Perfect Pairings: San Francisco & Napa Valley
Eat your way through San Francisco and the Napa Valley one meal at a time with doors opening to culinary experiences every step of the way. Indulge in our favorite best-kept secrets, tasting gourmet delights like you've never tasted before as you wind through buzzing neighbourhoods with access to top local chefs. Rejuvenate in a luxury retreat with panoramic views of the Golden Gate Bridge and hideaway in a charming lodge nestled amongst the sprawling vineyards of the Napa Valley.
Journey highlights
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Jump to the front of the line with VIP access to meet chefs and connoisseurs as you make your way round the buzzy San Francisco food district
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You will be treated to expert private guides taking you to unique meadery tastings and a behind-the-scenes oyster farm tour
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Submerge into the beauty of the Napa Valley under a blanket of stars as you hide away in your charming lodge surrounded by acres of vineyards
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Journey on a boutique Napa Valley winery tour, showcasing off-the-beaten path wineries meeting their passionate makers
Our tailor made journeys include:
- Your dedicated Travel Consultant who will take care of arrangements
- Private international airport transfers in destination
- Your own private, English-speaking local guides
- Unique experiences, hand-picked by our Journeys team
- Entrance to must-see local sites
- Dedicated 24/7 team providing in-country support and guidance
- Complimentary access to My Scott Dunn – industry-leading travel app providing pre-departure information and in-journey support
When to visit
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San Francisco is a year-round destination but has a cool maritime climate. In the summer, the city’s famous fog rolls in in the mornings and evenings, creating a misty chill in the air. Spring sees the end of the rainy season, and the city’s pretty-in-pink cherry blossom trees dot the landscape. In Fall Indian Summer comes to San Francisco, bringing warm, dry days with plenty of sunshine. The very best time of year is August to October when temperatures are at their highest and days are often sunny.
Like most California destinations, you can’t go wrong when picking a time of year to visit. Being inland, Napa Valley benefits from much higher summer temperatures than the cool coast, and is a year-round destination but best from April to October.
At the vineyards, September is typically the harvest month, although some varieties may be picked through October and November. Vineyards will be bare from December through February, with new buds returning in March and coming into full bloom by June.
Summer temperatures reach up to around 27 degrees Celsius during the day, and cool off to about 10 degrees in the evenings, so you’ll want to bring a variety of clothes and dress in layers. Winter highs are around 18 degrees with lows occasionally just below freezing. The region averages around 200 days of sunshine per year, so you should have plenty of good weather to enjoy the outdoors.
Itinerary
Bay Area, San Francisco, California, United States of America
With your taste buds at the ready we’ll whisk you off on your personalized foodie break, staying at the Cavallo Point Lodge. Sitting on a proud vista at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge, the serene waterfront setting will set you up well for the start of your journey. Enjoy a cocktail as you choose your first activity; a yoga session, guided property walks, or you can hike, bike, sail, tour, and taste your way round San Francisco Bay.
With your passionate food guide head to San Francisco's vibrant Mission District for a delicious tour, home to some of the busiest and buzziest food ventures in not just the Bay Area, but also the entire country. You will be treated to front of the line VIP access to meet local chefs and restaurant owners who have made this a global destination – tasting foodie sensations as you go. You may also taste the pop-up cult sensation of Wes Burger 'n More, the best bahn mi Vietnamese sandwich you've ever had, or our favorite hidden side street wine bar.
The following day indulge in a savory journey to Point Reyes for an insider foodie experience at some of the farms supplying local chefs with premium artisanal ingredients. Soak up breath-taking vistas as you spend the day visiting farms and sampling local delicacies. At a renowned creamery, learn about the local history while enjoying delicious fresh-baked pastries and award-winning cheeses. Break for a sublime lunch with an option of chowing down on grass fed burgers from one of Marin's famous cattle ranches, a seafood meal with freshly caught local fish or delight in a delicious plant-based delight. Indulge in a personalized behind-the-scenes tour at an oyster farm, with a delectable tasting on the shores of beautiful Tomales Bay. Visit a local meadery and delight in a fascinating digestif tasting of the unique Champagne-style meads made from fermented honey. Wander the paths to the buzzing hives taking in the bee forage farmscape as you learn about the art and science of beekeeping.
Napa, Napa Valley, California, United States of America
Bid farewell to San Francisco and leap to your next luxury bolthole in the sublime Napa Valley, the Carneros Resort & Spa. Simply stunning, surrounded by acres of vineyards and farmland, a hidden oasis where you can enjoy a glass of California's finest in the outdoor bathtub on the deck of your private cottage as you submerge in luxury under a blanket of stars. Enjoy an evening of feasting at the exceptional FARM restaurant with the region’s best artisanal ingredients.
The next day you’ll experience Napa Valley one glass at a time during a private, full day boutique winery tasting tour. Showcasing the best Napa has to offer with visits to charming off-the-beaten path wineries meeting passionate makers and sampling exquisite wines. You’ll bypass mass tasting rooms, only visiting boutique wineries where you will gain unique perspectives from their owners, soaking up spectacular views as you go, pausing to savor a delicious gourmet lunch at one of the finest restaurants in the Napa Valley.
Enjoy the afternoon at leisure, either roam free, relax at your hotel for the final afternoon, or pre-book another activity. We recommend a guided farmer’s market tour with a classically trained French chef. Search for fresh seasonal ingredients, then head to the kitchen to don your apron and turn your bounty into a wonderful country feast which you can enjoy paired with local California wines.
Call us on 212 372 7009 to start planning your holiday.