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- Travel & Tours<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Day 1<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Day 2<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Day 3<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- …and more<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
RELATED: The Best Sonoma Wineries to Visit: Complete Wine Tasting Guide<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Sonoma](\"https:\/\/www.winetraveler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/sonoma-vineyards-and-wineries-to-visit-winetraveler-e1629238283400.jpg\")
<\/a>The sprawling vineyard landscape of Sonoma is a sight to behold in person.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/a>How to Get To & Around Sonoma County<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Sonoma is just north of Marin County, which hugs the peninsula dipping south towards San Francisco. It borders San Pablo Bay to the southeast, Napa to the east, Lake County<\/strong><\/a> to the northeast, Mendocino to the north<\/strong><\/a>, and the mighty Pacific to the west.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Given its proximity to San Francisco and the Bay Area, it\u2019s about 2.5 hours from San Francisco International Airport (browse for flight deals here)<\/a><\/strong>. And while that may seem more of a day-tripping experience, Sonoma is so beautiful and large that it\u2019s really worth creating a multi-day excursion. You\u2019re here to decompress, after all \u2013 why rush it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Winetraveler Tip:<\/strong> We strongly suggest renting a car and driving north from San Francisco along the Sonoma Coast and then ultimately inland. The drive around the region itself can be a highlight of this 3-day trip. Take a look at rental deals in San Francisco<\/strong><\/a> currently offered through Kayak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We recommend several hotels throughout this guide, but you can always browse for hotel options in Sonoma here<\/strong><\/a>. You can also earn points and miles on everyday purchases (including wine) by leveraging some of our top travel reward credit card picks<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alternatively, many visitors to the Sonoma region prefer not to drive and opt for hiring a private driver or tour guide. If this sounds like it’s more your speed, customize an itinerary with a private driver using Bliss Wine Tours<\/a><\/strong>, which also includes hotel pickup and dropoff. The service and experience is top-notch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Sonoma Itinerary: Day 1<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Nothing ever good comes of wine tasting on an empty stomach so let\u2019s start off our first day at Basque Boulangerie Caf\u00e9<\/strong> at 460 1st<\/sup> St E, right in Sonoma itself. With a large menu of pastries and light meals, Basque will provide the delicious base needed to prepare. And while we could spend the rest of the day exploring the shops around the square, we have wine to taste!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not even a ten-minute drive from Basque is our first stop: Buena Vista Winery<\/strong> at 18000 Old Winery Road in Sonoma. Don\u2019t worry about starting on too high of a note here \u2013 as stunning as Buena Vista is, we promise the rest will impress as well. That said, Buena Vista is breathtaking<\/em>. Founded in 1857 by Hungarian count Agoston Haraszthy de Moksa, it\u2019s California\u2019s oldest winery despite that little hiccup known as Prohibition. Today, Buena Vista offers everything from dry Furmint (an indigenous Hungarian variety) to powerhouse Zinfandels so there\u2019s something for every palate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
RELATED:<\/strong> Ultimate Napa Wine Tasting Guide: Best Wineries to Visit<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before heading to lunch, take a moment to work off the tasting with some gorgeous views attached at Sonoma Overlook Trail<\/strong> accessible at 198 1st<\/sup> St W in Sonoma. It\u2019s only about 3 miles so it\u2019s the perfect rejuvenator after midday wine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From there, head to Tasca Tasca<\/strong> at 122 Napa Street in Sonoma for an incredible Portuguese tapas-style lunch. Guests can choose combinations of different small plates that include cheeses, veggies, blood sausage, and Portuguese seafood dishes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Allocate the first afternoon for Hanzell<\/strong>. Set on the outskirts of Sonoma on 18596 Lomita Avenue, be sure to book a visit in advance (call 707.996.3860). Hanzell has updated to become a fully comprehensive organic farm as well as a winery and while touring the property, there\u2019s a good chance you\u2019ll be able to make friends with their herding dogs. Back at the cozily rustic tasting room, explore Hanzell\u2019s lovely Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How much energy do you have left? For a low-key dinner, try HopMonk Tavern<\/strong> at 691 Broadway in Sonoma. Check out live music in the garden as you unwind with a local beer and Nashville hot fried chicken. If you\u2019re looking for something a bit more polished, it\u2019s hard to go wrong with the girl + the fig <\/strong>in the Sonoma Hotel at 110 Spain Street in Sonoma. The epitome of California cuisine since 1997, the girl + the fig shows no signs of slowing down. The ingredients are about as fresh as it gets, and the wine list has some international gems. You can also take a Sonoma walking Food Tour<\/a><\/strong> for a fun and deeper dive into downtown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before you call it a day, be sure to explore Sonoma on foot and check out the San Francisco Solano Mission<\/strong> at 114 East Spain Street. If you want to dive deeper into California history, hold off until the morning when it opens back up and be sure to visit the memorial to indigenous people of the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Food, booze, and history can be exhausting. Bed down at the historic Sonoma Hotel at 110 West Spain Street. Set in a building from 1879, the Sonoma Hotel<\/a> <\/strong>will take you back in time while maintaining top service. The El Dorado Hotel<\/a><\/strong> at 405 1st<\/sup> Street West is another antique gem but with a pool, which can be a must on hot summer days. You can search for additional hotels during your travel dates<\/a><\/strong> here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to the activities mentioned above, immerse yourself in Sonoma with some of these highly-rated tours and experiences offered by our local friends:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n - Day 1<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n