Sonoma County, Napa Valley’s larger neighbor to the west, is a delightful choice for a visit to Northern California. It is twice as large as Napa, and made up of 30 incorporated and unincorporated towns and over 425 wineries. The sheer vastness and diversity of the area, from the mountains to the coast, is enough to make any visitor’s head spin, not to mention around 60 grape varieties grown. But where to start?
There is something for everyone in Sonoma, but sometimes there are too many choices. We’ve narrowed down itineraries for four of the towns to help with your Sonoma planning. But this is just the tip of the iceberg. You’ll want to come back again and again to experience everything this magnificent area can offer.
SONOMA
For the newbie ready to learn
Sonoma is the county’s namesake town with nearly 30,000 inhabitants. One of its draws is its bustling town square downtown, aptly named Sonoma Square, which is California’s largest, with high-end tasting rooms, restaurants, and boutique hotels surrounding it. The large park in the center of the square plays host to local bands, winemakers, restaurateurs, and caterers hoping to garner more excitement about the fruits of their labor.
But away from the Square, attractions also abound. For instance, FolkTable, a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant that touts seasonally inspired, fresh fare, is pleasing all manner of palates, including the discerning palates of your furry friends. Their pet menu is as much a draw as their human one. And after a satisfying meal, a restful sleep at the El Dorado Hotel is just the ticket to help rejuvenate you for your next day’s fun-filled adventures.
To taste: The Donum Estate and Bedrock Wine Co.
SEBASTOPOL & FORESTVILLE
For the ones who like to be different
Once known for apple growing, Sebastopol is now an artsy, epicurean enclave that has come into its own in recent years. The Barlow, an open-air marketplace district, is partially to thank for this. The myriad tasting rooms, wineries, and well-received eateries inside are the heartbeat of the town. Restaurants outside of The Barlow have garnered acclaim. Both Ramen Gaijin and Khom Loi, a Japanese and Thai eatery, respectively, have been recognized as Bib Gourmands—and they’re owned by the same team. Atmosphere plays a major role in the restaurants’ appeal—almost as much as the food—with Japanese-style counter seating at Ramen Gaijin and airy ceilings with lanterns at Khom Loi.
In Forestville, just a short drive from Sebastopol, the vibe is a bit different. Things are a bit quieter here, making it a prudent choice for a bit of a respite. The Farmhouse Inn is a boutique accommodation set on six acres with 25 rooms, suites, and cottages. The decor practically begs you to rest, as rooms are kitted out in calming grays and neutral hues with fireplaces and a post-and-beam structure. The eponymous restaurant is similarly styled, with an emphasis on fresh California cuisine.
To taste: Kosta Browne Winery, PAX Wines, Iron Horse Vineyards
HEALDSBURG
For the luxury, design-focused traveler
Apart from the town of Sonoma, Healdsburg is perhaps the most bustling town in all of Sonoma County. Like Sonoma, it is centered around a square, where tasting rooms like Aeris, a Sicilian-Californian hybrid winery, hold court.
You might think of Healdsburg as the land of plenty in Sonoma, as many of Northern California’s Michelin Stars can be found here as well as the most luxurious accommodations. The Two MICHELIN Key hotel, Montage Healdsburg, is the newest kid on the block, set amongst 250 acres of lush, forested, and vineyard land. As of April 2024, the hotel produces its own wines, made by acclaimed Sonoma winemaker Jesse Katz of Aperture Cellars. Only hotel guests and visitors to the property can access this exclusive wine. Then there’s The Madrona, an 18th-century manor that has been awarded Two MICHELIN Keys and has received the Jay Jeffers treatment: plush sofas, an abundance of color, mixed textiles, and gold and marble all over. The hotel itself is split among three buildings—the manor, cottage-style bungalows, and a carriage house—and you can’t go wrong with any of them. The accompanying restaurant, also called The Madrona, offers tried-and-true classics like Liberty Farms duck breast, chicken, a great wine list, and craft cocktails.
If neither appeal to you, reserve and head to Healdsburg’s temple of gastronomy, SingleThread. The Three MICHELIN Star and Green Star restaurant and its accompanying Three MICHELIN Key, five-room SingleThread Inn have redefined fine dining in Sonoma County. Husband-and-wife team Kyle and Katina Connaughton outdid themselves with the space and the restaurant.
After your multicourse meal, you’ll wake up to an extravagant SingleThread breakfast in bed to set you up for a great start to your day.
To taste: Flowers Winery & Vineyard, Jordan Winery & Vineyard, Gary Farrell Winery
Hero image: Montage Healdsburg
