Best of Sonoma County

Sonoma County Essentials

Sonoma County features a diverse range of landmarks, from the towering old-growth trees of Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve to the rugged Pacific cliffs at Bodega Head. This selection highlights the region's historical depth, including the 1846 Bear Flag Revolt site at Sonoma Plaza and Mission San Francisco Solano. Oenophiles can explore California's oldest commercial winery at Buena Vista or the champagne cellars of Korbel. The list also encompasses unique cultural sites like the Charles M. Schulz Museum and the rolling hills that served as the iconic Windows XP 'Bliss' wallpaper.

Sonoma County Essentials — Map

Zandcee / CC BY-SA 3.0

A

Sonoma Plaza

An eight-acre National Historic Landmark that served as the site of the 1846 Bear Flag Revolt. The plaza is surrounded by 19th-century adobe buildings, the historic city hall, and numerous wine-tasting rooms.

bastique at Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0

B

Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve

Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve is a state park of California in the United States established to preserve 805 acres of coast…

Anlace / CC-BY-SA-3.0

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Sonoma Coast State Beach

Sonoma Coast State Park is a State of California property in Sonoma County consisting of public access use on lands adjoining the Pacific…

D

Francis Ford Coppola Winery

Winery and a restaurant.

BrokenSphere / CC BY-SA 3.0

E

Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center

Dedicated to the creator of the Peanuts comic strip, this museum houses original artwork, a re-created studio, and large-scale tile murals. It features a 100-seat theater showing Peanuts specials and documentaries.

M.Bucka / CC BY-SA 3.0

F

Mission San Francisco Solano

Mission San Francisco Solano was the 21st, last, and northernmost mission in Alta California. It was named for Saint Francis Solanus.

Karen Harris / CC-BY-SA

G

Safari West

A 400-acre private wildlife preserve housing over 900 animals, including giraffes, rhinos, and zebras. It offers open-air jeep tours through habitats designed to replicate the African savanna.

H

Bodega Head

A rocky headland forming the entrance to Bodega Bay. It features hiking trails with views of the Pacific Ocean and is a prominent location for seasonal whale watching.

Marina Christensen / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Jack London State Historic Park

Jack London State Historic Park, also known as Jack London Home and Ranch, is a California State Historic Park near Glen Ellen, California,…

Introvert / CC BY-SA 2.5

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Fort Ross State Historic Park

Fort Ross State Historic Park is a historical state park in Sonoma County, California, including the former Russian fur trading outpost of…

Karen Harris / CC-BY-SA

K

Buena Vista Winery

California’s oldest commercial winery, founded in 1857 by Agoston Haraszthy. The estate features historic stone cellars and a renovated champagne cellar recognized as a California Historical Landmark.

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Ledson Winery & Vineyards

Housed in a 16,000-square-foot French Normandy-style castle, this estate produces small-lot wines. The grounds include a gourmet deli and tasting rooms overlooking the vineyards.

Exoplanetaryscience / CC0

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Bliss

Bliss, originally titled Bucolic Green Hills, is the default wallpaper of Microsoft's Windows XP operating system.

Don Ramey Logan / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Sonoma Raceway

Sonoma Raceway is a road course and dragstrip located at Sears Point in the southern Sonoma Mountains of Sonoma County, California.

O

Korbel

Established in 1882, this historic winery specializes in California champagne produced using the traditional méthode champenoise. The site includes redwood-lined grounds and a gourmet deli.

Other Lists

Coastal Escapes Sonoma Wineries & Vineyards Camping and Outdoor Dining Sonoma Nature & Parks