includes one glass of wine for their evening cruises and more for sale at the bar. On the daytime cruise, you can buy drinks during the voyage at their open bar.
This cruise runs mostly on the weekends starting around 1 pm.
>> Reserve your spot on a wine tasting bay cruise
5. Day Trip to Napa & Sonoma
The biggest treat for wine lovers in San Francisco is the proximity of Napa and Sonoma counties, renowned for their world-class wine production. Both are just over an hour drive north from the city.
You can either take a guided wine tour from San Francisco to Napa and/or Sonoma, or venture up on your own. Both offer you the chance to visit a variety of wineries and learn more about these gorgeous wine tasting regions.
Best Wine Tours from San Francisco
Below are just a few of the top guided options. You'll find both full-day and half-day Napa Valley wine tours from San Francisco, as well as combo tours with Muir Woods.
If you're looking for something even more exclusive, you can book private wine tours from San Francisco or a wine train experience you'll never forget.
6. SF Restaurants for Wine Lovers
If you're a wine lover, then I'm going to guess you also love good food. Another great way to enjoy wine in San Francisco is with a sumptuous meal.
The cuisine in this city benefits from our international roots and access to the freshest seafood and produce around. Pair that with the award-winning wineries in the San Francisco area, and your taste of San Francisco delights is complete.
For the best wine list in San Francisco, your best bet is our Michelin-starred restaurants all around town. Their cellars host thousands of the best wines to choose from.
Indulge Further: Discovering San Francisco for wine lovers means delving into the decadence of our City by the Bay. Apart from our fine dining options, you'll find an array of luxury hotels designed to pamper you. Read more about the best five-star hotels here.
Hi, I'm Jill!
Dreaming of a San Francisco vacation? As a proud local, I'm here to share my insider tips and personal experiences to help you make the most of this iconic city!
 |
 |
 |
Comments? Questions? Suggestions?
I would love for you to join me in my private Facebook group!
It's a great place to interact with me and others who know the area well.
You can ask questions, get advice for your upcoming stay, and then share your photos and advice with others when you return home. It's a great community and the fastest way to get answers to those nagging questions about your visit!
