From cozy winter celebrations to sun-soaked summer festivals, every season brings a reason to celebrate in Sonoma County. Throughout the year, Wine Country transforms holidays into unforgettable experiences. Where farm-to-table feasts, world-class wines, scenic vineyard settings, and small-town charm create the perfect backdrop for gathering with friends and family. Whether you’re planning a romantic Valentine’s escape, a festive Fourth of July getaway, harvest season traditions, or a peaceful holiday retreat, Sonoma County offers meaningful ways to celebrate every moment in Wine Country.
Holiday Season
Sonoma County hotels help guests and visitors get into the festive spirit with special events, treats and holiday decor. Below are five properties that take it to the next level. Hotel Petaluma, Petaluma Every year, Hotel Petaluma decorates its courtyard with Christmas trees and festive lights. The hotel also hosts a gingerbread house showcase and…
Holiday Season
Looking to celebrate the holidays with loved ones at a Sonoma County winery or restaurant? You’re in luck! Many of our establishments not only welcome guests but offer special menus and pairings on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day – as well as throughout Hanukkah. Just be sure to call…
Thanksgiving
Fall is always a vibrant time in Sonoma Wine Country, with eye-popping colors across the landscape, seasonal shopping, world-famous wine tasting, and special Thanksgiving events and meals. It’s also a wonderful time to find seasonal deals on activities and overnight stays. Think about relaxing and enjoying a stress-free Thanksgiving dinner in Sonoma Wine Country! What…
Holiday Season
Sonoma County will celebrate the Jewish Festival of Lights with a variety of traditional — and not so traditional — events and culinary treats. Here’s what’s in store. Hanukkah, The Jewish Festival of Lights, is observed over eight days and nights, and there are a variety of ways to take part in the celebration and…
Father's Day
A tie may be nice, but quality time spent with Dad can make Father’s Day a true celebration. Plan an activity, try something new or take him to your favorite spot. Many Sonoma County wineries host special events with Dad in mind, from car shows and ballgames to Dad-approved pairings. And don’t forget about the…
Shopping
From hands-on culinary classes to world-renowned Michelin-starred dining experiences and gourmet subscriptions, this list of gift ideas for foodies is sure to delight the passionate gourmand in your life. Cooking Classes Experiences make the best memories, and therefore, also make fantastic gifts. For foodies and aspiring chefs, no experience is quite as hands-on as…
Shopping
Selecting a gift for a wine lover can be difficult. Especially if they already have a full wine rack and a dozen wine club memberships. However, this Sonoma County gift guide for wine lovers is here to help you beat “gifter’s block” and find the perfect gift. From gift cards for wine shops and wine…
Shopping
Is there someone in your life who is a craft spirit lover or aspiring spirit connoisseur? Look no further than Sonoma County for a creative gift to please even the most persnickety. From spirit club memberships and cocktail kits to high-end and gift-worthy bottles, this list is sure to serve up some gift-giving inspiration. Of…
Holiday Season
Nothing tugs at a Swede’s gastronomic heart strings like glögg at a winter gathering. Just the thought of this Nordic version of mulled wine — scents of cinnamon, cardamom and cloves wafting through the house — can bring a tear to an expatriate’s eye. Next to the joys of a midsummer celebration, the winter glögg party…
Holiday Season
Time to shop at Sonoma County’s many wonderful holiday craft fairs! Whether it’s Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa, Sonoma’s artisans sell precious handmade presents, from fluffy-soft sweaters to homemade confections, and whimsical knickknacks to vineyards’ worth of wine souvenirs. For more inspiration, visit our Holidays page. Winter Wonderland, Gualala Gualala Arts Center‘s Winter Wonderland celebration is…
Trip Itineraries
These last few dramatic years, two life lessons have become especially important: Don’t wait to do the things you really want to do, and spend as much time as possible with the people who matter most. Put these two together, and you and your dad (or favorite dad figure) are halfway to that Sonoma County road trip you’ve…
Food & Wine
