The Sonoma County wine region is a part of the famous California Wine Country, close to San Francisco and the Napa Valley. The Sonoma Valley offers authentic California wine tasting experiences, great weather and friendly staff.
Sonoma County is a perfect place for wine lovers, people searching for soothing relaxation and romantic ambiance. It’s conveniently located 30 miles north of San Francisco and and also has an airport located at Santa Rosa.
Sonoma County covers 1,575 square miles including about 1,00,000 acres of lush wine growing land. With over 200 award winning wineries and about 60 miles of Pacific coastline, the majestic Russian river, golf courses, museums, shopping, botanical gardens, galleries, camping locations, bike & hiking trails and diverse festivals all year round, Sonoma County is a place you will definitely want to visit.
Sonoma has 5 distinct wine-growing districts: Los Carneros District, Sonoma Valley, Russian River Valley, Dry Creek Valley, and Alexander Valley, with small towns in each. You will find premium quality wines of both white and red, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pino, Syrah, Zinfandel, Shiraz and special wines exclusive to certain vineyards.
Winery hospitality staff are knowledgeable, friendly and eager to discuss the wines and how they were made. Winery tours take visitors behind the scenes to barrel rooms, crush pads, bottling lines, cellars and caves. You will find vineyards all around the county, so just driving through the countryside is very pleasant and relaxing.
Attractions and Activities
* Wine county Ballooning: On US Hwy 101, Airport Blvd exit from Kal’s Kaffe Mocha.
* Point Arena Lighthouse and Museum, 115 ft tall and steel-reinforced concrete lighthouse opened in 1908.
* Luther Burbank Home and Gardens: Life and work of the horticulturist who introduced 800 varieties of flowers, fruits, and nuts.
* Fort Ross State Historic Park: The site of the trading post and fort established by the Russians in 1812.
* Train Ride: On Santa Rosa 12, a 20-minute steam train ride through a forested railroad park past scaled down reproductions of buildings and waterfalls.
* Being so close to San Francisco you may also consider visiting the Golden Gate Bridge, Pier 39, Alcatraz, China Town and the famous Crooked Street of downtown San Francisco.
* Napa County, which is also a very famous vineyard community, is located just east of Sonoma County. Activities there include wine tasting, ballooning, and visiting a petrified forest.
Weather
Sonoma County has wet, mild winters and warm, dry summers. Summer evenings are mostly cool. The best time to visit, when there is both decent weather and smaller crowds, is in November or February to March. Wineries are most quiet from December through March.
Getting There
Sonoma County has its own airport in Santa Rosa, but most people prefer arriving at San Francisco Airport and then drive north. Oakland airport is also close. There are shuttle buses (Airporter Express) directly from airports to the county.
Recommended Tours:
Wine Country Tours
Exclusive Alcatraz at Night Tour
