Sonoma is the closest wine region to San Francisco and is a city with extensive history and beauty. The historic Sonoma Plaza sits in the heart of downtown Sonoma and is surrounded by wine tasting rooms, eateries, and a state park. I have only been to the city twice, but on both occasions, I left wanting to spend more time in this beautiful area. Browse some of my favorite locations below so that you can make the most of your time in Sonoma.

Food

The restaurants in Sonoma are top notch, with lots of farm to table options and great places to hang out. My personal favorite is The Girl and The Fig, but you can’t beat any of the options below.

Historic & Fun Spots to Explore

Since the city began in the 1800s, there is a lot of history to explore in this area. Mission San Francisco Solano is the northernmost California mission, and it has been beautifully preserved by the state parks system. This is also where the Bear Flag Revolt started, and you can see a plaque dedicated to it in the Sonoma Plaza.

Hiking

While I haven’t gotten a chance to hike too much in the area, the fantastic Jack London State Park is a great place to explore. There are dozens of miles of trails here that lead to many different spots important to the author and showcasing his influence on the Sonoma Valley.

Wineries

Of course, wineries are the main reason to come to the Sonoma Valley. While there are dozens to try, a few of my personal favorites are below.

Hotels

When staying in Sonoma, you want to be as close as possible to the Sonoma Plaza. This allows you to leave your car at the hotel and just walk to all the different options the plaza provides. I personally love the Cottage Inn & Spa as it is quaint and has a ton of charm. Plus, they deliver fresh pastries to your room every morning.

Videos

If you want more inspiration, check out the videos I made on Sonoma below.

Now it is your turn, what did I leave off this list that you love exploring in Sonoma? Be sure to leave in in the comments to others can find it as well.