Getting to Napa Valley from San Francisco (SFO, 75 Mins), Oakland (OAK), Sacramento & Sonoma

Napa Valley sits just 80 kilometres (50 miles, 1 hour to 1 hour 20 minutes) northeast of San Francisco, surrounded by four convenient commercial airports.

1. Comparing the 4 Gateway Airports (Why 'OAK' or 'SMF' Often Beat 'SFO')

1. San Francisco International Airport (SFO, 95 km / 1 Hour 15 Mins to 1 Hour 40 Mins South): has the most international and cross-country nonstop flights. Note that driving from SFO (south of San Francisco) requires crossing either San Francisco or the Bay Bridge, so avoid driving out of SFO during weekday afternoon rush hour.
2. Oakland International Airport (OAK, 80 km / 1 Hour South via I-880 & I-80 East): located on the East Bay side of the water, so you completely skip San Francisco city and Bay Bridge traffic.
3. Sacramento International Airport (SMF, 95 km / 1 Hour East via I-80 West & Hwy 12): the insiders' favourite airport, with zero bridge tolls, zero Bay Area motorway gridlock, and an effortless 60-minute drive straight west into Napa.
4. Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa (STS, 45 Mins West of Calistoga): served by Alaska and American Airlines, where Alaska Airlines passengers can fly home with up to one full 12-bottle case of wine checked free of charge.

2. The Two Driving Routes from San Francisco + Car-Free Ferry & Shuttle Options

• The Scenic Route from San Francisco (Via the Golden Gate Bridge): drive north across the Golden Gate Bridge on US-101 North into Marin County, turn east onto Highway 37 along San Pablo Bay, and take Highway 121 North past Sonoma and Domaine Carneros straight into Napa (remember: the Golden Gate Bridge uses electronic tolling, charged only going southbound back into San Francisco).
• The Fastest Direct Route (Via the Bay Bridge & I-80 East to Hwy 29): cross the Bay Bridge and Carquinez Bridge onto Highway 29 North straight into Downtown Napa.
• Without a Car from San Francisco: either take the 1-Hour San Francisco Bay Ferry from the SF Ferry Building to Vallejo Terminal plus VINE Bus Route 11 directly into Downtown Napa's Soscol Gateway Transit Center, or book the direct Napa Airporter Shuttle from SFO or OAK.