What’s better than a hike in the green hills? A hike in the green hills, followed by fresh sticky buns or warm apple turnovers! Below are eight excellent hikes plus brunches in Sonoma County. Hazel Hill at the Montage Healdsburg A grand outing: Explore the 155-acre Healdsburg Ridge Open Space Preserve, then make your way to the Montage Healdsburg via…
Trip Itineraries
These last few dramatic years, two life lessons have become especially important: Don’t wait to do the things you really want to do, and spend as much time as possible with the people who matter most. Put these two together, and you and your mom (or favorite mom figure) are halfway to that Sonoma County road…
Holiday Season
Embrace the season’s magic in Sonoma County, where vineyards and redwoods become the backdrop for a unique blend of holiday cheer. Join us on a journey through the heart of this picturesque region, where joy is uncorked and memories are crafted with every twinkling light. Say Hello to Santa In Wine Country, Santa sure knows…
Trip Itineraries
Guys’ getaways are great for enjoying time with friends, and Sonoma County, California, is the perfect place for fun. Why? With one million-plus acres from ocean to mountains, there’s lots to do, like kayaking, hiking, zip-lining, fishing, and golfing! In addition to the famous wineries and food, Sonoma County is also home to many craft breweries,…
Holiday Season
Spending the holidays in Sonoma Wine Country is a wonderland of lights and cheer. Each city and town is decked out for the holidays, and many magical events and activities await visitors of all ages. These are some of Sonoma County’s best holiday celebrations and tree lightings to help you ring in the season! For…
Food & Wine
If you’re still hunkering down at home this season, or are looking for safe ways to spread a little holiday cheer, a growing list of Sonoma County distilleries are mixing up some of their best drinks and delivering them right to the doorstep. Kits contain everything you—or the lucky recipient —need to mix delicious drinks…
Food & Wine
Give the gift of Sonoma County with a membership to a seasonal subscription box from local artisans that just keeps on giving throughout the year. While Sonoma County is known for wine, and there are a myriad of ways to receive wine throughout the year, there are also many other culinary products to explore. Cheese, spirits,…
Holiday Season
The holidays in Sonoma County are filled with fun things to do. For starters, Thanksgiving in Sonoma County is a season bursting with fresh goodies to taste, sip, and share. Not only are shops and wineries decked out for the holidays in Sonoma County, but there’s also an array of feel-good events to get everyone…
Holiday Season
‘Tis the holiday season! Include Sonoma County in your holiday celebrations by giving gifts of amazing local experiences — from meals to adventures — as well as wine, spirits, food, and wellness products made right here in our gorgeous corner of Northern California. From our Sonoma County home to yours, Happy Holidays! Find the Perfect…
Holiday Season
From holiday office parties to holiday family meals and, at long last, New Year’s Eve, the holidays call for Champagne and sparkling wine. But what is the difference? Sonoma County sparkling wine is made by the same method — méthode champenoise — as that famous fizz from France, but the title “Champagne” legally belongs to…
Locally Grown
Even when you can’t be in Sonoma County, it’s still possible to enjoy it at home — thanks to the many food and beverage products that have their roots (literally or figuratively) in this lush region. Maybe you visited Sonoma County recently, traversing forested back roads, exploring tidal pools, hiking rugged trails, or touring wineries in…
Holiday Season
Blink, and before you know it, the holidays will be here again. The season comes with the joy of giving and receiving gifts, but first there’s the fun of finding them. Shopping is particularly joyous in Sonoma County, because while we do have a few great malls, our focus is on quaint town squares and…
Restaurants
There’s something simultaneously civilized and relaxing about Sunday brunch. It’s the best of breakfast and the best of lunch, and often in Sonoma County, there’s some lovely sparkling wine and cocktails involved. Here are our three choices for the best of the, um, brunch: Girl & the Fig, Sonoma In the last few years, this…
Thanksgiving
