You’re already flying a long way for the World Cup. Match tickets are secured, cities are planned, and the schedule is full. The real opportunity now is turning this trip into something you’ll remember long after the final whistle.
That’s where California wine country comes in. For fans spending time in Los Angeles or San Francisco, wine country offers a slower, more social contrast to match days, a chance to experience California through food, wine, and landscape. For groups of friends with a taste for great experiences, it’s often the part of the trip that stands out most.
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Why Wine Country Works for World Cup Travel
Wine country pairs naturally with World Cup travel because it offers the opposite rhythm of match days. Stadiums are loud, crowded, and fast-paced; wine country is about slowing down, sharing a table, and spending time together. It’s where travel shifts from schedules and seats to conversations, meals, and places shaped by the land.
More than that, wine country reflects a core part of California culture. Agriculture, food, and wine sit at the heart of how people gather here, and visiting wine country offers insight into the state beyond its cities. For groups of friends traveling for the World Cup, it’s an easy way to experience something distinctly Californian, relaxed, social, and grounded, while turning a sports trip into a deeper, more memorable journey.
Wine country fits easily into a World Cup itinerary. Some of California’s world famous wine regions sit between Los Angeles and San Francisco, making them natural add-ons rather than detours. Regions like Paso Robles, in particular, are positioned directly along the route between host cities, which means you can experience wine country without complicating travel plans.
Why Paso Robles Is a Smart Add-On or Basecamp
While Napa and Sonoma are household names, Paso Robles offers a different kind of wine country, more approachable, less formal, and deeply rooted in quality and experimentation. It’s the sort of place where locals happily swap recommendations and where the region’s creative energy is on full display. And the good news is that Paso Robles is located exactly halfway in between Los Angeles and San Franscisco.
Paso Robles is also one of the few California regions where wine, beer, and spirits thrive together, making it easy to satisfy everyone’s taste, from bold reds and crisp whites to hazy IPAs, artisanal whiskey, and craft gin.
What elevates the experience is the setting itself. The Central Coast remains one of California’s most beautiful and unspoiled regions, where rolling oak-dotted hills meet the ocean, Morro Rock rises from the sea, and wildlife like sea otters, elephant seals, elk, and even the occasional bald eagle still feel like part of daily life. It’s wine country that feels grounded in nature: open, raw, and unmistakably Californian.
Compared to Napa, Paso often feels more laid-back and social, perfect for groups who want fun first, exclusivity second. Its central location between Los Angeles and San Francisco makes Paso Robles an easy add-on to a World Cup trip, and, for many fans, an ideal basecamp to slow down between matches while staying connected to both host cities.
Turning a World Cup Trip into a California Itinerary
If you’re coming for the matches in Los Angeles or San Francisco, consider adding a day in wine country that doesn’t just fill time, but makes the trip. You can take the train to Paso Robles from San Francisco (Oakland) or Los Angeles or Toast Tours can pick you up in LA or SF, craft custom days that blend local wine, beer, and spirits with thoughtful pacing and group-friendly experiences, so you can focus on enjoying every moment. Make your World Cup trip one for the books.
5–7 Day World Cup Itinerary: LA, SF & Wine Country
If you’re coming to California for the World Cup and spending time in Los Angeles or San Francisco, chances are you’ll have a few open days between matches. This 5–7 day itinerary shows how to mix game days with California highlights, from iconic cities to coastal escapes and wine country, without overplanning or rushing the experience.
Days 1-2: Los Angeles – Set the Tone
Start your trip in Los Angeles and ease into California life. Mix match days with iconic experiences: beaches in Santa Monica or Manhattan Beach, studio tours at Warner Bros. or Universal, and classic LA food spots. If you’re traveling with friends, this is the high-energy kickoff before the trip slows down.
Day 3: Wine Country or California Coast
Between matches, leave the city behind. Head north to Paso Robles wine country for a relaxed tasting day, long lunch, and an evening that ends with great food and conversation. On your way north, make sure to stop in Santa Barbara for lunch and enjoy the Spanish-inspired architecture, walkable streets, and an effortlessly beautiful town center where tasting rooms, cafés, and restaurants are all within reach. Just inland, Solvang adds a charming stop for an afternoon drink, with its European-style streets and bakeries.
Day 4: Explore or Reset
Use this day to reset. Stay two nights in Paso Robles to enjoy a slower morning and a day in wine country with a wine tour and finish the day with  a one-of-a-kind, multi-sensory adventure: Sensorio (use discount code ‘TOAST’).Â
After two nights in Paso Robles, it’s time to choose how you want to experience California on the way north along the coast or through the mountains.
One option is to head west and take the Pacific Coast Highway 1, one of the most iconic coastal drives in the world. After years of closures, the Big Sur stretch has reopened, making this a rare opportunity to drive towering cliffs, open ocean views, and dramatic coastline on the way toward Monterey and San Francisco. It’s a slow, scenic route that rewards anyone who takes the time.
The other option is to head inland on Highway 41, which leads directly into Yosemite National Park. The drive transitions from vineyards to farmland, then into giant sequoias and granite cliffs, entering Yosemite Valley through Wawona and Tunnel View. It’s a powerful contrast to wine country and a reminder of how diverse California’s landscapes truly are.
Both routes are unforgettable. One showcases California’s coastline at its most dramatic; the other delivers its most iconic mountain scenery. Either way, Paso Robles becomes the perfect pivot point between experiences.
