Restaurants and Picnic Spots with a View: Sunsets, Vineyards and the Ocean

Dining in Sonoma County, California, offers more than great food and wine — it can also come with stunning views. Experience an unforgettable sunset over the Pacific Ocean, picnic above hillside vineyards, or dine al fresco under redwood trees.

Whether you get picnic provisions from a Sonoma County market or reserve a restaurant table with a view, you’ll find dining options with special vistas to fit any budget. Here are a few of the best places to dine with an excellent view in Sonoma County Wine Country.

Gorgeous Picnic Spots in Sonoma County

Elevate your picnic experience with the special touches available from the experts at Picnic Potential. They will take care of setting up and preparation at your preferred spot, so you can relax and enjoy a picture-perfect, comfortable, and easy event. Themes are available for celebrations, team building, and more.

Bring a picnic for this pastoral (dog-friendly!) spot where you’re invited to wander and linger at BobDog Wines & Sky Pine Vineyards in Cloverdale. A sturdy vehicle will handle the partly gravel roads to Sonoma County’s highest elevation winery, soaring 2,000 feet above Alexander Valley. Winemaker Tim Ward and his wife, Kandy Ward, invite you to enjoy a hiking tour through the vines, where you can spot miniature horses, mini-mules, and the winery dog. Savor Old Vine Zinfandel, Mountain Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon.

On a clear day, you can see forever, and most days are clear at the South Lake Trailhead at Lake Sonoma Recreation Area in Geyserville. This overlook area and the trailhead have nice picnic areas with great views of Lake Sonoma in one direction and scenic Dry Creek Valley in the other.

Stop at the Dry Creek General Store in Healdsburg, a popular place for lunch for locals and visitors. Established in 1881, this store now operates as a gourmet deli and food shop, as well as a tableware and gift boutique. If you’re too hungry to wait, enjoy your food on the store’s long front porch overlooking the vineyard. 

Or bring your nibbles to Halleck Vineyard in Sebastopol, where owner Ross Halleck is known to break out artisan cheeses, hand-made-Pinot-infused chocolates, and fresh breads. Set 900 feet up a remote hillside, the tasting room in his giant, window-clad home offers views as delicious as his snacks and wines. Enjoy tastes of Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, and Dry Gewurztraminer on the back deck overlooking neighboring vines and horses, or on the front deck next to the vineyard. Appointments are a must.

Another spot to enjoy lunch is the Vista Terrace at Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards in the town of Sonoma, nestled in the picturesque Carneros wine region. Gaze over sun-drenched estate vineyards while sipping a glass of sparkling wine, perfectly paired with seasonal bites.

Also in the town of Sonoma is Viansa Sonoma, which offers a large terrace overlooking the valley. Perfect for larger families and groups, this winery offers ample parking and a fantastic onsite deli with an assortment of fabulous salads, artisan breads, pastries, and wine.

Scenic Restaurants With Views in Sonoma County Wine County

Discover these Sonoma County Wine Country Restaurants with stunning views.

Find awe-inspiring ocean views at River’s End Restaurant & Inn on the Sonoma Coast in Jenner. Perched on a bluff overlooking the mouth of the Russian River as it enters the Pacific Ocean, River’s End serves up lunch and dinner with beautiful views and spectacular sunsets. During the day, it’s often possible to watch seal pups play and sleep on the beach below. Delicious menus feature international influence and fresh Sonoma County ingredients.

Everything tastes better with a stunning sunset on the Bay at Drakes in Bodega Bay. The ocean is right before your eyes, as you enjoy fresh catch and seasonal specialties. Sipping a glass of wine or cocktail in front of the outdoor fire pits is an extra slice of heaven. Located at the Lodge at Bodega Bay, Drakes is open to the public for breakfast and dinner. The restaurant celebrates the local bounty of Sonoma County’s spectacular coastal region with sustainably sourced ingredients.

Also in Bodega Bay, The Boat House is small and hugely popular, with a handful of tables inside and on the little porch overlooking the water. Boathouse owner Captain Rick Powers catches his own rock cod and crab in the ocean right outside this seaside shanty’s door. Order at the counter for really good food in plastic baskets lined with red-and-white checkered paper, made to order by friendly chefs at the grill. Mouthwatering favorites include just-shucked oysters, fish ‘n’ chips, clam chowder, crab cake sandwiches, salmon burgers, and fried prawns and scallops.

On the Bodega Bay waterfront, Tides Wharf Restaurant knows its way around superb seafood. Set on the waterfront across the street from the Inn at the Tides, the place is also a fish market and wholesale seafood business. Stock up on fresh foods for your own sunset beach picnic, or take a seat in the airy, casual dining room for oysters Florentine, crab cakes, hot or cold whole-cracked crab, linguine with clams, or zesty cioppino. The setting sun streams in through the windows, bathing everything in romantic light.

Enjoy spectacular views of the Alexander Valley countryside from the outdoor patio at the Quail Run Buffet at the River Rock Casino in Geyserville. Located on the Dry Creek Rancheria of Pomo Indians, the restaurant overlooks sweeping views of vineyards quilting their way to the river, along the valley’s mountain edge. Discover full-course, moderately priced, and international-inspired offerings, including special brunch days and other delectable buffet themes.

Rustic at the Francis Ford Coppola Winery in Geyserville offers fabulous vineyard views in a relaxing winery resort atmosphere. Sit on the patio overlooking the gentle rolling hills while sipping wines from one of Hollywood’s famous directors. Dine on a menu featuring international and traditional Italian dishes, with an emphasis on family-style cooking and seasonal ingredients.

Enjoy these scenic spots for pairing wonderful food with amazing views in Sonoma County Wine Country. For more, check the complete listing of Sonoma County wineries and restaurants, or find your favorite picnic spot at one of over 50 state and regional parks in Sonoma County.