The Best Day Trip Itinerary to Geyserville, California

After living in Northern California for over 40 years, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been to Geyserville. Not because it’s trendy or flashy, but because it consistently delivers. It’s one of those small towns that quietly gets everything right. Good wine, incredible food, just enough to do without feeling overwhelming. And the best part is that it’s only about an hour and a half north of San Francisco, which makes it an easy San Francisco day trip escape. 

If you’ve been wanting a change of scenery but don’t want to deal with complicated planning, this Geyserville itinerary is exactly what I’d hand you and say, “Just do this.”

Wine Tasting & Bocce at Trione

This is how you ease into the day without any pressure, and if you’ve ever felt even slightly awkward at a traditional wine tasting, this is going to feel like a breath of fresh air. At Trione, you’re not just standing at a bar trying to come up with something intelligent to say about tannins. You’re outside, surrounded by Cabernet Sauvignon vines, doing something playful and a little unexpected—playing bocce ball! 

You can reserve a court for about $25 per hour and you’ll get your own shaded redwood picnic table, which quickly becomes your home base. When we went, we grabbed a bottle of Zinfandel, added a simple cheese and charcuterie spread, and settled in. 

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Lunch at Diavola Pizzeria & Salumeria

If I could only send you to one restaurant in Geyserville, this would be it, and I don’t say that lightly. Diavola is set inside a historic building from the early 1900s, but instead of feeling formal, it feels warm, lively, and a little rustic in the best way. The menu changes with the seasons and focuses on locally sourced ingredients, but what they’re really known for are their wood-fired pizzas, and for good reason. Every table seems to have at least one.

I owned a restaurant for years, so I tend to be a little harder to impress when it comes to food, but Diavola consistently gets it right. Everything I’ve tried has been delicious, but I always come back to the Bee Sting pizza. It’s layered with fior di latte, basil, serrano peppers, ricotta, pepperoni, salami, honey, house ranch, and tomato sauce, and somehow all those bold flavors come together in a way that just works. If you want something lighter (or some greens with your pizza), the Diavola Chop Salad is packed with a bunch of goodies, like salami, bacon, butter beans, Oregano, pickled onion and gorgonzola.

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Make a Cookie Stop at Pastasciutta

Pastasciutta is the kind of place where you walk in thinking you’ll just take a quick look, and suddenly you’re surrounded by shelves of imported goods, handmade pastas, sauces, wines, and prepared foods that all look tempting. It’s a beautifully curated neighborhood shop tucked right between Diavola and the Geyserville Gun Club, and you could easily spend more time here than you planned.

But let me simplify this for you, because too many options can turn into decision fatigue fast. You’re here for the cookies. Specifically the gianduia cioccolato and hazelnut (if they have it!). They’re soft, rich, and just indulgent enough to feel like a treat without completely slowing you down for the rest of the day. Grab one, maybe two if you’re feeling it.

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Take the Geyserville Sculpture Trail

This is one of those stops that people often skip, and I really think that’s a mistake. The Geyserville Sculpture Trail is an open-air art exhibit with around 30 pieces scattered throughout the area, and what I love most about it is how unstructured it is (and that it’s free!).

While some pieces are spread throughout town, a good portion of the artwork is actually located in a small field just off the freeway, which makes it incredibly easy to access. You’ll see everything from a massive wire-frame running man to a rusted rearing horse named Victory, and the variety keeps it interesting. Some sculptures are tucked into gardens or placed near storefronts, while others stand boldly out in open spaces.

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Go to the Francis Ford Coppola Winery museum

Yes, the wine is good at Francis Ford Coppola Winery. I personally love their Director’s Cut Zinfandel, and it’s worth a taste. But what makes this stop stand out is everything beyond the wine. Francis Ford Coppola isn’t just a winemaker, he’s one of the most iconic filmmakers of all time, and he’s brought that creative legacy into the winery in a really unique way.

Inside, you’ll find an extensive on-site museum spread across two floors, filled with actual memorabilia from his films. And not just small pieces tucked into corners, but major items that make you stop and look. The desk and chair from The Godfather are there, along with costumes from Dracula and Apocalypse Now, and even a 1948 Tucker car from Tucker: A Man and His Dream.

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Wine Tasting at DeLorimier

DeLorimier sits in the heart of Alexander Valley, surrounded by sweeping vineyard views that make you want to settle in and stay awhile. There’s something about sitting on that back patio, looking out over the vines, that makes everything feel a little quieter and a little more grounded. But, I always love to drink my wine in their courtyard that has a pretty water feature.

Their Tombstone Zinfandel is the one I always recommend. It’s bold and rich, but still smooth enough to sip slowly as the afternoon fades. By this point in the day, you’ll likely feel more comfortable with wine tasting than you did earlier, and that’s not by accident. The way this itinerary is spaced out, it gently builds your confidence without overwhelming you.

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Dinner at Catelli’s 

I’ll be honest with you. After years of owning an Italian restaurant, I don’t always get excited about Italian food. I’ve had a lot of it, and I tend to be a little critical. But Catelli’s surprised me in the best way.It’s been around since 1936, and you can feel that history the moment you walk in. There’s a sense of tradition here, but it still feels fresh and relevant.

When we dined there, we started with beef carpaccio that was sliced paper-thin and topped with arugula, parmesan, and fried capers, followed by a kale salad with orange, pecans, and parmesan that somehow felt both hearty and refreshing. But the real star, the reason you come, is the 10-layer lasagna. It’s made with delicate sheets of handmade pasta layered with ricotta, goat cheese, parmesan, and herbs, all held together with a rich sauce that somehow doesn’t feel heavy.

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After Dinner Drink at Geyserville Gun Club

End the night somewhere that feels a little unexpected but completely fitting. The Geyserville Gun Club has that modern dive bar vibe, but it’s done with intention. Exposed brick walls, reclaimed wood, and a hand-blown glass antler chandelier create a space that feels both rustic and elevated at the same time.

There’s a bit of history here too. The building once had a shooting range in the basement, a nod to Geyserville’s past, though you won’t see a single gun on display today. Instead, what you’ll find is a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere where you can settle in with a really well-made cocktail. Their mezcal old-fashioned is a standout, but the bartenders are approachable and happy to guide you if you’re not quite sure what to order.

It’s casual, a little moody, and exactly the kind of place where you can sit back, reflect on the day, and realize you did something different. And maybe, just maybe, start thinking about where you’ll go next.

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Make it an Overnighter

If you’re not quite ready for the day to end, or you simply don’t want to make the drive home after a few wine tastings, turn this into an easy overnight stay at Geyserville Inn. It’s tucked between Dry Creek and Alexander Valley with wide, open views of the Mayacamas Mountains, and it feels peaceful without being isolated. The rooms are cozy, many with fireplaces and private balconies or patios, which makes it really tempting to slow down and stay a little longer. What I love most is how central it is. You’re minutes from over 70 wineries, close to downtown Healdsburg, and within reach of Lake Sonoma, the redwoods, and even the coast if you want to stretch your adventure. 

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