We've found more than a dozen restaurants where you can drink in the view and fill your belly and soul.
Hazel Hill and Scout Field Bar, Montage Resort Healdsburg: The Olive Terrace at this luxe Healdsburg resort features a large outdoor dining patio, fire pits and lounge areas to sip cocktails or enjoy fine dining. An expansive view of the Alexander Valley is spread out like a quilt with more than 200 acres surrounding the property. 100 Montage Way, Healdsburg, 979-9000, montagehotels.com. (Courtesy of Montage Resort)
Wild King Salmon crusted in brioche with sorrel and vidalia onion from Hazel Hill at Montage Healdsburg. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Harmon Guest House Rooftop Bar, Healdsburg: High above Healdsburg (or at least a few stories up), this modern outdoor patio bar has a stellar small bites menu and views of Fitch Mountain and the Sonoma hills. First come first served. 227 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 922-5442, harmonguesthouse.com. (Courtesy of Harmon Guest House)
Rustic Francis's Favorites, Geyserville: Order straightforward Italian favorites at filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola's Geyserville winery. The picturesque terrace overlooking the Alexander Valley and Coppola Vineyards is a perfect spot for dining on wood-fired pizza, rack of lamb or classic Fiorentina steaks. 300 Via Archimedes, Geyserville, francisfordcoppolawinery.com. (Courtesy of Francis Ford Coppola Winery)
Pizza Luigino is served at the Rustic restaurant at Francis Ford Coppola Winery in Geyserville. (Conner Jay/Sonoma Magazine)
Korbel Delicatessen and Market, Guerneville: A winery, rose garden, market and delicatessen rolled into one, historic Korbel winery has everything you need for a picnic with a west county view. Enjoy the complimentary Marketplace tasting of three wines, followed by a gourmet picnic on the patio shaded by redwood trees and overlooking vineyards. The deli features fresh salads, cheese and charcuterie and sandwiches like the popular Legacy with grilled tri-tip topped with gorgonzola. 13250 River Road, Guerneville, 707-824-7000, korbel.com. (Korbel Champagne Cellars)
Stumptown Brewery, Guerneville: The real gem at this Guerneville brewery, aside from the great beer, is the expansive outdoor deck overlooking the Russian River. Spend a sunny Saturday sipping on a beer sampler or try Stumptown ales on tap paired with an old-fashioned cheeseburger or a pulled pork sandwich. 15045 River Road, Guerneville, 707-869-0705, stumptown.com. (Alvin Jornada / The Press Democrat)
Charlie’s Restaurant, Windsor: Even if you're not a golfer, get a greens-eye view at this casual-but-impressive restaurant overlooking the course. The menu features lots of sharable appetizers, salads and meaty, rib-sticking entrees. Open to the public for lunch and dinner seven days a week and brunch on weekends. 1320 19th Hole Drive, Windsor, windsorgolf.com. (Courtesy of Charlie's Restaurant)
Spud Point Crab Company, Bodega Bay: This family-operated, old-style Fishermen’s Wharf restaurant is a “dream-come-true” for owners Tony and Carol Anello. The restaurant’s fresh crab and wild king salmon is caught by Tony and his son, Mark. Carol and daughters Lisa and Gina run the store, serving up famous clam chowder and crab cakes. The outdoor picnic tables offer views of the bay and the fishing fleet. 1910 Westshore Road, Bodega Bay. (Mariah Harkey/Sonoma County Tourism)
Fisherman’s Cove, Bodega Bay: A no-nonsense family-owned seafood shack and fishing-marine supply store specializing in fresh local oysters harvested from Tomales Bay. Their crab sandwich rivals nearby Spud Point, but we’ll let you make that call. 1850 Bay Flat Road, Bodega Bay. (Courtesy of Fisherman's Cove)
The Birds Café, Bodega Bay: This tiny eatery, perched above the harbor, serves only a handful of items — fish and chips, salads, clam chowder, shrimp tacos — but may be one of our favorite places on the coast. Order at the counter, then walk up the stairs (there’s also a handy ramp) to the concrete patio for a lovely view and a picnic-style meal. 1407 California Highway 1, Bodega Bay, 707-875-2900. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
