Best Things to Do in Sonoma County CA

1. Wineries

Let’s start with the obvious. For most, Sonoma = wineries. Since Jacob is allergic to wine, it’s nice to have options that don’t involve wine. But there was also no way I would skip out when I have the perfect DD.

Wineries cover less than 6% of Sonoma County’s land, but amount to over 60k acres of vineyards and 400+ wineries. Because of the varying landscapes, you can find over 50 grape varietals. We highlighted the ones we visited, plus other notable wineries we want to check out next time.

Wine and Art Pairing at Paradise Ridge Winery

4545 Thomas Lake Harris Dr, Santa Rosa, CA 95403, map

If you love art paired with your wine, visit Paradise Ridge Winery, only 10 minutes away from downtown Santa Rosa. As we drove onto the property, large-scale art installations greeted us against the backdrop of the beautiful vineyards.

We loved the origin story of how they began incorporating art into the vineyard. Rene, co-owner and one of five kids who runs the winery, told us his dad had proposed to his mom in a sculpture garden. Some pieces are from Burning Man, and they even have a portion of The Empyrean Temple, a 40-foot sculpture.

We started our visit with a tasting at the main building, then strolled through the sculpture garden to view the art. Even though I’ve taken wine tasting classes, I don’t know my wine. I know what I like, and I loved how easy their sparkling Shiraz went down.

Local Tip: Every Wednesday from May to October, they host a wine and sunsets event with live music. They have multiple seatings at 5, 5:30, and 6.

Korbel Winery + Korbel Delicatessen & Market

13250 River Rd, Guerneville, CA 95446, map

Afterward, we headed over to Korbel Winery for some food and bubbly. They have a delicatessen and market, where we had our lunch. The sandwiches and salads were fresh and yummy, and we enjoyed our time on the outdoor patio.

They offer complimentary tastings for up to 3 champagnes, but you must call ahead and make a reservation.

Bartholomew Estate Winery

1000 Vineyard Ln, 95476, map

Bartholomew Estate Winery is the first privately owned vineyard in Sonoma Valley. It’s conveniently located minutes from downtown Sonoma and is a great place to taste wine and stroll in its 375-acre park.

Buena Vista Winery

18000 Old Winery Rd, Sonoma, CA 95476, map

Buena Vista was founded in 1857 and is the oldest commercial winery and California’s first premium winery. 

Francis Ford Coppola Winery

300 Via Archimedes, Geyserville, CA 95441, map

If you want more than wine, check out Francis Ford Coppola Winery. They not only produce over forty wines, but they also serve food at their restaurant to pair with your wine. You can dip in either of their two swimming pools and check out their huge collection of movie memorabilia.

Benziger Family Winery

1883 London Ranch Rd, Glen Ellen, CA 95442, map

Benziger Family Winery is one of the first wineries to integrate biodynamic farming, and you can even take a Biodynamic Vineyard Tram Tour.

Other Wineries to Check Out

Local Tip: Check out their guide to wineries you should visit during the holidays.

2. Foraging and Tasting Experience with Timber Cove Lodge

21780 Coast Hwy #1, Jenner, 95450, map

My mom grew up in a mountain village in Korea, where foraging was a part of life. Even after we immigrated to the US, I have childhood memories of my grandma and mom plucking random weeds on their walks for banchan (Korean side dishes). Dandelion leaves were one of them. I have always been curious about foraging, but it wasn’t until this trip that I got to try it for myself. I’m not sure if my mom’s spirit is coming alive in me, but I had so much fun.

After foraging, we returned to Timber Cove Lodge for the tasting portion. Everything was delicious, but I was most intrigued by the oxalis lemonade. I will try this if I ever run into a patch of oxalis.

What You Can Find: Various mushrooms (chanterelles, porcini, hedgehogs, morels, turkey tails), bay laurel nuts, miner’s lettuce, stinging nettle, fiddlehead, oxalis, wild radish flower, forget-me-not, nori, huckleberry, blackberry, mussels, and sea snails.

Caution: There are toxic lookalikes. If you don’t know what you’re doing, go with a trained guide like Ty Kun! Also, certain protected parks are illegal to forage in, or a permit is required. Double-check the regulations before you go.

