Things to Do in Sonoma (Besides Wine Tasting!)

This may sound crazy, but there are other things to do in Sonoma County that don’t involve drinking wine.

There are those of you out there who don’t drink or don’t enjoy wine, and that’s OK.

While in Sonoma wine country, you do have plenty of alternatives to wine tastings that will get your blood flowing, your brain working, and your belly growling. Doing things that don’t involve paying for wine is good for the budget, too.

While we’ve done A LOT of wine tasting in Sonoma, we’ve also done quite a bit that doesn’t involve tasting our way through that season’s reds.

If you’re not in Sonoma for wine tasting, hit Sonoma’s best hiking trails, explore the historical side of the county, and eat like a gourmet. There are plenty of things to do in Sonoma besides wine tasting.

Things to Do in Sonoma Besides Wine Tasting

There are many things to do in Sonoma without drinking. If you like eating, I’ve got you covered. If you’re here to hike, I’ll get into all of that, too.

I know I speak fondly of all of the terrific times I’ve had when visiting wine country, but that’s not all I’m about, especially in a place as scenic as Sonoma County.

Feel the Call of the Wild at Jack London State Historic Park.

Brian and I happened upon this one as a spur-of-the-moment stop, admittedly after two winery visits. Still, the Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen turned out to be a great excursion.

It’s worth a few hours of your time if you’re at all into Jack London, historical literature, or pleasant walks through the woods.

We took awalk through the woods to see London’s grave and dream estate, nicknamed the “Wolf House,” toured the cottage he died in, and met some fantastic volunteers.

We had the cottage to ourselves while we were there, meaning we had the full attention of the guides. Ask them questions. They’re quite knowledgeable and can share information that you won’t read on the signage.

Once you’re in the park, there are nearly 30 miles of trails across its 1,400 acres. We only had time for a short forest walk of about a mile roundtrip to the Wolf House and London’s grave, which I’d highly recommend at the very least.

The House of Happy Walls Museum on site was also recommended to us by the guides, but we were running out of time by that point.

We spent about two full hours at the park but could have easily spent at least one more to check out the museum and one of the shorter trails.

The entrance fee is $10/vehicle to explore the park and an additional $3/person to tour the cottage. Hours for different areas of the park vary, so check the website before you make any plans.

Hit the trails of Sonoma Valley Regional Park.

Jack London State Historic Park isn’t your only option to get the heart pumping while in Sonoma County. If you’re visiting for some good hiking, you won’t have to look too far for outdoor activities.

Just make sure you’re prepared with water, appropriate footwear, and snacks, no matter how easy you think a trail is going to be or how confident you are hiking in flip-flops. It’s not a good idea.

Sonoma Valley Regional Park is one of the most popular options. This park near Glen Ellen features several paved and unpaved options for hikers over its 200 acres.

The main Valley of the Moon Trail is an easy, paved jaunt of just more than a mile roundtrip that takes visitors along a stream to valley views. There is a parking fee of $7 per vehicle.

If conditions are dry, the Elizabeth Perrone Dog Park next to the parking area is a great place for any traveling pups to get some of their energy out before hitting the trails. The park does shut down frequently due to rain, though.

Go wildlife-spotting at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park.

Sugarloaf Ridge State Park near Kenwood includes 25 miles of trails for hikers with a chance to see some wildlife — deer, foxes, bobcats — while you’re there. Who doesn’t love coming across wildlife on a trail?

I mean, as long as they won’t eat you, of course.

One of the more popular easy trails in Sugarloaf Ridge State Park is the Canyon-Pony Gate Loop. This one is a two-mile roundtrip loop that ends in a waterfall.

If you’re feeling ambitious and have the time, the five-mile roundtrip hike to Bald Mountain will give you spectacular views. There is a parking fee of $10 per vehicle.

Look for views of the Golden Gate Bridge from Bartholomew Park.

A popular trail in Bartholomew Park, 375 acres of vineyards, gardens, and forest, is the 2.4-mile roundtrip Grape Stomp and You-Walk Miwok Loop.

There is an elevation gain of 450 feet that offers vistas all the way to the Golden State Bridge if you’re there on a clear day. The wildflowers there are a sight to behold if you’re there in the spring months.

There is a parking fee of $10 per vehicle at Bartholomew Park.

Compare those views to the Sonoma Overlook Trail.

The Sonoma Overlook Trail is a nearly 3-mile roundtrip hike with views of the Sonoma Valley and the Bay Area from the meadow at the end.

The trailhead starts at the entrance to the Mountain Cemetery near the Sonoma Plaza and is adjacent to the Montini Open Space Preserve.

Expect increased foot traffic on the weekend thanks to the proximity of this one to central Sonoma. That’s what makes it one of the most popular Sonoma Valley attractions outside of terrific wine times.

There is no fee to hike the Sonoma Overlook Trail. Contributions to support its upkeep, though, are welcome online. The trail is accessible during daylight hours.

Get inspired by the redwoods.

