Located in the heart of California Wine Country, the captivating town of Sonoma is a favorite destination to experience the rich tradition of winemaking and California’s fascinating history. One of the most well-known cities in Sonoma County, Sonoma is celebrated for its world-class vineyards, historic charm, and relaxed atmosphere. Surrounded by rolling hills and lush vineyards, this quaint yet sophisticated town attracts wine enthusiasts, food lovers, and those seeking a serene getaway in a quintessential Northern California setting.
Sonoma was the site of the Bear Flag Revolt, when Californians declared their independence from Mexico. Visit landmarks like the preserved Mission San Francisco Solano, the last Spanish-Mexican mission built in California, and the Sonoma Barracks, as well as the nearby historic home of General Vallejo.
Taste wine at California’s oldest wineries, Buena Vista and Gundlach-Bundschu. Stroll the Sonoma Plaza, an 8-acre town square and the largest in California, to find a historic theater, restaurants, and abundant wine tasting opportunities. Discover art galleries, craft brew pubs, and the famous Fairmont Mission Inn & Spa, where ancient hot springs naturally enrich the resort’s soaking pools, steam room, and saunas.
There are many great opportunities to taste Pinot Noir in Sonoma – the City of Sonoma, that is, the historic…
During your time in San Francisco, remember it’s just an easy jaunt to experience a taste of California’s famous Sonoma…
The charming town of Sonoma boasts the largest plaza of its kind in California, ringed with charming shops, restaurants, and…
One of the most historic cities in California is the town of Sonoma, nestled in scenic Sonoma Wine Country. The…
It’s called ‘Carneros Sonoma,’ and it’s one of the more secret wine regions of Sonoma Valley. One of the best-known destinations…
Food, wine, travel, and adventure await on a girls’ getaway to the lush Sonoma Valley, tucked between two mountain ranges…
Immerse yourself in the Wine Country lifestyle in the small town of Sonoma, which takes good wine, good food, the…
If you’re visiting the town of Sonoma, don’t miss the opportunity to sample just-off-the-farm veggies and fruits, along with delicious…
American men’s magazine Esquire published its 15th annual “best bars in America” list this week, highlighting “places that managed to remain intrinsic…
It’s no secret that you can drink well in Sonoma wine country. The area boasts an impressive number of grape…
Wineries and Wine Tasting in Sonoma, California
Sojourn Cellars in Sonoma, California
At the southeastern end of Sonoma County, the small city of Sonoma, California sits within one of the best wine regions in the United States, the Sonoma Valley AVA (American Viticultural Area). This is the birthplace of Sonoma County winemaking, with grapevines first planted in 1825. Sonoma’s roughly 80 wineries include America’s oldest commercial winery, Buena Vista Winery. The 17-mile-long Sonoma Valley AVA encompasses portions of several sub-regions, including Carneros AVA, Sonoma Mountain AVA, and the Moon Mountain District AVA, and is known for premium Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Zinfandel, and Pinot Noir. Ideal vineyard conditions in the Sonoma Valley AVA region include mountain peaks; a mix of volcanic, alluvial, and sandy soils; and an overall Mediterranean climate – warmed by the sun in its inland valleys and cooled by southern breezes off San Pablo Bay.
Many Sonoma Valley wineries are found in the countryside along Highways 12, 121, and 116, with a stunning backdrop of mountains, vineyards, and rolling hills. You may want to go tasting by bike, or book a wine tour.
Sonoma Plaza wine tasting in downtown Sonoma is a more compact experience, with winery tasting rooms and wine bars set within mere blocks of each other. Some of the best places to taste Pinot in Sonoma are located in the Plaza, including WALT Sonoma and Sojourn Cellars. The winery tasting rooms for both Bedrock Wine Co. and Three Sticks Wines are set in 19th-century landmarks, and the Sonoma Court Shops complex is known as “Vine Alley” both for its tasting rooms and its jasmine-draped archways. Wine bars around the Plaza range from the chic, all-bubbly Sigh to the cozy, globally focused Enoteca Della Santina.
