Part of California’s Wine Country region, Sonoma County is almost twice as big as its rival Napa County and is a two-hour drive from San Francisco International Airport.
Running parallel on the west side of Napa and stretching all the way to the Pacific Ocean, Sonoma’s cool ocean breeze creates a large diurnal shift that sets the right condition for a long and slow ripening of grape vines, which in turn produces lively pinot noir, chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon – the grape varietals that Sonoma is best known for.
Beyond the unique terroir for incredible wine, Sonoma County’s gorgeous natural landscape is home to a culinary scene that punches above its weight and offers plenty of opportunities for family-friendly outdoor adventures.
Although Napa Valley may be better known internationally for its wines, Sonoma is more approachable and welcoming, with far more to offer beyond alcoholic beverage. Here are 10 reasons to choose Sonoma County, when you’re seeking a well-rounded escape to Wine Country.
1. World-class wineries offering unique food pairings and spectacular views
While most will stop at larger wineries like Rodney Strong and Sonoma-Cutrer, venture off the beaten path for exquisite bites where the local produce truly shines. MacRostie Estate House is just a 10-minutes drive from downtown Healdsburg and you can enjoy a curated flight of five Chardonnays and pinot noirs, accompanied by small seasonal bites like umeboshi pickled turnips and truffle popcorn.
Close by, Aperture Cellars offers elegant tastings of small batch bottles by winemaker Jesse Katz in an art gallery overlooking estate vineyards. And at family-owned Dry Creek Vineyard, surrounded by blooming gardens, your wine will pair impeccably well with locally made Journeyman Meat salumi and a selection of delicate cheeses from Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese. The winery’s historic chateau is inspired by the Loire Valley, the picturesque region where many French wines originated. Guests are welcome to bring their own picnics to enjoy on the grounds with bottles of their choosing.
2. Unforgettable tasting menus at underrated culinary gems
The three Michelin-starred SingleThread may be the magnet for jetsetting international gourmands, but just 15 minutes away in Geyserville, Cyrus is a new fine dining favourite. Chef-owner Douglas Keane creates a convivial, casual ambiance for fine dining, moving guests from canapés paired with Champagne in the Bubbles Lounge to a parade of appetisers in the impressive kitchen before settling in the dining room for main courses and dessert.
The 20-course extravaganza is full of surprises and delights, and the creativity and precision of Keane’s cooking is remarkable, melding Japanese techniques and flavours with the best of California ingredients. “We take our food seriously, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously,” he says. Memorable bites from a recent menu include a black garlic “Oreo” filled with foie gras, the most delicate fava bean chawanmushi and soba noodle-wrapped local black cod. The vegetarian menu is imaginative enough to make meat eaters jealous and the complex non-alcoholic beverage pairings are as enjoyable as any alcohol.
For an additional option, check out Farmhouse Inn in Forestville, where new chef Craig Wilmer is putting this idyllic spot back on the map with artfully plated dishes and intricate flavours.
3. Homey, mind-blowing comfort food in a culinary haven
Healdsburg, the heart of Sonoma County, is also its culinary capital, and that extends to casual dining that will blow you away too. Begin with happy hour bites and drinks at The Matheson rooftop lounge overlooking Healdsburg Plaza, then stroll over to Molti Amici for wood-fired pizzas and freshly made pasta paired with excellent cocktails and an impressive global wine list. The laidback, modern Italian restaurant is helmed by a trio of SingleThread alumni and the lively back patio even has a bocce ball court. The same talented husband-and-wife chef team behind Molti Amici also own Quail & Condor, with the best bread and breakfast pastries in town. Lines can get long here, especially on weekends, so plan to arrive early for the best selection.
4. A lavish food and wine festival that’s one of America’s best
Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience may be a newcomer on the food festival circuit, but this annual May event stands out for the combination of intimate wine seminars, winery lunches and celebrity chef cooking demonstrations juxtaposed with a raucous walkaround grand tasting featuring Sonoma’s best local food and drink with nearly 200 wineries and restaurants represented. This past year’s magnum finale at The Matheson was a highlight, with winemakers and sommeliers showcasing rare bottles from their cellars, along with a pool party at Francis Ford Coppola’s winery and a colourful Bollywood dance party at La Crema Winery. Next year’s event will run from 15–18 May 2025 – mark your calendars!
