food & wine | wellness | town-hopping | special seasons
Sonoma County
Y ou could happily travel to Sonoma County for the wine alone—and many do, whether longtime connoisseurs or newbies who’ve come for the famously unpretentious vibes. But award-winning vineyards and wineries are just the start of what makes this region such a standout. The same welcome you’ll get from the vintners is a staple of makers and creatives countywide, whether they're microbrewers, cheesemakers, distillers, cider fermenters … the artisan roster is delightfully endless here.
On the flip side of all that amazing food and drink is an impressive array of ways to expend energy in the truly great outdoors (think redwoods, moody beaches and rushing rivers). From kayaking to hiking to forest bathing, there is truly so much to explore in this inclusive and easy-to-access enclave about 40 miles north of San Francisco. Read on for some of our favorite pursuits, then start planning your own imminent escape.
In a county as varied as Sonoma, the quantity and quality of wine-growing regions (or more officially: American Viticultural Areas) should come as no surprise. But to the uninitiated, they always do. You’ll find no fewer than 19 AVAs here, each with its own microclimate-influenced goodness. You almost can’t go wrong, but to narrow things down a bit, start with the wineries that come with the most decadent food, from the caviar pairings at Ram’s Gate to the five-course meals at J Vineyards and Winery.
Other wineries win raves for producing exquisite sustainable wines, from the solar-powered Medlock Ames, where you can take a walking tour of the organically farmed Bell Mountain Ranch estate, to Benziger, where an electric tram will whisk you through this certified Biodynamic, organic, and sustainable estate (complete with goats and sheep working as weed patrol). Then there's Silver Oak's Alexander Valley outpost, the first winery to attain certification in all seven of the Living Building Challenge's categories.
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Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary, Freestone
Food & wine
Wellness
Town-hopping
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Enzyme bath at Osmosis Day Spa
Lodge at Bodega Bay
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Sonoma Coast State Park | Photo credit: Glenn Lee Robinson
St. Francis Winery & Vineyards
Golden State Cider
Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve
Zip through the treetops
Charlie Brown statue in Santa Rosa
SingleThread, Healdsburg
Historic Sonoma Plaza lit for the holidays | credit: Mariah Harkey
California poppies at Jack London State Historic Park
Taste of Sonoma | credit: Bob McClenahan
Reffen Street Food Market
Photo credits: Lukas Bukoven (left); Reffen - Copenhagen Street Food (right)
Pinot Noir and Moroccan Chicken at Boon Eat + Drink, Guerneville
Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary, Freestone | photo credit: Trinette Reed Photography
Biking in Sonoma County | photo credit: Kim Carroll
photo credit: Kim Carroll
Still others are worth visiting for the history and characters alone, though of course, the delicious offerings don’t hurt. Think Korbel Champagne Cellars, founded by the Bohemian-born Korbel brothers in 1882, and now the oldest continually operating Champagne house on the continent; Francis Ford Coppola Winery, founded by the Hollywood legend himself, whose onsite movie-making memorabilia pairs deliciously with his wines, and Buena Vista winery, founded in 1857 by one of the state’s first sheriffs who also happened to be a Hungarian count and the so-called father of California viticulture.
Another way to narrow your focus? Check out some 2024 competition darlings. These include Angels & Cowboys Rosé, a silver medalist at the prestigious Decanter World Wine Awards; Annadel Estate Winery's 2022 Reserve Chardonnay, winner of the White Sweepstakes at the largest American wine competition in existence (the San Francisco Chronicle’s) and — for some serious local love — Gracianna Winery’s 2023 Westside Reserve Pinot Noir, voted best in show, best of class and a double gold winner at the Sonoma County Harvest.
Lest you get the impression that wineries are the only local purveyors of liquid joy, consider the many beloved microbreweries (Lagunitas, Hen House, Russian River Brewing Company and Old Caz, to name a few)—as well as distilleries (such as Griffo, Young & Yonder and Barber Lee) and cideries (Golden State, Tilted Shed). No matter what your drink of choice, however, odds are, there are countless delectable dishes it pairs perfectly with. Indeed, Sonoma County's restaurants have earned everything from one Michelin star (Cyrus) to the coveted three (SingleThread). But whether globally renowned or locally beloved, Sonoma County’s menu items are worth packing your loosest clothing to accommodate. A short list of iconic examples: the truffle fries at Jackson’s Bar & Oven, the mac and cheese at the Bird and the Bottle.
