Sonoma County Travel Tips: Your Essential Guide 2025 (by a local!)
Wayfaring Four contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I may receive compensation at no cost to you. For more information, please read our disclaimer here.
Sonoma County: The Basics
Located in Northern California, Sonoma County begins about 30 miles north of San Francisco, and extends north to Cloverdale, or about 55 more miles. Sonoma County is west of Napa County and extends all the way to the coast of the Pacific Ocean.
Sonoma County is often called “Sonoma” by tourists, but Sonoma is a town within the county, which is approximately the size of Rhode Island!
As a Sonoma County local, I have lived here for the better part of the last 30 years. Despite living here for so long, I still constantly find amazing restaurants and things to do. This guide will help you create your own itinerary with of the best tried and true Sonoma County travel tips for 2025.
This area is home to NINETEEN American Viticulture Areas (AVAs) which are microclimates each yield a unique type of wine. There are over 425 wineries to visit in the county to try!
Getting Here
Flying
There are three main airports that are most often used to get to Sonoma County. These are the three best options for getting here!
Sonoma County Airport (STS)
With its own airport, located in Santa Rosa (STS). Sonoma County airport offers direct flights on several airlines including American Airlines, Avelo, and Alaska Airlines!
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is located approximately 50 miles south of Sonoma County. When you land, you can either get to Sonoma County by getting a renal car here.
Oakland Airport (OAK)
Oakland Airport is also located about 50 miles south of Sonoma County. You can also rent a car at the Oakland airport and drive up for your stay!
Driving
If you’re visiting Sonoma County, you will most likely need to rent a car. We do have some public transportation such as the smart train, but getting to the best attractions and wineries (with a designated driver, of course) will require a car for the best experience.
You can rent a car for your stay here!
What is Sonoma County known for?
Sonoma County is known for some of the most recognizable names in wine. Boasting the aforementioned 19 AVAs responsible for producing wines from our large variety of microclimates.
Visitors can also enjoy “farm to table” style food at many of the restaurants in the area, offering a more environmentally friendly way to dine. With all of the working dairies in the area, we also have some of the freshest dairy products from our farms that include Clover and Strauss Creamery.
Farm trails is a program that offers tourists and locals the opportunity to visit farms and have unique experiences. Farmers may also offer tours, or farm stands to purchase the freshest local produce.
Cheese trails is a program that lists cheese makers from all over California, but Sonoma County has the highest concentration of cheese trail participants. If you’re feeling fancy, you can do a wine and cheese pairing to fully enjoy both.
Art trails is another program with the same idea in mind, featuring local artists from all over the county. If you’re looking for a unique way to experience and support local artists on your trip, this is it!
This area has also been home to a few celebrities you may recognize, including Charles Schultz, Jack London, and was a favorite filming location of Alfred Hitchcock.
A fun fact is that Alfred Hitchcock filmed his famous movie “The Birds” in the town of Bodega, and “Shadow of a Doubt” in Santa Rosa! Every year in Bodega the Hitchcock film festival takes place, so be sure to catch it if you’re in the area.
Sonoma County Towns
Sonoma County has an incredible range of different charming towns to explore. If you are planning a visit, be sure to check out the features of each town to suit your preferences and use that as your home base to make the most of your trip. Some of the larger towns in Sonoma County include:
Petaluma
As a local, Petaluma has always been one of my absolute favorite towns in Sonoma County. Petaluma has it all, a cute downtown with tons of clothing and antique shops, incredible restaurants, and tons of kid friendly activities. Petaluma is home to a TON of working farms just outside of town, so you can find really incredible, unique experiences to enjoy. If you’re staying here for a few days and want to explore the area on a day trip, this is a great option.
Petaluma is the southernmost town in the county. If you’re coming up from San Francisco, Petaluma is a perfect spot to stop for the day (or longer)! The Petaluma River runs near downtown, which is nice to walk along after a nice meal.
Where to stay: Hotel Petaluma is a historic boutique hotel that is located downtown. It’s walkable to a ton of great restaurants and shops, so you can explore without worrying about transportation.
Sonoma
Sonoma (not to be confused with Sonoma County) is a little town located about 45 miles north of San Francisco. Sonoma is another great place to check out in the county, boasting some of the most iconic restaurants in the county like Girl and the Fig.
Sonoma is at the heart of the Sonoma Valley Wine region and is home to the “Sonoma Square”. Sonoma is in close proximity to geothermal hot springs, which can be enjoyed just outside of town at Morton’s Warm Springs during the summer months,
Where to stay: Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn is centrally located to downtown Sonoma and is the perfect place to stay for a spa experience. Hot springs can also be enjoyed here, so it really has it all!
For more detailed info about where to stay and things to do, check out this post: Where to stay in Sonoma.
Santa Rosa
Santa Rosa is one of the largest towns in Sonoma County and is relatively central to the other towns in the County. Downtown is divided into two sections, Railroad Square and Downtown Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa is Sonoma county’s epicenter of culture and creativity. Visitors can browse art galleries and sculpture gardens, including an occasional familiar cartoon character. Grab a glass of Pliny the Elder at the original Russian River Brewing Co or check out unique antique shops and coffee houses in Railroad Square.
Santa Rosa is home to the Sonoma County Airport and is just a short drive from many attractions, including the Sonoma Coast, the Russian River, and Armstrong Woods. If this is your first visit, this is a great place to consider staying for a few days.
Where to stay: The Flamingo Resort and Spa is a boutique hotel and spa that features a great happy hour, a pool, and is close to wineries and shops, including downtown. This instagrammable hotel also has events including live music, so if you stay there be sure to check their schedule! This hotel is also family friendly.
