How to savor your Sonoma County vacation
Sonoma County is known for its exceptional wines and its laid-back ambiance. But this sprawling region also offers every other type of feel-good, nature-first, relaxation-inducing experience you can imagine. There's enough to see and do to fill a year's worth of vacation days: abundant inland farms, unique and varied spa experiences, staggering redwood forests and the roaring Pacific Coast. In other words, it's the ideal place for an immersive, slow-travel getaway spanning a week or more.
Getting to Sonoma County is easy, thanks to direct flight service into Sonoma County Airport (STS) from multiple U.S. cities, with new Southwest Airlines flight service further expanding connectivity. Here's a head start on planning a Wine Country getaway to suit a variety of vacation styles.
Essential Sonoma County experiences
Whether it's your first time visiting Sonoma County, or you've made many happy returns, you'll want to make time for experiences that get at the essence of the destination. These signature experiences, delving into its stunning nature, celebrated viticulture and renowned food scene, will immediately give you a distinctive sense of place, plus instill sensory memories you'll want to return to again and again. As you explore, you'll also get to the know makers, nature guides and other locals who are so integral to this unique place.
Hike Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve: Walking among Northern California's iconic redwoods can be a spiritual experience. Some of these ancient trees have stood here for two millenia, growing up to 350 feet tall. Standing next to a tree trunk that measures 16 feet across is an opportunity that's not to be missed. Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve is home to trails ranging from half a mile to six miles in length, making a hike approachable for a variety of fitness levels. The park is home to two wheelchair-accessible trails, too.
Discover Sonoma County's rivers: Sonoma County's striking natural beauty extends to its three rivers, too, where travelers can kayak, canoe, stand-up paddle board and even swim in the summer sunshine. And you'll have no shortage of activities for before or after your time on the water.
The Russian River is in the heart of Sonoma County Wine Country, surrounded by charming towns filled with independent shops and galleries. Stroll along the Petaluma River to explore Victorian-era architecture, restaurants and shops in the town of Petaluma, or bring your binoculars for bird watching in the wetlands along the Pacific Flyway.
Take a guided vineyard tour: No trip to Sonoma County would be complete without at least one vineyard visit, and ideally several. Home to 19 different American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) and over 425 wineries, the region has a vineyard for every mood and taste.
Coursey Graves Estate Winery, for example, has a refined, design-forward look and feel, set high in the hills above Santa Rosa. Its Monet-inspired gardens and sweeping vineyard vistas create an unreal ambiance, with both private and small-group wine tasting experiences available to showcase its mountain terroir and conscious farming practices.
Go to Comstock Wines in Healdsburg's Dry Creek Valley to taste Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay (among others) in an indoor-outdoor space that opens onto the vineyard. The Comstock family has been growing grapes on the picturesque 17-acre estate for over two decades.
Square Peg Winery, set in the Russian River Valley between Occidental and Sepastopol, on the other hand, is an ideal visit for those deeply interested in the educational aspects of winemaking; the tour of the lush vineyard offers insights into dry farming techniques, along with rolling vineyard views. As a bonus, its tasting room doubles as an art gallery, spotlighting bronze sculptures and paintings by a resident artist.
Go whale watching at Bodega Bay: There's a truly miraculous sight on view off the coast of Sonoma County: gray, blue and humpback whales. Winter is the main migration season, but May through November offers a prime opportunity for spotting humpback whales as they congregate to feed on krill and schooling fish. Bodega Head at Bodega Bay, a 4-mile-long peninsula jutting out into the Pacific, is one of the best places to witness these gentle giants, though whale watching tours can help increase your chances even more.
Dine at a fabulous restaurant: Whatever corner of Sonoma County you find yourself in, there's bound to be a rave-worthy restaurant nearby. Book a table (well in advance) at one of the region's three Michelin-starred restaurants for a splashy evening.
SingleThread in Healdsburg holds no fewer than three stars and, for the second consecutive year, ranks as the Best Restaurant in the West USA according to the World's 50 Best Restaurants list. The restaurant utilizes locally caught seafood and seasonal produce from its own farm in its Japanese-inspired tasting menu. For an experience that's more casual but still remarkably delicious, try one of the six local restaurants that earned Bib Gourmand status in the 2025 Michelin Guide, for example regional Mexican food-focused El Molino Central in Sonoma.
Catch a one-of-a-kind dinner: Another way to enjoy a memorable meal this summer in Sonoma County is to get in on unique seasonal dining events. Dinner in the Vineyard at Amista Vineyards in Dry Creek Valley (Aug. 1) is a hot ticket, pairing sparkling and Rhône wines with a farm-to-table menu (not to mention stunning sunset vineyard views).
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Or book the Flavors of Spain Flamenco Wine Dinner event (Aug. 14-15) at St. Francis Winery in Santa Rosa, set to combine refreshing sangria, authentic Spanish-style tapas and Flamenco music and dance.
Slow travel in Sonoma County
If you have time for a longer trip in Sonoma County, take it. One of the best parts of the region is its laid-back, unhurried atmosphere, and the ideal way to experience that is to take your time and sink into the scene.
Discover small and charming towns: Explore the town of Geyserville, where you can take a tour of Oliver Ranch. The 100-acre preserve showcases large-scale art installations; proceeds benefit local nonprofits.
Head to Kenwood to peruse folk art and garden goods at Swede's Feeds, a quirky local shop, then indulge in California-fusion cuisine at Salt & Stone restaurant. Or spot wildlife on the trail in Stewarts Point, a peaceful coastal town with natural beaches and a quaint general store where you can grab a homemade pastry or sandwich. Come August, harvest events begin to pepper the dozens of cities and towns in Sonoma County. Sebastopol's Gravenstein Apple Fair (Aug. 8-9) is a prime example. Bring your appetite, as apple-centric foods and farm-fresh cider are at the heart of the festival, which takes place under the shady oaks at Ragle Ranch Regional Park. You'll also get to meet local farmers, cider-makers and artisans while you're there.
