Guide to Luxury Experiences in Sonoma Wine Country

Sure, Sonoma County is famous for its bucolic vineyards, farms, coast, and mountains — but Sonoma Wine Country is also known for its uniquely luxurious adventures. Here is your guide to top-shelf experiences to plan a special visit to the poshest wineries, restaurants, resorts, spas, and recreation. 

‘Best Hotel in the World’: The Lodge at Bodega Bay

Come to the seaside town of Bodega Bay to escape to this romantic and serene retreat that is consistently rated one of the top places to stay on the Sonoma Coast. In fact, in 2024, readers of Condé Nast Traveler voted The Lodge at Bodega Bay as the Best Hotel in the World!

The onsite restaurant, Drakes Sonoma Coast, celebrates the coastal bounty with a menu highlighting local, sustainably farmed produce, seafood, and meats. The onsite spa offers an outdoor heated swimming pool and whirlpool spa, with signature treatments like the warm tiger clam shell massage.   

Redwood Retreat: Farmhouse Inn

This rural property amid the redwoods in the town of Forestville is a ravishing mix of gorgeous guest rooms, a farm-fresh restaurant, and a seasonally-inspired spa. The owners, siblings Catherine and Joe Bartolomei, come from fifth-generation farmers, which translates perfectly to this welcoming and authentic modern ‘farmhouse’ complete with an impressive Michelin-starred restaurant onsite.

Enjoy the good life with large jetted tubs and saunas or steam showers. Each morning starts with a full breakfast and fresh flowers for your room. In the afternoon, you can take wine-tasting classes with a Master Sommelier, then move on to homemade cookies and milk.  

River Excursions Like No Other: Rubicon Adventures

There’s exploring the Russian River by canoe or kayak, and then there’s a private Stand Up Paddleboard tour. It’s a gorgeous experience with an expert guide from Rubicon Adventures leading the way. All the equipment is provided.

You can even try a healthy yoga class on the scenic water. Open to both beginners and experienced, these special sessions are a unique and enjoyable way to experience the natural beauty of the Russian River.

Spa Day: Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa

Treat all your senses at one of Sonoma Wine Country’s most iconic destinations, the state-of-the-art Fairmont Spa in the town of Sonoma. This renowned spa spans 40,000 square feet across a rotunda, indoor and outdoor pools, and 36 treatment rooms.

Guests come from around the world to experience the natural hot baths here, fed by an ancient thermal water source with 24 healing minerals. Feel the benefits flowing from springs 1,100 feet beneath the earth. The waters rise piping hot at 135 degrees and are cooled for guests. The signature Bathing Ritual is included with every visit and features an exfoliating shower, two mineral soaking pools, herbal steam, a dry sauna, and cool-down showers.  

Vacation Rental: BeautifulPlaces, Luxury Vacation Rentals

This luxury rental and epicurean adventure company boasts many beautiful homes for rent and exceptional culinary excursions. With properties across Sonoma County, there’s a perfect place for everyone, whether you’re looking for a vineyard or coastal view, a chic urban villa, or a romantic hideaway. Add on custom treats like a private cooking class in your vacation home, a chef-guided tour of local farmers’ markets, dinner with winemakers in a winery cave, and other special experiences.  

Glamping: Autocamp Russian River

A luxury compound of Airstream trailers sits on the banks of the Russian River, including spa-inspired bathrooms with walk-in showers and boutique hotel bedding and linens. Or, relax in a wood cabin or an elegant canvas tent with modern interiors. Either way, you will enjoy access to the site’s mid-century modern clubhouse, indoor and outdoor fire pit lounges, and adventure in the nearby redwoods and downtown Guerneville.  

Michelin Star Dining: SingleThread Farm Restaurant & Inn

Set in a grand building near the Healdsburg Plaza in Healdsburg, this elegant space is home to the most unique and sophisticated cooking. The concept is kaiseki, or elaborate multicourse meals crafted as art, and features rustic and delicious clay pot cooking. Menus change daily but might mean delicacies like black cod with root vegetables and walnut-nori pesto or wild salmon with ginger.  

Restaurateurs Kyle and Katina Connaughton planted their five-acre Single Thread Farms and a 3,000-square-foot rooftop garden above their restaurant to grow fresh boutique ingredients for their stellar menus.

Wine Tasting: Ram’s Gate Winery

The gorgeous hilltop winery offers some of the best views in the famous wine-growing region of Carneros. Here in the charming town of Sonoma, Ram’s Gate boasts a garden that produces a mini farmers’ market at the winery entrance, a dining area with a community table for by-appointment chef’s tastings, and plenty of patio tables overlooking the vineyards. To truly immerse in the picturesque setting, a wine-inspired epicurean picnic by the pond awaits. The chef crafts an assortment of mouthwatering delicacies to pair with your chosen wine, tucked into a real wicker basket packed with a blanket. Guests stroll through the vineyards to secluded spots between the vines and a serene pond, spread out their blankets, and relax.

UPscale Adventure: Santa Rosa Ballooning

It’s remarkable how breathtaking Sonoma County looks from the sky. Vineyards are lattice works of rolling hills from above. Sheep, cows, goats, horses, and even the occasional bison or llama look like toys. The sun dapples across lakes, creeks wind like ribbons, and old barns dot the fields. Santa Rosa Ballooning offers a variety of memorable rides to suit you and your guests, with an experienced team of dedicated experts to serve you.

Horseback Riding: The Ranch at Lake Sonoma Horseback Riding

Explore nature on the back of a sure-footed horse. Take a guided horseback trail ride with gorgeous views of Lake Sonoma in Geyserville, just minutes from downtown Healdsburg. The Ranch offers a wilderness experience on horseback, riding through Sonoma County’s largest 17,000-acre park. A variety of rides are available for timid or first-time riders to more challenging treks. 

Discover more ideas for Sonoma County luxury experiences.