Explore our California Wine Country vacation rentals
Embrace relaxation and luxury with a California Wine Country rental. Whether a romantic getaway or a weekend away with friends, take a trip out in search of fine wine, world-class cuisine, and postcard-perfect landscapes. Here, you can luxuriate at the spa, catch seasonal festivals, take to the trails by bike, and appreciate the (fermented) fruits of hundreds of years of winemaking artistry.
The California Wine Country region stretches across the Napa Valley and along a small portion of the northern coast, about 50 miles north of San Francisco. Each town has something different to offer, including Sonoma, Napa, Glen Ellen, Sea Ranch, Santa Rosa, Bodega Bay, and more. Find a vacation home to suit your style with amenities that add to the fun, like hot tubs, swimming pools, water views, and pet-friendly rentals.
Things to do in California Wine Country
California dreaming? Put your vacation on the books and start planning your adventure’s itinerary. With family-friendly activities, farmers markets, spas, shops, wineries, restaurants, and a beautiful natural landscape, there’s no shortage of things to do.
- Not a drinker? No problem. You’ll have just as much fun in wine country without drinking too, and outdoor activities are a great way to do it. Take a canoe trip on the nearby Russian River, tour surrounding bee farms, or spend the day in scenic Jack London State Park. At Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, you can hike or horseback ride through beautiful oak and chaparral forests, right past waterfalls and peaceful streams.
- There are so many ways to sightsee—between biking, hiking, horseback riding, white water rafting, and hot air balloon tours, this breathtaking countryside looks good from any angle.
- This California hot spot isn’t just fun for adults, either. If you’re bringing kids along, you’ll find a trove of family-friendly activities to enjoy together, like searching for sea glass along Sea Ranch, boating along the Napa River, visiting the Children's Museum of Sonoma County, taking a ride on the Sonoma TrainTown Railroad, a day trip to the Six Flags amusement park in Vallejo, or ending a long day with an ice cream cone.
- From California’s wine country, beautiful beaches are at your fingertips. Feel the serene ocean breeze in your hair on a trip to Bodega Bay, Sea Ranch, Fort Bragg, Dillon Beach, or Point Reyes National Seashore. Other day trips include San Francisco, San Jose, Mendocino’s National Forest, Sonoma Coast State Park, and Big Basin Redwoods State Park.
- Napa Valley is a foodie’s paradise. Here, you’ll find many award-winning wineries and organic farm-to-table restaurants, as well as pop-up stands, farmers markets, and food carts worth checking out. Treat your taste buds to an evening of culinary delights, or enjoy a casual sip of bubble tea as you stroll through the walkable downtown areas.
Sonoma County
Peppered along the Russian River Valley, about an hour and a half north of San Francisco, you’ll find the homeland of organic and artisanally-crafted cuisine, a natural landscape that blends forest with valley and vineyard, and of course, a historic legacy of winemaking. Sonoma Wine Country tops the list as a must-stay destination, with over 100 wineries and vineyards to sample the area’s famous Pinot Noir, sightsee California missions, and savor restaurants’ farm-fresh meats and produce.
Napa Valley
If you’re up for spending a little bit more for indulgence on your romantic getaway to wine country, set your sights on Napa Valley. From renowned winery Beringer Vineyards in St. Helena to downtown Napa’s Michelin-starred restaurants, you’ll find spas, golf courses, and art galleries to enliven your time away, including family-friendly events like the annual Hot Air Balloon Festival. Bask in the rolling green hills and stunning sunsets of the area with homes in Santa Rosa and Guerneville.
Mendocino Valley
Add a coastal flair to your wine tour and try something new. Mendocino Valley, which includes the towns of Fort Bragg and Albion, blends the best of Northern California’s breezy coastline and redwood forests with the rich soil that fuels the local winemaking and microbrewery scene. Between afternoons of wine tasting, enjoy a savory crepe at Raven’s Restaurant, kayak through the sea caves, catch the sunset at Mendocino Headlands State Park, and bring back a bottle to enjoy at a vacation rental with a private balcony overlooking the valleys.
What cities are considered wine country in California?
In Sonoma County, the main cities include Santa Rosa, Healdsburg, Sonoma, Guerneville, and Windsor. In Napa County, you'll find Napa, Yountville, Rutherford, St. Helena, and Calistoga. Mendocino Valley is home to Hopland and Ukiah and Temecula Valley’s main city is its namesake, Temecula.
Is there a wine country in Southern California?
The hidden gem of California’s wine country lies at the state’s southern end in Temecula Valley. With nearly 50 unique wineries, Temecula has just as much wine-touring to offer as its northern competitors, plus year-round sunshine and access to popular Southern California beaches.
What is the best month to visit wine country in California?
For warm weather and picturesque views of the vineyard, visit wine country during the harvest season of late summer and early fall (from August to September). If you’re looking to skip crowds, plan your trip for when the crowds are less frequent and everything is in flower during spring (March to May) or the shoulder season (from December to February).
How many wineries are in California wine country?
There are around 1,800 wineries registered in Napa Valley alone, not to mention the surrounding area’s vineyards and wineries. Sample your way through the region’s award-winning wines one tasting at a time with a California wine country rental.