Days 5-6: San Francisco – Match Day Energy
Shift gears in San Francisco. Walk the neighborhoods, explore the waterfront, and soak up the buzz around match days. It’s a great city for food, views, and late nights, especially after a few slower days in wine country.
Day 7: Fly Home or Extend
Fly out of San Francisco or loop back to Los Angeles depending on your match schedule. Many travelers choose to end the trip where it started, closing the loop with one last great meal.
Day Trips Between Matches
One of the advantages of World Cup travel in California is how much you can see in a single day. If you find yourself with a break between matches, these easy day trips add variety to the trip without committing to a full overnight move.
Day Trips from Los Angeles
For a change of scenery, San Diego makes an easy day trip with its coastal neighborhoods, waterfront walks, and relaxed pace, a nice contrast to LA’s energy.
If you want something completely different, head inland to Borrego Springs to experience the California desert. The open landscape and large-scale metal sculptures scattered across the valley feel otherworldly and offer a striking look at a side of the state many visitors never see.
For a coastal escape, Catalina Island is absolutely doable in a day. A ferry ride delivers you to a walkable island town with clear water, outdoor dining, and a laid-back, vacation-within-a-vacation feel.
Day Trips from San Francisco
Just north of the city, Muir Woods offers towering redwoods and quiet trails, an easy reset between high-energy match days. Santa Cruz combines redwood forests with a classic California beach town, making it a great option for a full but relaxed day out.
For something cultural, Sacramento delivers a surprising mix of goldrush history and modern California. Its historic Old Town, riverfront, and state capitol provide a glimpse into the state’s early days and political roots, all within easy reach of San Francisco.
These kinds of day trips keep the trip feeling dynamic, city energy, nature, history, and coast, while leaving room for the highlight: slowing down in wine country when the timing is right.
Why Planning Matters (Especially for Groups)
With matches, travel days, and the heat of summer, your schedule might feel packed. That’s why planning matters. Paso Robles has hundreds of tasting rooms and craft beverage makers, some well-known, others hidden gems, and knowing which stops will work well together can make all the difference.
Local insight helps you avoid backtracking, long waits, and stops that feel like filler. A thoughtfully planned day builds around geography, group vibe, and energy, so you actually arrive at each stop ready to enjoy it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, and for many visitors, it’s one of the best ways to understand California beyond the stadiums and cities. Wine country reflects the state’s culture at its core: agriculture, innovation, community, and a strong connection to place. After the energy of match days, regions like Paso Robles offer a slower pace, great food and wine, and time to experience how Californians actually live. It’s an easy add-on from Los Angeles or San Francisco, and for many World Cup travelers, it becomes the most memorable part of the trip.
Some of California’s most iconic experiences sit right between Los Angeles and San Francisco, making road trips especially rewarding during the World Cup. Pacific Coast Highway 1 offers dramatic coastal views and classic seaside towns, while Yosemite National Park delivers a completely different side of the state, including access to towering giant sequoias, without needing a separate trip farther south to Sequoia National Park. Add in wine country, and you have a route that captures California’s landscape, food, and culture in one journey. Paso Robles, located directly between LA and SF, is one of the state’s most respected wine regions and fits naturally into this kind of road trip without adding unnecessary distance.
San Francisco offers plenty of easy day trips during the World Cup, from Napa Valley and Sonoma to the coast in Monterey or Big Sur. These are great options if you’re tight on time and want to be back in the city the same night.
Paso Robles is a little different. While it’s possible to visit in a long day, most travelers find it’s far more rewarding with at least two nights. The region’s wineries, distilleries, and breweries are spread out, and the experience is meant to be enjoyed at a relaxed pace.
For fans with a bit of flexibility in their schedule, Paso Robles becomes less of a day trip and more of a wine country escape, one that trades crowds for space, long lunches, and a craft scene that still feels personal. If you’re already traveling for the World Cup, it’s often worth giving Paso the time it deserves.
Los Angeles offers some of California’s most varied day trips, making it easy to step away from match-day crowds without changing hotels. Coastal escapes like Santa Barbara deliver walkable streets, Spanish-style architecture, and tasting rooms all in one place. San Diego offers a relaxed waterfront and neighborhood vibe, while Catalina Island provides a true island experience with a simple ferry ride. For something completely different, Borrego Springs introduces visitors to the California desert, with wide-open landscapes and large-scale outdoor sculptures that showcase another side of the state.
If you’re attending matches in both Los Angeles and San Francisco, staying somewhere in between can make the trip far more relaxed. Paso Robles works well as a central basecamp, especially for travelers who want to experience wine country without constantly changing hotels. It’s accessible by train from both LA and the Bay Area, meaning you don’t necessarily need to rent a car. From there, you can explore wineries, coastal towns, and nearby regions at a slower pace. For visitors looking to simplify logistics, Toast Tours can help coordinate accommodations and provide private transportation or shuttle service, making it easy to enjoy the region without the stress of planning every detail.
If you’re coming for the matches in Los Angeles or San Francisco, consider adding a day in wine country that doesn’t just fill time, it elevates the trip. Toast Tours offers private pickups from LA or SF and crafts custom days that blend local wine, beer, and spirits with thoughtful pacing and group-friendly experiences.
Let us handle the logistics, so you can focus on enjoying every moment. Make your World Cup trip one for the books.
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