Sebastopol
Heading west from Santa Rosa, don’t miss Sebastopol! This little town is home to some of the best restaurants in the county, as well as great agriculture and the Gravenstein Apple Fair. This little town is also home to Luther Burbank’s experimental farm, which is a great place to check out if you are interested in in plant cultivation and it’s history. Visiting the farm is free and is a unique way to spend an hour or two doing something unique to the area.
Sebastopol is also home to the Barlow, which is a new 12.5 – acre culinary and arts district that you will find local art, wine, beer, and gift shops. The Barlow is one of our favorite places to spend a few hours enjoying some of the best offerings Sonoma County has to offer in one place. They also have a small kid’s play area which is perfect for younger kids to play while you enjoy some snacks from a local bakery or pizza by the slice.
Windsor
Recently named one of the most charming small towns in California, Windsor is full of kid-friendly activities and outdoor attractions. Located North of Santa Rosa, Windsor is a small, family friendly town. If you choose to stay in Windsor, their downtown area is called the “town green”, which is a walkable downtown area full of great places to eat and shops to explore.
Healdsburg
Recently featured in Town and Leisure Magazine, Healdsburg is another main destination in Sonoma County. Healdsburg has some of the most notable restaurants in Sonoma County, including Troubadour bread which was names one of the best bakeries in the US.
Healdsburg is also home to some of the most high end dining experiences in the County, including Single Thread, which features a vegetarian menu sourced from their own farm, Valette, and much more.
Where to stay: If you’re looking for a great luxury hotel to stay at during your visit, Montage Healdsburg is one of the best luxury stays in the area.
Guerneville
Guerneville is a quaint destination for LGBTQ+ travelers, families, and outdoor adventurers alike. Located along the bank of the Russian River, you can explore the Armstrong Woods Redwood Grove, taste epic wine of the Russian River wine region, or just relax and enjoy great food!
Guerneville is a great place to stay if you want to explore some of the smaller towns like Forestville, Duncan’s Mills, Occidental, or Monte Rio.
Where to stay: Dawn Ranch is a unique riverside resort that offers relaxation, nature, and is family friendly. It is walkable to the Russian River and downtown as well!
Bodega Bay
Bodega Bay is another unique town in Sonoma County to explore! Not the be confused with the town of Bodega, Bodega Bay is located on the Sonoma Coast. Bodega Bay has some of the best seafood you can get in Northern California, with the harbor centrally located in the town.
Bodega Bay is a great place to spend a day or more exploring the rugged beaches, hiking trails, and restaurants.
Where to stay: One of my favorite places to stay along the coast is the Lodge at Bodega Bay. In the summer and fall months, the beach parking lots fill up early, but this hotel and spa is walkable to the best beach for families so you can focus on relaxing instead of worrying about parking!
Things to do
I’d be kidding myself to try and fit this into one section! Sonoma County really something for everyone, and each region has unique offerings for every member of the family. From family friendly, eco-conscious, luxury, food and wine, or adventure travel, you can curate any type of itinerary here.
For ideas on family friendly activities or easy hikes, check out these articles:
Top 10 things to do in Sonoma County with kids
5 Best Kid-friendly Hikes in Sonoma County
Mistakes to avoid during your Sonoma County visit
Trying to see too many towns in one day
The biggest mistake you can make visiting Sonoma County is trying to do too much during your visit. If you only have a day or two, make sure you plan it within a town or two that are close together. Sonoma County is too big to see in one weekend without spending the entire time in the car.
Trying to see too many wineries in one day
If you plan on visiting some tasting rooms, be sure to allot at least an hour to each. Check each winery for events and amenities, because some tasting rooms are really simple and some offer so much that you could spend the entire day enjoying what they have to offer!
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I pack when visiting Sonoma County?
Jacket or hoodie: Regardless of the time of year, I always have a hoodie or light jacket with me when I visit the coast (even when it’s triple digits inland!).
Layered clothing: Dress in layers or bring light clothing that you can add or take off with temperature changes to stay comfortable.
Hiking boots: If you plan on hiking, be sure to bring appropriate footwear.
Casual clothing: even at nice restaurants, it is acceptable to wear casual or slightly dressy clothing. It is not uncommon to see locals in casual clothing, even at nice restaurants here.
Whatever you feel comfortable with! People here are pretty laid back, so wear what you like or what you feel is appropriate for any event you have to attend.
When is the best time to visit sonoma county?
Sonoma County enjoys mild weather year-round, with mostly temperate climate conditions due to the proximity to the Pacific Ocean. Even on the hottest summer days, it cools off at night in most areas as the coastal breezes cool off the area.
Sonoma County visitors can enjoy mild temperatures year-round, with only a handful of days reaching triple digits in the late summer months. If you want to enjoy the best wine tasting events and festivals, Fall is the best time to visit.
Fall is the busiest time of year for wineries due to the grape harvest. You will find the best wine-related events, best food events, and most enjoyable fall foliage when the vineyards explode in vibrant orange, yellow, and green colors.
How many days should I spend on my first visit to Sonoma County?
The amount of time you spend depends on what you want to do. One to three days is usually enough to get a feel for each town and try a few of the best restaurants and experiences.
What is the prettiest town in Sonoma County?
This is a highly subjective question and depends on what you’re looking for. If you want a high end wine and food experience with a cute, lively downtown, I would recommend Healdsburg.
If you’re looking for something with a little more history that still has a nice mix of farms, spas, and kids activities, check out Sonoma!
If you want a more rustic and bohemian, check out anything in West Sonoma County. These towns include Guerneville, Forestville, and Occidental.
For a rugged beach vibe with incredible seafood, check out the Sonoma Coast.
Until Next time
I hope this was a helpful overview of Sonoma County travel tips! Check back for more content including the best things to do, hidden gems, festivals, itinerary ideas, and more.
