After several years of Healdsburg dominating Sonoma County buzz, an old standby is drawing renewed focus.
Over the last year, the quaint town of Sonoma has added a new crop of restaurants and hotels to its résumé that are generating both popular fanfare and critical acclaim.
There’s just one problem: With so much to try, it’s impossible to do it all in a single visit. We’ve curated six overnight itineraries to help you narrow down your options. From a romantic getaway to one that’s focused on art and design, here’s how to experience Sonoma now.
The Romantic Getaway
Songbird Parlour
(Courtsy of Songbird Parlour)
The Stay: Kenwood Inn & Spa
This sweet Northern Italian-inspired hideaway in the Valley of the Moon has gorgeous grounds, gourmet breakfasts, and a signature couples massage. // 10400 Sonoma Hwy (Kenwood), kenwoodinn.com
The Wine: Coursey Graves Estate Winery
A tasting at Coursey Graves will transport you straight to the French countryside with its brilliant gardens, expansive views, and iconic estate- and Sonoma Coast-grown wines. Need a romantic ride to get you there? Pure Luxury Transportation’s got you. // 6860 Serenity Way (Santa Rosa), courseygraves.com
The Dinner: Songbird Parlour
Indulge in a six-course tasting menu of dishes like cabernet-vinegar-braised pork belly with brûléed figs in the posh Victorian lounge at Songbird Parlour, a recently opened Glen Ellen restaurant dedicated to Sonoma’s local, seasonal bounty. // 14301 Arnold Dr., 3 (Glen Ellen), songbirdparlour.com
The Bonus: Robert Ferguson Observatory
Spend a night under the stars at the Robert Ferguson Observatory at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park. // 2605 Adobe Canyon Rd. (Kenwood), rfo.org
The Art + Design Escape
Donum Estate
(Courtesy of Donum Estate)
The Stay: Bungalows 313
Farmhouse chic is the stylish North Star at Bungalows 313, where you can have a studio, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom with kitchen and patio all to yourself. // 313 1st St. E. (Sonoma), bungalows313.com
The Wine: Donum Estate
This Sonoma winery has one of the world’s largest privately-owned sculpture gardens open to the public, a 200-acre estate with more than 60 works by world-renowned artists like Ai Weiwei and Keith Haring. Do a self-guided tour along with one of their four tasting experiences. // 24500 Ramal Rd. (Sonoma), thedonumestate.com
The Dinner: El Dorado Kitchen
Located inside a historic adobe dating back to 1843, this hotel restaurant serves dishes like steamed mussels in white wine and seafood paella while exemplifying Sonoma’s laid-back style. // 405 1st St. W. (Sonoma), eldoradosonoma.com
The Bonus: Sonoma Valley Museum of Art
The small but mighty Sonoma Valley Museum of Art’s seasonal exhibitions of contemporary and modern work are critically-acclaimed and thought-provoking. // 551 Broadway (Sonoma), svma.org
The Hip + Trendy Getaway
Stella
(Courtesy of Stella)
The Stay: Olea Hotel
This modern hotel has chic guest rooms and cottages, a terrace overlooking the valley, and an inviting pool. // 5131 Warm Springs Rd. (Glen Ellen), oleahotel.com
The Wine: West Wine Tours
Get a guided taste of some of Sonoma’s best wineries in one of West Wine Tours’ vintage VW buses. // westwinetours.com
The Dinner: Stella
Have a bold, wood-fired Italian meal of lamb ribs and cacio e pepe tonnarelli at buzzy Kenwood restaurant Stella. // 9049 Sonoma Hwy (Kenwood), stellakenwood.com
The Bonus: Happy Travelers
“High tea” is redefined at this elevated experience at Happy Travelers’ Sonoma salon—transportation included. // happytravelersweedtours.com
The Dog-Friendly Trip
Bartholomew Estate Winery
(Courtesy of Bartholomew Estate Winery)
The Stay: Sonoma Valley Inn
Sonoma’s newest boutique hotel, Sonoma Valley Inn is a charming, family-owned stay at the heart of downtown Sonoma that’s part of Hilton’s Tapestry Collection. // 550 2nd St. W. (Sonoma), sonomavalleyinn.com
The Wine: Bartholomew Estate Winery
The only thing the storied winery Bartholomew Estate loves more than wine is dogs. Not only are they and the trails on their expansive property dog-friendly, they partner with a local rescue to host adoption events and hang handmade painted portraits of adoptable pups in their gallery.
The Dinner: Valley Bar + Bottle
Downtown Sonoma’s Valley Bar + Bottle is a neighborhood favorite for seasonal Northern California dishes like trout with summer succotash and stone fruit panzanella with feta. Dogs are always welcome to join the meal on their outdoor patio. // 487 1st St. W. (Sonoma), valleybarandbottle.com
The Bonus: Woof!
Let your furry pal pick out a special treat from this delightful dog boutique right off the Sonoma Plaza. // 111 E. Napa St. (Sonoma), woofsonoma.com
The Fancy Stay
The Beacon
(Courtesy of The Beacon)
The Stay: MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa
Award-winning MacArthur Place is 69 luxurious rooms set on six acres of gardens, whose herbs and botanicals star in its signature spa treatments. // 29 E. MacArthur St. (Sonoma), macarthurplace.com
The Wine: Ice House at Stone Edge Farm Estate Vineyards & Winery
Inside a meticulously restored 1906 landmark, Stone Edge Farm Estate’s seated tastings are an intimate, elegant way to explore Sonoma-grown sauvignon blanc and cabernet. // 301 1st St. W. (Sonoma), stoneedgefarm.com
The Dinner: Enclos
Fresh off its big Michelin Awards win—two stars and a Green Star for sustainability—the year-old Enclos’ multi-course, French-inspired tasting menus make it one of Wine Country’s most coveted fine-dining reservations. // 139 E. Napa St. (Sonoma), enclos-sonoma.com
The Bonus: The Beacon
Cap off your night with a classic or seasonal bevvie from this sophisticated, speakeasy-style downtown cocktail bar. // 497 1st St. W. (Sonoma), instagram.com/sonomabeacon
The Family Fun
The Lodge at Sonoma
(Courtesy of The Lodge at Sonoma)
The Stay: The Lodge at Sonoma
With standalone cottages and a generous pool complete with cabanas, The Lodge at Sonoma is a comfortable hotel the whole family will adore. // 1325 Broadway (Sonoma), thelodgeatsonoma.com
The Wine: Larson Family Winery
Let lawn games like bocce ball and cornhole keep the little ones busy while you enjoy a 90-minute hosted tasting on a rocking wooden glider. // 23355 Millerick Rd. (Sonoma), larsonfamilywinery.com
The Dinner: Sonoma Eats
This Mexican spot run by a husband-and-wife team is beloved for authentic dishes like mole enchiladas and chile verde—plus, a menu just for the kiddos. // 18133 Sonoma Hwy (Sonoma), sonoma-eats.com
The Bonus: Sonoma Traintown Railroad
Traintown Railroad is a long-standing tradition for Sonoma families, where it’s all aboard their miniature train, Ferris wheel, and other kid-friendly amusements. // 20264 Broadway (Sonoma), traintown.com
