5 Fun Things To Do in Kenwood

Wine enthusiasts and nature lovers alike discover a great base of operations in the tiny (population around 1,000) and picturesque town of Kenwood. Perched on the northern end of California’s Sonoma Valley, Kenwood is known for its world-renowned wineries, excellent restaurants and a quietly luxurious Mediterranean-style resort, the Kenwood Inn & Spa.

Here are 5 fun things to do on a visit to Kenwood: 

Revel in Nature at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park

Nestled into the Mayacamas Mountains dividing the Sonoma and Napa valleys, Sugarloaf Ridge State Park includes the headwaters of 33-mile-long Sonoma Creek, a 25-foot seasonal waterfall, and 2,729-foot Bald Mountain. Within the park’s 4,000 acres are three basic ecological systems: chaparral-covered ridges, open meadows with oak and fir woodlands, and a redwood forest.

A Wappo village was once located on Sonoma Creek, and acorn-grinding rocks can still be seen here. Activities abound, including hiking and horseback riding on 25 miles of trails, fishing, camping, and mountain biking. 

Find the Perfect Garden Decoration at Swede’s Feeds

Driving along Highway 12 through Kenwood, it’s impossible to miss Swede’s Feeds. This one-of-a-kind store has many of its offerings arranged outdoors, and they’re definitely eye-catching. You might see a 12-foot welded-metal dinosaur or an equally tall metal giraffe, a swath of pots colorful enough to shame a rainbow, and multi-story birdhouses so fanciful you’ll want to move in.

Most people fall for the large collection of hand-made folk art pieces – blazing-pink flamingoes, multi-colored peacocks, man-sized roosters – all made from recycled oil barrels and machinery gears.

Inside the store, check out the beautiful artisan wine racks crafted from wine barrel staves, the hand-made, recycled redwood chicken coops, or the recycled redwood line of bluebird, bat, owl, and other avian-specific boxes.

Discover Art and Nature at Wildwood Nursery

Inhabiting five gorgeous acres, Wildwood Nursery is home to rare and unusual plants from around the world, including more than 250 varieties of Japanese maples; many species of dogwoods, ginkgos, and conifers; and bonsai-style beech, maple, and evergreen trees. 

Scattered throughout the grounds are outdoor sculptures – works of steel, ceramic, coated resin, and other weather-proof materials – that turn the entire place into a work of art. On a stroll you’ll encounter gates made of welded metal or ancient barn wood, an old potting table covered with massive hand-made ceramic bowls, a whimsical recycled-wood creature peeking from behind a fern, and one-of-a-kind fountains.

Within all this splendor, the maple trees – hundreds of them, in all sizes and varieties, with most, but not all, in containers – stand out. You will think of their beauty long after you leave. But since Wildwood Nursery ships anywhere in the U.S., consider sending one or two home.

Explore Kenwood’s Wineries

Some of California’s best wineries are located in tiny Kenwood. Many have tasting rooms clustered together on the west side of Highway 12, which allows you to enjoy a walking tasting. On the eastern side, wineries are a bit more spread out (but also larger and more fanciful).

At VJB Vineyards, Cellars & Marketplace you can taste their Italian wine varietals in the tasting room or on their beautiful Italian piazza. Get lunch from the Italian deli or wood-fired pizza, panninis, and calzone from Red Rooster Pizza, followed by delicious gelato and wine truffles hand-crafted onsite. On summer weekends, there’s live music by The Three Tenors on the piazza. 

On Saturdays from May into October, enjoy a complimentary horse-drawn carriage tour at Landmark Vineyards. Delve into a wine & food pairing at Ledson Winery & Vineyards, marvel over the Mediterranean gardens at Chateau St. Jean, and take a hike at Kunde Family Winery

Picnic in the park

The five-acre Kenwood Plaza Park offers shaded lawns, a gazebo, a play structure, and picnic tables, making it the perfect spot for a relaxing Wine Country picnic. Pick up picnic supplies at the Kenwood Market, or get food to go at Palooza Brewery and Gastropub.

Less than a quarter mile up the road, you’ll find the Kenwood Depot. Built in 1887, it served as the central Sonoma Valley’s primary railroad station from 1888 to 1934, when rail service finally gave way to the automobile. Today the stone building is a historic landmark, and serves  as a meeting and event space.

For more inspiration, read our guide to Wine Tasting in Kenwood and find Places to Stay in Kenwood.

Written by Sonoma Insider Suzie Rodriguez.