Visit local farms: Walking across fertile earth and taking in the herbaceous scents of crops is a near sure-fire way to slow your heart rate. Sonoma County is home to many such places. Oak Hill Farm in Glen Ellen is one beloved example, with a historic estate-style setting, a prolific produce and flower farm plus a top-notch farm store housed in its 100-year-old barn.
Solar Punk Farms in Guerneville is part community gathering space, part environmental think-tank, part regenerative farm. Saturdays at 3 p.m., the self-described queer-run enterprise offers a Wine & Wander event. The tour includes an inside view of the farm along with a glass of local wine. Lavender Bee Farm in Petaluma, meanwhile, specializes in honey and fragrant lavender products. Tours of their 5,000 lavender plants and hives must be booked in advance.
Try guided foraging: Discover the intriguing world of foraging in one of the country's most abundant environments with Timber Cove Resort's Taste of Coastal Foraging Tour. Spanning tidal pools, prairies and forests, the tour is led by expert guides who know where to find edible seagrasses, wildberries and mushrooms. Importantly, they'll also impart their knowledge of what plants to stay away from. It concludes with a curated tasting, starring local and foraged ingredients.
Learn the secrets of winemaking: Across Sonoma County's vineyards, many give educational tours that lend insight to the complexities of the winemaking process. From grape-growing to harvesting to fermentation; from blending to brix to filtration, there's a many-layered world to tap into, and a Sonoma County vacation is the ideal time to do it. Try the Behind the Scenes Tour & Tasting experience at Seghesio Family Vineyards in Healdsburg.
Wellness and relaxation getaways
Sonoma County's rich and inviting coastal environment, its laid-back wine scene and its abundance of fresh, locally grown foods organically make the destination a place where wellness thrives. You can lean into that further on your trip to amplify the effects.
Take a spa break: Sonoma County is home to a wide variety of day spas and spa resorts. Dawn Ranch, a sought-after resort on the Russian River, offers spa treatments inspired by the surrounding environment. Make a day of it with one of their relaxing packages, combining a signature massage with a mineral-rich bath in a redwood-crafted soaking tub.
At boon Hotel & Spa, the solar-heated saline pool is the focal point of a palm tree-lined outdoor oasis, and massages can be customized with hot stones or eucalyptus neck wraps, just for starters. Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary is a unique one, known for its Japanese-inspired cedar enzyme bath. Guests immerse in a warm tub of fermented ground cedar and rice bran, thought to stimulate metabolic activity and circulation.
Have a nature-led wellness retreat: Sonoma County's natural lands make the ideal backdrop for a self-guided wellness experience. Opportunities for forest bathing (immersing in the wonder and quietude of the forest) abound, whether on Pomo Canyon Red Hill Trail in Sonoma Coast State Park, at Jack London State Historic Park just outside Glen Ellen or among the giants at Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve.
Meditate on the beach: The sound of the waves, the calming breeze and the grounding feel of the sand and rock beneath all lend themselves to slipping into a meditative state. Sonoma County is home to 55 miles of rugged coastline, made up of sandy beaches, pebbled shores, tide pools and cliffs.
Doran Beach, a serene stretch on Bodega Bay, offers two miles of mellow sands, and is also a favorite for picnicking, birdwatching and body boarding. Goat Rock Beach features dramatic cliffs, tide pools and a harbor seal colony, plus nearby scenic hiking trails. Forestville River Access (known locally as "Mom's Beach") is a tranquil spot, set on a typically calm stretch of the Russian River. After a meditation session, take a summer swim or paddle excursion right from the shore.
Where to stay on your Sonoma County getaway
From coastal oases to Wine Country chalets, you're spoiled for choice when it comes to picking your accommodations in Sonoma County. The region is so large that hopping from, say, a locally owned bed and breakfast to a luxury hotel to a coastal spa resort would be entirely possible and even recommended.
Bed & breakfasts and unique inns: Staying at one of Sonoma County's myriad B&Bs and boutique inns is an excellent way to immerse in the local flavor. There are understated and homey accommodations like Elim Grove Cottage B&B in Cazadero, cottages set amid towering redwoods and along the picturesque Austin Creek.
There are upscale boutique accommodations like The Kenwood Inn & Spa. Tucked away on a charming European-style property, the inn features spacious and well-appointed guest rooms with balconies and fireplaces, plus an included three-course gourmet breakfast that wins raves. Luxury hideaways like Farmhouse Inn in Forestville are a treat, combining a secluded wooded setting, a seasonally inspired spa, an award-winning farm-to-table restaurant and other top-tier amenities.
Unique and luxury resorts: Oceanfront Timber Cove Resort's setting (it sits atop a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean) automatically makes it special. Its coastal-seasonal fare restaurant, Coast Kitchen, its activities programming (the aforementioned foraging tour, for starters) and its bespoke wellness experiences also make it a standout. Vinarosa Resort & Spa allows guests to immerse in Wine Country; the resort is set amid rolling vineyards and accented by lush landscaping.
Locally sourced seasonal cuisine at onsite restaurant John Ash gets top marks, while its spa puts relaxation in easy reach. The Lodge at Bodega Bay ranked as the #1 Hotel in the World for both 2024 and 2025, per the Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards, and the #1 Hotel in Northern California as well. The hotel attracts many repeat guests with its approachable, relaxing atmosphere, its stunning coastal scenery and authentic California lodge touches (wine by the fire pit, anyone?). It's just one more reason you'll want to start your own Sonoma County experience as soon as possible.