San Francisco-Napa Valley Wine Travel and Tourist Information

It is the gateway to the Napa Valley wine regions.

Not to be missed...

COPIA - The American Centre for Wine, Food & the Arts is a cultural museum and educational centre dedicated to exploring the distinctively American contribution to the character of wine and food in close association with the arts and humanities, and to celebrating these as a unique expression of the vitality of American life, culture and heritage. COPIA  - the american center for wine, food and the arts 

Accommodation in San Francisco and Napa Valley

San Francisco hotels, motels and inns offer a wide variety of accommodation to meet your lodging needs.

More accommodation information on:

San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau
www.napavalley.com/lodging
www.sthelena.com 

Transport

Air Travel

Flying time is 6 hours from New York, 4 hours from Chicago, 1 hour from Los Angeles, 10 hours from London, and 15 hours from Sydney. The major gateway to San Francisco is San Francisco International Airport (SFO), just south of the city, off U.S. Highway 101.

Several domestic airlines serve Oakland Airport (OAK), which is across the bay but not much farther away from downtown San Francisco (via I-880 and I-80), although rush-hour traffic on the Bay Bridge may make travel times longer.

Several domestic airlines serve San Jose International Airport (SJC), which is about 40 miles south of San Francisco.

Heavy fog is infamous for causing delays in and out of San Francisco. Travellers heading to the East and South Bay should consider flying into either the Oakland or San Jose airport.

Airport:
San Francisco International Airport (U.S. 101, 14 mi south of downtown San Francisco, PHONE: 650/761-0800).

Oakland International Airport (1 Airport Drive ; take Hegenberger Rd. exit off I-880, PHONE: 510/577-4000).

San Jose International Airport (1661 Airport Blvd., off Hwy. 87, PHONE: 408/277-4759).

International Carriers:

Airlines from all around the world and the nation fly into the San Francisco area, so you'll likely have many flights from which to choose. Northwest and TWA fly into San Francisco, while America West, American, Continental, Delta, Southwest, United, and US Airways fly into both Oakland and San Francisco.

• America West (PHONE: 800/235-9292).

• American (PHONE: 800/433-7300).

• Continental (PHONE: 800/523-3273).

• Delta (PHONE: 800/221-1212).

• Northwest (PHONE: 800/225-2525).

• Southwest (PHONE: 800/435-9792).

• TWA (PHONE: 800/892-4141).

• United (PHONE: 800/241-6522).

• US Airways (PHONE: 800/428-4322).

Shuttle transportation

Airport shuttles are inexpensive and efficient. The SFO Airporter ($10) picks up passengers at baggage claim (lower level) and serves selected downtown hotels. SuperShuttle stops at the upper-level traffic islands and takes you from the airport to anywhere within the city limits of San Francisco. It costs from $14 to $17 depending on your destination. Inexpensive shuttles to the East Bay (among them Bayporter Express) also depart from SFO's upper-level traffic islands; expect to pay around $20.

By Taxi:
A taxi ride from SFO to downtown costs about $30.

By Bus:
The cheapest way to get from the airport to San Francisco is via SamTrans Bus 292 (55 minutes; $2.20) and KX (35 minutes; $3; only one small carry-on bag permitted) to San Francisco or Bus BX to the Colma BART train station. Board the SamTrans buses on the upper (departures) level.

By Car:
To drive to downtown San Francisco from the airport, take U.S. 101 north to the Civic Center (9th Street), 7th Street, or 4th Street exit. If you're headed to the Embarcadero or Fisherman's Wharf, take I-280 north (the exit is to the right, just past 3Com Park) and get off at the 4th Street/King Street exit. King Street becomes the Embarcadero a few blocks east of the exit. The Embarcadero winds around the waterfront to Fisherman's Wharf.

Railway Transportation

Shopping

San Francisco may not be in a league with Paris, New York or Milan, but it definitely holds its own when it comes to shopping.   In addition to every major and minor chain and department store, this city boasts a thriving fashion industry built by young, independent designers;   you just have to know where to look for the hip, creative offerings.   (Here's a hint:   check out the neighbourhoods like Hayes Valley, Union Street, and even Haight Street.) If you're pressed for time, stick with Union Square -- there's something for everyone.

Restaurants

When it comes to dining, San Francisco is a foodie's dream come true. Between the bounty of produce from organic farms nearby, the abundance of fresh seafood caught locally, the wines produced less than two hours away, and some of the worlds most stunning views, this city attracts   top chefs from all over the world.   You would be hard-pressed to find a more appreciative audience than San Franciscans, flocking to the wide variety of restaurants that boast everything from down-home ribs to Sonoma foie gras.   So many choices, so little  time....and there is even more in wine country-Sonoma & Napa.

San Francisco Dine About Town  
Open Table-San Francisco Bay Area  
Napa Valley Dining 
The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone

Winery Tours

Beau Wine Tours  
Kalacor Executive Service  
California Wine Tours 
Wine & Dine Tours  
Inetours  
Jake's Valley Wine Tours

Wine Tourism

Napa Valley Wine Train  
Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau 
Napa Valley.com
St. Helena Chamber of Commerce
Napa Valley Conference and Visitors Bureau 
 

Museums

Lucky for visitors and locals alike, major changes have taken place in the San Francisco museum scene in the past few years.  The jewel in the crown,  opened just this year, is the new Asian Art Museum, designed by famed architect Gae Aulenti and designer George Sexton. Not far away is the new MOMA (Museum of Modern Art), as well as other fine art centres.   The buildings alone are worth the trip.

COPIA  - the american center for wine, food and the arts 
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
Asian Art Museum of San Francisco
The Mexican Museum

Local Events

Napa Valley Vintners Association Wine Auction  
Napa Valley Vintners Association Premiere Napa Valley  
San Francisco Rhone Rangers  
Zinfandel Advocates & Producers-Zinfest  

Foreign Representation