Sonoma Valley
Sonoma Valley
5
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One of the prime wine producing regions in California. A visit to Sonoma Valley yields an outstanding array of food, lodging and scenery.
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113 within 10 kms
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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5.0
771 reviews
Excellent
630
Very good
125
Average
11
Poor
5
Terrible
0
Trish
London, UK15 contributions
Aug. 2022
Wonderful place to visit, excellent scenery and lots of beautiful vineyards in the horizon. Worth a visit
Written November 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
RandyRoss
Ridgetown, Canada11,629 contributions
Aug. 2022
On our wine tour of Napa and Sonoma, we stopped at one winery (B.R. Cohn) and the town of Sonoma (for lunch), as well as driving through this lovely area.
Written August 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
fiamma11
Vienna, VA4,722 contributions
Sep. 2021
The Sonoma Valley is beautiful and offers many vineyards to visit while you are there. A California really should do, if not a most do. Fun in nature accompanied with delicious wine.
Written August 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
dwo99
Washington, DC73 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
The old Sonoma I used to love apparently has gone the way of hyper-commercial Napa. Gone are the days of casually driving around, stopping at random wineries for a quick tasting and perhaps pick up a bottle or two of reasonably priced wine. Just a few short years ago (2019) the standard tasting fee if there was one was maybe 10 bucks per person on the high end. Now it’s $25 per person for what amounts to less than a glass of wine each. It’s the equivalent of the $27 beer at La Guardia airport, a complete ripoff.
Save your money and go to Oregon or Washington state, whose wines are equal in quality and taste (if not better at times), and are considerably less expensive for tastings and bottles.
Save your money and go to Oregon or Washington state, whose wines are equal in quality and taste (if not better at times), and are considerably less expensive for tastings and bottles.
Written May 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Cameron C
5 contributions
Jan. 2022
Sonoma Valley is spectacular, a must visit! Many wineries to visit. Cozy therapeutic feelings everywhere
Written January 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Charles D
San Francisco, CA34 contributions
Jan. 2022 • Couples
I have had the great privilege of living part-time for two years in this lovely area, where the grapes grow ripe and delicious, the sun shines most every day, and there’s plenty of open space to see far and breathe deep.
Written January 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
surfercharlie
Glendive, MT850 contributions
Jul. 2021
I have been looking forward to driving through Sonoma Wine Country for a long time. While there were not as many grapes as I imagined, there were still quite a few. The area was dry and just a little bit hilly. I don't know what I expected, but it was a nice drive and interesting to look at the countryside.
Written August 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
wendy L
Evanston, IL498 contributions
Jul. 2021
Our family did visit one winery, but our focus for the day was to drive through the area and experience the beauty everyone raves about. And it did not disappoint. I guess I expected more views of endless manicured fields and onsite "factories", but I was pleasantly surprised at how much natural beauty remains, and how rural it felt. Roads are not super highways, and the wineries share neighborhoods with small businesses, not big factory farms . There are lots of hills and foliage, and of course, rows and rows of grape arbors dotting the landscape. It really is beautiful, and makes for a lovely drive, even if you have no interest in stopping for a tasting.
Written July 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Valerie W
6 contributions
Jun. 2021
Our reservation for an accommodation in Napa was cancelled at the last minute (beware using Diane de Filipi for rentals!) and we had to re-route our itinerary which had us ending up in Sonoma (the town) and boy are we glad that happened. It really was fortuitous. Not only does Sonoma have all the wine country things, but the square is lovely, there's a lot of interesting historical stuff, and we found a cool greenway to walk (bike path) that passed lots of interesting things. And the neighborhoods in Sonoma are peaceful, walkable, and gorgeous.
Written June 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Wano16
Plantation, FL807 contributions
Oct. 2020 • Couples
I love this area. So beautiful. So many wineries. All kinds of places to visit, buy and drink wine and dine. Great weather especially spring and fall. I could stay forever.
