5 Day Trips From San Francisco to Sonoma Wine Country

Spend a pleasant day in scenic Sonoma County, California, with this handy list of curated options for a memorable day trip to Sonoma Wine Country.

Coastal Adventure

With 50-plus miles of ocean coastline, Sonoma County is calling you to take a day trip to the beach. It’s easy to get to scenic beaches and vistas at Bodega Bay — about 90 minutes from San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge. Once there:

• Hike Bodega Head for spectacular views of waves and sea. (You may even spot a whale!)
• Take a dip, but make sure to check out the protected waters of Doran Regional Park before getting in the water.
• Swing by Spud Point Crab Company for some of the best clam chowder and crab sandwiches.

For more inspiration, check out this Day Trip From San Francisco to Bodega Bay.

Into the Woods

Sonoma County is home to a huge concentration of Coast Redwoods, some of the largest trees in the world. To best experience them:

• Visit Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve in Guerneville and take a guided hike with a ranger or explore on your own.
• In the nearby town of Occidental, you can zipline through the majestic redwoods with Sonoma Zipline Adventures.

Find more inspiration, Discover California Redwood Forests in Sonoma County.

Valley of the Moon

There is a sliver of especially fertile land that curves in a crescent along the town of Sonoma that is known as the Valley of the Moon. This oasis is a scenic place to spend the day.

• Luxuriate near the pool at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa.
• Check out the Guide to Wine Tasting in the town of Sonoma.

For more ideas, explore this Day Trip From San Francisco to the town of Sonoma.

The tiny town of Glen Ellen is also nestled in The Valley of the Moon. Here you can:

• Marvel at the exotic plant life at Sonoma Botanical Garden.
• Tour Jack London State Historic Park for beautiful nature trails, a small museum, and the remains of the famous author’s home and ranch.
• Go wine tasting. For wine tasting in this area, discover Top Wineries in Glen Ellen.

History in the Town of Sonoma

Explore the charming, walkable downtown of Sonoma, which is brimming with fascinating California history.

• Start your tour at Buena Vista Winery, which dates back to 1857 and still has the original press house.
• Head to Mission San Francisco Solano, which dates back to 1823 and now is one of the impressive historic buildings that comprise Sonoma State Historic Park.

For more inspiration, see this special itinerary for Exploring California History in Sonoma.

Foodie Heaven in Healdsburg

The vibrant town of Healdsburg has emerged as a mecca for food lovers and for highlighting diverse flavors, fresh local ingredients, and farm-to-table cuisine.

• A few standout restaurants in this favorite foodie place include: Bravas Bar de Tapas and Barndiva.
• Discover all the good eats in this Guide to Restaurants in Healdsburg.

For more inspiration, check out this Day Trip From San Francisco to Healdsburg.

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Written by Sonoma County Insider Matt Villano