Sonoma and San Francisco

I will let the Bay Area folks chime in here, but I would not take a cab from SFO to Sonoma - it's more than an hour drive (with good traffic; add more if you arrive during peak travel times). Rental car would be a better option (return it before you get in to San Francisco.

I personally like the San Remo Hotel - inexpensive and great location, but they do have shared bathrooms (always spotless).

Does anyone know the best way to get to Sonoma from the airport and
back to SanFrancisco

Yes, rent a car for the day. A taxi or any kind of car service will cost you HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS. If you are arriving from overseas or will be enduring jet lag, perhaps save your day trip for the following day or later.

Where in Sonoma are you planning to go? If it is to visit the square in the city of Sonoma which has good restaurants, wine tasting and shopping, then you can consider taking Uber or Lyft from from SFO and then take them back to the City. It will be expensive, depending upon time of day/traffic, could be around $100 each way. It maybe worthwhile because you don’t really need a car the city and parking is expensive. If you are planning on visiting wineries or other attractions outside the square in Sonoma, then renting a car is the most attractive option.

On hotels in the city, depends on where you want to stay. If it is Union Square, then check out Hotel Zetta is funky and fun and within walking distance of the shopping. If you want to be by the water, then Hotel Vitale is near the ballpark and ferry building.

Have fun. PM me if you want restaurant recommendations.

Sandy

Instead of taking a cab from SFO to Sonoma, why not start your visit in San Francisco and arrange a wine country tour from the City for the day after you arrive?

Sonoma is quite a distance from SF's airport. If you don't want to rent a car or take a wine tasting tour, there are closer wineries in Marin. We actually have stopped going to Napa and Sonoma and typically head up to the Alexander and Anderson Valley where things are quieter. Definitely need a car for that!

SFO ( the airport) is well south of San Francisco, and Sonoma is 45 miles north of the city. It would be a minimum of 90 minutes' drive, assuming no traffic. And coming back in to the city in the afternoon, you are almost certain to face a traffic situation.

Why do you wish to visit Sonoma and what do you wish to do there? If wine is your interest, it would be better to take a day tour from San Francisco as suggested above.

You also asked for hotel suggestions... i recommend the Stanford Court Hotel on Nob Hill. Great location, amazing views, and a good hotel.

Use Booking.com or Hotels.com for a good price on the Stanford Court or to find another hotel.

I think the best way to see (the very spread out and diverse) wine country is to allow yourself several days and a rental car to drive around the different areas. Sonoma is just one place to see, there are many, many others. As others have said, taking a cab from the airport doesn't make sense. It would be quite expensive and then you'd still need a car once you got there unless you are prepared to be stuck in a single town. It's a joy to drive around this rural area with a rental car - that's what I would do. I wouldn't split the short time you have in trying to see both wine country and San Francisco.

Thank You all so very much for the advice and suggestions!!
I was in Sonoma last year with my husband. This year I am taking my mom and we do not want to drive.
So, I believe many of you are telling me to take a wine tour from San Francisco and then maybe lyft around Sonoma. We will ust be stay in the day in Sonoma.
Where would I get these wine tours leaving from San Francisco and any suggestions on which one to do?

Go to TripAdvisor.com for wine tour recs and reviews.

If it were me, I'd take the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) from the airport into San Francisco to save quite a bit on the ride into town.

BART could not be easier!