5. Fantastic seasonal produce just as divine as wine
Beyond the wine, there’s also plenty of delicious seasonal goods to be explored in agrarian Sonoma County. Gold Ridge Organic Farms in the rolling hills of Sebastopol offers heirloom apple tastings from mid-August to late October (try the ice cream sundae with Honeycrisp and Fuji apple cider syrup) and freshly milled olio nuovo (first harvest) tastings during the olive harvest in November and December.
A 25-minute drive away, McEvoy Ranch in Petaluma is another great spot to taste a wide array of olive oils, including agrumato olive oil infused with rosemary, basil, lemon and blood orange. Petaluma is also home to excellent farmstead dairy products and you can sample cheese and ice cream at Petaluma Creamery.
6. Bountiful family-friendly adventures for the kids in tow
Walk off all that fine food and drink while taking in the abundance of Sonoma County’s natural beauty. You’ll be spoilt for choice with the county’s 11 state parks with rivers, coastal cliffs, redwood trees and mountains galore.
From ziplining through the coastal redwood forest with Sonoma Canopy Tours to kayaking with Suki Waters, a local Native American guide and kayak instructor at Watertreks in Jenner, there are adventures ideal for the whole family. Animal lovers can even visit Safari West, a private wildlife reserve nicknamed the “Sonoma Serengeti”, located in the Mayacamas mountain range between Santa Rosa and Calistoga.
7. Heavenly spa treatments that will leave you radiant and relaxed
The Wellness Barn at Farmhouse Inn is a cosy sanctuary, where massages with local botanical products and powerhouse anti-aging facials all conclude with a cup of herbal tea harvested from the adjacent garden. Sound bath meditation and forest bathing with a certified nature therapy guide are available as well.
The more secluded Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary located among Kyoto-style Japanese gardens in Freestone is worth seeking out for their famous cedar enzyme baths. The warm, fragrant bath of rice bran and soft ground cedar is meant to stimulate your metabolism and improve circulation.
8. A Michelin bib gourmand brunch that will cure any hangover
After a day of wine tasting, brunch at Folktable is just what you need to refuel. It’s also conveniently located right on the drive back to San Francisco. The farm-to-table restaurant is only open until 4pm each day (closed Mondays and Tuesdays) with a grab-and-go window for coffee, tea and pastries if you’re in a hurry.
Executive chef Casey Thompson serves seared halloumi cheese avocado toast, honey fried chicken sandwiches, hearty salads and her famous tiny tuna tostadas, incorporating a kaleidoscope of seasonal ingredients from the restaurant’s own farm.
9. Adorable boutique hotels in Sonoma’s historic city centre
Planning to stay for longer than a day trip? If you’re driving from San Francisco, the city of Sonoma – the southern gateway to Sonoma County – is a small town of 11,000 people that is centred around a colonial-era plaza with 19th century adobe buildings.
You’ll find plenty of homely boutique hotels just a few blocks from the plaza, including family-friendly Inn At Sonoma, where daily hot buffet breakfast is included for all guests, Cottage Inn & Spa which offers great massages and El Dorado Hotel which has just wrapped up a major guest room renovation. Adults and kids alike will enjoy dessert at Sweet Scoops Homemade Ice Cream on the historic square.
10. Stay at a winery overlooking vineyards
Alternatively, wake up to vineyard views and fresh hen eggs from estate chickens when you stay overnight at Bricoleur Vineyards, along with breakfast pastries and a complimentary six-course wine and food pairing for the group. There are board games like Jenga and lawn games like corn hole, and children are welcome here too. Bliss House at Lynmar Estate is a three-bedroom escape with a smartly appointed kitchen and views overlooking Quail Hill Vineyard. Once the gates close and the last visitors leave, you have the entire grounds to yourself.
For our full list of things to try and places to see in San Francisco, check out our San Francisco City Guide.
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