River’s End, Jenner: This romantic seafood restaurant is a popular place to end a day on the coast. Large windows offer ocean views and you can take in coastal sights and sounds from the surrounding deck. The Redwood Bar is a choice spot for a drink — sip it outside as the sun goes down. The wine list is good, too. 1048 Highway 1, Jenner, 707-865-2484, ilovesunsets.com. (The Press Democrat)
Coast Kitchen at Timber Cove, Jenner: The redwood and stone Timber Cove resort has been a fun, if somewhat funky, retreat since 1963. A lavish renovation in 2016 turned it into a deluxe destination with an ocean-view Cal-cuisine restaurant to match. 21780 CA-1, Jenner, coastkitchensonoma.com. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Cafe Aquatica, Jenner: Start your day the Sonoma Coast way with a cup of locally roasted, fair-trade coffee, fresh baked goods and coastal views. This cafe, housed in a nautical shack, overlooks the Russian River and the tree-dotted hills of Penny Island. There are lawn chairs outdoors and a wooden stage to enjoy live music by the water. 10439 Highway 1, Jenner, 707-865-2251, cafeaquaticajenner.com. (Cafe Aquatica)
The Sea Ranch Lodge: Following a multiyear, multimillion-dollar renovation, this iconic coastal resort reopened with new public spaces open to all, including a redesigned restaurant, a new café and expansions to the bar. The restaurant serves dishes with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, such as local petrale sole with sugar snap and english peas, fingerling potatoes, fava beans, kale, turnips and a bouillabaisse broth. 60 Sea Walk Drive, The Sea Ranch, 707-579-9777, thesearanchlodge.com (The Sea Ranch Lodge)
Burger at The Sea Ranch Lodge. (Stephanie Russo/The Sea Ranch Lodge)
Seared + Risibisi, Petaluma: Since the pandemic, diners can enjoy an expanded seating area along the Petaluma River while eating top-notch steaks from Seared or Italian favorites from Risibisi. Cozy bistro tables and large heaters add to the experience, but dress for the occasion as evenings can get nippy. petalumaseared.com; risibisirestaurant.com (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
BN Ranch Hanger Steak with jalapeno charmoula, demi-glace, salt and pepper frites at Seared in Petaluma. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)
Ayawaska, Petaluma: Ayawaska offers riverside outdoor dining with Peruvian cuisine and excellent Pisco sours. Make it an afternoon or evening watching kayakers, paddleboarders and boats float by. 101 Second St., Petaluma, 765-4567, ayawaskasf.com. (Sonoma County Tourism)
Pisco punch at Ayawaska in Petaluma. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
Nick’s Cove, Marshall: This local seaside destination recently received a face-lift and more seating has been added to the deck. Order crab poutine, ahi poke, cioppino or IPA-battered fish and chips with wild rock cod and take in views of Tomales Bay. The refurbished cottages, many of which are right on the water, allow visitors to stay overnight next door. 23240 Highway One, Marshall, 415-663-1033, nickscove.com. (Kristen Loken/Nick's Cove)
Tony's Seafood, Marshall: A modern seafood house with some of the best food and views of Tomales Bay. Shells are what you’re here for, or more specifically what’s in them — clams, mussels, crab, shrimp and, of course, oysters. Great chowder — no flour to thicken it and only fresh clams. Super family-friendly. 8863 Shoreline Highway, Marshall, 415-663-1107, tonysseafoodrestaurant.com. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
Clam chowder at Tony’s Seafood in Marshall. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
There’s something extra delicious about dining with sweeping vineyard views and coastal expanses, especially when the ingredients are hyperlocal. We’ve found more than a dozen restaurants in Sonoma County where you can drink in the view and fill your belly and soul — plus two worth the drive to Marin. Click through the above gallery for details.
Sofia Englund, Dana Rebmann and Carey Sweet contributed to this article.
