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Small-Group Giant Redwoods and Russian River Wine Country Trip
4.8
206 Ratings
San Francisco
Immerse yourself in the beauty of Sonoma County’s redwoods and wine on this small group tour. Escape the crowds and discover the majesty of Armstrong Woods while enjoying local wineries.
Immerse yourself in the beauty of Sonoma County’s redwoods and wine on this small group tour. Escape the crowds and discover the majesty of Armstrong Woods while enjoying local wineries.
Duration:
10 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Golden Gate Bridge - The journey to Wine Country includes crossing the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Stops will be made at prime viewing spots for capturing the perfect photo to kick off the day.
- Guerneville - Guerneville is a charming town near Armstrong Woods, with a history spanning over 125 years. It’s an ideal stop after the drive from San…
- Golden Gate Bridge - The journey to Wine Country includes crossing the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Stops will be made at prime viewing spots for capturing the perfect photo to kick off the day.
- Guerneville - Guerneville is a charming town near Armstrong Woods, with a history spanning over 125 years. It’s an ideal stop after the drive from San Francisco, before venturing into the woods.
- Armstrong Redwood State Reserve - Armstrong Woods offers a superior alternative to Muir Woods. This serene redwood forest features 1,400-year-old trees that tower 300 feet above the valley floor, making them the tallest living organisms on Earth. Armstrong Woods is the perfect spot to appreciate nature’s magnificence without the crowds.
- Hook and Ladder Winery - Hook & Ladder is an “estate” producer, focusing on limited editions of Pinot Noir, “Old Vine” Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Bordeaux-style blends from the family’s sustainably-farmed vineyards in the Russian River Valley and its sub-appellation, Chalk Hill. The winery also produces and sells estate-grown Olive Oil from trees at their Los Amigos Ranch.
This boutique winery provides an intimate tasting experience in the vineyards of Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley.
Following the tasting, a picnic lunch will be enjoyed on the grounds of Hook and Ladder.
- Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens - Explore the Jackson Estate Collection, a celebrated lineup of certified sustainable wines that highlight prized, family-owned vineyards across California’s premier wine-growing regions and appellations. This is a guided tasting experience led by a member of the Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens team.
What's Included
- Admission fee to Armstrong Redwoods State Park
- Wine tasting fees
- Lunch
- Driver/guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels only)
- Admission fee to Armstrong Redwoods State Park
- Wine tasting fees
- Lunch
- Driver/guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels only)
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Pickup and drop-off from residential addresses
- Gratuities
- Pickup and drop-off from residential addresses
Additional Information
Savor the beauty of the wineries and redwoods in Sonoma County on a full-day trip with our knowledgeable and engaging guides who know the region the best. This tour is meant for small groups who are keen to learn, have a great time, and immerse themselves in the local vibe of the wineries and redwoods located just north of San Francisco.
We deliberately…
Savor the beauty of the wineries and redwoods in Sonoma County on a full-day trip with our knowledgeable and engaging guides who know the region the best. This tour is meant for small groups who are keen to learn, have a great time, and immerse themselves in the local vibe of the wineries and redwoods located just north of San Francisco.
We deliberately avoid visiting Muir Woods given its overcrowding, which hinders our guests from fully appreciating the grandeur of the Redwoods. In its place, we visit Armstrong Woods, boasting older, loftier trees and considerably fewer crowds. This experience caters to those true enthusiasts who wish to completely immerse themselves in the majestic Giant California Coastal Redwoods.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Please note that car seats are required for children 8 years and below. You must bring your own car seat as these will not be provided.
Location
Golden Gate Bridge
US-101,
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(206 Ratings)
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Susan_l
Nov 2, 2025
Russian River Tour - redwoods and wineries - Calder was a very good driver and tour guide.
We loved the Armstrong redwood reserve, then our visit to Hook and Ladders and Kendall Jackson. Two very distinct wineries.