Things to Do
Sonoma may be best known for its wine scene, but there’s a ton of other things to do in this scenic and historic town, from outdoor recreation to boutique shopping, spas, art, and kids’ activities. Need a place to start? Check out five fun things to do in Sonoma, or explore our entire guide to the Sonoma Valley.
Near Sonoma Plaza, you might go see contemporary, regional art at the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art, get a day pass to the hot springs pools at the Fairmont Spa, or go shopping at Williams Sonoma in the town of Sonoma, which began here in 1956 as the cookware section of a local hardware store. Kids’ attractions in Sonoma include TrainTown, where you can ride a quarter-scale railroad to a miniature town.
The whole family can explore California history in downtown’s Sonoma State Historic Park, home to early 19th-century landmarks like the Mission San Francisco Solano and a year-round roster of tours, hikes, and concerts. Two other Sonoma County State Parks are within a 30-minute drive of Sonoma Plaza: Jack London State Historic Park, where you can hike or go horseback riding around the famous author’s former ranch, and the almost 4,000-acre Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, with 25 miles of hiking trails. Getting to the beach from Sonoma is easy too, as both Bodega Bay and Jenner are within an hour’s drive.
Where to Eat in Sonoma
the girl & the fig, Sonoma
The restaurant scene in Sonoma is one of the best in Sonoma County – and even all of Northern California. Several of the top restaurants in Sonoma are right on or near Sonoma Plaza, including the Michelin Bib Gourmand-listed Valley Bar and Bottle and longtime favorite the girl & the fig. Cuisines here range around the globe, from Mexican to Italian, Portuguese, Basque and more. Restaurants here often source their meat and produce locally, as the town is surrounded by Sonoma farms and farmers’ markets, and Sonoma’s delicious farm-to-table food can be paired with a wide variety of locally produced wines, from Cabernet Sauvignon to Pinot Noir.
Getting to Sonoma
The Northern California city of Sonoma is set within the Sonoma Valley, at the southeastern end of Sonoma County. Downtown Sonoma (Sonoma Plaza) is about an hour’s drive north of Bay Area cities like San Francisco and Oakland, and a 24-minute drive east along Highway 12 from the city of Napa in the Napa Valley.
To take a day trip from San Francisco to Sonoma, you could either cross the Golden Gate Bridge and drive north on Highway 101, or cross the Bay Bridge and head north on Interstate 80; either way, you’ll skirt the gentle waters and breezy marshes of San Francisco Bay and San Pablo Bay, then take Highway 121 along the rolling vineyards of the Carneros wine region. The last leg of the trip is a few short miles on Highway 12, the main artery of Sonoma Valley Wine Country.
Thinking of flying to Sonoma? You’ll still likely need to rent a car or book a ride, as there’s no train or airport shuttle service to the town of Sonoma. The Sonoma Plaza is just over an hour’s drive from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) or Oakland International Airport (OAK), and a roughly 50-minute drive from Santa Rosa’s Sonoma County Airport (STS).
Where to Stay
Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa in the town of Sonoma, California
When you stay overnight in Sonoma, you have several options to consider. If you stay near Sonoma Plaza, you can walk to area restaurants, tasting rooms, bars and attractions, while staying in the Sonoma countryside means proximity to Sonoma Valley wineries, hiking trails, and destination dining. You might choose a casual option like Sonoma Creek Inn, an upscale resort like the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, one of the romantic B&Bs listed with Stay Sonoma Valley, or a vacation rental that feels like a second home. Vacation rentals in Sonoma often have gourmet kitchens and swimming pools, like the Modern Sonoma Farmhouse, and sometimes even fire pits and vineyard views, like Mission Highlands. Use our guide to find Sonoma lodging that works best for you!
Local Sonoma Businesses
139 Lounge
Sonoma
38 Degrees North
Sonoma
9 Oaks Retreat
Sonoma
A Modern Sonoma
Sonoma
A SVL Property: Prima
Sonoma
A Wine Country Vista
Sonoma
Allen Road Estate
Sonoma
Allikai Eatery
Sonoma
Anaba Wines
Sonoma
Angelo’s Wine Country Deli
Sonoma
Artefact Design & Salvage
Sonoma