The Sonoma Valley wine region is a gateway to many opportunities to get up close and personal with California’s redwoods. Get inspired by some tall trees with a visit to the region’s surrounding parks and reserves:

• Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve: This is an excellent place to see the region’s coastal redwoods, often awash in a fog that makes visits here even more magical. If you want a short hike with a decent climb, hit the 2.2 East Ridge Trail.
• Austin Creek State Recreation Area: This area nearby is home to additional facilities, including campgrounds. Unfortunately, it’s often affected by California’s annual fire season. Check the website before making any plans to head out.
• Trione-Annadel State Park: This Santa Rosa park is popular for its wildflowers, making it a no-brainer for spring travelers to Sonoma. It also boasts about 40 miles of trails through impressive forests that include second-growth redwoods.

READ MORE: Love impressive trees? Check out my guide to Sequoia and Kings Canyon.

Visit Cornerstone Sonoma.

Cornerstone Sonoma is a fun diversion that includes shops, eateries, and a lovely garden you can wander through. The gardens are essentially living art installations that are constantly changing and showcase local trends in landscapes and food production.

The boutiques aren’t cheap, but they’re fun to walk through and imagine what your life could be like draped in $400 blankets and wooden shoes purely for decorative purposes.

There’s also a hilariously large orange chair at the entrance that should offer you at least a few minutes of entertainment and photo opportunities.

Cornerstone Sonoma has several tasting rooms, a beer garden, and a distillery on-site if you change your mind about libations at any point. Hours vary for the shops and the garden spaces, so check the website before you go.

Hit the beaches of the Sonoma Coast.

The picturesque Sonoma Coast is worth its salt when it comes to the best California road trips, but it’s also a great region to spend some time in on a warm, sunny day.

Here are a few Sonoma Coast activities that await as you find your perfect beach:

• Goat Rock Beach: This beach in Sonoma Coast State Park is a great place for whale-spotting, tide-pooling, and coastal walks with expansive views. If you have the time, hit the Kortrum Trail, 4.6 miles along the bluffs of this beach in seaside Jenner.
• Salmon Creek Beach: This beach was so good they divided it up into two sections,vNorth and South. Head to the north side for excellent surf and south for sunbathing. The beaches are also in Sonoma Coast State Park north of Bodega Bay.
• Doran Regional Park: Two miles of calm shores await in this park in Bodega Bay. Doran Regional Park is a popular spot for families, as you’ll have a hard time finding calmer waters. Birders, don’t miss the one-mile Bird Walk Coastal Access Trail.

Educate yourself at Sonoma State Historic Park.

If you’re already at or near the Sonoma Plaza, you may as well educate yourself by visiting the six historical attractions that make up the Sonoma State Historic Park:

• Mission San Francisco Solano
• The Blue Wing Inn
• Sonoma Barracks
• Toscano Hotel & Kitchen
• Servants Quarters, or the remains of La Casa Grande
• General Vallejo’s Home

Fun fact: California’s state flag was raised for the first time in Sonoma. There’s a monument to that fact right on the plaza.

You can also see a replica of the first flag at the Sonoma Barracks, as the original was destroyed in the fires of 1906 following the great San Francisco earthquake.

There is an entrance fee of $3/adult and $2/child to enter the sites. If you’re interested in tours, mission tours run and tours of General Vallejo’s Home are only available on weekends at the moment. Check the website before you go for tour times.

Stop and smell the flowers.

The Sonoma Botanical Garden near Glen Ellen is the stuff of your Instagram dreams. For the more regular folks among you, it’s a lovely place to enjoy a little bit of peace and quiet among the flowers and water features.

Highlights are the garden’s impressive collection of plants from East Asia, including the Jiang Entian Chinese Heritage Rose Garden.

Fun fact: The garden is also an important place for the conservation of rare plant species. Several of the varieties preserved there are threatened with extinction in the wild.

There is a fee of $12 per adult, $10 for seniors, and $8 for children between ages 13-17, active military, or students. Children 12 and under can come in for free.

Another beautiful flower site is the Van Hoosear Wildflower Preserve, home to more than 250 species of wildflowers. As this one’s on private property, you may only access the site on a guided tour.

Explore the Russian River.

If you’re a beer drinker, you’ve likely heard about Russian River Brewing, the award-winning brewery churning out bucket list brews like Pliny the Elder.

You can also visit the actual river, though.

You don’t need to go coastal to enjoy the waterfront potential of Sonoma County. Head to Guerneville for a float trip or kayak tour along the Russian River. If you’re into fishing, you can do that along the river, too.

Seeking an outfitter? Getaway Adventures is a popular choice, although I can’t vouch for them myself.

Plan to attend Sonoma County events.

There are a number of events in Sonoma County that involve wine, e.g. the drinking of it, crawling to it, etc.

There are also many Sonoma County events that don’t.

Check out event schedules at the Raven Performing Arts Theater in downtown Healdsburg and the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts in Santa Ros. The 6th Street Playhouse in Santa Rosa hosts live music, art shows, and theatrical performances.

