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 Things to do in Sonoma County, Sonoma County
Discover the best top things to do in Sonoma County, United States including Sonoma Valley, Alexander Valley Vineyards, Dry Creek Vineyard, Gary Farrell Winery, Safari West, Ferrari-Carano Winery, Bodega Head, Sonoma Plaza, Charles M. Schulz Museum, Jacuzzi Family Vineyards.
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. Alexander Valley Vineyards
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 355 reviews
Experience our historic property and taste award winning wines at our family owned estate winery located in Northern Sonoma County. Our Tasting Room is open by advance reservation daily with Seated Outdoor Tastings: Estate Tasting $10 or a Reserve Tasting $20 (Tasting fee waived with bottle purchase per person) or reserve a Vineyard Hike with Box Lunch $60. Enjoy the beautiful views of our 720 acre property and working winery. Since 1975 the our family has produced handcrafted estate grown and bottled wines. We are a Sonoma Green Business and CA Sustainable Winegrower. Our family creates wines of distinction for everyone!
Reviewed By clinden2001
It's always a spectacular time at AVV! The combination of a great variety of solid Alexander Valley wines to try (love the Redemption and the Cyrus), idyllic, quiet country scenery, and really really nice people make it top shelf. The property is beautiful, picnic tables make it a great place for a snack mid-day, and the wine-cave tour is really cool if you get the chance. You will be coming back for more!
3. Dry Creek Vineyard
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 783 reviews
Award Winning Family Owned Winery: beautiful picnic grounds, tasting room, private tastings, free Wi-Fi, a wide selection of wines including rare single-vineyard wines. David Stare founded Dry Creek Vineyard in 1972. Winemaking emphasis is on grapes from select Sonoma County vineyards, chosen for quality and character. Fume Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Dry Chenin Blanc, Reserve Chardonnay and Meritage are produced. Dry Creek has received over 1,000 medals for wines in 40 years.
Reviewed By ozczar - Lake Ozark, United States
We met Darren at the nightly wine tasting at The Healdsburg Inn (another great stop) and were invited to the winery for a private party. He put forth the effort to make our experience an exceptional one. Oh, and the wine is pretty good as well.
4. Gary Farrell Winery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 784 reviews
Open By Appointment Only. In the heart of the beautiful Russian River Valley, Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery offers a proud 35-year winemaking history and a unique sense of place. Perched atop a ridge along winding Westside Road, the winery offers a spectacular view of the sweeping valley below. Gary Farrell Winery benefits immeasurably from its long-term relationships with many of the Russian River Valley's most celebrated and sought-after vineyards including Rochioli, Allen, and Hallberg to name a few. Gary Farrell Winery helped put Russian River Valley Pinot Noir and Chardonnay on the world stage, and the hallmark Gary Farrell wine style remains one of balance, elegance, texture and sense of place. Today these acclaimed wines can be enjoyed in their newly renovated Salon or upon the casual terrace and the view from the winery completes the picture.
Reviewed By I2133YXstevet - Boston, United States
Terrific views, GREAT wine and some outstanding cheese pairings at Gary Farrell. They were very responsible (social distancing) as well. We joined the Grand Cru before arriving, and the experience (and, did I mention, the wines? Just outstanding!) reaffirmed the decision. Can't wait until the next time!
5. 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!
6. Ferrari-Carano Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 512 reviews
Ferrari-Carano, located in picturesque Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, is home to world-class wines, five acres of award-winning gardens and breathtaking vineyard views. Taste Classic Wines in the Villa Fiore Wine Shop or taste Reserve Wines in the Enoteca located in the underground cellar. Tasting Rooms open daily. Tour and private tastings are available by appointment.
Reviewed By HeidiD451 - Lambertville, United States
We have found that each winery we visit in this area is more beautiful than the next, but it all be hard to top family owned Ferrari-Carano winery. With breathtaking grounds, a nice wine shop and wonderful pairings this winery located along Dry Creek Road outside of downtown Healdsburg, is worth a trip. We splurged on the cheese and chocolate tasting ($50), which although pricey, mirrors the expense of the wines (the wines we tasted ranged from $34-90). This wound up being a private tasting, and we were shown to a nicely appointed room downstairs where wines were poured, each with a small slice of cheese and a chocolate. Our guide suggested we taste the cheese first, then the wine, then follow with the wine and chocolate. The pairings were excellent and great complements. We got to taste the Cab, reserve Cab, Tresor, Prevail and Prevail Back Forty. I liked all the wines, and even cheese I don't normally love was good as well. The cheeses and chocolates were locally sourced. Following the tasting we spent some time walking through the gardens. This was a very nice experience, and will be very difficult to beat.
7. Bodega Head
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 606 reviews
A rugged and recommended whale-watching promontory along the California coast.
Reviewed By robertinSJ - San Jose, United States
It’s an easy hike along the top of cliffs with beautiful views of Bodega Bay, the coastline and the tip of Point Reyes Seashore. You need to stop and enjoy the views, there are seals(?) on rocks offshore and swimming, deer grazing and lots of birds. We visited on a windy day and the wind watery strong. Not a hike to rush through, you need to linger.
8. Sonoma Plaza
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 910 reviews
Bordered by several gourmet shops, this pretty town square is a perfect place for a picnic.
Reviewed By G5471VNsueh - Gilbert, United States
This was the birth of California, full of history and social activities. Whether you want to have a picnic in the park, tour the historic mission, do some wine tasting, have a delicious lunch or dinner at one of the unique restaurants or do some interesting shopping, it's all in The Square.
9. Charles M. Schulz Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,125 reviews
View the largest collection of original Peanuts art work in the world at the Charles M. Schulz Museum. Visitors can laugh at Schulz’s original comic strips, learn about the art of cartooning and Schulz’s role in its development, view a re-creation of Schulz’s art studio, watch animated Peanuts specials and documentaries in the theater, and draw cartoons in the hands-on education room. The Museum features a Peanuts tile mural (made from comic strips), a wrapped Snoopy doghouse, morphing Snoopy, Snoopy labyrinth, Kite-Eating tree, and three exhibition galleries that change every 6 months.
Reviewed By itsmikachu - Dublin, United States
Spent an afternoon here, and it was a lovely experience! As a lifelong fan of the Peanuts gang, I loved reading the abundant comic strips and learning more about Charles Schulz’s life, career, and inspiration. Currently, they are featuring Woodstock and Camp Snoopy exhibitions through March 2020. Would highly recommend if you are a fan of Charlie Brown and the gang!
10. Jacuzzi Family Vineyards
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 720 reviews
Reviewed By dasenkaharykova - San Jose, United States
My gf is new to wine tasting and Angie was so kind, patient and explained the basics...made a big difference we had a great time and my gf is now more confident and enjoys tasting and learning about new wines more. Thank you Angie!
