Sonoma and Napa Destinations Named Among Most Laid-Back Small Towns in California

WorldAtlas named these four local destinations among the most laid-back small towns in the state. Here's how to spend a relaxing getaway in each town.


By Maci Martell

Geography site WorldAtlas recently released a list of the most laid-back small towns in California. Of the 11 locales named, one is in Sonoma County and three in Napa County.

Acknowledging we could all use a vacation from the stress of everyday life, WorldAtlas tracked down the best destinations for relaxing in the “chill state of California.” Local laid-back towns featured include Sonoma, Calistoga, Yountville and St. Helena.

Read on below to discover what makes these towns ideal destinations for low-key leisure.

Sonoma

Avocado toast from Sunflower Caffe in Sonoma. (Sunflower Caffe)
Avocado toast from Sunflower Caffe in Sonoma. (Sunflower Caffe)
Obsidian Base Camp tasting room in downtown Sonoma. (Courtesy of Obsidian Wine Co.)
Obsidian Base Camp tasting room in downtown Sonoma. (Courtesy of Obsidian Wine Co.)
Shaded chairs for a relaxing, laid-back time at Three Sticks Wines in Sonoma
Shaded chairs for a relaxing, laid-back time at Three Sticks Wines in Sonoma. (Courtesy of Three Sticks Wines)

It doesn’t get much more laid-back than sipping wines on a lazy Sunday in the heart of Wine Country. WorldAtlas stated Sonoma “encapsulates what a true small-town California life feels like,” noting its historic downtown plaza surrounded by cafes, theaters and tastings rooms.

Start with a sunny brunch of waffles and mimosas at Sunflower Caffé, seated at the cafe’s dreamy garden patio. Then sip some wines in a Japanese-style garden at Sonoma’s new Obsidian Base Camp tasting room, followed by a show at the historic Sebastiani Theatre.

WorldAtlas also recommends going on a local sip-and-stroll with friends via Gourmet Food and Wine Tours, offering immersive wine and food pairing tours in both Sonoma and Napa. Other laid-back wineries and tasting rooms to check out include the Sigh bubble bar, Three Sticks Wines and the 120-year-old Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery.

Planning to spend a whole weekend in Sonoma? We’ve mapped out the perfect three-day fall getaway to make the most of your time in the charming town.

Calistoga

Roman Spa Hot Springs Resort in Calistoga laid-back pool
Experience a Tuscan villa-like retreat in Wine Country at Roman Spa Hot Springs Resort. The Calistoga resort has world-renowned natural geothermal water and mud bath traditions. (Courtesy Roman Spa Hot Springs Resort)
House specialty Green Chile Apple Pie with walnut streusel, cheddar crust, whipped cream and a red chile honey drizzle and an Adaptogenic mushroom tea from the House of Better at the newly renovated Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort and Mineral Springs in Calistoga on Tuesday, July 6, 2021. (Photo by John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
House specialty Green Chile Apple Pie and an Adaptogenic mushroom tea from the House of Better at Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort and Mineral Springs in Calistoga on July 6, 2021. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

With an abundance of spas and natural hot springs, Calistoga excels in rejuvenating relaxation. WorldAtlas highlights Calistoga Spa Hot Springs and Roman Spa Hot Springs Resort for massage treatments, volcanic ash mud baths and geothermal mineral pools.

A favorite is Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs, which has an on-site Southwestern health food restaurant, House of Better. The chile apple pie is a must-have. Other hot springs in Calistoga include Solage, Indian Springs Calistoga, Calistoga Motor Lodge & Spa and Golden Haven Hot Springs and Resort.

The Napa town is home to popular attractions like the Old Faithful Geyser of California and award-winning Sharpsteen Museum. Both destinations are great opportunities to learn about Calistoga’s geology and history.

Explore more of the area’s laid-back resorts, restaurants, tasting rooms and historic sites with our guide to the best weekend getaway in Calistoga.

Yountville

Pepperoni pizza with basil and drizzled with spicy honey at Ciccio in Yountville, Monday, July 10, 2023. (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat)
Pepperoni pizza with basil and drizzled with spicy honey at Ciccio in Yountville, Monday, July 10, 2023. (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat)
Tacos de Pescado with fried fish, chipotle mayo, cilantro, cabbage and lime from La Calenda, a Thomas Keller Restaurant Group project in Yountville. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Tacos de Pescado with fried fish, chipotle mayo, cilantro, cabbage and lime from La Calenda, a Thomas Keller Restaurant Group project in Yountville. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

Regarded as the “Culinary Capital of the Napa Valley,” Yountville is a real foodie’s destination. WorldAtlas noted the town’s three-Michelin-starred restaurant The French Laundry as well as another Thomas Keller standout, Bouchon Bistro.

If French fine dining isn’t your idea of laid-back, try the unpretentious, country western-inspired Ciccio. The Bib Gourmand-awarded restaurant offers Italian fare, like housemade pastas and wood-fired pizzas, in a rustic setting. La Calenda is another Bib Gourmand winner and one of the least formal of Keller’s restaurants. The Mexican restaurant specializes in traditional Oaxacan cuisine. Try the fish tacos made with stone-ground tortillas and enchiladas with a showstopping mole negro.

After getting your fill of world-renowned cuisine, WorldAtlas recommends feasting your eyes on the Wine Country town and surrounding countryside with Napa Valley Aloft Balloon Rides.

St. Helena

Beringer is one of the best Napa wineries for first-time visitors.
Beringer in St. Helena is one of the best Napa wineries for first-time visitors. (Courtesy Beringer Vineyards)
A dish (fruits de mer?) at PRESS Restaurant Napa Valley in St. Helena. (John Troxell/Courtesy Suited Hospitality)
A dish at PRESS Restaurant Napa Valley in St. Helena. (John Troxell/Courtesy Suited Hospitality)

This small town’s greatest charm, according to WorldAtlas, “lies in its historic downtown, which is dotted with lovely restaurants, galleries, and shops to leisurely while away your afternoon.”

Sites to see include Beringer Vineyards — the longest continuously operating winery in Napa — as well as the contemporary fine art destination Christopher Hill Gallery and the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone.

For dining, try the Michelin-starred Press, which boasts the largest collection of Napa wines in the world. For more relaxed ranch vibes, try the Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch, excelling in farm-to-table fare.