Review provided by Viator
I7323lhpamw
Oct 21, 2025
Magical mixture of history, architecture, natural wonders and Napa wine!!! - The ‘experience’ began with an on-time pickup in a very clean, comfortable vehicle with guide/driver Steven Schwenka, a San Francisco native. His knowledge of the city led us to wonderful unique stops for amazing and unusual vistas as we began our journey. Steven shared interesting tid bits about the architecture, the earthquake/fire damage, the Presidio and, of course, The Golden Gate Bridge. Before arriving at the glorious Armstrong Woods, he played a video to give us perspective on how the preserve developed with archival photos and historic commentary.
Steven gave us detailed guidance including time allotment at each of our three stops. The plan gave us ample time at each. The two vineyards were delightful and very different in atmosphere: Hook and Ladder was easy, like visiting family that happened to have a vineyard, Kendal Jackson reminded us of French provincial vineyards with a more elegant presentation at the tasting. Each provided tastes of beautiful, distinct wines. With just a few minutes remaining, Steven guided us through the garden at KJ for a very personal experience with fruits and vegetables grown on the property.
This tour provides the perfect combination of the natural wonders and the signature agriculture of this area.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Camille_a
Oct 18, 2025
NM visitors and 49er fans - What a great, fun day! Trevor was fantastic! The walk in the Armstrong woods was amazing, trees are just incredible! The temperature was just right. Next having lunch at Kendal Jackson winery did not disappoint! Over all we had a great time! Definitely try this one!
Review provided by Viator
Stevenma174dr
Sep 22, 2025
Truly a wonderful day — thank you! - We had an amazing day with our guide, Alex. He was super knowledgeable and easygoing, which made the tour really enjoyable. The weather couldn’t have been better, and the walk through the forest was so peaceful. The wine tasting was a lot of fun, and our picnic lunch was absolutely delicious. We even got to meet some fellow travelers and shared a bottle of local wine together. Truly a wonderful day — thank you!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Z4593ipbradh
Sep 5, 2025
Unforgettable Private Day Trip Through Redwoods, Wineries, and Stunning Views - We did the Russian River Valley Wineries and Redwoods Day Trip with Best Bay Area Tours, and it was outstanding. The tour was intended to be small, but we ended up being the only two participants after a last-minute cancellation, which made the experience even more special. Our guides, Kurt and Derek, were excellent - friendly, knowledgeable, and a joy to spend the day with. They even recommended restaurants to try in the area.
We started at Armstrong Redwoods State Park in the morning, which was incredible: peaceful, awe-inspiring, and completely empty. It was a far more serene experience than the often crowded Muir Woods. Afterward, we visited two wineries, Hook & Ladder and Kendall-Jackson. Both were quiet on a Wednesday afternoon, allowing us to enjoy the wine with personalized attention from the staff, and we purchased bottles at both locations.
The tour ended with a stop at a stunning, perfectly empty Golden Gate Bridge viewing spot. This was easily the highlight of our week-long trip to San Francisco. Highly recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Msyvonne96
Aug 16, 2025
Best was to tour! - We had a great day with Brian our tour guide. He was full of information and just a nice chill kind of guy. The weather was perfect, the walk through the Redwoods pleasant and the wine tasting a fun experience. Our tour included a delicious picnic lunch. We made friends with some of the tour group and shared a bottle of wine we bought from Hook & Ladder at lunch time. Overall a beautiful day. Thank you!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
V465gesophiel
Jun 12, 2025
Amazing Tour and Guide - The guide was wonderful and knowledgeable. We were picked up right on time from the hotel. The Armstrong Redwoods were amazing and the wine tasting was lovely. The other group on our tour with us were also very nice company. We would absolutely choose Best Bay Area Tours again if we were back out in San Francisco!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tina_m
Mar 9, 2025
This was an amazing... - This was an amazing intimate experience and Kurt our tour guide was incredible. Loved the whole day!
Review provided by Viator
Kristin_c
Feb 24, 2025
Great day! Trees, wine, lunch & new friends - The drive to Armstrong forest was worth the time! Amazing trees and the scenery along the way was lovely too. The Russian River Valley is a must see!
Review provided by Viator
Southportfish
Oct 22, 2024
Excellent tour - Excellent tour. Our tour guide, David, was very knowledgeable, accommodating, and super friendly. The picnic was a nice touch and very good. We were very pleased with our day and would recommend this tour if you’re looking to get a lot into one day.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