3. Sonoma Hot Air Ballooning

21870 8th St E, Sonoma, CA 95476, map

We’ve been on different balloon rides across the world, but there’s something so romantic about flying over the vineyards in Sonoma. It’s always magical to see the first light kiss the edges of the rolling hills, and as a photographer, I appreciated how the different vineyards shaped the landscape.

If you’re from the Bay, it’s the closest balloon ride from San Francisco and much more affordable than in Napa if you want to add it to your SF Itinerary.

Pro Tip: Book your balloon ride early in your trip. This gives you time to reschedule if weather cancels it.

4. Cedar Enzyme Bath at Osmosis

209 Bohemian Hwy, Freestone, CA 95472, map

Osmosis Day Spa and Sanctuary was the highlight of our first trip. We did the Cedar Enzyme Bath, a Japanese practice, and Osmosis is one of two places you can get this treatment in North America.

When we first heard about the cedar bath, we imagined a cedar tub filled with water, but we were surprised to find ourselves buried in a mixture of ground cedar and rice bran. The natural enzyme fermentation creates a warm treatment that improves circulation, relieves joint and muscle pain, and cleanses skin.

In addition, the rest of the property is stunning. We spoke with Michael Stusser, who founded the spa. He studied as an apprentice in Japan, which helped him design the beautiful Zen gardens. Fun fact: the property used to be a junkyard, and they left one of the old cars there as a tribute to the space.

Local Tip: They have a locker where you can keep your belongings when you’re in the spa. Our therapist was nice enough to snap a few shots during the Cedar Enzyme Bath.

5. Forest Bathing + Wine Tasting with EcoWisdom

Have you heard of forest bathing, also known as shinrin-yoku? It was developed in Japan in the 80s and is part of preventive health care and healing after seeing a decline in mental health from being overworked.

The idea is that you slow down and mindfully walk and meditate in a forest environment. Like meditation or yoga, if you’re a beginner, it helps to have someone guide you through it. Oftentimes in Japan, you end up having tea made from what was foraged during your forest bath. You take it all in through meditation and then taste the land.

Jenny from Ecowisdom showed us how to forest bathe with a Sonoma twist at Zephyr Vineyards. Near the end of our forest bath, rather than tea, we did a wine tasting, since wine is one of the few beverages where you taste the earth. If you try it, let us know if you can taste the redwood spice.

Even when I got home, it helped me pick up the daily habit of meditating again.

We did a second meditation with Jenny when we visited Timber Cove Lodge and loved being by the coast.

Local Tip: It was rainy during our first experience, so having a solid rain jacket and waterproof boots helped.

6. Take a Stroll through Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve

Even if you’re not outdoorsy, you can take a leisurely walk through the Armstrong Redwoods Reserve. The trails are flat and quiet, and it’s an enjoyable stroll through the towering redwoods. I once heard someone say redwoods are “just trees”. I’m not immune to reductive thinking patterns, but hearing that made me want to hold onto the awe and wonder all the more.

Don’t miss the Colonel Armstrong Tree, which is approximately 1400 years old.

7. Sonoma Coast State Park

If you’re looking for beach time, head to the Sonoma Coast State Park. It encompasses 17 miles of the coast from Bodega Head to Vista Trail and has multiple beaches and rocky cliffs.

Schoolhouse Beach, Wright’s Beach, or Goat Rock Beach are popular spots for sunset. We wanted to spend some time on the beach, but since it was rainy the entire time, we saw Schoolhouse Beach from above.

Local Tip: It’s always good to have cash if you need to pay for entry and/or parking.

See More: The Ultimate California Coast Road Trip

The Barlow

6770 McKinley St, Sebastopol, CA 95472, map

The Barlow is an open-air marketplace that covers four city blocks of restaurants, shops, breweries, cideries, galleries, and more.

We had a delicious lunch at Kosho Sushi and grabbed coffee at Taylor Lane Organic Coffee. I also couldn’t resist stopping at California Sister Floral, a super cute plant shop next to Taylor Lane.

The area was home to the Barlow family, who built facilities to process apples into applesauce. Some of the original structures still exist. In 2012, new structures were added, and local makers created a community where people can shop, drink, and play together.

Local Tip: If you see any fruit on the trees in the public areas, then you’re free to pick it. – Duskie, Farm to Pantry

Planning Checklist

Can you think of any other things to do in Sonoma that can’t be missed?