By: Blaire Constantinou, Travelzoo
1. Easy Getaway Location
Just a short, 45-minute drive from San Francisco, Sonoma makes for an easy weekend getaway destination; and if you’re just visiting the Bay Area from out-of-state or abroad, there’s really no excuse not to tag a trip onto your vacation.
Plus, you can take the Pacific Coast Highway, one of the most beautiful drives in the U.S., north from the Golden Gate bridge - making getting to Sonoma pure joy.
2. Historic Downtown
Downtown Sonoma is also a beautiful historic landmark, with a perfectly-preserved plaza at its center; lined by historic adobes, a pristine Californian mission, and charming cobbled streets.
From its days as a Mexican outpost to its role as a Spanish Mission town to its short-lived time as a frontier republic; Miwok Indians, Mexican generals and American outlaws have all called Sonoma home during the town’s long, rich history.
Visit Sonoma Mission, explore General Vallejo’s first home - La Casa Grande - and soak up the historic atmosphere on a self-guided walking tour around Sonoma State Historic Park.
Find out more in Must-See Sonoma: Top 10 Highlights
3. Award-Winning Wineries
The birthplace of California’s legendary wine industry, Sonoma remains a world-leading wine producer, with award-winning vineyards spread throughout its valley.
Its wide variety of terrain, soils and microclimates allows vintners to craft an unusually diverse range of varietals and styles - from Cabernet to Chardonnay to Zinfandel - meaning something for every palette; while Sonoma’s 100-plus selection of intimate, family-run wineries ensures there’s no end to the tastings that serious oenophiles can discover.
Find out more in 10 One-of-a-Kind Wineries & Tasting Rooms
4. Farm-to-Table Food Scene
It’s rare to find such a diverse agricultural locale as Sonoma, where ancient olive orchards give way to organic farms that produce everything from fruits and vegetables to nuts and herbs.
Even the most basic of the town’s eateries incorporate Sonoma’s incredible produce into every dish, and it’s no surprise to discover that the artisan food scene is thriving. From world-renowned cheeses and olive oils to handmade chocolate and craft brew beer, authentic foodie souvenirs and epicurean tastings are in no short supply.
Find out more in Farm-to-Table Sonoma
5. Memorable Gourmet Dining
One of California’s top culinary destinations, it’s not just the wine lists that shine at Sonoma’s delectable, gourmet dining establishments.
For a blow-out meal to remember, dining at the AAA Four Diamond, Sante, is worth a trip to Sonoma alone; Zina Lounge takes pairings to the next level with its limited production artisan bottles and gourmet Japanese-inspired menu; while Cafe La Haye does ‘sophisticated food without the fuss’ to perfection.
Find out more in Sonoma for Foodies: 10 Memorable Culinary Experiences
6. Parks, Trails & Outdoor Adventures
Home to 13,000 acres of state and regional parks, boasting miles of trails and outdoor recreation options for all tastes and ages, Sonoma’s landscapes offer much more than vineyard tours and tasting rooms.
Take in the views as you hike the scenic Overlook Trail, enjoy a family kayak trip on the nearby Russian River, tackle Hood Mountain, and more.
Find out more in Sonoma Outdoor Adventure Guide
7. Luxury Pampering Options
Sonoma Valley provides the perfect backdrop for some serious pampering time - made even easier by its three, high-end hotels and spas.
Whether it’s a massage amid spectacular gardens at the MacArthur Place Garden Spa; European-style relaxation at Willow Stream Spa, The Fairmont; or treatments using local ingredients at The Lodge Spa - relaxation and rejuvenation come guaranteed.
Find out more in Romantic Weekend Inspiration and The Ultimate Girls Getaway Destination
8. LGBT-Friendly
Home to a burgeoning LGBT community, a number of TAG-approved accommodations, and specialist LGBT travel company, Out in the Vineyard - whose annual Gay Wine Weekend won ‘Gay Event of the Year’ in 2015 - Sonoma is a welcoming destination for visitors of all orientations.
Find out more in LGBT Sonoma
9. Local Arts & Culture
From the popular Sonoma Valley Museum of Art and numerous private galleries, to open-air theater in vineyards and historic ruins, plus a historic plaza and cobblestone streets that musicians love to perform in, there’s no shortage of art and culture to discover in and around Sonoma.
Find out more in Beyond the Wine: Art, History & More
10. Festivals & Special Events
Sonoma’s annual festival and events calendar is packed with a diverse range of activities and celebrations. From weekly farmers markets to traditional county fairs to world-renowned signature events, there’s no better time to visit, than when a festival comes to town.
Find out more in Sonoma Signature Events