Whatever your idea of wellness—de-stressing spa treatments, heart-pumping excursions in the great outdoors, healing organic tonics, or some combination thereof—your mind, body and spirit will find an abundance here. Even a couple of hours at the idyllic Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary the morning after a wine-filled night will feel miraculously restorative, particularly if you book one of the signature enzyme baths—a full-body immersion into a warm blend of ground cedar and rice bran that follows an organic tea ritual in a dreamy private garden.
Alternatively, book a stay at one of the local lodgings known for amazing in-house treatments, whether the oceanside Lodge at Bodega Bay (think ocean shell massages and cabernet grape sea scrubs) or the Russian River-adjacent Dawn Ranch, where the Forest Bathing Body Scrub is a must, as is a custom-created wooden tub soak.
Of course, in a region so rich in redwoods and other towering beauties, forest bathing—that is, mindfully, slowly immersing yourself among the trees to unplug from the day-to-day noise of life—is everywhere. A short list of favorites includes Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, Pomo Canyon Red Hill Trail and Jack London State Historic Park, of which the namesake author said this: "There are great firs, tanbark oaks, maples, live-oaks, white-oaks, black-oaks, madrone and manzanita galore … I have been riding all over these hills, looking for just such a place, and I must say that I have never seen anything like it."
As varied as Sonoma County’s land- and seascapes are, so are its cities. You’ll want to string together as many as possible—just as you would for a tasting tour—so here’s a quick rundown. For starters, there’s the namesake city of Sonoma, home to everything from California’s oldest wineries, the last Spanish-Mexican mission to be built in California and the famed nearby Fairmont Mission Inn & Spa. Perhaps counterintuitively, though, this is not the county seat. That title goes to Santa Rosa, home to both an airport and museum named for hometown hero Charles M. Schulz of Peanuts fame. Thus the notable presence of Snoopy, Charlie Brown et al. throughout this family-friendly city of five historic residential neighborhoods, a bustling downtown and renowned biking trails.
A third foodie pilgrimage stop is Sebastopol, home to such standouts as Ramen Gaijin and the Chiang Mai-centric Khom Loi—both from the same team—and Blue Ridge Kitchen, where Eater San Francisco has declared the fried chicken to be some of the best in the entire Bay Area. Then again, all local chefs have an almost unfair advantage: Sebastopol’s agricultural abundance dates to the late 1800s, and the year-round farmer’s market is a destination unto itself.
The neighboring villages of Bodega and Bodega Bay are known to film buffs as the backdrop of Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds. And though the vibe here remains cinematic, it’s anything but scary—with signature offerings that tend more toward the meditative (think whale watching, paddling and fishing). Equally tranquility-inducing: the rolling hills and farm animals of nearby Valley Ford, where cheese fans shouldn’t miss a stop at Valley Ford Cheese & Creamery.
Then again, whatever your interests, there’s probably at least one town in Sonoma County that will cater to them. Time travel back to the lumber town era—whose general stores and antiques make for excellent old-timey retail therapy—in Duncans Mills and Cazadero. Music lovers—and accordion lovers in particular—will want to visit Cotati for the August accordion festival, among other local celebrations.
Arts, culture and wellness fans will want to hit the Bohemian Highway with visits to Monte Rio, Occidental and Freestone — that last stop leading you to the aforementioned Osmosis Day Spa. On the subject of spas worthy of immersing yourself in, Sonoma’s famed Fairmont is actually in Boyes Hot Springs.
Perhaps because of the hundreds of resident wineries—or just the good, friendly vibes—any season in Sonoma County feels celebratory. That said, each has its own charms. As any visitor is about to discover, winter takes the festive season off the charts here with merrily lit wineries hosting holiday happenings, such as the Holiday Wine Tasting and Tour at Jordan Winery, complete with champagne and caviar pairing and fireside wine tasting. Equally magical are the county’s plazas and squares, which fill with lights, food, drink, giftable crafts and special events. Depending on your interests, the can’t-miss events range from the Lighting of the Historic Sonoma Plaza (November 23) to the Drag on Ice show at Santa Rosa’s Courthouse Square rink (December 13). And for anyone who experiences post-holiday blues: That same square transforms into Winter Wineland in January, when you’ll find local makers with new releases and limited-production wines.
Spring in Sonoma County heralds festivals for every taste. Just for starters, there’s the California Artisan Cheese Festival, Bodega Bay Fisherman’s Festival, Battle of the Brews, the Apple Blossom Festival and Parade—even a beloved Butter & Egg Days Festival and Parade (really; see for yourself in Petaluma on April 19). And while all that fuel will have you motivated to hit the trails, you’ll get bonus motivation in the form of wildflower displays. Don’t miss a walk through the Kruse Rhododendron State Natural Reserve near Gualala for the brilliant namesake display. But if you’re after some classic California poppies (they’re the state flower, after all) start your quest at Crane Creek Regional Park.
