When the Super Bowl comes to town, it’s never just about the game. Cities lucky enough to host turn into week-long destinations, drawing travelers for fan festivals, brand events, watch parties, and create the kind of kinetic buzz that makes people want to say, “We were there.”
With Super Bowl LX heading to the San Francisco Bay Area on February 8, 2026, California Wines is offering an opportunity to help visitors stretch that experience beyond Levi’s Stadium — and create fantastic memories by stepping into some of Northern California’s most rewarding wine country escapes, all within easy reach of Santa Clara.
For Those that Explore through Food and Drink
For travelers who love discovering a city through its food and drink, the Bay Area’s urban wine scene offers a great place to start. In Berkeley, Donkey & Goat has become a touchstone of the urban wine movement, known for its relaxed tasting room and thoughtful, small-lot wines. Down in San Jose, the J. Lohr Wine Center gives visitors a chance to settle in for curated tastings and food pairings right in the heart of downtown — an easy stop between game-week events.
Just beyond the city, the Santa Cruz Mountains deliver a completely different side of California wine country: winding roads, redwood forests, and dramatic ridge-top views. It’s where iconic estates like Ridge Vineyards’ Monte Bello and Mount Eden continue to define the region, and where places like Thomas Fogarty offer one of the most scenic tasting patios in Northern California, perched high above Silicon Valley. For travelers looking for something truly memorable, Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyards pairs its tastings with vineyard horseback rides through certified-sustainable vines — the kind of experience that turns a simple afternoon into a story you bring home.
For Those Crave Easy Days
To the east, Livermore Valley makes a compelling case for extending a Bay Area stay. Less than an hour from the stadium, it’s a region that feels tailor-made for long, relaxed days of tasting and exploring. Visitors can turn wine tasting into a full-day outing at Wente Vineyards, where vineyards, dining, golfing and seasonal events come together in one destination, or spread out on the picnic lawns at Retzlaff Vineyards, known for its organic estate and easygoing atmosphere.
For those that Seek Out History
History lovers gravitate to Concannon Vineyard, a cornerstone of California winemaking that now adds a fresh twist with vineyard e-bike tours with Pedego Electric Bikes and hands-on tasting experiences that let guests explore the property between sips. And for travelers leaning into winter cozy, McGrail Vineyards offers some of the season’s most inviting experiences — from intimate igloo tastings to behind-the-scenes barrel tastings and panoramic views that make even a February visit feel special. Rounding out the region, Darcie Kent Vineyards brings an art-meets-wine sensibility, pairing tastings with gallery-style surroundings and a creative energy that feels right at home in Northern California.
Together, these regions offer travelers a way to experience Super Bowl week that goes far beyond game day — turning a trip to the Bay Area into a chance to discover California’s diverse wine culture, from city tasting rooms to mountain estates and sun-soaked valley vineyards.
Learn more about Bay Area wineries and beyond at DiscoverCaliforniaWines.com.
