Oakland Temescal and Old Oakland, 15 minutes east of San Francisco by BART, are the East Bay's dining anchor with Pizzaiolo, Commis and the Swan's Market.
Editorially verified May 18, 2026 by Elliot Marsh, TableJourney editor. Source.
Tip: Hit Pizzaiolo for lunch (walk-in friendly), Commis for dinner; book Commis 30 days out.
Guided tour · 8 hours
Experience the best of Napa and Sonoma Valley on a private tour from San Francisco. Visit the Miner Family Winery, Jacuzzi Family Winery, and a secret wine tasting location.
Private tour · 9 hours
Visit 2-3 wineries in Sonoma and Napa and enjoy a tasting at each stop on a guided tour from San Francisco with hotel transfers. On the way, cross the Golden Gate Brid...
Day trip · 8 hours
Enjoy a private drive through Napa Valley and visit four renowned wineries. Admire scenic vineyards while choosing your own tasting experiences at each stop.
Napa Valley, a 90-minute drive north of San Francisco, is America's cabernet capital, with Thomas Keller's French Laundry in Yountville and the Oxbow Public.
TipMake French Laundry the centrepiece (reservations open 60 days out at 09:00 Pacific); fill the day with Bouchon Bakery and a Hall Wines tasting.
Sonoma County and Healdsburg, 75 minutes north of San Francisco, are the Pinot and Zinfandel anchor of Northern California, plus the three-star SingleThread.
TipAnchor the day at SingleThread (the 11:30 hands-on farm visit is the off-page experience); pair with a Russian River Pinot tasting at Williams Selyem.
Point Reyes, 75 minutes north of San Francisco, is Marin oyster country, with Tomales Bay oyster farms, Cowgirl Creamery's home dairy and the Point Reyes.
TipStop at Hog Island Oyster Farm for the shuck-your-own picnic (BYO knife and grill); book the time slot a week ahead.
Half Moon Bay, 45 minutes south of San Francisco, is a coastal pumpkin and seafood town, with Barbara's Fish Trap, Sam's Chowder House and the October.
TipHit Barbara's Fish Trap at 12:30 (cash only, no reservations); the line is shortest then.
Petaluma, 50 minutes north of San Francisco, is the Bay Area cheese country, with Cowgirl Creamery's cheesemaking site, Marin French Cheese and a quiet rural.
TipReserve the Cowgirl Creamery cheesemaking tour ahead; the Friday morning tour comes with a generous tasting.
Berkeley's Gourmet Ghetto, 35 minutes east of San Francisco by BART, is Alice Waters's home turf, with Chez Panisse, the Cheese Board Collective and Acme.
TipCheese Board pizza is a one-slice walk-in lunch; Chez Panisse upstairs cafe books two weeks ahead.