Written October 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ericka
Heredia, Costa Rica58 contributions
Buenos dÃas, me gustarÃa saber si Napa y Sonoma se deben visitar obligatoriamente las dos o bien escoger una porque ofrecen lo mismo? Vamos a estar en San Francisco y queremos conocer
michele s
Boca Raton, FL14 contributions
Heading to Sonoma in June, staying by the square. First timers. Would love suggestions for must do restaurants, wineries, hikes and wine tour or bike tour recommendations. We will have 4 days Thanks so much
Ray T
Maynard, MA101 contributions
Girl and the Fig and Eldorado Kitchen are two of our favorite eating spots on the Square. Many tasting rooms close too including Sbragia, Kamen, Walt, and Westwood Cellars (all on the Square). Ravenswood is a short drive. Quarry Hill Botanical Gardens are not far out of town either (on the road to Healdsburg). Many great walking paths here as well as lovely plantings. The road to the garden is littered with wineries including Arrowood and St Jean. As you go further north you pass many of the great Zinfandel houses including St Anne's Crossing. Enjoy!
OliviaRClarke
Nottinghamshire, UK
Hi, I’m staying in Sonoma Valley at the start of September. I’ve never visited before and wondered whether it was recommend to book a wine tasting or due to its more laid back attitude, if we can just arrive on the day and taste?
There will be 5 of us drinking.
Really apprecaite any suggestions.
Thanks!
James U
5 contributions
Want to plan a week long wine country trip. Any suggestions, best practices, must book tours, let me know thanks my fellow Americans.
Love To Travel
Sonoma, CA23 contributions
Be sure to enjoy the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art, Sonoma Plaza (historic), Buena Vista Winery, dinner or lunch at Swiss Hotel, Sweet Scoops, and yes Wine and food pairiing at St. Francis Winery if you can get in.
Stephanie A
Miami, FL33 contributions
Help! First time visitor to Sonoma and the options are overwhelming. We have a day and a half to do tours. We are staying at the Marriott Lodge at Sonoma. I don't want to try to cram too many vineyards in one day so that I can really appreciate each one. My guess is I'd like to do between 3-4 in a day, unless more is doable without being rushed. Which vineyards do I visit? We like red blends if that helps. We don't want anything overly fancy, but something with the breathtaking views where we could possibly have a picnic or snack on something on a terrace with a view. Any recommendations are welcome!!
Susie M
Raleigh, NC27 contributions
We actually drove an hour north to Ferrari-Carano and timed it so we would arrive when they opened their tasting room. Very nice views and the wines are wonderful ($15 to taste 5 wines). Gorgeous gardens!
And near there is Bella Vineyards and Wine Caves. The tasting room is in a cave structure and the wines are fantastic.
Francis Ford Coppola is also up that way.
So, we started north and drove south, back to Sonoma stopping at wineries along the way (some just to take pictures and admire the views).
If you want to stay closer to Sonoma (say between Santa Rosa and Sonoma):
Chateau St. Jean is a wonderful winery with beautiful gardens with tables and chairs, as well as a gorgeous stand of redwoods. Hopefully, none of those sustained fire damage last year!
I would go by Ledson Winery just to see the mansion and grounds (it was getting late and we did not do a tasting there, although I think it's rather expensive).
St. Francis Winery is also very beautiful.
VJB Winery.
All 4 of these wineries are very close to one another. All were around $15 to taste (except Ledson which, I think, is $30). However, you can split tastings between two poeple, which turns out to be really nice!
I know you said you prefer red blends but, if you have time Gloria Ferrer is 10 min. south of dowtown Sonoma. Their specialty is sparkling wines. They also have wine caves that you can tour and a patio with sweeping views of their vineyards.
Downtown Sonoma: The Girl and The Fig is fantastic! I would also recommend reservations. We did not have them, but got lucky and were able to sit in the lounge area on couches and eat.
Hope this helps - it's a lot! I would sit down with Google Maps and map out your route that way.
Diane O
Lake Preston, SD34 contributions
If I only have 2 nights in the area, what wineries would you suggest, that I must not miss? Or any other suggestions for my 3 days? We were thinking of driving and not paying for any tours.
Thank you.
Trish B
Cleveland, Australia37 contributions
Gloria Ferrer was excellent! We got a lovely Uberdriver who took us around for a few hours so we could both taste without worrying about driving. His name was Eli 707-695-2153
Sonoma was nicer than Napa! Enjoy!
Diane O
Lake Preston, SD34 contributions
If I only have 2 nights in the area, what wineries would you suggest, that I must not miss? Or any other suggestions for my 3 days? We were thinking of driving and not paying for any tours.
Thank you.
nomad927
Minneapolis, MN122 contributions
The Sonoma town square has several tasting rooms that could give you a better idea of what vineyards to visit and it's a worthwhile destination in its own rite.
