By Shannon Gomes
Sonoma County, CA has a special place in my heart as it is where I grew up, and where my parents live. From the beautiful rugged coastline to the many charming towns, Sonoma wine (and beer!) country is a place like no other. One of my favorite stretches in the county though is the Sonoma Valley, otherwise known as “The Valley of the Moon.” Here are my recommendations of where to eat, stay and play in the stunning Sonoma Valley.
☀️ Best time of year to visit?
If you love the warm sun and a wide range of outdoor activities, the summer months in the Sonoma Valley are awesome. While both the Winter & Spring months are wonderful, the Sonoma Valley truly shines in the Fall during Harvest. 🍇🍁
🚙 How do you get to the Sonoma Valley?
Just a little over a 1 hr. drive north from San Francisco, it’s best to access the Sonoma Valley by car. You can also fly into SFO or OAK, rent a car and drive 1.5 hours north or you can fly into the smaller Santa Rosa (STS) airport, rent a car and drive 30 minutes to the Sonoma Valley.
🏨 Where to stay?
Depending on your budget, there are a range of options. While you can rent a home through Airbnb or find a place through HomeExchange in Kenwood, Glen Ellen or Sonoma. However, if you prefer staying in hotels, I recommend the following:
🍷 Where to wine taste?
There are so many incredible options in the Sonoma Valley, and I highly recommend booking tasting reservation in advance as they do book up quickly! Here are my favorite places for a tasting:
Kunde Family Winery (hot tip: Book the Mountain Top tour online in advance!)
🍕Let’s Talk Food!
Where to eat? Oh, so much options featuring fresh, local produce. My favorites include:
Les Pascals Patisserie – for coffee & French pastries
VJB Cellars – favorite spot for lunch, get the pizza & feel like you’ve escaped to Italy
Glen Ellen Star Restaurant – book in advance, incredible food!
The Girl & the Fig Restaurant – the place to eat in Downtown Sonoma
El Molina Central Restaurant – authentic Mexican food, delicious!
La Salette – transport to Portugal in downtown Sonoma
TASCA TASCA – Portuguese Tapas Restaurant & Wine Bar
🐴 What to do in the area?
There are so many fun adventures to experience in the Sonoma Valley, but here are my favorite options:
In the area on a Saturday? If so, you must visit Flatbed Farm in Glen Ellen for the Saturday Market where you can find fresh produce, eggs, candles and gifts. Be sure to say “Hi!” to my friend Sofie when you visit!
Horseback riding through beautiful Jack London State Park with Triple Creek Horse Outfit
See an amazing Broadway-worthy outdoor show in the summer by Transcendence Theatre Company
Go hiking in Annadel State Park, Hood Mountain or Jack London State Historic Park.
Explore historic downtown Sonoma. Don’t miss visiting the original Williams Sonoma store where Chuck Williams started it all!
Have little ones? Be sure to visit TrainTown Railroad for few hours.
Support Sonoma Chicks but making a donation on their website. It’s an incredible animal rescue & sanctuary run by my friend Tania, who is also a phenomenal photographer. Be sure to follow Sonoma Chicks on Instagram too!
Enjoy the bounty of Sonoma County in the stunning Valley of the Moon!
