Why this matters

Sonoma County’s parks and open spaces are home to distinct ecosystems that host rare, threatened, and endangered species. With hundreds of thousands of visitors to our redwood forests, coastal prairies, rivers, estuaries, and beaches each year; even the smallest negative impacts can add up to significant adverse effects to our biodiverse natural environments.

Additionally, our rivers and ocean claim lives every year, so we implore visitors to keep the Sonoma County Leave No Trace Seven Principles in mind, particularly where safety is concerned.

Why this matters

Sonoma County is large (more than a million acres in size), and with over 425 wineries within our borders, there is no shortage of amazing vineyards to explore. But Sonoma County is so much more than wine. From our Pacific Coastline & Sea Villages to our Redwoods & Rivers, to our Valleys & Vineyards, amazing diverse experiences await those willing to venture off the beaten path.

Download the Sonoma County App to discover countless restaurants, wineries, hotels, events, activities, and experiences throughout all of Sonoma County.

Why this matters

Approximately three quarters of Sonoma County tourism businesses are small, with fewer than 25 employees. By spending your money at small locally owned businesses, you are enhancing the vibrancy of the community and maximizing your positive impact to the local economy. You can find guidance on locally and minority-owned businesses below.

Locally Grown
Local LGBTQ-Owned Businesses To Support in Sonoma County
40 Black-Owned Businesses in Sonoma County
7 Women-Owned Businesses in Sonoma County
Hispanic Businesses, Wineries and Restaurants in Sonoma County

Why this matters

At the core of Responsible Travel is a commitment to maximizing positive impacts to a destination you visit. One powerful means of doing so is through “voluntourism” or volunteer tourism. The act of donating a few hours of your time is the most personal way of leaving a destination better than you found it. We invite you to explore our curated list of volunteer opportunities and encourage you to consider incorporating voluntourism into your Sonoma County experience.

Why this matters

Long before we became known as Wine Country, Sonoma County was home to thousands of Native Americans, including those of the Pomo, Miwok, and Wappo tribes. And despite mass displacement, humiliation, illness, and death at the hands of European and American colonists, Native American cultures and presence persist in modern-day Sonoma County.

We encourage you to Learn More about Native American Heritage in Sonoma County, and invite you to join us in respectfully acknowledging the Indigenous peoples who have been stewarding and maintaining their relationship on this land as knowledge keepers for millennia.

Why this matters

We invite you to learn more about the tenets of sustainability, discover how Sonoma County is leading the way in sustainability and climate action, and access responsible travel resources.  You can even help our destination in its mission to reach carbon neutrality by offsetting the carbon emissions from your Sonoma County experience.