Top Things to do in Sonoma County
Top Hotels in Sonoma County
- 1. Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country
- 2. The Lodge at Bodega Bay
- 3. Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa
- 4. MacArthur Place
- 5. The Sandman Hotel
- 6. Hotel Trio Healdsburg
- 7. Healdsburg Inn on the Plaza
- 8. Flamingo Resort
- 9. The Lodge at Sonoma Resort, Autograph Collection
- 10. Hotel Petaluma, Ascend Hotel Collection
The 10 Best Nature & Parks in Sonoma County, Sonoma County
Discover the best top things to do in Sonoma County, United States including Sonoma Valley, Bodega Highlands, Armstrong Redwood State Reserve, Occidental Arts and Ecology Center, Bartholomew Park, Jenner Headlands, Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park, Helen Putnam Park, Safari West, Jack London State Historic Park.
Restaurants in Sonoma County
1. Sonoma Valley
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 761 reviews
One of the prime wine producing regions in California. A visit to Sonoma Valley yields an outstanding array of food, lodging and scenery.
Reviewed By mini - Fremont, United States
We went to Sonoma Valley. This is a wonderful area to explore. There are lots of cute communities such as Petaluma, Santa Rosa, Windsor, Sonoma, Healdsburg. There are lots of great parks including Armstrong Redwoods State Park, We went again in July and enjoyed a Fourth of July lunch, wine tasting, exploring the country side, and then later visited with friends.
2. Bodega Highlands
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 38 reviews
A scenic and appealing rugged promontory along the California coast.
Reviewed By V2651KKjoycel - San Francisco, United States
Majestic, magnificent northern California Bodega Head .... Prestine & Invigorating location to enjoy solo, couple, with friends & family! ????
3. Armstrong Redwood State Reserve
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,397 reviews
A nature reserve that boasts soaring redwood trees.
Reviewed By jsilverman83 - Oakland, United States
Muir Woods, just north of San Francisco, is beautiful, but Armstrong Redwoods blows it out of the water! The sheer density of huge redwoods and beautiful forest makes this spot a can't-miss if you're at all near the area. There are a bunch of moderate-to-difficult hikes with some decent elevation changes. There are some long, but mostly flat and fairly easy hikes. There are some accessible hikes that are short, flat, and still go by some of the biggest trees in the grove. And there is even a paved road that goes quite far into the reserve and has multiple turnouts and parking lots that are right among the trees.
4. Occidental Arts and Ecology Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 12 reviews
Organic Plant Nursery Hours: Open Seasonally April-October, Sat/Sun, 10am-5pm. Tours: April-October, 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month 1-2:30pm. Please note: the site and gardens are NOT OPEN FOR DROP IN VISITORS other than for scheduled tours, courses and garden volunteer day. Please visit our website at https://oaec.org/ to learn more ways to get involved.
5. Bartholomew Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By 14hannon - Sonoma, United States
Unfortunately, the lovely hiking trails in the surrounding Mayacamas Mountains are closed due to the wild fires last fall. Still the vineyards and park provide a stunning spot to appreciate nature. The Bartholomew Park Winery is located on the park grounds, but is a separate and distinct entity. Scenic picnic spots adjoint the replica Haraszthy Villa, adjacent to the winery (housed in the former Sonoma Valley Hospital building), and around the Pavilion, located at the site of the burned down Johson Victorian mansion ("The Castle"). This part of the park is quiet and intimate, and a bit hard to find. If you are walking up, follow the old road to the right behind the locked gate (you will have to walk around it; it is chained off). Or park at the Villa or winery. From the winery walk down toward the Villa; the path to the Pavilion area of the park heads off to the left just as you arrive at the Villa and just above the gated road (the path leads to this same road). From the Villa walk up towards the winery, the path is on the left just after the aforementioned gated road. Walk down the road and over the bridge. The park area opens to your right and down hill after the bridge. This part of the park is magical. Native Americans resided here from 2000 BC, with a Wappo Indian tribe habituating this spot from 250 AD to the 1700s. Amazing! Park opens at 10 AM and closes at 5 PM. The Villa is open to tour 12 to 3 Saturday and Sunday.
6. Jenner Headlands
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By theadventurebuddies - Manhattan Beach, United States
The Adventure Buddies went for a beautiful hike at Jenner Headlands to see the incredible Sonoma County coastline. Great place to get good photos, fresh air, exercise or have a picnic and relax. Whether it’s sunrise or sunset so pretty!
7. Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 55 reviews
Reviewed By mini - Fremont, United States
We wennt to General Vallejo Petaluma State Historic Park. This was the site of his ranch. There is a small fee to visit the site. There are exhibits inside and on the grounds to see. In addition, there is an amazing cactus plant that one walks by. There is also a creek.
