Inspiration and ideas for three days in Sonoma County

As I’m planning this year’s trip back to Sonoma County, an area that won my heart at the tender age of nine when I first visited with my parents and younger sister, I’m looking back at our last trip there. I’ve always considered the area a second home with yearly visits to spend time with family while still living in the Midwest, and after moving to another part of San Francisco Bay Area. Here are photos and ideas for Sonoma County travel inspiration.

Hillside vineyards in Sonoma County

Wine, dine, and enjoy the beauty

During our three-day visit, Mr. TWS and I stayed in Healdsburg, a charming town that is a great location for exploring the Sonoma coast and wine country.

Healdsburg from the Rooftop bar at the Harmon Guest House

Wining and dining

Wineries where we tasted

There are 19 American Viticultural Areas (AVA’s) in Sonoma County, each with distinct characteristics. Our favorites are Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma Valley, Sonoma Coast, Alexander Valley, Rockpile, and Russian River Valley. With over 425 wineries, you’ll find many options for tasting. Be sure to check out specific wineries for tour and tasting options and if reservations are required. Most wineries also have tasting fees, which are often waived if you purchase wine. The wineries below are the ones we visited on this trip.

Kunde Family Winery, 9825 Sonoma Winery, Kenwood

Kunde is a five generational family winery in a beautiful location in Kenwood. We chose their two-hour “Mountain Tour and Tasting” experience that includes a wine cave and vineyard tour before a drive up to the estate’s mountain top for a wine tasting with a view. Our favorite taste was their Sonoma Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

Kunde Family Winery

Viansa, 25200 Arnold Dr, Sonoma

Family-owned Viansa produces Italian-style wines using traditional processes that date back to the family’s beginnings in Lucca (in Italy’s Tuscany region). The winery is proud to welcome visitors as amici di famiglia (friends of the family). We have felt that warmth each time we’ve visited. —  I Left My Heart in Northern California on TWS

Viansa Winery

This hilltop winery is a sentimental favorite of ours. We have often stopped here for a light lunch with wine (food and wine purchased at the market inside the winery) on the patio with captivating views.

Vineyard view at Viansa Winery in Sonoma

Wilson Winery, 1960 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg

A local wine expert recommended that we visit Wilson Winery on Dry Creek Road in Healdsburg. We chose the seasonal four-wine flight to enjoy as we sat outside on the patio. Among other delectable wines, Wilson has a lovely selection of zinfandel wines – Mr. TWS’s favorite varietal.

Wilson Winery

Look for the large coyote sculpture by Bryan Tedrick next to the century-old tin barn that houses Wilson Winery. The building is one of the oldest structures in the area.

Coyote sculpture by Bryan Tedrick at Wilson Winery in Healdsburg

Rockpile Vineyard (Healdsburg tasting room), 206 Healdsburg Ave.

In the town of Healdsburg, they are several tasting rooms for wineries throughout Sonoma County. At the Rockpile tasting room we had a nice time interacting with locals who come here for wine and conversation. The Rockpile Vineyard (which we did not visit) is on a mountain top on Rockpile Road about 2000 feet above Lake Sonoma and Dry Creek Valley where they produce Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. We bought a few bottles of Petite Sirah at the tasting room. 

Rockpile tasting room in downtown Healdsburg

Delicious dining experiences in Healdsburg

Here’s a list of the restaurants we enjoyed and a look at some of the dishes we selected. Menus may change daily, weekly, by season, or from time-to-time, so check current menus.

Dry Creek Kitchen, 317 Healdsburg Avenue

Dining at Dry Creek Kitchen is always a highlight for us. One time, we were lucky enough to dine here when owner Chef Charlie Palmer was actually cooking in the kitchen that night.

Dry Creek Kitchen — Kanpachi Crudo, Ora King Salmon, Smoked Kurobuta Pork Chop

Valette, 344 Center Street

We first dined at Valette in 2021 and plan on returning whenever we’re in the area.

Serendipity brought us to this restaurant near Healdsburg Square on our first evening in town. Without dinner reservations, we were kindly turned away at a few places until we came to Valette. Although all tables were taken for the rest of the night, there were a few seats at the bar where the same menu is served and we were warmly welcomed. We loved the Sonoma County vibe and eagerly took our seats. From there, our experience was a delightful combination of friendly service, conversation with staff and other diners, and delicious dishes. — I Left My Heart in Northern California on TWS

Valette — Sonoma County Organic Salad, Mt. Lassen Steelhead Trout Mi Cuit, Bone-in Duroc Pork Loin

Willi’s Seafood & Raw Bar, 403 Healdsburg Avenue

Willi’s was recommended to us on a night that we were looking for a light meal in downtown Healdsburg. The tacos were delicious. We’re inclined to make a return visit and try some other dishes.

Pork tacos, crab tacos at Willi’s Seafood and Raw Bar

Happy hours

The Rooftop at Harmon Guest House, 227 Healdsburg Avenue

This is a great spot for a casual rooftop happy hour.

The Rooftop bar at the Harmon Guest House

Spoonbar at h2hotel, 219 Healdsburg Avenue

Martini at Spoonbar

A day on the Sonoma Coast

Sonoma Coast

I’ve always loved the rugged and wild beauty of the Sonoma coast and a drive on Highway CA-1 (the Coast Highway) is always a treat. We drove from Healdsburg to Bodega Bay via Highway 101 and CA-116, then took CA-1 north to Stewart’s Point with stops at Jenner, Wright’s Beach, and Goat Rock Beach.

Sonoma Coast

We had a lovely lunch at Coast Kitchen at Timber Cove Resort, north of Jenner and Fort Ross State Historic Park. From Timber Cove Resort we continued north on CA-1 for 12 miles to Stewart’s Point.

Stewart’s Point – Skaggs Springs Road

At Stewart’s Point we turned onto Stewarts Point – Skaggs Springs Road to head back to Healdsburg. This is a lovely drive through forests and rolling hills, but if you’re not comfortable driving on narrow, winding roads you’ll want to consider retracing your steps or finding alternate routes. A map of the road from Stewart’s Point to the Lake Sonoma Recreation Area is below.

Lake Sonoma — looking west from the overlook at Lake Sonoma Recreation Area

At the Lake Sonoma Recreation Area, we stopped at the overlook for a greats view of the lake to the west and Alexander Valley (Sonoma County’s largest region for wine grapes) to the east.

Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California — view from the overlook at Lake Sonoma Recreation Area

From there, the road turns into Dry Creek Road which we took to head back to Healdsburg.

Where we stayed in Healdsburg

h2hotel on tree-lined Healdsburg Avenue

h2hotel, 219 Healdsburg Avenue — We loved the hotel’s decor and quiet location near Healdsburg Plaza, winery tasting rooms, shops, and restaurants.

H2Hotel lobby

A few “while in Healdsburg” tips: There are many activities and day trips that are convenient from Healdsburg. Check out current schedules of events in Healdsburg Square and the surrounding area. Spend time in cities like Santa Rosa, Sonoma, and Petaluma. Santa Rosa is Sonoma’s county seat where you’ll find interesting places such as Luther Burbank Home and Gardens and the Charles M. Schulz Museum. Schulz, the famous cartoonist who created the “Peanuts” comic strips, lived in Santa Rosa for 40 years. Enjoy nature and do some hiking at Healdsburg Ridge Open Space Preserve.

Sonoma County has so much to offer! 

Stay tuned for a future post on how we traveled from Scottsdale to Healdsburg and back home.

The post Northern California Getaway — Three Days in Sonoma County appeared first on Traveling with Sweeney.