The key spice in a Thanksgiving feast is variety, and the diverse viticultural regions of Sonoma Wine Country provide everything you might need. If you’re the one tasked with making the holiday wine choices, you’ll feel thankful for this rundown of top Sonoma County wine pairings for Thanksgiving. Pinot Noir Truly Reliable Paired with Turkey, Dressing, and All…
Holiday Season
When there’s a chill in the air, there’s a warm welcome at Sonoma County’s wine-tasting rooms. The hospitality of Wine Country is a great pairing with the holiday season: A place to linger awhile and join in on free-flowing conversation, all while sipping wine. Gifts abound, even for the non-wine lovers on your list. And even…
Lodging
In wintertime, cuddling with your honey at a Sonoma Wine Country inn, lodge, or resort is especially cozy. Staying near the coast or mountains, luxuriating by a fireplace in cushy robes with a bottle of Sonoma County wine, is a relaxing, rewarding gift to you both! Here are some of our favorite Sonoma hotels to get snuggly…
Outdoor/Nature
Along with beautiful mountains, meadows, redwood forests, and the Pacific Ocean coast, you can also enjoy a scenic lakeside adventure in Sonoma County, California. These Sonoma County parks offer a serene lake for picnicking, walking, hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and taking in the scenery. For more “lake life,” enjoy a memorable camping vacation at…
Golf
Like a well-structured Cabernet, golf just keeps getting better in Sonoma County, California. For golfers who want a little wine with their tee, here is a three-day itinerary that showcases golf with special attractions unique to Sonoma Wine Country. Golf in Sonoma County offers fantastic off-the-fairway diversions, a stunning natural setting, and a mild climate that…
Girls Getaways
It’s time to smell the roses. Sonoma County gardens beckon with special events, tours, and promises of abundance. Together, we can protect and preserve the beauty and natural resources of Sonoma County for generations to come. Check out our page on Sustainable Travel, and look over the Leave No Trace Seven Principles. Here’s a quick list of…
Trip Itineraries
Mother’s Day comes but once a year, so why not make it really special with a Sonoma Wine Country excursion? Treating Mom to a getaway is a gift to yourself, too, because this mini-vacation is filled with inspiring places and sights sure to delight. Perfect any time of the year, enjoy this handy itinerary for…
Mother's Day
Yes, to traditional Mother’s Day brunch and flowers, but for extra fun, why not think outside the box, like gardens, wineries, and delicious treats? Give mom (and you!) a memory you’ll both cherish in Sonoma Wine Country. More more inspiration on how to make Mother’s Day weekend extra special, including upcoming events, check out our…
Fourth of July
Get away this summer with this colorful Fourth of July adventure in California’s Wine Country – four days of fun and frolic with multiple chances to watch fireworks in Sonoma County. With Fourth of July parties, barbecues, camping, and traditional summer gatherings at the beach, you’ll want to pack in as many days as you can. This…
Valentine's Day
Romance is in full swing in Sonoma Wine Country with many imaginative events and activities for celebrating your loved one. Take a look at romantic resorts and hotels in Sonoma County, check out our special holiday events, and browse the collection of festive activities below. For more inspiration, visit our Romantic Getaways page. Taste with…
Fourth of July
From parades and picnics to legendary fireworks and quirky events—like a “duck dash” in downtown Healdsburg—Life Opens Up in Sonoma County for Independence Day. Here are some of the area’s top Fourth of July events and firework displays. Sonoma’s Hometown Fourth of July Starting with mimosas at 8 a.m. and ending with a vibrant, 45-minute…
Girls Getaways
Food, wine, and adventure await on a girls’ getaway to the lush Sonoma Valley, tucked between mountain ranges in the heart of Sonoma Wine County. Here is a helpful itinerary with a few days of must-see fun stuff and relaxing. Groups often find that a limo or mini-bus is a fun way to roll, and…
Trip Itineraries
It’s not just the girls who like relaxing and enjoying time with friends. Whether your group craves action or a chance to chill, Sonoma Wine Country offers a wide variety of options for a guys’ getaway. Here’s a quick list of 10 must-do Sonoma County experiences. (For bachelor-party inspiration, check out this Local’s Guide to…
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