From its early inhabitants and European settlers to 1960s hippies seeking creative freedom, Sonoma County’s natural beauty has attracted all kinds of artists and artisans, from painters and sculptors to writers and performers of all kinds. As a result, Sonoma Valley has become a budding destination for aficionados, with plenty of world-class galleries, museums, music venues and arts festivals to enjoy. In fact, downtown Sonoma’s Art Walk, every first Thursday of the month, is a chance to appreciate it all, with live music playing as you stroll from gallery to gallery.
One of the valley’s most beloved attractions is the annual Sonoma International Film Festival (SIFF). Since 1997, this five-day March event has showcased films from some of the world’s finest independent filmmakers, while also offering tastes of Sonoma Valley’s famous artisan wines and farm-to-table cuisine throughout the festival for filmgoers to enjoy. Best of all, the films are shown in intimate venues all within walking distance of Sonoma’s historic plaza. Each hand chosen film that is screened is an opportunity to support filmmakers—both the renown and up-and-coming—while also falling under the spell of the valley’s charm. And who knows? You may even catch a glance of someone famous among your fellow ticket holders.
And SIFF is just the tip of the iceberg. For those who love the arts, there are tons of great options to choose from, featured throughout the year. Check out our guide below to find out what most appeals to you.
VISUAL ARTS
Sonoma offers a treasure trove of diverse and original art, often with a world-class reputation. Small-collection museums keep viewing focused and accessible, allowing visitors an intimate experience with the artwork.
Looking for inspiration for your home? Be sure to visit The Passdoor, a gallery and shop of uniquely curated selection of functional products and artworks for your home space, your workspace, your lifestyle and life’s special occasions. Or are you a lover of antiques? Chateau Sonoma's French flea market finds are the stuff of Sonoma legend, with beautiful gifts to browse as well.
Like its galleries, Sonoma’s museums are a welcome surprise in a small town. Since 1998, the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art has showcased a stunning rotation of modern and contemporary artists from Sonoma County and beyond. Thoughtful exhibits and community events foster an educational atmosphere, making any visit inspiring and approachable.
The di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art, much like the SVMA, features art from of 20th and 21st century Northern California artists that can’t help but inspire conversation. Started by patrons and collectors Rene and Veronica di Rosa in the 1960s, this once-private collection was recently gifted to the public, with multiple galleries, extensive grounds, and a sculpture meadow to explore. The outdoor art is appreciated any time of year in Sonoma’s gentle climate, with the large works changing with the light and the weather.
With the rising popularity of the comic and graphic-novel arts, Santa Rosa’s Charles M. Schulz Museum & Research Center is world-class stop for those who love Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the rest of the Peanuts gang, as well as the art form itself. You’ll get a glimpse into the span of Charles Schulz’s career, influences, and cartoon characters, as well as insight into the art of illustration and comics – from the funny to the serious, the whimsical to the socially aware.
PERFORMING ARTS
Sonoma County’s performing arts scene grows bigger each year, with dozens of local theaters and seasonal music festivals to choose from. We recommend booking tickets in advance, but you can always call the box offices to see what is available for last-minute opportunities.
In Sonoma Valley, the historic Sebastiani Theater, built in 1933 as a movie house, is now a nonprofit featuring vintage movies, independent films, and original live music performances. Grab some popcorn and a glass of wine and enjoy in art deco style!
For live performances set among the vines, don’t miss Transcendence Theatre Company for their summer season’s Broadway Under the Stars at Depot Park. With awesome pre-show picnicking and unforgettable performances by traveling Broadway stars, you’ll get a taste of Big Apple theater, right here in wine country.
For world-class acts and larger venues, Green Music Center at Sonoma State is just the ticket. Green Music Center features everything from jazz to opera in the gorgeous Weil Hall. In the summer, GMC opens the back doors of the theater, pouring out to a terraced green, priming the audience for picnicking, great music and summer fun.
Theater lovers will find their strike zone with Sonoma Arts Live, a local company that produces plays and musicals with actors from diverse backgrounds. They generally perform at Sonoma Community Center.
Over recent years, Sonoma Valley has also become a hotspot for live music of all kinds, from gypsy jazz and classical to classic rock and contemporary artists, featured at varied venues from wineries to parks. Check out our article, Best Places to Listen to Live Music, to discover all the great opportunities.
THE WRITTEN WORD
With bucolic beauty at every turn, it’s no wonder that authors like Jack London and food writer M.F.K. Fisher have found their inspiration in Sonoma Valley. That local love of the written word lives on through Readers’ Books, an independent bookstore in downtown Sonoma that’s attracted longtime fans. Every month, Readers’ offers several author readings of largely local authors in their store, backyard garden, or with local organizations and libraries.
For writers and readers alike, May’s annual Sonoma Valley Author’s Festival is a great chance to learn tricks of the trade from famous authors, while also workshopping their pieces. Get the creative juices flowing with likeminded artists while getting to know Sonoma’s famous beauty.
HANDS-ON EXPERIENCES
Beyond viewing the arts, a visit to Sonoma Valley provides the chance to learn how to create your own.
Sonoma Community Center is a beloved hub of the local scene and an incredible resource for visitors, too. Consider one of their jewelry-making workshops, drop-in writing workshops, or fiber arts happy hours, all offered at a reasonable price. Sonoma Art Escape, just a few minutes’ drive north of downtown, provides an extensive list of interesting, multigenerational classes, including jewelry making, torch glass and glassblowing, printmaking and figure-drawing. Looking for a more intimate class for smaller groups?
