Sonoma Culinary Trail 3-Day Itinerary

Occidental – Bodega Bay – Guerneville – Sebastopol

Sonoma County is known for its agricultural roots and farm-to-fork dining that showcases ingredients harvested from its own backyard.

Start in the charming town of Occidental, to enjoy breakfast on the porch at Howard Station Café, a quaint spot with Victorian architecture and views of the tiny downtown. The cozy, farm-style dining room is popular for signatures like corned beef hash and homemade biscuits, pumpkin waffles, smoked salmon omelets, tofu rancheros, and crab Benedict.

Next, stroll the surrounding shops and galleries, like Galleria, Hand Goods, and Boho Bungalow. For more ideas, discover 5 Fun Things To Do in Occidental.

On this “culinary trail,” don’t miss the nature trails at Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve in nearby Guerneville. Stroll among towering coastal redwood trees on the mile-and-a-half-long Pioneer Nature Trail. Keep your eyes peeled for the Ici­cle Tree, with its “burl” for­ma­tions, the 1,400-plus-year-old Colonel Arm­strong Tree, and the Par­son Jones Tree, which soars 350 feet high.

For lunch, the Rio Nido Roadhouse will feed you well. Tuck into juicy half-pound burgers, thin-crust pizzas, slow-roasted pulled pork, or homemade French onion soup. This welcoming restaurant even has an onsite swimming pool for a refreshing splash. The surrounding open space dates back to 1860, when it was a redwood milling site that grew in 1907 into a community of bungalows and cabins.

Wine tasting is next, so head to Bodega Bay to sip oceanside at Gourmet au Bay. With waterfront views both indoors and out, plus a menu of wood-fired coastal cuisine, this little shop charms with local, boutique wines and tasting flights presented on wooden “surfboards.”

Be sure to savor a glass at Drakes Fireside Lounge, adjacent to the luxury Drakes Sonoma Coast restaurant at The Lodge at Bodega Bay. This pretty retreat will woo you with a large stone fireplace framed by gorgeous views of Bodega Head, Doran Beach, and the Pacific Ocean.

The small town of Valley Ford is just around the corner and is well worth a visit for its shops and old-fashioned mercantiles. Stop at Rocker’s Roadhouse, a restaurant and inn with a welcoming deck garden where you can savor an ice-cold Jimm’s Cup, a refreshing drink served in a big Ball jar with ginger beer, seasonal fruit, and herbs that reflect the area’s rich history of orchards.

For lodging, head to the nearby Owl Hill Cottage vacation home, a site Mother Nature herself would love. This two-bedroom, two-bath cottage is on 4-1/2 wooded acres, lush with extensive gardens and fruit orchards, and only three miles outside of the vibrant town of Sebastopol. 

Sebastopol – Petaluma – Santa Rosa

Kick off your day in a delicious way at The Wild Poppy in Sebastopol. Take in the vibes on the charming cottage patio set with rosemary and olive trees, and soak up the shade-filtered sun of this countryside hideaway.

Now check out Florence Avenue to see a neighborhood-wide outdoor gallery of wacky, inspired sculptures fashioned from recycled objects by local artists Patrick Amiot and Brigitte Laurent. Whimsical Florence Avenue is lined with their work.

While you’re here, visit world-class wineries, like  Furthermore Wines, for amazing Pinot Noir and a game of bocce on the flower-framed patio. At nearby Iron Horse Vineyards, don’t miss the blanc de blancs as this sparkling wine is considered some of the best in the nation. This winery is situated in a cluster of rustic, redwood barn-style buildings overlooking beautiful grapevines, and the outdoor tasting room offers a stunning view.

Take a short jaunt to the foodie haven town of Petaluma. Here, you can tuck into fresh Sonoma-style Italian dishes at Risibisi, which earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand ranking for outstanding cuisine and affordability. Savor signature dishes like seared duck. The mood is comfortable, like a trattoria, cocooned within brick walls, a welcoming bar, and regulars who know to ask about the pasta of the day.

Browse Petaluma’s pretty downtown for unique antique stores and trendy boutiques like Ethical.

Next, head to Santa Rosa to shop in the Railroad Square historic district, centered around the restored 1870 Northwestern Pacific Railroad depot. Check out the antique stores like the popular Whistlestop Antiques, find beautiful felt-wrapped soaps at Cast Away Yarn Shop, and discover vintage ball gowns and men’s wear from Hot Couture.

Check in to Gables Wine Country Inn, a beautifully appointed 1877 Victorian bed & breakfast. Enjoy amenities like in-room fireplaces and complimentary wine tasting passports good at more than 120 Sonoma County wineries. The cottage is set amid its own private garden with a seasonal brook, and all rooms have garden views.

For dinner, visit Ca’Bianca Italian Restaurant, a grand old mansion in Old Town Santa Rosa, serving excellent Italian cuisine. Owners Marco Diana and Karin Hoehne, a husband-and-wife team, showcase recipes from Milano to Sicily, featuring dishes like seared ahi with homemade ravioli, semolina gnocchi with braised beef, or roasted breast of duck with fingerling potatoes. The best seats for al fresco flair are on the porch overlooking the fountain garden, framed by flowering trees.

Healdsburg

Begin with the gourmet three-course breakfast included with your stay at Gables Wine Country Inn — it may feature the light-as-air cheddar tomato soufflé, poached pears, and scones.

Zip to Healdsburg, the heart of Sonoma Wine Country, and stop by Chalk Hill Estate Vineyards & Winery to tour this spectacular 1,477-acre property. The hilltop chateau tasting room offers stunning views over the mountains and the Russian River Valley. One of the most popular tours includes a stroll through the estate’s organic garden and vineyards.

Don’t miss the Medlock-Ames tasting room in beautiful Alexander Valley. Set on two acres of lush organic gardens, the market-style wine room features a patio surrounded by fresh, edible plants, like licorice and cassis.

Healdsburg is home to many wonderful restaurants. A few favorites include Bravas Bar de Tapas and Willi’s Seafood & Raw Bar, where you can’t miss for good food and ambiance.

In downtown Healdsburg, wander the many boutiques and shops around the historic Plaza. Thumbprint Cellars offers a bit of both, as this inviting wine-tasting room doubles as an art gallery with for-sale works adorning the walls.

For a truly tasty and memorable experience, book a three-hour walking session with Savor Healdsburg Food Tours, which offers a behind-the-scenes guided tour and multiple stops for bites and sips. 

Conclude your culinary trip with a stylish dinner at Barndiva. The finest ingredients are sourced from local farms and producers to create rave-worthy dishes such as puff pastry with ricotta and summer vegetables, or wild Pacific sea bass with couscous and local Dungeness crab.

Call far ahead for reservations on the garden patio. Owners Jil and Geoffrey Hales are such believers in the delicious benefits of cooking farm-to-fork that Jil produced a film, titled “Eat the View,” documenting the journey of Sonoma County farm ingredients to the Barndiva dining room.

Bon appétit!