Visiting Sonoma Valley? Don’t miss these things!
Looking for the best things to do in Sonoma? We’ve visited three times, and each time, we’ve discovered how much more there is to Sonoma than wine.
People call Sonoma the laid-back, authentic neighbor of Napa, and our Bay Area friends love Sonoma and always tell us IYKYK. It’s not only known for its wine but also for its farm-to-table cuisine, diverse geography, and open spaces.
A big thank you to Visit California for sponsoring this post and Sonoma County for hosting our trip. All opinions are always our own. This post may contain affiliate links, where we receive a small commission on sales of the products that are linked at no additional cost to you. Read our full disclosure for more info. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Local Adventurer possible.
Last Updated: September 12, 2026
Sonoma County has three distinct regions: the pacific coastline, redwood forests and rivers, and fertile valleys and vineyards. Amongst these regions, you’ll find over 30 small towns, villages, and cities where Life Opens Up.
Is your visit to Sonoma part of a larger California trip? You’ll want to check out these articles.
Let’s start with the obvious. 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 still 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.
4545 Thomas Lake Harris Dr, Santa Rosa, CA 95403, map
If you love art paired with your wine, you must visit Paradise Ridge Winery, which is 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, which was supposed to be used at Burning Man 2020.
We started our visit with a tasting at the main building, then strolled through the sculpture garden to view the art. I loved their sparkling Shiraz.
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.
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 and make a reservation beforehand.
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 wine taste and stroll in their 375-acre park.
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.
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.
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.
Local Tip: Check out their guide to wineries you should visit during the holidays.
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 (chantarelles, 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, it is illegal to forage or a permit is required in certain protected parks. Double-check the regulations before you go.
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.
209 Bohemian Hwy, Freestone, CA 95472, map
Osmosis Day Spa and Sanctuary was the highlight of our trip. We did the Cedar Enzyme Bath, a practice from Japan, and Osmosis is the only place you 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 results in 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. We just brought our phones with us, and during the Cedar Enzyme Bath, our therapist helped us snap a few shots.
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.
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.
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
A lot of restaurants in Sonoma County are farm-to-table and source everything locally. That means you get seasonal dishes and the freshest food. Although Healdsburg is known for its world-class restaurants, you can find great food everywhere. Here are some of the restaurants to check out in the area
