Visitors and locals will love this 4-day itinerary featuring some of the best restaurants, wineries, breweries, outdoor activities and things to do in Sonoma County. Click through the gallery to start your trip.
DAY 1: Into the Armstrong Woods and Beyond...
Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve in Guerneville is a great place to introduce visitors to the natural superlatives of Sonoma. Magnificent, 1,200-year-old Sequoia sempervirens, commonly known as coastal redwoods, tower in a way that makes humans feel very small and very serene. Arrive early, and with jackets to combat the marine chill. At 7:45 a.m., you’ll find an empty parking lot and the quiet woods, sans Segways and a horde taking smartphone selfies. (Photo by Kent Porter)
After an hour among the gentle giants, depart as the parking lot begins to fill. Those arriving have had their breakfast, so now it’s time for yours. Coffee Bazaar in Guerneville provides house-roasted coffee and homemade pastries. Or drive a little farther west, along the Russian River, to Duncans Mills' Gold Coast Coffee and Bakery. (Photo by Beth Schlanker)
Founded in 1877, Duncans Mills is a quaint station on the way to the coast from the river towns, with a charming general store and a depot museum next to where the Northwestern Pacific Railroad once ran. (Photo by John Burgess)
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On the road again, continue west to Goat Rock Beach, or the Vista Trail in Jenner, for wide-open ocean views at the mouth of the Russian River, and occasional sightings of harbor seals. (Photo by John Burgess)
After watching waves crash in the fresh sea air, you’ll be ready for the drive south on Highway 1 to Bodega Bay. Check out the whimsical wind spinners at Second Wind and Candy & Kites, the colorful array of saltwater taffy at Patrick's, and the Japanese prints at Ren Brown Collection Fine Art Gallery. (Photo by Alvin Jornada)
After an Alfred Hitchcock “The Birds” photo op at St. Teresa of Avila Church in the town of Bodega — not to be confused with Bodega Bay — it’s time for lunch at Estero Cafe in Valley Ford, a few-minutes’ drive away. The restaurant pays homage to local farmers with its hand-lettered chalkboard menus and dishes. (Photo by Alvin Jornada)
Twisted Horn Ranch Burger at Estero Café in Valley Ford was recently named one of the best burgers in Sonoma County. (Photo by Chris Hardy)
Cinnamon French toast made from Village Bakery brioche topped with butter, fresh whipped cream, organic raspberries and real maple syrup with orange slices, sparkling wine and a cappuccino at Estero Cafe in Valley Ford. (Photo by Alvin Jornada)
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DAY 2: Healdsburg for the Holidays...
Start your day by taking in one of the most spectacular gems of Sonoma County - Lake Sonoma. Then head to Healdsburg (a 10 minute drive) for a leisurely breakfast at Costeaux French Bakery. Despite being a frequent winner in baking competitions and with its breads widely served in Sonoma restaurants, not many know that Costeaux offers great breakfasts and lunches.
Costeaux Bakery in Healdsburg. (Photo by Kent Porter)
A variety of award-winning breads at Costeaux Bakery in Healdsburg. (Photo by John Burgess)
After breakfast, let the bookworms and audiophiles in the group browse the fiction, vinyl and CD selection at Levin & Company. Take the stairs to the mezzanine for its collection of local art, jewelry and crafts. Next, visit the antique markets — Mill Street Antiques, Antique Harvest, Healdsburg Vintage and Shoffeitt's Off the Square - all within easy walking distance of the plaza. (Photo by Kent Porter)
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For lunch and high-end shopping, visit Healdsburg SHED, where Michelin-starred chef Perry Homan prepares seasonal, locally sourced dishes in an informal space that belies his culinary expertise. SHED also has an eclectic stock of cooking vessels, implements and ingredients, and a fermentation bar serving innovative, house-made kombuchas, kefir waters and shrubs, plus local wines, beers, ciders and sodas. (Courtesy photo)
A bowl of ramen soup topped with sliced pork belly, bok choy, maitake mushrooms, scallions, chives, nori (dried seaweed), an yuzu wedge, and sesame seeds, at SHED in Healdsburg. (Photo by Beth Schlanker)
Apricot Rosemary Shim, made with SHED's Apricot Rosemary Shrub, and Jardesca. (Photo by Christopher Chung)
No Healdsburg visit is complete without a winery stop, or two. Holdredge Wines on Front Street, a few steps from the Veterans Memorial Bridge, is a great place to sip a wide range of excellent Pinot Noirs, and sit in the huge Adirondack chair out front. A dozen other wineries are adjacent. Across the street from Holdrege is Davis Family Vineyards, where you can stroll through the produce gardens, try your hand at bocce, and taste wines on par with those of Holdredge. (Photo by Kent Porter)
Sip Pinot Noirs in the huge Adirondack chair at Holdredge Wines in Healdsburg. (Photo by John Burgess)
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As the sun goes down, head to Barndiva for a craft cocktail and dinner, and watch the outdoor lights twinkle over the quirky art on the patio. Don't miss the eclectic collection of British Cigarette Cards at the Gallery Bar. (Photo by Crista Jeremiason)
Day boat scallops with squash and tomato confit at Barndiva in Healdsburg. (Photo by Chris Hardy)
DAY 3: In Search of Lost Time (and More Wine) in Sonoma Valley...