Sonoma County Restaurant Week is a great time to see what Sonoma’s dining scene has to offer with special prix-fixe menus. Reservations are strongly recommended at participating restaurants.

If you don’t mind visiting a winery for your entertainment, a number of Sonoma County wineries hold special events like art shows and live music on a regular basis. Check out the Sonoma County website for more information and schedule information.

Eat the best food in Sonoma County.

As you plan what to do in Sonoma, you don’t have to go to Napa to experience delicious food in California’s wine country. Sonoma has plenty of yummy options that don’t have to mean visiting wineries, either.

The eateries downtown are all within blocks of each other, setting the stage for a food crawl if you’re so inclined.

Here are a few of our favorites from our many trips to Sonoma:

• At The Girl & the Fig indulge in a superb brunch or treat yourself to a decadent lunch or dinner as a reward for all the Sonoma wine alternatives you’ve pursued. Reservations are recommended and available online.
• Tasca Tasca offers up some yummy crab empadas (nope, I don’t mean empanadas) and Portuguese tapas. Their menu is set up to choose between three, five, or seven items. I’d recommend seven because I’m no fool. Reservations are available online.
• The Red Grape is the place for brick oven-style pizza. The “Tuscan Sun” was my jam if you’re a veggie lover. They don’t take reservations but call orders ahead if you’re coming in a very large group of 15 or more.

If you’re feeling fancy, head out of downtown Sonoma for eateries worth the drive:

• Barndiva is run by chef Ryan Fancher, who used to work at somewhere you may have heard of in Napa: The French Laundry. Reservations are recommended and available online.
• Hana Japanese Restaurant offers destination-worthy sushi and an extensive sake menu if you want to mix things up. Reservations are recommended and available online.

Catch a sunset.

You don’t need to plan a wine tasting to catch an incredible sunset over one of the county’s incredibly scenic vineyards. There’s something about the light bouncing off of those grapes that does something for me, and it isn’t about an urge to drink wine.

How to Get to Sonoma

If you’re looking to explore Sonoma’s downtown and the Carneros region, I’d recommend flying into Sacramento. It’s just an easier airport to navigate. There’s usually less traffic coming from Sacramento than the airports in the Bay Area, too.

It’s just a bit further mileage-wise to fly into Sacramento, but it’ll often take just as much time due to the traffic you’ll be avoiding.

If you’re looking to visit Sonoma wineries closer to the coast, the San Francisco and Oakland airports will be more efficient for you.

There is also a small regional airport in Santa Rosa serviced by the major airlines.

Note: I’ve never seen any good deals flying in or out of Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport, though, from all the trips we took while living in San Diego. 

READ MORE: Planning a road trip through the region? Check out my guide to driving from San Francisco to Los Angeles.

How to Get Around Sonoma

These excursions assume you have your own transportation to get around Sonoma County. Renting a car, especially if you’re pursuing outdoor activities that don’t involve drinking wine and require a designated driver, to be the most efficient.

It’ll also be the most economical way to see the best of Sonoma County.

Note: There aren’t really tours out there that will cover the bases your own transportation would, and most of the tours that do exist are of the wine tour variety.

Be aware that there are bridge tolls you’ll need to pay whether you choose to drive across the Golden Gate Bridge or the Bay Bridge if flying into the Bay Area.

Electronic tolls only are collected on the Golden Gate Bridge traveling south. Tolls are collected on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge traveling westbound.

Neither is as big a deal as the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, in case you have a thing about bridges.

At whichever rental car company you choose, ask about acquiring a toll pass when you pick up your car. You don’t want to be on the hook for any fines later on. Toll fees do vary somewhat depending on the time of day, with costs higher during traditional rush hours.

Where to Stay in Sonoma

There is a lot of choice in Sonoma and the surrounding towns as far as where you stay overnight.

The closer you are to the downtown areas, the more expensive your accommodations will likely be. I’d caution you to consider the potential cost of taxis or rideshares to get from your accommodations to dinner spots if you’re not driving.

That’s why I like staying in Sonoma or towns where I know I can walk from Point A to Point B at the end of the night, or take a short ride back to my accommodations. The El Pueblo Inn has always treated us well.

If you’re looking for accommodations in Sonoma proper, check out the map below:

There’s more to Sonoma than wine.

Sonoma is famous for a more casual wine scene than its neighbor, Napa Valley, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth a visit if you’re not here for all of that.

We’ve been to Sonoma A LOT, and while our visits generally do involve drinking wine, Sonoma County offers quite a bit to travelers who get off the beaten wine path.

Traveling elsewhere in California? Check out these guides:

• A Guide to the Weird Wonder of Death Valley
• How to Plan the Best San Diego Getaways
• A Planning Guide to Santa Barbara, California
• The Best Waterfalls in San Diego
• An Accommodations Guide to Yosemite

Want to visit San Diego, too? Read these next:

• Explore the Best Dog Beaches in San Diego
• Plan a Trip to San Diego’s Closest Wine Country
• A San Diego Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
• A Guide to Lesser-Known University Heights
• Tick These Things Off Your San Diego Bucket List

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