Gatto has a few favorite wine destinations within Sonoma County, including Carneros in the county’s southern region, which is just an hour by car from San Francisco: “The rolling hills there are planted with grapes that make the region’s best sparkling wines. The winery Gloria Ferrer is not to be missed. It’s owned by a Spanish family from Catalonia who has been making sparkling wine for generations, and they’ve been doing it in California since the 1980s.” In classic Healdsburg, where you’ll find luxurious wine country stays like the sumptuous Montage Healdsburg, Gatto recommends the town’s boutique shops and many tasting rooms. As for restaurants, she recommends Bravas, a Spanish tapas bar and a local institution.
For travelers who do not drink, there are many activities in Sonoma County that are not wine-related, especially because the area has fantastic produce and dining everywhere. Casey suggests looking for seasonal food festivals, like the Gravenstein Apple Fair in Sebastopol, where you can harvest your own heirloom apples and picnic in the verdant scenery. (This year’s Gravenstein is scheduled for August 9 and 10.) If you want a foodie road trip, head to the coast and eat oysters in Bodega Bay, about 40 minutes from Santa Rosa, or taste cheeses along Sonoma’s section of the California Cheese Trail, which includes the cities of Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, and Petaluma.
It’s also worth noting that families will have plenty of options to keep their kids entertained while the adults have their sips of vino. Caskey, a parent to children aged ten and eight years old, says, “The vibe in Sonoma County is more kid-friendly and less rigid than Napa Valley.”
How many days do I need to spend in Sonoma County as a first-timer?
For a first-time visit to Sonoma County five to six days is best. This allows you to factor in travel time on the road and sink into a slower pace of travel in Sonoma County. Gatto suggests flying into San Francisco and driving north over the Golden Gate Bridge, while taking a stop at the Muir Woods National Monument for a hike and a bit of forest bathing. (For more direct access, Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport puts you right in Santa Rosa, and 10 minutes away from Healdsburg; 30 minutes from Petaluma; and 40 from Sonoma, the historic city that lends the county its name.)
Tillement suggests a short itinerary that hits Healdsburg, Petaluma, and Sonoma town: “Healdsburg sits at the intersection of three wine valleys—Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley, and Russian River Valley, allowing travelers to discover many vineyards. Petaluma is a haven for both foodies and outdoor enthusiasts. Lastly, Sonoma offers cultural activities with historic sites and museums, as well as farm to table restaurants and wellness retreats.” You can do one day in each, Tillement says, but it would be best to stretch it all out into a week.
What else should I know before visiting Sonoma County?
No matter the kind of trip you plan to Sonoma County, you will likely be outside and on your feet for long stretches of time. Gatto recommends opting for comfortable walking shoes so you can explore the vineyards and hike the trails nearby. And if you have accessibility needs, be sure to inform your hotel and the places you’re visiting.
It cannot be emphasized enough: Secure your reservations in advance. “Due to high demand, particularly on weekends and during peak season, many restaurants and wineries require reservations,” Tillement says. “Booking in advance often leads to a more personalized and intimate visit.”
Given the sheer amount of options from lodging and wineries to dining and activities, deciding what to emphasize on a visit to Sonoma County can be super overwhelming. To mitigate that feeling, Caskey says, “Don’t look at this as your ‘one shot’ chance to visit Sonoma. It’s a place to be visited and revisited. Most people fall in love and want to return. It’s country life, with a rhythm that doesn’t get under your skin until you’re on your third day. Your body literally recalibrates to the clean air. You should enjoy that.”
Most importantly: Do not drink and drive. If you plan on tasting wine, appoint a travel buddy as your designated driver; alternately, hire a private driver to take you around Sonoma County. “Uber is available, but it can take a while and is unreliable outside of the immediate areas of Santa Rosa and Healdsburg,” Caskey says.
