Welcome to Sonoma Valley
A delightfully historic city close to San Francisco with lots of room to roam.
Just an hour from San Francisco lies the delightfully charming, unapologetic, and fun-loving Sonoma Valley. This gloriously laid-back historic city is where California's world-renowned wine industry began. Sonoma Valley is known for its vineyard landscapes, its room to roam the area’s punctuated nature, and its state parks with loads of activities available.
Unfurling between two mountain ranges, Sonoma Valley is about as close to serenity as you can get. It is dotted with small and charming family-run wineries, excellent restaurants, a fantastic variety of landscapes and microclimates, and fun tasting rooms to make your stay more memorable. If you're looking for a quaint, quirky, simple, or sophisticated lifestyle, Sonoma Valley has a place for you.
What to Love
- Stellar world-renowned wines and legendary vineyards
- Farm-to-table cuisine
- Lots of recreational opportunities
- Its plethora of amenities
Local Lifestyle
The lush Sonoma Valley offers visitors and residents a delightful mix of down-to-earth rustic vibes and a charming small-town vibe. Sonoma Valley neighborhoods have plenty of opportunities for world-class wine tasting, high-end shopping, and outdoor adventures. The excellent array of possibilities, peaceful community, and rich history have attracted young people and retirees to buy homes in Sonoma Valley. Generally, Sonoma Valley is a great place to slow down, connect with nature, and enjoy a glass of wine as you soak in the relaxed vibe.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
Sonoma Valley has long been considered a top culinary, entertainment, and shopping destination in California. Its world-class restaurants allow you to taste world-renowned wines and enjoy farm-to-table cuisine while admiring the breathtaking view of Sonoma Valley.
Wit and Wisdom offers a highly curated culinary experience of a delectable assortment of American comfort food and an enviable wine list. This top restaurant has quickly grown to become Sonoma's must-dine destination, offering just about any dining experience you want.
Lovers of regional Mexican food can head to El Molino Central for an authentic Mexican food experience featuring delicious tacos and tamales served in a colorful casa.
The Scribe Winery complements what Sonoma Valley is about—the birthplace of wine in California. Here, you'll find a breathtaking picnic area and lively, flavorful wines that you can enjoy in a relaxed setting with a lovely view.
You can also take your family to enjoy train-themed rides and have low-key fun at Sonoma TrainTown Railroad. This charming theme park featuring plenty of shade, children-friendly train rides, and a relaxed and friendly feel is an excellent place to spend time with your kids.
Sonoma Valley has a plethora of apparel boutiques, art galleries, jewelry stores, home furnishings, and gift shops to uniquely satisfy your shopping desires. You could spend a weekend shopping through Sonoma Valley and not get even into a fraction of the great shopping centers in town.
Things to Do
Whether your passion is hiking, fishing, history, or fun, Sonoma Valley has plenty of opportunities to fulfill your desires. From fascinating historic sites and scenic natural attractions to an evolving roster of annual festivals and events, you'll find plenty of things to do in Sonoma Valley at any time of the year.
You can start by celebrating the best in film, wine, food, and fun by attending the Sonoma International Film Festival. Afterward, challenge yourself by hiking on the popular Gunsight trail hike in Sugarloaf Park. Even though it's considered a challenging route, which makes it even more fun, it provides beautiful views of Sonoma Valley.
Visiting the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art gives a glimpse into the history that shaped this destination. If you're looking for an all-in one-destination, you'll love what the buzzy and historic Sonoma Plaza offers. This is the largest plaza in California, with a massive selection of restaurants, high-end shops, galleries, wine-tasting rooms, and a park for your kids, picnics events, or food and wine tours.