Where to Stay in Sonoma, California
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The town of Sonoma is a great place to visit any time of the year. Located in Sonoma County, the town of Sonoma is approximately 45 miles north of San Francisco. If this is your first time visiting the area, Sonoma is a great place to start!
When visiting Sonoma County, it’s easy to spend the entire day in the car with the wrong itinerary, so use this as a guide to avoid that. If you’re wondering where to stay in Sonoma for a weekend or more, start here!
One thing I love about the town of Sonoma is that there is plenty to do in town for a weekend, and the nearby towns also offer some great things to do. Sonoma is known for wine and food, but it is a really family friendly destination as well!
I’ve also included information on my favorite places to stay and things to do in Kenwood, which is a short drive away on Highway 12.
Short on Time?
* Best budget option: Cinnamon Bear Creekside Inn
* Best luxury option: MacArthur Place Inn & Spa
Where to Stay in Sonoma: top Picks
The town of Sonoma and surrounding areas have a range of places to stay. In town, you can find a few budget friendly places as well as cute bed and breakfasts, vacation rentals and (of course) amazing resort and spa options.
Since the area is on the small side, be sure to book your accommodations as far in advance as possible to have the best options and get the best deals.
Peak season in Sonoma is generally from April to October, with the busiest time being September and October. If you’re torn between visiting Sonoma of Napa, the town of Sonoma is only 16 miles from Napa, so you can explore both if you don’t mind a short drive.
These higher end accommodations are both great options, situated near downtown. Rideshare and taxi services are all available in the area, so if wine tasting is on your itinerary this is a great option.
MacArthur Place Inn and Spa – 9.3/10 stars (104 reviews)
MacArthur Place Inn and Spa is one of the top luxury choices if you’re looking for the perfect place to stay in Sonoma. Layla is a popular restaurant, located on the hotel grounds.
Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn – 8.4/10 stars (223 reviews)
This family friendly hotel and spa is located across the street from Sonoma Train Town and walking distance to some great places to eat. It is about 2 miles from the Square as well.
This resort is also home to a great Spa, including access to some of the natural hot springs in the area!
If you’re looking for a budget friendly option that is centrally located and highly rated, check out this option.
Cinnamon Bear Creekside Inn – 8.7/10 stars (401 reviews)
Cinnamon Bear Creekside Inn is a great budget friendly option relative to the other accommodations available in Sonoma. This hotel offers some great perks such as free parking, delicious breakfast, and is close to downtown. Cinnamon Bear Inn also features outdoor areas, modern updates, and is family friendly.
Prices for this hotel are usually a fraction of the other local options, but this cute hotel has a great location and amenities.
Best Things to do in Sonoma
If you only have 2-3 days to spend in Sonoma, you can find plenty to do in town or nearby to avoid spending too much of your vacation in the car. Starting in downtown Sonoma, spend the day exploring some of these unique activities!
Spend the day in Sonoma Square
The town of Sonoma is home to some unique history, including the Mission San Francisco Solano, which is the last Spanish-Mexican Mission in California.
If you have little kids traveling with you, be sure to stop by Sonoma Train Town, which is just about 2 miles down the road.
Do a morning hike on Overlook Trail
The Overlook trail is a 2.5 mile “out-and back” trail that takes a little over an hour to complete. The elevation gain is 380 ft, but it is rated as an easy trail. Overlook trail is located just near downtown and has sweeping views of the valley.
Grab lunch from one of the bakeries downtown like Basque Boulangerie and enjoy a picnic on the trail before wine tasting!
Visit the Sonoma Botanical Gardens
The Sonoma Botanical Garden is another great spot to bring a picnic and enjoy nature. If you have little kids, it is a great place to let them run around a bit and check out some different plants.
There is an admission fee of $15 per adult, and $8 for kids 5 and up.
Where to Stay in Kenwood: A Sonoma County Hidden Gem
The town of Kenwood is located just North of Sonoma, about 10 miles up Highway 12. The stretch of highway is beautiful, and in the Summer months be sure to check out the event schedule for BR Cohn Winery, which hosts live music!
This winery was founded in 1984 by Bruce Cohn, one of the managers of the Doobie Brothers. It’s a great place to stop for wine, food, and possibly a concert if you’re in the area on a weekend between May and October. Check their live music lineup here.
Where to Stay in Kenwood: Top Picks
If you want to stay in a much smaller town that is still close to plenty of things to do, Kenwood is a great choice. Kenwood is unassuming, and one of those little towns that you can miss if you aren’t looking for it as you drive on Highway 12.
Kenwood is perfect for a quiet place to stay immersed in nature, but close to some of the best restaurants and things to do in Sonoma County. If you stay in Kenwood, you can easily enjoy everything it has to offer, and be very close to great towns like Glen Ellen, Sonoma, and Santa Rosa.
Kenwood Inn and Spa 9.4/10 stars (148 reviews)
Kenwood Inn and Spa is located on highway 12 and has a pool, spa, and luxurious rooms. This is the perfect place for a couple or a girls trip.
If you stay at Kenwood Inn and Spa, be sure to check out some of the restaurants in town including Salt and Stone for a great happy hour and gorgeous patio, or Stella, the newest (buzziest!) Italian restaurant in the area.
This is the ONLY hotel and spa in town, so my next option is in the next small town.
Beltane Ranch 9.9/10 stars (48 reviews)
Beltane Ranch is another romantic, quintessential Sonoma County resort. I won’t spend time trying to convince you, because the stunning photos of this place really speak for themselves!
Although this hotel doesn’t have a pool, you can still swim at Morton’s warm springs in the summer, or get a day pass for the pool at Kenwood Inn and Spa from resort pass.
Best Things to do in the Kenwood Area
Explore Jack London State Park
One of my favorite things to do in this area is explore Jack London State Park. Located in Glen Ellen, this park is steeped in history. This park includes several buildings including Jack London’s former home.
The park also has a museum and bookstore, where you can learn about his life and stories of his family that lived there. You can even pick up any of his famous works in the bookstore.
The park is really scenic, with redwoods, vineyards, picnic areas, and more. It’s definitely a must see.
After your hike, stop by Benzinger Family Winery which is right across the highway from Jack London! They have a great tasting room and is one of the best family friendly wineries in the area.
Do a Wine and Cheese Tasting at Ledson Vineyards
Located in Kenwood, this unique winery offers a variety of different types of tastings. You can do group tastings, or plan ahead and do a private tasting. On site, they also have a marketplace where you can get a picnic to enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is downtown Sonoma Worth Visiting?
Absolutely! Even after living here for so long, this is one of my favorite places to spend the day. There is enough to do to spend the whole day, especially if you take your time and enjoy all it has to offer.
Should I visit Sonoma or Napa?
The answer to this depends on what you want out of your trip! It is possible to see both, as Napa is only about a 20 minute drive from downtown Sonoma.
If you plan on wine tasting, be sure to get a designated driver or use a shuttle service.
Take Aways
When choosing where to stay in Sonoma, there is a lot to consider if you want to make the most of your trip. My biggest recommendation would be to minimize driving and pick one or the other, if possible.
I hope this information was helpful!
If you want to learn more about other towns in Sonoma County, check out this guide: Sonoma County Travel Tips: Your Essential Guide (by a local!)
If you’re traveling with little ones, you can also check out top 10 things to do with kids in Sonoma County.
