Day Trip Guide to Sonoma County, CA

Located along the Pacific Coast, Sonoma County, CA, features more than 400 wineries and proximity to San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge. A world-renown reputation for award-winning wines, beautiful scenery and tons of attractions, Sonoma is an ideal destination for a quick day trip or a week-long adventure. If visiting the area, here are some tips for the sites to see and things to do:

Tour a Winery

Hundreds of area wineries offer tours and tastings, so you can enjoy all the region’s flavors. From family-owned to large commercial houses, the area offers vineyards, wine bars and much more for a day trip. Yelp reviewers praise Ravenswood Winery, Sebastiani Vineyards, Roche Winery and Westwood Winery, to name a few. Find a full list of wineries in Sonoma County.

Try a New Restaurant

Foodies can make a day trip out of trying the area’s best restaurants. From coffee shops for a quick snack to full meals, Sonoma features many top-rated restaurants. Among the best include The Girl & the Fig, El Dorado Kitchen and Sunflower Caffe, which all offer distinct dishes and treats for any time of day.

Due to the burgeoning wine culture, it’s no surprise the area is also home to dozens of farms and farmers markets. For more than 30 years, the Sonoma Valley Certified Farmers Market has served visitors fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods, and local products. The market is open on Friday mornings, and on Tuesday nights, check out the Valley of the Moon Certified Farmers’ Market located in the Sonoma Plaza.

Spend the Say Shopping

Small boutiques to large retailers offer shoppers the chance to find a perfect souvenir of gift. The Sonoma Plaza houses dozens of stores of all sizes, while Cornerstone Sonoma features independently owned shops and galleries. In nearby Petaluma, visit Petaluma Village Premium Outlets, which offers up to 65 percent off designer and name brands. The Barlow – located in Sebastopol – offers shops, galleries and retail shops on a 12.5-acre industrial park.

Play Outside

Hiking, canoeing, sky diving and fishing: You will find it all in Sonoma. The county offers more than 50 state and regional parks packed full of outdoor recreation. Stillwater Cove Regional Park, in nearby Jenner, features picnic areas and water activities with views of the Pacific Ocean. The plaza – the shopping, dining and entertainment center – also has a park with fountains, ponds and benches. Kids will love playing on the playground, and shoppers can bring a picnic lunch and break from a busy day.

Hear Live Music or Visit the Theaters

Whether you love theater or a loud concert, more than a dozen venues off live music and performances. Santa Rosa’s Wells Fargo Center for the Arts hosts year-round events including music, theater, dance, comedy and family-friendly shows. For a summer show, visit the Green Music Center at Sonoma State University, full of lawn seating as well as 1,400-seat Weill Hall. More than 20 troupes and theaters host plays, dance performances, musical, operas and much more.

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