8. Helen Putnam Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 84 reviews
Reviewed By pfefmeister - San Francisco, United States
The park is in excellent shape right now, with new trails cut in, existing trails hardened, and wildflowers just starting to bloom. The poison oak is out in force bordering the trails, and this time of year, it blends in with the green vegetation, so be careful. I don’t see how you keep your dog out of it. Enough trail variations to get in a decent 2-3 aerobic hike with wonderful vistas. Popular on weekends and deservedly so.
9. Safari West
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,795 reviews
Escape to Africa by way of Sonoma County…Come discover the Sonoma Serengeti. The classic African safari is a trip of a lifetime for intrepid travelers from around the globe - and, it is closer than you think! The entire Safari West experience is a kid-friendly adventure for families to enjoy together. Our tours are designed to educate guests of all ages and we have found that families are truly inspired as they learn from and share with one another. At Safari West we strive to actively promote conservation and environmental education concepts to our guests, whether they are with us for an hour or a week. The whole experience at Safari West is one of building connections and making discoveries; getting back to basics and enjoying the profound simple pleasures of family and nature that are all too often overlooked. If anything is “not to be missed,” it is that sense of serenity one finds while gazing at graceful giraffe nuzzling her newborn or the surge of raw adventure while witnessing an energetic herd of wildebeest galloping across the horizon. Overnight lodging is also available - the true 'glamping' experience!
Reviewed By SSandFamily - San Carlos, United States
We arrived mid-afternoon and were greeted by a friendly, courteous and professional front office staff. After checking into our unique and comfotable luxury safari tent, one of about 30 on property (each of which is set apart from the others, but all of which are within eyeshot and earshot of the animals), we joined our 2:00 pm tour of the property. Our tour guide, Richard, was accommodating, experienced and entertaining. The tour (both the 45-minute walking portion and the over 2-hour riding portion in an old but customized war surplus jeep), was fantastic! We even saw some fascinating real world activity when one of the scores of guinea fowl roaming on the property flew into the cheetah den. While the ensuing cheetah/guinea fowl action (won by the cheetah) was not for all, we thought it was a rare and unique glimpse into a wildlife window not often expereinced by suburban dwellers. The cheetah/hyena interactions after the cheetah's conquest (they are in adjoining pens separated by a see-through fence) also was fascinating to watch. Aided by the good fortune of an incredibly clear and sunny afternoon, the driving tour was memorable. The time we spent sitting in the seat located above the cab was amazing - what views! After the driving tour, we enjoyed a delicious dinner and drinks served by another courteous staff team. The rubbed chicken served in the buffet was unlike any we had ever had - it was delicious! After dinner and dessert (S'mores and brownies with ice cream), armed with flashlights provided by the staff, we roamed around the walking areas of the property and viewed numerous animals and birds during the night. We saw a lot of green eyes peering back at us from a distance when the animals were flashed briefly with the light. Depending on your perspective, the non-stop mixture of sounds from the frogs, birds and animals on site during the night was either a symphony or a cacophony. If the former, you will be in for a treat. If the latter, bring earplugs! Our morning walk around the propery before breakfast, with tasty and piping hot coffee in hand, was enjoyable, especially our time chatting with one of the keepers who was feeding the porcupines. The continental breakfast, which included homemade peanut butter, honey, lavendar-pear jam, and blackberry jam, was tasty and hit the spot. Our chekout at 11:00 am was efficient. (We were driven to and from our tent before and after our stay in the staff's jeep - very convenient.) Thank you, Safari West Team, for a fabulous experience - well done!
10. Jack London State Historic Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 468 reviews
Jack London State Historic Park, comprised of 1400 acres, is the legacy of Jack London, one of America's most famous authors. The park offers historic buildings dating to the late 1870's, great scenic beauty and more than 20 miles of trails open to hikers, bikers and horseback riders. The park is open year-round, 7 days, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. There is no camping. Day Use fee is $10/car. Historic buildings include the House of Happy Walls, the Wolf House Ruin, barns, the Cottage where Jack London lived and died and the famous "Pig Palace".
Reviewed By 2AmigosWWPP
What a GEM! Jack London is California’s first native born novelist and this State Park is a chance to walk in his footsteps and appreciate his creativity and uniqueness. From the self-guided walking tours of Wolf House, the Beauty Ranch, and his cottage to the more extensive hikes up to London and Fern Lakes, is truly a walk back into the early 1900s. Unfortunately due to Covid the museum house was closed, and a return trip when it’s open is a must. I never tire of this State Park and the history it contains. Always include a picnic lunch to enjoy on property.
