Sonoma County, California

Where vine meets table in California's wine country heartland

From Healdsburg's culinary scene to the Russian River Valley's premier vineyards, Sonoma County offers an intimate wine country experience where world-class vintages meet farm-to-table cuisine. Rolling hills dotted with ancient oaks frame family-owned wineries and artisan producers.

Best time to visit: September through November during harvest season

Best for: Wine tasting, Farm-to-table dining, Scenic drives

Where to eat in Sonoma County

SingleThread Japanese-Californian · Healdsburg · $$$$
World-class destination tasting menu Order: 11-course kaiseki menu - book months in advance.
Valette New American · Healdsburg · $$$
Seasonal and sophisticated Order: The duck and whatever's local on the vegetable menu.
The Girl & the Fig Provencal French · Sonoma Plaza · $$$
Romantic wine-country bistro Order: Frisee salad with lardons and the country pate.
Farmhouse Inn Restaurant California French · Forestville · $$$$
Michelin-starred wine country inn Order: Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit - the iconic triple preparation.
Underwood Bar & Bistro Casual Wine Country · Graton · $$
Relaxed and genuinely local Order: Charcuterie board and the house Gruyere fondue.
Bravas Bar de Tapas Spanish Tapas · Healdsburg · $$
Lively Spanish wine bar Order: Patatas bravas, jamon iberico, and a glass of Txakoli.
Ramen Gaijin Japanese Ramen · Sebastopol · $$
Creative ramen in farm country Order: The tonkotsu and the seasonal tsukemen.
Central Market Farm-to-Table · Petaluma · $$$
Petaluma's finest table Order: The seasonal menu prix fixe and anything from the local farms.
Rosso Pizzeria & Wine Bar Wood-Fired Pizza · Santa Rosa · $$
Lively neighborhood pizza spot Order: Fennel sausage pizza and the wine-by-the-glass program.
Boon Eat + Drink Casual Californian · Guerneville · $$
Russian River valley neighborhood anchor Order: Seasonal salads and the house burger with local beef.
El Molino Central Authentic Mexican · Boyes Hot Springs · $
Honest Sonoma Valley Mexican Order: Carnitas plate with handmade tortillas and the chile verde.
Shed Cafe / Fermented Foods · Healdsburg · $$
Healdsburg's fermentation-forward cafe Order: Grain bowl with fermented vegetables and the house shrub drinks.

Neighborhoods

Healdsburg — Sophisticated small town with culinary excellence Best for Fine dining and premium wine tasting. Don't miss: Strolling the historic plaza and browsing boutique tasting rooms
Sebastopol — Artsy, bohemian community with apple orchards Best for Quirky shops and farm-to-table restaurants. Don't miss: The Barlow marketplace featuring local artisans and food producers
Sonoma — Historic wine country town with California's largest town square Best for Wine history and charming plaza atmosphere. Don't miss: Sonoma Mission and the historic adobe buildings around the plaza
Santa Rosa — Urban hub with diverse dining and cultural attractions Best for Museums, craft breweries, and varied cuisine. Don't miss: Railroad Square Historic District with antique shops and restaurants

Things to do

Russian River Valley Wine Trail Wine tasting — Explore over 60 wineries along scenic backroads through premier Pinot Noir and Chardonnay territory Tip: Start in Sebastopol and work your way north to avoid traffic
Sonoma Plaza Historic Walking Tour Cultural — Explore California's largest town square featuring 19th-century adobe buildings and the historic Sonoma Mission Tip: Pick up the self-guided tour map at the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau
Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve Outdoor — Walk among ancient coast redwoods, some over 1,400 years old, just minutes from wine country Tip: Take the Pioneer Nature Trail for the most impressive old-growth trees
Healdsburg Farmers Market Local culture — Saturday market featuring local produce, artisan foods, and live music on the historic plaza Tip: Arrive early for the best selection of seasonal produce
Canoe Russian River Outdoor — Paddle the gentle Russian River through vineyards and redwood groves from Healdsburg to Guerneville Tip: Burke's Canoe Trips provides shuttle service back to your car
Safari West African Wildlife Preserve Unique experience — African safari experience in Sonoma with giraffes, zebras, and cheetahs roaming 400-acre preserve Tip: Book the overnight glamping experience for dawn wildlife encounters

Drinks and nightlife

Williams Selyem Winery — Legendary Pinot Noir specialist
Kosta Browne Winery Winery — Intimate tasting room
Ridge Vineyards Winery — Historic mountain winery
Spoonbar Cocktail bar — Sophisticated hotel bar
Russian River Brewing Company Brewery — Local craft beer institution

Hidden gems

Occidental Bohemian Highway — Winding redwood-lined road connecting tiny towns with hidden tasting rooms
Freestone Artisan Cheese — Small-batch goat cheese made on a scenic coastal ranch
Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary — Unique cedar enzyme bath treatments in a Japanese-inspired garden setting
Iron Horse Vineyards — Hilltop sparkling wine producer with panoramic valley views

Annual events in Sonoma County

Healdsburg Jazz Festival Early June · Healdsburg Plaza
World-class jazz on the plaza and in intimate Sonoma venues - a long weekend of top-tier performances.
Pinot Days Sonoma Late June · Russian River Valley
The county's signature Pinot Noir tasting event with 60+ producers pouring from barrel and bottle.
Gravenstein Apple Fair Mid-August · Ragle Ranch Park, Sebastopol
A harvest celebration of Sonoma's beloved Gravenstein apple - cider flights, orchard tours, and farm vendors.
Sonoma Wine Country Weekend Labor Day Weekend · Various venues, Healdsburg & Sonoma
Three days of winemaker dinners, barrel tastings, and auctions benefiting local charities.
Butter & Egg Days Late April · Downtown Petaluma
A beloved Petaluma tradition - a playful parade and community celebration of the city's farming heritage.
Russian River Beer Revival June · Russian River Brewing, Santa Rosa
An annual release event and gathering of craft beer fans centered on Russian River's legendary seasonal releases.
Sonoma International Film Festival March · Sonoma Plaza area
Five days of world cinema, filmmaker panels, and outdoor screenings in historic Sonoma.
Bear Republic Beer Fest August · Rohnert Park
An outdoor celebration of craft beer from Bear Republic and regional breweries, with food trucks and live music.