Marie-Josée F
3 contributions
looking for a not too expensive place to stay in Sonoma. We are 3 adults and are planing a 4 day stay in june
Helen G
Ocean City, NJ200 contributions
We stayed in an Airbnb just outside the city. Beautiful view of the valley and vineyard next door. Local host with good suggestions for the area. Quiet relaxing option
SarahCHtown
Houston, TX50 contributions
My husband and I will be traveling to the wine country in May for our anniversary. We will have 3 day and 3 nights. we are looking for easy going area that is centrally located so easy to get to wineries during the day, walk to dinner at night, relaxing not super crowded. this will be our first trip here so I have no idea where to go/stay. any recommendations would be helpful. right now I don't even know where to stare.
Cheryl P
Tuckerton, NJ224 contributions
I definitely recommend the Sonoma area rather that Napa which is just too busy. I can't help with hotels, but Trip Advisor has many suggestions.
SleekSue69
Colchester, VT
We are heading to Sonoma Valley in October. Looking for suggestions for hotels and wine tours or some type of local transportation to the wineries. Working with a tight budget. Any suggestions?
smlpig
Sonoma, CA9 contributions
Hey there. I've lived in the valley for 40 years and hope I can be of some help here. First of all, there are some really nice wineries with lovely grounds within walking or bicycling distance from the center of Sonoma town. The Best Western on 2nd Street West is the most reasonable hotel, and it's a block away from the Plaza and across the street from Whole Foods and CVS Pharmacy. It is also across the street from where you want to rent your bikes at Wine Country Cyclery. Great guys! Now, within walking distance from the Plaza you have Sebastiani and Ravenswood Wineries. If you want to take a bit of a longer and beautiful walk, you can also visit Buena Vista and Bartholomew Wineries. You can bike to all of these. Also, within biking distance -- and another lovely ride -- is Gundlach-Bundschu Winery. Let me tell you a bit about the beautiful settings of these wineries. From Ravenswood and Sebastiani you can take a lovely ride or walk up Gehricke Road. Buena Vista and Bartholomew wineries have a gorgeous park adjacent to them with hiking trails, picnic grounds and a villa with cool historical photos of the Haraszthy wine dynasty. Gundlach-Bundschu is on Denmark Street and has lovely grounds and views. In addition to these great wineries, there are lots of nice tasting rooms right on the Plaza. Let's talk about food. On or around the Plaza, you have Italian, Himalayan, Indian, nouvelle cuisine, grilled, California cuisine, pub grub, burgers and several yummy cafés. You have the cheese factory for picnic goods, or Whole Foods across from the hotel. See? You don't have to hire a car or pay for a hired driver to enjoy Sonoma. And, you are coming at a gorgeous time of year. Walking and biking around town and the immediate environs, you will get an eyeful of autumn color from the vineyards and the thousands of trees that turn yellow, orange, red and purple. So, enjoy your visit!
SONOMA VALLEY - 2023 All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Sonoma Valley
- We recommend booking Sonoma Valley tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 14 Sonoma Valley tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Sonoma Valley:
- Small Group Half Day Sonoma Wine Country Tour (From C$185.47)
- 3-1 Muir Woods Visit with Sausalito & Half Day Wine Country (All fees included) (From C$233.51)
- Sonoma Valley Bike and Wine Tour (E-bike or Regular) (From C$238.84)
- Half-Day Sonoma Wine Tour plus 1 Day Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Pass (From C$212.14)
- Sonoma Valley Pedal Assist Bike Tour with Lunch - (Reg. Bike Optional) (From C$252.19)
- Hotels near Sonoma Valley:
- (0.05 km) Cinnamon Bear Creekside Inn
- (0.11 km) El Pueblo Inn
- (0.42 km) New Modern style Two Bedroom Condo In Sonoma Valley with Private Patios
- (0.42 km) New Modern style Two Bedroom Condo In Sonoma Valley
- (1.40 km) An Inn To Remember
- Restaurants near Sonoma Valley:
- (0.06 km) Sweet Pea Bake Shop
- (0.16 km) Tortilleria Jalisco
- (0.68 km) Mamma Tanino's Ristorante
- (1.73 km) Sweet Scoops Homemade Ice Cream
- (1.51 km) Sunflower Caffé