Wineries and Vineyards
on the Pacific Coast Highway

The wineries and vineyards along the Pacific Coast Highway make some of the best wine in the world, from Oregon and Washington to California's Sonoma and Napa.

Bunch of California grapes

The wineries and vineyards along or near to the Pacific Coast Highway produce some of the best wine in the world. The French wine world has known how good California wines are ever since a blind tasting in Paris in 1976. The new world wines of California were judged – even by French judges – to be superior to the old world wines of France.

Lovers of Pacific west coast wines have always known that the vineyards of Oregon and Washington State can produce wines that in many cases are even better than their California counterparts.

Oregon pinot noirs are among the best in the world, while Washington is second only to California in terms of US production and has been called the best place on earth to grow grapes.

No journey down the Pacific Coast Highway is complete, then, without calling in at a few of the wineries on the way.

Read some fun Napa Valley Facts and Figures
and read all about the Pacific Coast Wine Trail

Vineyards in SonomaVineyards in Sonoma

Not all the west coast vineyards are as far inland as Napa Valley (though it's well worth the detour!) Some of the ones in Sonoma are right by the sea, the beautiful Paso Robles Wine Country is just inland from the Pacific Coast Highway, and there are many fine wineries around Santa Cruz, on the California coast too. The Carmel Valley inland from Carmel is another beautiful wine-growing region worth exploring.

Our Pick of Napa/Sonoma Guides

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In Washington there are wineries you can visit that are virtually in Seattle, as well as others along the Pacific Coast Highway as it goes around the Olympic Peninsula. Click to see our page on those bits of Washington Wine Country and on the Olympic Peninsula Wineries.

Where to Stay in Wine Country

Napa: 1801 First
Napa: Napa Wine Country Inn
Paso Robles: The JUST Inn
St Helena: Wine Country Inn and Gardens

Other food and drink pages

  • Sonoma County is so associated with wine that it's easy to overlook the fact that it's also home to distilleries and here's a list of the main distillers.

    Sonoma County Distilleries

    Sonoma County is so associated with wine that it's easy to overlook the fact that it's also home to distilleries and here's a list of the main distillers.

  • The Miramar Santa Monica's restaurant, FIG, had a rave review from the Los Angeles Times for its romantic dining and tasty food.

    The Miramar Santa Monica Restaurant

    The Miramar Santa Monica's restaurant, FIG, had a rave review from the Los Angeles Times for its romantic dining and tasty food.

  • Where to eat on the Pacific Coast Highway: advice on the best fine dining options, budget restaurants, romantic locations in Oregon, Washington and California.

    Where to Eat on the Pacific Coast Highway

    Where to eat on the Pacific Coast Highway: advice on the best fine dining options, budget restaurants, romantic locations in Oregon, Washington and California.

  • There are plenty of Ventura bars, breweries, brewpubs and pubs to enjoy, not to mention one of the biggest beer festivals in California.

    Ventura Bars, Breweries, and Beer Festivals

    There are plenty of Ventura bars, breweries, brewpubs and pubs to enjoy, not to mention one of the biggest beer festivals in California.

  • Expert advice and personal recommendations on where to eat and where to stay along the Pacific Coast Highway, including a guide to PCH Hotels that you can buy.

    Where to Eat and Stay on the Pacific Coast Highway

    Expert advice and personal recommendations on where to eat and where to stay along the Pacific Coast Highway, including a guide to PCH Hotels that you can buy.

  • Santa Barbara Wine Country is one of the top wine destinations says Wine Enthusiast, alongside Napa Valley, rating California vineyards alongside Champagne.

    Santa Barbara Wine Country

    Santa Barbara Wine Country is one of the top wine destinations says Wine Enthusiast, alongside Napa Valley, rating California vineyards alongside Champagne.

  • If looking for Paso Robles accommodation you could stay on a vineyard at the luxury JUST Inn Bed and Breakfast, in the grounds of the JUSTIN winery.

    Paso Robles Accommodation

    If looking for Paso Robles accommodation you could stay on a vineyard at the luxury JUST Inn Bed and Breakfast, in the grounds of the JUSTIN winery.

  • Ravens' Restaurant in Mendocino at the Stanford Inn by the Sea is one of the top dining experiences in California with gourmet vegan and vegetarian cuisine.

    Ravens' Restaurant Mendocino

    Ravens' Restaurant in Mendocino at the Stanford Inn by the Sea is one of the top dining experiences in California with gourmet vegan and vegetarian cuisine.

  • There are plenty of Santa Cruz downtown wine tastings including Beauregard Vineyards,Storrs Winery and Pelican Ranch Winery,all with tasting rooms.

    Santa Cruz Downtown Wine Tastings

    There are plenty of Santa Cruz downtown wine tastings including Beauregard Vineyards,Storrs Winery and Pelican Ranch Winery,all with tasting rooms.

  • San Francisco has some of the best Chinatown restaurants in the USA, and its Chinese restaurants provide superb dining. Here are our top eating places.

    San Francisco Best Chinatown Restaurants

    San Francisco has some of the best Chinatown restaurants in the USA, and its Chinese restaurants provide superb dining. Here are our top eating places.

  • The Santa Barbara Italian restaurant Olio e Limone serves some of the best Sicilian-Italian food in California, and is well-located downtown.

    Santa Barbara Italian Restaurant

    The Santa Barbara Italian restaurant Olio e Limone serves some of the best Sicilian-Italian food in California, and is well-located downtown.

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