5 Sonoma County Experiences Worth the Splurge

Everyone deserves to splurge once in awhile, and there’s no better place to do it than Wine Country. Treat yourself and someone special to an extraordinary, spirit-lifting experience in Sonoma Wine Country. With acres of ocean-to-mountain landscapes, 425+ wineries, culinary standouts, and vibrant arts, culture, and recreation, so many special opportunities await in Sonoma County.

Luxury Wine Tastings

Treat all your senses at a Sonoma County vineyard estate where they roll out the red carpet with unforgettable indulgences like guided tours and gourmet dishes created by renowned chefs to pair with famous wines. Here is just a sample of some exceptional winery experiences.

Jordan Estate provides a luxury wine and gourmet bites tour through its 1,200-acre winery in the town of Healdsburg.  

Also in Healdsburg, Chalk Hill Estate offers a lavish vineyard and culinary garden tour with a seated lunch in the pavilion. 

Hamel Family Wines woos with elaborate cave tastings and a sophisticated menu in the town of Sonoma. 

Here is a complete list of Sonoma County wineries.

A Sonoma County Spa Day

Relax and pamper with a healing visit to Sonoma Wine Country’s popular destination spas in spectacular settings, where you’ll indulge in beneficial treatments utilizing farm-to-table ingredients like honey and grape seeds.

Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa is a luxury resort with baths fed by ancient thermal waters, located in the town of Sonoma. 

The Lodge at Bodega Bay overlooks the Pacific Ocean and Sonoma coastline and offers a signature warm-shell massage in the seaside village of Bodega Bay.

Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary offers massages in beautiful outdoor cabanas surrounded by Japanese gardens in the town of Freestone.

Here is a complete list of Sonoma County Spas.

Fine Dining in Sonoma County

For gorgeous, signature dishes from master chefs featuring farm-fresh ingredients and seafood plucked straight from the Pacific Ocean — look no further than the restaurants of Sonoma County. 

SingleThread in Healdsburg earned three Michelin stars for its 11-course tasting meals crafted as works of art and prepared with rustic clay pot cooking. 

The restaurant at Farmhouse Inn in Forestville earned a name for itself with its upscale farm-to-fork seasonally changing menu and large wine list.

Santé Restaurant at the Fairmont Inn in the town of Sonoma shines with seasonal signatures like sweet butter-poached lobster.

Here is a complete list of restaurants in Sonoma County.

Amazing Outdoor Adventures

For the dare of the air, it’s hard to beat ziplining through a redwood forest, over a ravine 300 feet below, and along a creek with Sonoma Zipline Adventures in Occidental.

In the water, several charter boat companies based in Bodega Bay offer sportfishing adventures as well as whale-watching cruises. Discover all of the unforgettable Bodega Bay: Boat Charters & Tours.

Here is a guide to more fun outdoor activities in Sonoma County.

Festivals & Events

Don’t miss the California Artisan Cheese Festival, which features hundreds of boutique cheeses, tours, lessons, a marketplace, and lots of sampling!

More eating and drinking awaits with Taste of Sonoma, where thousands of guests join hundreds of chefs, wineries, and artisan food purveyors for a day of elaborate food and wine tasting.

If music moves you, make sure to grab tickets to a headliner at the Green Music Center in Rohnert Park or the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa. Mark your calendar for the many music festivals that come to Sonoma County.

To find information on all of the current happenings, check the complete Sonoma County Events Guide.

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Written by Sonoma County Insider Carey Sweet