Looking for a memorable day but don’t want to put a strain on your wallet? Traveling in Sonoma Valley can be one of the best travel values out there when it comes to day-to-day touring expenses. The valley’s abundance of parklands, historic sites, museums, restaurants and tasting rooms make any day a multi-sensory experience. Check out our list of fun and fabulous things to do to make your visit special and affordable.

GET OUTSIDE

Sonoma Valley’s city, regional and state parks put nature front and center nearly wherever you go. Check out Sonoma Valley Regional Park in Glen Ellen—a great place for a jog or walking your dog due to its paved trails. Head to Sugarloaf Ridge State Park in Kenwood for serene nature experiences and dramatic vistas, with plenty of photo opportunities for waterfalls and wildflowers. Literary buffs will love the options at Glen Ellen's crown jewel, Jack London State Historic Park, where visitors can hike through the redwoods up Sonoma Mountain or casually stroll the grounds where author Jack London once wrote, farmed and thrived. Tickets are $10 and under.

If biking is more your style, consider renting a hybrid or touring bike for the day from Sonoma Adventures or Wine Country Cyclery—both also offer hourly rentals if you are looking for a shorter ride or to try a fancier bike. Both companies offer great cycling routes, from easy to more challenging.

SEE SONOMA’S HISTORIC SITES

As Mexico’s last and most northerly mission to be built in 1823, and the site of the infamous Bear Flag Revolt in 1846 that eventually made California cede from Mexico to become part of the United States, Sonoma Valley is filled with rich history. As part of the California State Parks, admission is less than $10 and allows you to visit all the local sites including Mission San Francisco Solano, the neighboring Barracks, as well as the home of General Mariano Vallejo, Sonoma’s famous founder and first Senator of California.

It's one thing to visit a place, but it’s quite another to have a savvy tour guide at your side. With six or more people, consider taking the History Tour of the Sonoma Plaza with George Webber, a knowledgeable and charismatic guide who brings Sonoma history to life. Really on a budget? Consider downloading the free, handy and fact-filled Sonoma Plaza History App, and follow it along the city’s most notable historic sites and landmarks.

VISIT A MUSEUM

Sonoma Valley is as much a creative hotspot as it is for wining and dining. With an art scene that took hold with the migration of artists and hippies to Sonoma County in the 60s and 70s, Sonoma Valley is just oozing with inspiration! Just along the plaza, be sure to visit the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art, whose small, focused and ever-changing exhibits showcase some of California’s most notable contemporary artists. Along the Carneros Highway, stop for an afternoon at the di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art, whose private collection and dynamic changing exhibits feature California artists from the 1960s to present day, as well as a thought-provoking sculpture garden. If you have kids traveling with you, be sure to head up Highway 12 to Santa Rosa to visit the iconic Charles M. Schulz Museum & Research Center, a museum dedicated to the eponymous cartoonist’s Peanuts illustrations and a day of creative fun for the kids.

Tickets range from $7 to $25 per person at the museums.

FEAST WELL AT ANY PRICE

When it comes to great food, Sonoma Valley knows few equals. Home to the farm-to-table movement and the origin and inspiration of contemporary American cuisine, the restaurants here are sure to dazzle even the most discerning palates. Best of all, there are great options for any budget.

Dinner entrees at fine dining establishments tend to start in around $25 range and go up to $40+ from there. However, if you’re hungry and want to find a place to have a quick lunch or a healthy bite, you can find memorable meals up and down the Valley. Be sure to check out Sonoma Valley’s taverns or the restaurants of The Springs, where delicious dishes are offered at a great price.

HAVE A TASTE

Tasting experiences are what Sonoma Valley does best. Whether you are looking to try olive oil at The Olive Press or McEvoy Ranch; sample cheese at Vella Cheese Company, Sonoma Cheese Factory or the Epicurean Connection; distilled spirits and liqueurs at Hanson of Sonoma or Prohibition Spirits; or cider at Pomme Cider Shop & Tap Room you simply can’t go wrong. And, of course, no tasting experience in Sonoma Valley is complete without visiting one of our many artisan wineries—many of which offer even better values with the purchase of a Sonoma Valley Tasting Pass. 

While many places welcome walk-ins, the best way to optimize your experience is to start with a reservation and a little primer on Sonoma Wine and some wine tasting etiquette. Prices range across the board from $25 per person per flight to $75+, so be sure to consult websites in advance. Often times, with a purchase of two bottles, hosts will comp your tasting fee, but ask before you assume. And please remember to budget in at least a $5 tip per person for your tasting host.

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Don’t let the cost of a special vacation jade you: good times and fun experiences can be had at any price!