NAPA & SONOMA TRAVEL GUIDES

"Wine is one of the most civilized things in the world and one of the most natural things of the world that has been brought to the greatest perfection, and it offers a greater range for enjoyment and appreciation than, possibly, any other purely sensory thing."
- Ernest Hemingway

TRAVELING TO NAPA & SONOMA

The Napa Valley is the premier wine region in the United States, located about 60 miles from San Francisco.  The valley itself is about 30 miles long and just a couple miles wide, with over 400 wineries and a number of amazing small towns including Calistoga, Saint Helena, Rutherford, Oakville and Yountville.  The neighboring Sonoma Valley is also equally beautiful, and worth visiting.  Here are our recommendations on the best travel books on Napa and Sonoma.

A5 RECOMMENDATIONS

Truly Napa Valley: The Experience Guide

Truly Napa Valley is one of the most complete guides to the region, with detailed tips not just on wine tasting but also on food, descriptions of towns, magnificent estates, hidden roads and trails, and even some non-wine things to do.  The book was created by Sharon Pieniak, who has been traveling and living in her 20' Airstream travel trailer since 2007, writing about her experience along the way.  The book unfortunately does not include any information on neighboring Sonoma.

Fodor's Travel: Napa & Sonoma

Another one of the better travel guides for the beautiful Napa Valley is Fodor’s.  Finding the right winery and the right region is very important, and Fodor’s gives a solid and balanced overview that comes from a local perspective.  This is a great guide for those who want to explore both the Napa and Sonoma regions.  There are a number of custom maps that are useful for orientation.  Cheers!

Napa Valley: The Land, The Wine, The People

This 9 by 12 inch book showcases the beautiful photographic genius of Charles O'Rear, a famous National Geographic photographer and his love of the Napa Valley.  This isn't a travel guide; this book instead uncovers the essence of the land, the wine, and the people who live and work there.  He features inspiring views, the best of winery architecture, restaurants, and more. One of the more interesting features is the comprehensive collection of art on the bottles of 350 wines all over the valley. 

Hidden Napa Valley

Hidden Napa Valley is another good option for a coffee table book highlighting the beauty of this region.  Local photographer Wes Walker provides his view on Napa's stunning landscape and unique wine culture with striking images of the valley.  Accompanied by quotations from great writers and personalities including: Robert Mondavi, Robert Louis Stevenson, Ernest Hemingway, Galileo, and Herb Caen..