Our favorite spots in Sonoma County
Sightseeing
A beautiful 1 hour walk around the old reservoir of Sonoma Developmental Center. Turn right on Harney, then park at the end and follow Railroad to the left. There's an unpaved road starting across the small parking lot past the pool, and this leads you up to the top. You can also park on the road just past the Berkland Bridge, and walk in on the main road.
The path goes around the whole lake, and the views are super pretty every time of year. This connects to the regional park, which has some of the best trails. This is generally a really quiet place, very uncrowded on weekday afternoons.
Suttonfield Lake
A beautiful 1 hour walk around the old reservoir of Sonoma Developmental Center. Turn right on Harney, then park at the end and follow Railroad to the left. There's an unpaved road starting across the small parking lot past the pool, and this leads you up to the top. You can also park on the road just past the Berkland Bridge, and walk in on the main road.
The path goes around the whole lake, and the views are super pretty every time of year. This connects to the regional park, which has some of the best trails. This is generally a really quiet place, very uncrowded on weekday afternoons.
Our favorite beach, about a 1h20 drive, but worth it, especially when the weather is HOT in Sonoma! The drive to this beach is also gorgeous. You will not get any cell service after leaving Bodega Bay or Jenner so get directions ahead of time!
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Goat Rock Beach
Our favorite beach, about a 1h20 drive, but worth it, especially when the weather is HOT in Sonoma! The drive to this beach is also gorgeous. You will not get any cell service after leaving Bodega Bay or Jenner so get directions ahead of time!
HUGE beach with really nice parking area and bathrooms. Tends to get a little crowded on weekends but so pretty and very flat. Bring a picnic!
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Stinson Beach
HUGE beach with really nice parking area and bathrooms. Tends to get a little crowded on weekends but so pretty and very flat. Bring a picnic!
You can't come to Sonoma without heading to the plaza! A great spot to play games in the grass, have a beer (yes, this is allowed outside on the plaza) and hang out with a book.
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Sonoma Plaza
You can't come to Sonoma without heading to the plaza! A great spot to play games in the grass, have a beer (yes, this is allowed outside on the plaza) and hang out with a book.
Take the Bohemian Highway through Occidental, park in Monte Rio to rent kayaks and get out on the Russian River. If the weather allows and there's no algae bloom (check online ahead of time!) this is a must-do!
Especially on a hot, hot day, the river will feel amazing to jump in. There's a rope swing, and lots of wildlife. Try to arrive early though, as it can get super crowded on weekends.
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Monte Rio
Take the Bohemian Highway through Occidental, park in Monte Rio to rent kayaks and get out on the Russian River. If the weather allows and there's no algae bloom (check online ahead of time!) this is a must-do!
Especially on a hot, hot day, the river will feel amazing to jump in. There's a rope swing, and lots of wildlife. Try to arrive early though, as it can get super crowded on weekends.
Historical 1400 acre park with TONS of trails, and an ancient redwood you can hike to. You can also visit the Wolf House ruins of the 15000 square foot mansion that burned down in 1913 upon completion which is pretty cool.
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Jack London State Historic Park
2400 London Ranch RdHistorical 1400 acre park with TONS of trails, and an ancient redwood you can hike to. You can also visit the Wolf House ruins of the 15000 square foot mansion that burned down in 1913 upon completion which is pretty cool.
Food scene
Some of our best local food - gourmet Mexican cuisine with a rotating menu of seasonal goodness. Really nice outdoor seating in the evening.
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El Molino Central
11 Central AveSome of our best local food - gourmet Mexican cuisine with a rotating menu of seasonal goodness. Really nice outdoor seating in the evening.
Sonoma Eats restaurant
18133 Sonoma HwyA very short walk from us. For a cozy meal on a rainy day, get enchiladas!
A very nice restaurant in the little town of Glen Ellen. A hit with locals and visitors!
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Glen Ellen Star
13648 Arnold DrA very nice restaurant in the little town of Glen Ellen. A hit with locals and visitors!
Their saag paneer is delicious, and the naan is freshly made and GIANT! Located in a really cute shopping center nestled into the nature-y part of Arnold Drive past the regional park entrance.
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Yeti
14301 Arnold DrTheir saag paneer is delicious, and the naan is freshly made and GIANT! Located in a really cute shopping center nestled into the nature-y part of Arnold Drive past the regional park entrance.
Gorgeous little restaurant with a little bar at the front. Interesting flavor combos, great wines. Perfect for date night.
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Valley
487 1st St WGorgeous little restaurant with a little bar at the front. Interesting flavor combos, great wines. Perfect for date night.
City/town information
Roughly a 1-hour drive. It's pretty easy to park in the residential Sunset neighborhood (visit Ocean Beach if you do!) and take a bus or streetcar in if you don't want to drive around all day looking for parking spots. Golden Gate Park is also really easy to access from where the bridge spits you out.
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San Francisco
Roughly a 1-hour drive. It's pretty easy to park in the residential Sunset neighborhood (visit Ocean Beach if you do!) and take a bus or streetcar in if you don't want to drive around all day looking for parking spots. Golden Gate Park is also really easy to access from where the bridge spits you out.
Great spot for fresh seafood, then head north on the highway to get to a pretty viewpoint over the rolling Pacific while you eat.
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Bodega Bay
Great spot for fresh seafood, then head north on the highway to get to a pretty viewpoint over the rolling Pacific while you eat.
Consejos para la ciudad
Qué empacar
Bring sunscreen!
The sun is intense in the hotter months, and you do not want to get sunburned. Bring a hat, glasses, and sunscreen, as well as layers.
Formas de ahorrar
Go to the taco trucks!
Tons of food, great prices, delicious and fresh. Also a really local experience!
Cómo moverse
You'll need to drive everywhere
Walking isn't really recommended. This is a driving-heavy area, with few sidewalks.
No te lo pierdas
Go on at least one nature walk
The oak trees and wildflowers in the area are so unique. You'll see woodpeckers for sure, and if you're lucky, a group of quails or turkeys! Please let me know if you'd like recommendations!
Cómo moverse
Take a scenic drive!
Here are our favorites:
TO SONOMA: Off 37 (straight highway after you exit 101), turn onto Lakeville if there's bad traffic. Stage Gulch to Old Adobe will take you to Sonoma Valley. (The other way in on 121 is pretty too)
TO SANTA ROSA: 12 North - Arnold Drive - Warm Springs Road - Bennett Valley - Grange Road - Crane Canyon - Petaluma Hill. Take 12 all the way home for a different view of vineyards and oaks!
TO THE BEACH: Penngrove - Stony Point - Valley Ford - Bodega Bay, then head north. Or, Petaluma - Bodega Ave - Tomales.
TO THE RIVER: Bohemian Hwy - Camp Meeker - Monte Rio