We’re thinking we might try Napa in October, then a friend mentioned Sonoma has prettier topography. I’m not sure how long we’ll stay. 4 nights, maybe 5? Napa in town looks more like there are other things to do besides visiting vineyards. But boy are those hotels pricey.
Sonoma is close by, but I wonder if I might get a bit bored. Anyway, looking for your opinions, and suggestion, experiences. Thanks!
We stayed in Sonoma but we had a rental car so we visited both areas. We preferred Sonoma in terms of wineries but we enjoyed the restaurants in Napa.
It was cheesy but we really enjoyed the Napa Wine Train. They go to different wineries now but we stopped at Grigich Hills and randomly met the owner.
If you are looking for a splurge meal, French Laundry was worth it!
Sonoma and Napa aren’t too far apart, so it could be your preference as to where to stay. Napa definitely has more of a party vibe downtown and has more lodging options. Sonoma is more laidback and has some good hiking nearby (Jack London state park). Napa downtown lodging is on the pricey side; the cheapest lodging option usually is the Marriott across the freeway. Both cities are a short drive to other wine towns, but Napa is a great base camp for exploring St Helena and Calistoga.
I guarantee that vineyards are way more than just wine tasting.
Our favorite one to visit is Hess Collection:
Sterling vineyards have an aerial tram to get to the winery.
And many more!
As they say, Napa makes auto parts, Sonoma makes wine.
I visit both but tend to prefer smaller Sonoma wineries.
Is there a reason you can not split your time to avoid the back and forth drive ?
I know you didn’t ask - but in the spirit of CC I am going to tell you more than you asked for 
Gott’s for lunch (downtown Napa at the Oxbowmarket or St Helena) Casual, outdoor seating, local hang out from fresh salads to burgers
Oakville Grocery - lunch, coffee, browse around the store
Mumm Napa (or Domaine Carneros) for bubbles
Frog’s Leap - nice setting, good wine, old house
Sterling Vineyards - tram, great views, good wines
Stag’s Leap Winery - one of the oldest in Napa (make sure it’s the winery, as there are at least 2 Stag’s Leap properties)
Mayacamas - old, great views, great wines
Oxbow Market in Napa - lots of food options, sits along the river - indoor food court.
Jack London Park in Glenn Ellen (Sonoma) - historic and great place for a good walk and learn more about the author.
Window shop around Yountville, St Helena, downtown Napa, downtown Sonoma - original Williams Sonoma Store in downtown Sonoma.
El Molino Central - mexican place just outside downtown Sonoma - super casual order at counter and eat at picnic tables.
Cafe La Haye in Sonoma for a nice dinner
Mustards Grill in Napa - lunch and dinner - very popular
Glenn Ellen Star - lovely small restaurant, excellent food - highly recommend and fun to eat at the counter and watch the chef.
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Second Mayacamus. Wonderful experience, a chardonnay tasting on the mountaintop and then reds in the new tasting room built after the fire. The original 19th century winery survived. I went there for the first time 40 years ago.
We stayed in a house in Healdsburg last time we visited the area. It’s in Sonoma a little outside the tourist zone and has wonderful restaurants and tasting rooms for some smaller wineries. It’s a short drive to the big Napa stars.
We’ve actually thought of splitting our time. That way get different flavors and also the hotels are half the price. Maybe 3 nights Napa and 2 nights Sonoma. Thanks for all the suggestions.
Thank you all. I’ve read it would be easier to fly into Sacramento, just not sure if we’d have that many time options vs SF.
Lots of great places to visit and stay. We have stayed in both Napa and Sonoma. We stayed at Madrona Manor in Healdsburg (charming)
And if you don’t feel like driving to wineries, there are tasting rooms on the square.
On the Napa side, consider Peju and Mumm Napa if you like art.
Watch the movie “bottle shock” and go to
Ch. Montelena. It has beautiful Gardens.
Not sure if this will work, but trying to copy a link for post I did a couple of years ago
If you wind up in Sonoma, a couple of food recommendations:
Cafe LaHaye in downtown Sonoma is a locals’ favorite dinner spot - perfect, unpretentious California cuisine.
El Molino Central in Boyes Hot Springs (5 min from downtown Sonoma) is excellent casual Mexican food, people come from all over the Bay Area.
Is Brixx still in Napa? And is it still excellent? It’s been a long while since we were in Napa.
Re: travel. We actually drove to Napa from Santa Clara. We had flown into the San Jose airport. It was a very easy drive. Not sure if it’s closer than Sacramento.
I’d fly into Oakland or if you can, to Santa Rosa.
If you want to eat at a Thomas Keller restaurant but are shocked by the French Laundry price then you can have a great meal at nearby Bouchon.
A word of caution: if you use Oakland airport do not stop for gas on Hegenberger Road on the way to the airport. It is notorious for robberies.
Check out the nearby Russian River Valley as well.
I’ve been to both Bouchon and French Laundry. Bouchon is fine–the food is good–but French Laundry is really special. I’d splurge and go to French Laundry.
Would Oakland or Sacramento be better?
If you had 5 days, how would you split them up and which to do first? (If we decide to stay 2 places)
Depending on what airline you fly, flights might be limited and more expensive. I am landing at SFO as I type. It’s easy to get to the wine country from SFO
Regarding your time - that is hard to answer. If it was me, I would do 3 nights in Sonoma and 2 in Napa - but it really is easy to go back and forth. It is all so beautiful minus the weekend traffic especially in Napa. 
We really like the Inn at Sonoma and also there are fabulous Airbnb options and we stayed a very reasonable on in Glen Ellen just outside of Sonoma and walkable to the french bakery and little store. I know I mentioned it before and will say again that a few hours at Jack London State Park and touring the house and grounds was well worth taking a break from wine tasting.
Enjoy your time - we need to go back.