Music sounds from countless Sonoma County stages in summer, when signature events include the Healdsburg Jazz Festival, Santa Rosa’s Country Summer Music Festival, the Petaluma Music Festival and the Valley of the Moon Music Festival in Sonoma. The wine world plays host to fun summer concerts, too, as you’ll discover everywhere from Rodney Strong Vineyards to Muscardini Cellars. And this being Sonoma County, not a season goes by without major food and beverage events, the biggest being Taste of Sonoma (think: more than 100 wineries, food trucks and entertainment). Of course, Pride comes with standout tasting ops, too, as celebrants will discover at Gay Wine Weekend.
Best Bet 2025
Sonoma County was chosen as a Travelzoo Best Bet for 2025. Only nine worldwide destinations were selected for this honor, based on factors like increased interest among Travelzoo members, sustainability considerations or landmark events for the new year. See the full list here.
Best Bet 2025
Best Bet 2025
Best Bet 2025
Sonoma County was chosen as a Travelzoo Best Bet for 2025. Only nine worldwide destinations were selected for this honor, based on factors like increased interest among Travelzoo members, sustainability considerations or landmark events for the new year. See the full list here.
Alexander Valley AVA
Wine cave at Buena Vista Winery, Sonoma
Wine grapes
Golden State Cider, Sebastopol
Griffo Distillery, Petaluma
Russian River Brewing Company, Santa Rosa
To dial up the adrenaline level on your local forest explorations, consider soaring through the treetops with Sonoma Zipline Adventures. Or for a more grounded adventure, hit the local hiking trails. Start with one of the moderate, five-mile options that offer a beautiful blend of forest and lake views: the Warren Richardson Trail in Trione-Annadel State Park and the ironically named Bummer Peak Trail in the Lake Sonoma Recreation Area. Then, if you’re feeling really ambitious, take on the signature Sea to Sky trail, a 15-mile trek with 3,600 feet of elevation gain—and the sweeping Pacific views to show for it.
Kayaking in Petaluma | Photo credit: M. Woolsey
No less rewarding are Sonoma’s biking routes, several leading straight through Wine Country. Consider booking a guided excursion through Getaway Adventures in Healdsburg, or explore on your own. One favorite: The Sonoma Bike Path, a rails to trails route that blends history and idyllic scenery, sometimes in the same spot, as at the 120-year-old Sebastiani Winery (reportedly the only one in Sonoma to have continued production through Prohibition for sacramental and medicinal purposes).
Sonoma County is also home to gorgeous kayaking, canoeing and standup paddling thanks to the Russian River, various lakes and a rugged swath of Pacific coastline. In fact, you can SUP in all three settings, and even add yoga to the mix at the Petaluma Floathouse, among others. Whatever your paddling interests or skill level, consider booking an adventure out on the water—often with amazing wildlife sightings—through outfitters such as Rubicon Adventures and Bodega Bay Kayak.
Russian River in Duncans Mills | Photo credit: Glenn Lee Robinson
For foodies on pilgrimage to Sonoma County, there’s arguably no stop more legendary than Healdsburg, where you’ll find Michelin-starred farm-to-table fare (the aforementioned SingleThread), tapas by James Beard Award semifinalists at Bravas Bar de Tapas and everything in between. Though the food stands on its own, the beautiful old town square and Russian River setting certainly don’t hurt. Another riverside foodie haven is Petaluma, where global cuisine from the likes of Quiote (regional Mexican) and Stockhome (Swedish fusion) pairs beautifully with the famed beer and ale scene. Lagunitas, for one, is based here.
Hiking at Bodega Head
Forest bathing in Sebastopol
There’s nothing like fall—aka harvest season—in Sonoma County. Set against a backdrop of eye-popping autumnal color, Harvest kicks off with the annual bell-ringing celebration on the Sonoma Plaza, and includes all kinds of traditions you’ll want to experience, such as the World Championship Grape Stomp at the Sonoma County Harvest Fair. The season is also full of winemaker dinners, vineyard tours and harvest parties.
Harvest season in Sonoma County | credit: Mariah Harkey
La Plaza Park in Cotati
J Vineyards & Winery, Healdsburg
food & wine | wellness | town-hopping | special seasons
food & wine | wellness | town-hopping | special seasons
food & wine | wellness | town-hopping | special seasons