Best of Sonoma County
You’ve probably heard of it but maybe aren’t quite sure of where Sonoma is or what’s so special about it. And that’s for good reason. It can be confusing when people reference Sonoma. There is Sonoma (the town), Sonoma Valley (the 17-mile long valley that runs along Highway 12 and is home to many vineyards and wineries), and Sonoma County (the county that includes Sonoma, Russian River, Dry Creek, and Alexandar Valley’s). Sometimes, when people reference Sonoma County or Sonoma Valley they shorten it to just ‘Sonoma’ which can add to the confusion. Generally I would assume when people mention Sonoma they are referencing Sonoma County which is all of Sonoma’s wine country.
2019 began my love affair with Sonoma. While planning our destination wedding, my then-fiancé and I decided to go back to where we took our first vacation together seven years prior. That vacation took place in Napa Valley and seemed to be the perfect location to host our favorite people for a fun-filled wedding weekend. What we didn’t realize at the time is that Napa Valley has strict laws regarding weddings at vineyards and the more research I did the more it made sense to look at the relaxed next-door neighbor that is Sonoma County.
Spoiler…we did find the perfect spot In Sonoma County to get married, and for that reason, it will always hold a special place in my heart. We did a lot of research, visiting 4 times in a span of 8 months. Below are a few of my favorite Sonoma hotels, restaurants, and things to do. If you want to completely take the planning out of the process, check out this 3 Day Sonoma County Itinerary.
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Table of Contents
Where to Stay in Sonoma County
There are different reasons to choose where to stay. Usually, it depends on what type of trip I’m planning and looking to spend. If going in a large group you can’t go wrong with renting a house, otherwise location or amenities are key.
El Dorado Hotel | Sonoma
Set on historic Sonoma Plaza, this boutique hotel is all about convenience. It has an outdoor pool, an in-house restaurant (see below) for contemporary California cuisine, and you can walk to several restaurants and shops. Since El Dorado Hotel is in downtown Sonoma, it’s about as close to the San Francisco airport as you can get while still being in wine country.
Most of the 27 rooms are in the two-story main building (access from inside the building) and offer either a Sonoma Plaza view or a courtyard view. There are a few rooms that are in a single-story separate building and you enter the room directly from outside. If that matters to you, double-check when booking your room.
Farmhouse Inn | Forestville
Nestled in the Russian River Valley, Farmhouse Inn has a Michelin-starred restaurant, full-service spa, and one concierge per 5 rooms. This is the place for a couple’s getaway in pure luxury. While I haven’t stayed here yet, Farmhouse Inn is on the shortlist for the next trip.
VRBO | Multiple Locations
I’m not generally one to recommend a house on vacation. I like the luxury of being pampered in a hotel…someone bringing a cocktail to me at the pool, the room magically being cleaned every day. But a house can be really fun in Sonoma with a group…laying out by a pool surrounded by vineyards, sipping wine in the middle of the Redwoods. Check out this Sonoma VRBO post for some amazing options!
Coffee in Sonoma
What makes a good coffee shop to me is a place that has a good vibe, good coffee, and good food; the trifecta for me to go back. If not all 3 are in place, it’s not on my list. Typically I prefer going to a variety of places, but with Acre having multiple locations and it really being that good, why go anywhere else?
Avid Coffee | Multiple Locations
When you walk in, you feel like you are really in Northern California. It’s cool, but like, also relaxed. The food is delicious without being heavy and the coffee and tea are excellent, no overt sugariness here. The pastries are also quite tasty.
Side note: Avid Coffee used to be called Acre Coffee but is now under new ownership.
Brunch in Sonoma
I prefer this over lunch, you can get something savory or sweet and day drinking is encouraged.
Sax’s Joint | Petaluma
The food is what you would expect at a quality diner but the pièce de rèsistance is Mee Maws Famous Cinnamon Roll which tastes, I swear, just like Cinnabon…only you can’t get a freshly squeezed mimosa at Cinnabon.
I recommend getting one and sharing it with the table (the cinnamon roll, not the mimosa) before the actual food you order comes out because you are a responsible adult and don’t just eat cinnamon rolls for breakfast. In this old-school diner expect a wait if you don’t come early as they don’t accept reservations.
El Dorado Kitchen | Sonoma
A cute little restaurant in the hotel on the square. Remember the hotel I recommended above…it’s the restaurant in the hotel. If you are staying there, it can’t get more convenient than that.
The fare is quintessential California and you won’t feel overstuffed leaving the table, but you will be ready for a day of wineries
Dinner in Sonoma
One of life’s simple pleasures is a long leisurely meal with wonderful company and great conversation.
The Girl & The Fig | Sonoma
A French-inspired restaurant on Sonoma Square, the frites and cocktails are delicious. They have an outdoor patio, which is perfect for dining alfresco, and it’s covered and heated in the winter.
Wishbone | Petaluma
Fresh, simple, and seasonal ingredients make this a go-to. The parking lot is tiny so carpool if you can and bring a jacket because it tends to be on the cooler side. If you can’t make it for dinner, brunch is solid too.
Things to Do in Sonoma
Outside | Sonoma County is a beautiful place with a rolling landscape and moderate weather.
Wineries
So many to choose from, they usually have an outdoor patio drinking area and some give vineyard tours.
Beaches
You generally won’t find swimmers on the beaches of Northern California but the scenery is beautiful, it’s a great place for a hike or a picnic.
Parks
There are 50 parks that makeup Sonoma County regional park system and depending on what you are looking for you can camp, go horseback riding, or paddleboard.
Inside | While usually temperate for those days that the rain just. won’t. stop.
Wineries
Find a drinking spot inside and sip a red by the fire.
All Things Snoopy | Santa Rosa
Go skating at Snoopy’s Home Ice and then visit the Charles M Schulz Museum.
Spas
When in doubt…pamper!
Wineries in Sonoma
There are allegedly 425 wineries in Sonoma County and they are spread across multiple valleys. Cheers!
Kunde Family Winery | Kenwood
A perfect place for a wedding, if I do say so myself!
If you find yourself not getting married on this particular visit see if one of their special mountaintop tastings is available. The views from the top are otherworldly, it’s what you think a vineyard should really look like.
Amista Vineyards | Healdsburg
Located in the northern part of the county in Healdsburg you can really see the difference in what the Dry Creek Valley looks like. A beautiful spot to drink some wine, eat some popcorn and play a giant (and competitive) game of Jenga.
B.R. Cohn Winery | Glen Ellen
Set amongst vineyards and olive groves, B.R. Cohn also produces olive oil which you can try during a wine pairing or grab a bottle in the shop.
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