Summer Family Road Trip to Sonoma County

Kick off your trip in Santa Rosa with a hearty breakfast at Dierk’s Parkside Café. Enjoy American comfort food at its finest with biscuits and gravy, country benedict, and Grandma Dierk’s Pull-A-Parts — yummy fried dough dusted with cinnamon and sugar.

Or for grab-and-go goodies, stop into Criminal Bakery, which boasts a large selection of muffins, scones, sweet or savory hand pies, and delicious quiches.

Natural Wonders

Safari West Wildlife Preserve & African Tent Camp is fun for the family. The 3-hour classic tour lets you climb onto a custom safari vehicle to get acquainted with giraffes, impalas, buffalo, and more. Stroll the beautiful aviary or say hello to the black-and-white colobus monkey. Safari West has the option to spend the night in luxurious canvas tents. Thanks to homey comforts, heated blankets, and beautiful tents from Botswana, your family can enjoy the luxuries, sights, and sounds of an African safari right here in Sonoma Wine Country.

Safari West has a restaurant on-site where you can enjoy a post-safari lunch.

Or head to downtown Santa Rosa for lunch al fresco at Bird & The Bottle. Here you’ll find standouts like fried chicken sliders or bay shrimp wontons, plus vegetarian and gluten-free options. Adults can peruse the wonderful wines and craft cocktails like the Sundance Kid. Enjoy their outdoor patio, where pets are welcome.

The Peanuts Gang

For a bit of nostalgia, the Charles M Schulz Museum is a great way to spend an afternoon. Explore everything about the whimsical Peanuts characters and late cartoonist Charles Schulz, who lived in Sonoma County for 40 years. Check out fun exhibits and learn to draw your own characters.

Across from this fun museum, you’ll find Snoopy’s Home Ice, an ice-skating arena and a cool summer activity. Be sure to check out the Warm Puppy Café for a classic Peppermint Patty Hot Chocolate and visit Snoopy’s Gallery and Gift Shop.

The love for the Peanuts gang is seen all over Sonoma County in 5-foot figurines that brighten the towns — keep your eyes out for all 55 of these adorable characters.

Food Lovers Rejoice

For dinner, head to Jackson’s Bar and Oven. They offer a kids’ menu with ample portions and delicious offerings for adults that include wood-fired pizzas, lamb-stuffed flatbread, and juicy burgers. Don’t leave without trying their beignets with chocolate, vanilla, and raspberry sauces.

For another dining adventure, check out HanBul Korean BBQ. Kids’ eyes light up as they watch their food being cooked tableside, while the endless side dishes (known as banchan) are a delight to the senses. Other delicious entrees include popular bibimbap, which is a Korean blend of mixed rice, tasty vegetables, and seasoned meat. 

Take a stroll and get dessert at Noble Folk Ice Cream and Pie Bar. They offer hand-crafted ice cream in classic flavors and unique offerings like Thai Iced Tea or Dutch Cookie. You’ll also love the freshly-baked pies and cookies to enjoy here à la mode.

If you’re not staying at Safari West, the Flamingo Resort is another great Sonoma County hotel. The Flamingo boasts an Olympic-sized pool, live music most weekends, and a health club and spa. Or, drive to the nearby town of Rohnert Park and check into the family-friendly Doubletree by Hilton or the Oxford Suites.

Head to the cute town of Windsor, where you can enjoy the charming Town Green with breakfast at KC’s American Kitchen. KC’s has a nostalgic atmosphere, an extensive menu, generous portions, and a great patio under the oak trees. Look for the famous potato pancakes, chicken and waffles, or the tasty Benedicts.

Stretch your legs after that hearty meal at Foothill Regional Park for a scenic hike with the family. Stroll along three ponds and enjoy the ridgetop views.  If you want a park with more room to roam, Shiloh Ranch Regional Park is another beautiful site in Windsor with 8 miles of trails, oak trees, meandering creeks, and great views.  

When lunchtime hits, try local favorite Sweet T’s Restaurant + Bar for BBQ and comfort food with southern roots. Look for the delicious Memphis BBQ nachos, shrimp and grits, or the unique rib salad.

Near the Windsor Town Green is PizzaLeah, home of the award-winning Old Grey Beard, featuring sweet and savory sausage, honey, and orange zest. Or dig into one of the delectable square pan pies. On a nice afternoon, get the pizza to-go and enjoy a Town Green picnic so the kids can run on the grass.

For a bit of nostalgia, take the kids to Cravin’s Candy Emporium. With the movie Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory playing in the background, this candy shop brings back memories of childhood as you browse the fun offerings of classic and hard-to-find sweets.

For afternoon relaxation, head to Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach on the Russian River in the town of Healdsburg.  This seasonal dam is a relaxing spot for summer swimming, floating, and soaking up the sun. Staffed with lifeguards, the calm water offers a safe and fun activity for the family.

You can rent kayaks or canoes through River’s Edge Kayak & Canoe Trips. The company will shuttle you 5 miles upriver so you can enjoy a fun paddle back at your own pace.

When you’re ready for accommodations, check into the Cloverdale Wine Country KOA Camping Resort in nearby Cloverdale. Reserve one of their comfortable cabins, which include a separate room for the kids, plus a grill, fire pit, and beautiful views to go along with s’mores under the stars.

Another fun lodging option is Wildhaven Sonoma, offering a number of safari-style glamping tents on the Russian River in Healdsburg.

If a hotel is what you’re looking for, the Geyserville Inn is a AAA-rated inn that blends the comfort of a boutique hotel with the warmth of a bed and breakfast. Kids like it for its outdoor pool, while adults can enjoy a hot tub soak.

For dinner, head to Healdsburg for family-friendly restaurants like KINsmoke for yummy barbecue with all the fixings. Or drop into Gallina D’Oro for a fresh take on favorite dishes with Mexican flavors.

Explore the small town of Cloverdale when you grab coffee and a pastry at Plank Coffee. Then walk downtown among galleries and shops full of unique gifts and souvenirs. Stroll to Cloverdale City Park and enjoy children’s play structures, horseshoe pits, and basketball courts. Let the kids get their energy out as you sip your morning brew.

For an afternoon activity, head to the tiny town of Geyserville, a place with Wild West storefronts and renowned wines. Check out Francis Ford Coppola Winery, a beautiful property featuring film memorabilia from Coppola’s famous work. Tour the memorable winery and unique gift shop. Adults will enjoy wine tasting, but be sure to make a reservation well in advance for the 3,600 square feet of outdoor pool space and cabanas so the whole family can enjoy a dip in the pristine pool, the poolside café, and bocce courts.

You can eat at the winery’s restaurant Rustic, which offers a kids’ menu with pizzas and pasta. Another nearby lunch option is the popular Italian restaurant, Catelli’s. Enjoy a meal on the patio and try the burrata and prosciutto, the hearty lasagna, or the famous ravioli. Back in Cloverdale, try Papa’s Pizza Cafe, a family-owned pizza parlor with an upscale feel, craft beers on tap, and delicious food.

For one last family adventure, visit Lake Sonoma Recreation Area for its 50 miles of shoreline. Enjoy hiking, swimming, or fishing. The Lake Sonoma Marina offers boat and equipment rentals, like pontoons, wave runners, water skis, and wakeboards. Make lasting memories with the family out on the lake.

If you are not ready to go home, spend an extra day on the beach at the nearby Pacific Ocean in the seaside village of Bodega Bay and find hotels and lodging in Bodega Bay.