Summer just isn’t summer without a lazy cocktail and lunch (or breakfast or dinner) by the pool. If you don’t have your own, here are some local locales for taking a cool dip and snacking on some solid grub. Though many are at local hotels where you may want to book a staycation, there are also day passes and spa privileges if you’re just stopping by.
Lazeaway Cafe and Wild Bird at Flamingo Resort
If you’re lounging in your swimsuit, grab a fried chicken sandwich, Little Gem salad, ahi tuna poke or vegan gelato with a supersized booze slushy from Wild Bird (for guests and health club members only). The Lazeaway Club has a view to the pool, with heartier fare including seared salmon, steak frites, a chopped salad and plenty of tropical drinks. 2777 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-545-8530, flamingoresort.com, lazeawayclub.com
The Pool Bar at Vinarosa Resort & Spa
While Vinarosa, formerly Vintners Resort, is home to the late, great John Ash’s namesake fine dining restaurant, you’ll want to head to The Pool Bar for casual eats by the recently renovated pool. If you’re not looking to spend the night, a day pass will give you access to the heated pool, including food and beverages available for purchase from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. Menu items include harissa hummus, beef birria tacos and a burger on toasted brioche, as well as fun summer cocktails. 4350 Barnes Road, Santa Rosa, 707-575-7350, vinarosaresort.com
Pool Bar at Graton Resort & Casino
In addition to regular live music performances by the pool, hotel guests and day pass holders can dine poolside from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. via the stocked Pool Bar. The menu includes a variety of classic American fare, such as chicken tenders, Caesar salad, turkey clubs, wagyu hot dogs and ice cream sandwiches. There are also plenty of creative libations to quench your summer thirst, like the Tropical Punch mocktail and the Mexican Lollipop frozen cocktail — which is similar to a mangonada, but with Gran Centenario Tequila Reposado to give it that extra kick. Pool guests must be 21 or older. 288 Golf Course Drive W., Rohnert Park, 707-588-7100, gratonresortcasino.com
Hudson Springs Bar and Grill at Montage Healdsburg
This luxe Alexander Valley pool has its own poolside bar, Hudson Springs Bar and Grill, with simple fare like a chicken Caesar wrap or fruit plate. Go for a summery libation with the Smokey Paloma (Mezcal, hibiscus tequila, elderflower, lime, soda) and peel and eat prawns or a wagyu burger. Post-swim you can dine on the patio at Hazel Hill restaurant or grab a cocktail and nibbles at Scout Field Bar. 100 Montage Way, Healdsburg, 707-979-9000, montagehotels.com/healdsburg
Pool Cafe and Rustic at Francis Ford Coppola Winery
A 3,600-square-foot pool with private cabines is one of Wine Country’s favorite cooling-off spots. Swimmers can grab a pizza, gelato or salad at the Pool Cafe. If you’re craving something more hearty, dry off and head to Rustic with Coppola favorites like spaghetti pesto, rigatoni with meatballs or the risotto of the day. Cabines need to be booked in advance. 300 Via Archimedes, Geyserville, 707-857-1471, francisfordcoppolawinery.com
Cafe 108 at Morton’s Warm Springs
A family-friendly natural geothermal springs pool features a charming poolside walk-up with pasture-raised beef hot dogs, a Vella Cheese Co. grilled cheese sandwich, fresh salads and Straus soft-serve ice cream. 1651 Warm Springs Road, Glen Ellen 707-833-5511, mortonswarmsprings.com
The Water Tower Bar at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa
As you might expect at a Fairmont, the food is just as classy as the pool, with dishes like falafel wraps, summer melon salad, ahi tuna poke bowl or chicken mole tostada. Eating light? Try the farmers market crudité or seasonal gazpacho. Day passes to the pool are available Monday through Friday and can be booked through the resort, or ResortPass. 100 Boyes Blvd., Sonoma, 707-938-9000, fairmont-sonoma.com
Layla at MacArthur Place
Hotel and spa guests can take advantage of the pool, or simply lounge on the deck and enjoy cocktails, a house Caesar, steak frites or fish tacos from The Bar. Or dine poolside with the full menu from Layla, one of Sonoma’s top restaurants. A mix of Spanish, Mediterranean and California cuisine includes ceviche, tomato panzanella salad, lamb chops with chimichurri and roasted summer squash. 29 E. MacArthur St., Sonoma, 707-938-2929, macarthurplace.com
High Horse Bar and Wit & Wisdom at The Lodge at Sonoma Resort
Lounge chairs, a fire pit and poolside cabanas offer luxurious comfort at this Sonoma resort, renovated in 2021. Chef Michael Mina’s Wit & Wisdom restaurant is outstanding, with cool seafood towers, wood-fired pizzas, seasonal salads, cheese and charcuterie platters and a tasty cocktail list. A horse trailer-turned-poolside bar — High Horse — serves up drinks, nachos, burgers and bacon-wrapped hot dogs daily. Day passes available through ResortPass. 1325 Broadway At Lavern & Napa Roads, Sonoma, 707-931-3405, lodgeatsonoma.com, witandwisdomsonoma.com
The Bars/Baked on the River at R3 Hotel
The Main Bar has a sliding glass wall overlooking the pool with plenty of great drinks. The recently re-opened Baked on the River, replacing the hotel’s former Betty Spaghetti, offers brunch, lunch and dinner on the patio. The menus includes old favorites like the Groovy Sconed and Gravy — bacon-cheddar scones with gravy and a soft egg — along with newer dishes to enjoy poolside, such as hot dogs, burgers and pulled pork sliders. 16390 Fourth St., Guerneville, 707-869-1400, ther3hotel.com
Pool Bar at The River Electric
Opened over Memorial Day weekend this year, The River Electric is already the hottest place in town — and that’s saying a lot for the ever-popular Russian River area. The 60-foot main pool is the focal point here, accompanied by the stylish Pool Bar, open daily to overnight guests and day pass holders. The menu includes creative, locally inspired dishes, such as the “River Rat” Loaded Fries and The Flood Zone float with Straus vanilla soft serve and Jones blueberry lemonade soda. Plus, Half Hitch is cooking up tauntingly delicious pop-up dinners every Thursday through September at The River Electric. 16101 Neeley Road, Guerneville, 707-937-8915, theriverelectric.com
Worth the Drive
Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort, House of Better
Make your way to Calistoga and let your worries float away in the mineral pools of this retro resort, renovated in 2021. Then grab a Southwest-inspired dish at the restaurant, House of Better. Choose from green chile stew, enchiladas, slow-roasted chile pork, guacamole, fish tacos, or healthy salads and bowls. The pools are for hotel guests only. 1507 Lincoln Ave, Calistoga, 707-942-4102, drwilkinson.com, houseofbetter.com
Picobar at Solage, Auberge Resorts Collections
Recently named in Travel + Leisure’s 30th annual World’s Best Awards for 2025, Calistoga’s Solage, Auberge Resorts Collection boasts a full-service Mexican restaurant mere steps from the pool. Picobar executive chef Gustavo Rios crafts seasonal, locally sourced dishes, such as a Rancho Gordo bean dip, Cowgirl Creamery queso and tacos al pastor with Niman Ranch spit-roasted pork. Solage’s indoor-outdoor Solbar has a patio overlooking the pool, where guests can sit by a fire pit while noshing on comfort food like truffle fries and Mishima Reserve wagyu burgers. 755 Silverado Trail N., Calistoga, 866-942-7442, aubergeresorts.com/solage