Encourage equestrian visitors to explore the enduring beauty of the Sonoma Valley landscape the way Jack London did, on horseback. Triple Creek Horse Outfit offers tours of Jack London State Historic Park where you can canter riding trails through Jack's Beauty Ranch, across oak woodlands and under shady groves. See the ruins of “Wolf House,” visit London’s boulder gravesite, Jack's writing cottage, and Charmian's House of Happy Walls. At tour's end, enjoy complimentary wine tasting at neighboring Benziger Family Winery. (Don't feel like horsing around in the vineyard? Take a tram tour)
Plant lovers will enjoy a hike in Glen Ellen haven Quarryhill Botanical Garden where Asian plants dazzle. And don't miss the waterfall! (Photo by Adrienne Shubin)
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In Sonoma, immerse yourself in local history at the Mission San Francisco Solano, the Blue Wing Inn, Sonoma Barracks, the Toscano Hotel, the Servants Quarters and Lachryma Montis. Then sip wine in the historic Vallejo-Casteñada Adobe at Three Sticks Wines (advance appointment necessary). Finish the experience with a fine meal: at the winery, prepared by the chefs at El Dorado Kitchen, at The Girl & The Fig for some French flavors, or at Tasca Tasca for Portuguese tapas. (Courtesy photo)
The Girl & The Fig celebrated its 20th anniversary this summer. (Photo by Christopher Chung)
Marinated mussels, marinated vegetables, goat stew with fingerling potatoes and fried piri piri potatoes at Tasca Tasca Portuguese Tapas Restaurant & Wine Bar in Sonoma. (Photo by Erik Castro)
DAY 4: Petaluma-Sebastopol Two-Fer & A Farm-to-Table Finale in Forestville...
The age of Petaluma, settled in 1850, might not impress visitors from Europe, but the downtown’s quaint storefronts, heritage homes and retro memorabilia will make even your English uncle or Swedish aunt melt. But first, start with breakfast at Della Fattoria, one of the country’s finest bread bakers, famous for its Meyer lemon rosemary boule. Stroll the Petaluma River Bridge, and downtown, check out the vintage guitars and mandolins at Tall Toad Music and the 1,800 varieties of heirloom seeds at The Seed Bank.
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Breakfast toast with ricotta cheese, banana slices, toasted pecans, honey and salt at Della Fattoria in Petaluma. (Photo by Beth Schlanker)
A variety of guitars on display at Tall Toad Music in Petaluma. (Photo by Beth Schlanker)
Get behind the wheel and drive the 17 miles to Sebastopol’s The Barlow to watch local makers in action at restaurants (Zazu Kitchen + Farm, Vignette Pizzeria, Ultra Crepes), breweries (Woodfour Brewing, Crooked Goat), cafes and bakeries (Taylor Maid Farms, Village Bakery), and art, jewelry, glass, crafts and clothing studios (including Circle of Hands, Bronze Plus Art Foundry, The Passdoor, Pigment + Paste, Tibetan Gallery & Studio, Littlefour, Tamarind and Mad Mod Shop).
A bottle of Black Pig pinot noir to accompany buttermilk fried Petaluma chicken with fiscalini cheddar biscuit, red pepper jelly and elote at Zazu Kitchen + Farm in The Barlow. (Photo by Erik Castro)
For a farm-to-table grand finale, make reservations at Farmhouse Inn, or Backyard in Forestville. Farmhouse Inn houses an upscale, but surprisingly low-key, Michelin-starred restaurant. The ambiance is sophisticated yet cozy, the Cal-French cuisine delicious yet unpretentious, the decor chic and the service snappy. The chefs at Backyard source the menu from their own backyard: meats from local ranchers, fish from local fishermen, fruit from local orchards, vegetables from local farms, wine and beer from local producers. Be sure to try the Buttermilk Onion Rings first with their signature hot sauce. You won’t regret it. (Photo by Charlie Gesell)
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Buttermilk onion rings at Backyard in Forestville.
Tim's Burger with housemade kimchi, bacon, Jorge Matos cheese, egg and Village Bakery bun at Backyard in Forestville. (Photo by John Burgess)
Sonoma hills ranch goat roasted loin and mustard crusted braised shoulder with sun choke carrot puree and salt cured olives at Farmhouse Inn in Forestville. (Photo by Charlie Gesell)
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When you live in Sonoma County, you’re never lonely for out-of-town visitors. Family, friends, college roommates, even casual acquaintances, are all eager to catch up with you and take in all the region offers. Thanksgiving through New Year’s is high season for houseguests, with the number of invading out-of-towners larger than the kids’ gift lists.For local hosts, it can be a challenge deciding where to take eager-beaver visitors. Farm-to-table restaurants and taquerias are a given. Winery tasting rooms? Natch. Same for Safari West, the Charles M. Schulz Museum, Jack London State Park and a drive to Bodega Bay for steaming clam chowder. Too many choices? Want to try something fresh and new – even to you? Click through the gallery above for a 4-day itinerary that includes some not so obvious explorations of Sonoma, guaranteed to please your guests as much as you.
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