Perfect Fall Saturdays in Sonoma County

Eat, Drink, And Enjoy On The Russian River

River Road, as it winds its way from Highway 101 past Guerneville, is a glorious drive in early fall, as recently harvested vineyards begin to turn colors, matched by the hues of the surrounding trees.

Taste wines in the beautiful red barn at Martinelli Winery, where Sonoma County’s agricultural history is on full display. The Martinelli family has been growing grapes in the Russian River Valley for over 135 years.

A bit further west is the charming Farmstand restaurant. For breakfast, choose between brioche French toast or a bowl of black-eyed peas and poached egg. Lunch and dinner are also served for the not-so-early birds.

Not far is Steelhead Beach, which is pretty in early fall when river levels are expected to be lower. For one more fun stop, visit Korbel Winery, which dates back to the 1880s and is a fascinating place to taste and tour. -Allison Gibson

Stroll The Art Trail

You don’t have to be a gallery regular to appreciate Sonoma County Art Trails — four days of open studios over two consecutive weekends beginning in late September. Scores of juried painters, ceramicists, jewelers, and others show off their work, allowing visitors to see the art and the artists. Many artists open up private studios and intriguing workspaces during this event. To help you plan your route, the Sebastopol Center for the Arts publishes a color catalog of participating artists each year with individual websites listed to check out before your visit. -Mary Callahan

Sail Through Redwoods

Discover a thrilling new way to enjoy the great outdoors, like gliding along a 1,500-foot-long zipline through majestic redwoods and giant sequoia trees on a Sonoma Zipline Adventures tour. A tour guide offers tips about the forest, sometimes delivered with a few fun “dad jokes.”

Stay at the nearby Union Hotel in Occidental, where the luxury guest houses are relaxing and the food is amazing. -Sara Edwards

Help Restore Trails In The Great Outdoors

Sonoma County has some of California’s most stunning parkland, but all those acres depend on trail crews to keep them accessible. Volunteers play a key role, and the Redwood Trails Alliance, a coalition of outdoor enthusiasts, is dedicated to putting your helping hands to good use. Circle the fourth weekend of the month on your calendar to participate in Public Lands Day. Fellow volunteers make for fast friends, and you’ll also come away with the satisfaction of giving back to places that make Sonoma County so special.

Afterward, head for Trail House, Santa Rosa’s most bike-friendly ale house and café, where you can come as you are (on two wheels or two feet) to wash down your good work with local beers on tap. -Brett Wilkison

Press Your Own Cider

You can make your own cider from August through October at the Sebastopol Community Apple Press, run by Slow Food Russian River since 2014. Donations are welcome, but using the press is free — just bring apples and containers.

Nearby farms have apples for sale, including landmark Gold Ridge Organic Farms, which also sells its own line of olive oil, plus yummy caramels and other delights from Little Apple Treats.

Continue the apple theme with a stop at The Barlow for a pint of the hard stuff at Golden State Cider and a warm apple melt sandwich with cheddar cheese and a drizzle of wildflower honey from The Farmer’s Wife. -Marisa Endicott

Discover Views On Ridgetop Drive

Here’s one of the best-kept secrets in Sonoma County: Coleman Valley Road. This ribbon of roadway, which begins in the town of Occidental and ends at the coast just a few miles north of Bodega Bay, is a beautiful fall drive, with ocean views for miles from the top of the ridge as you wind past pastures with sheep, cows, and llamas in plain view.

Begin a lazy Saturday on the way into Occidental at Marimar Estate, where owner Marimar Torres shows off her Catalan heritage with tastings that pair Spanish wines with housemade tapas. -Peg Melnik

Bike Geysers Road

Feeling adventurous? Capable of fixing a flat? Consider a spin on the remote but gorgeous Geysers Road. While a 42-mile loop is available for the exceptionally fit, we recommend an out-and-back route from Cloverdale — preferably after caffeinating at downtown Plank Coffee.

Roll east on First Street (which becomes Crocker Road) and then left on River Road, which merges after a mile or so with Geysers. Riding this rugged byway ensures some uphill suffering, but it also offers kaleidoscopic scenery, such as Alpine meadows, shaded ravines, and a century-old truss bridge.

Back in Cloverdale, replace those calories with soft serve ice cream at Pick’s Drive-In or heartier fare at Zini’s Diner, with the best French fries in the county. -Austin Murphy

Check Out Pumpkins On Pikes

For a fall event that captures the spirit of harvest and Halloween, it’s hard to top the annual Pumpkins on Pikes event at Petaluma’s Tara Firma Farms, traditionally held the last two Saturdays of October. Imagine a horde of pumpkins carved by attendees, then lit from within and mounted on pikes as tall as 7 feet high. The goal of the farm is to increase public awareness of where our food comes from. Food and drinks are available at the farm. Or grab a grain bowl or fall lentil salad with roasted squash to go from downtown Petaluma’s Lunchette. -Dan Taylor

Experience Golden Fall

Visit Crane Creek Regional Park in the late afternoon’s golden hour as the sun begins to set and the nearby vineyards morph to bright orange and red. As shadows lengthen and the landscape begins to glow, follow the trail east of the parking lot, cross a small wooden footbridge, and then hop across the creek on rocks. Continue up the Sunset Trail to take in the view of surrounding hills and gnarly old oaks. If you’re lucky, you’ll see a bird of prey soaring high in the sky, silhouetted against the setting sun.

After this restorative hike, warm up with a steaming bowl of udon and a glass of sake at the Japanese restaurant Shige Sushi in nearby Cotati. Owner Shige Mori brings the flavors and philosophy of his native Japan to the cozy dining room, enveloping guests in the warmth of the season. -Sofia Englund

Spend Time With The Peanuts Gang

Tucked away in a quiet corner of Santa Rosa is the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center. Inside is one of the most dynamic collections of its kind in the world, featuring many of Schulz’s 17,897 original “Peanuts” drawings. You’ll see a lot of Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, and the whole gang, but you’ll also find letters, photographs, and tribute artwork from noted cartoonists who were inspired by the beloved artist nicknamed, “Sparky.” It’s a museum that can make us laugh and feel nostalgic with all the wit, wisdom, and emotions this renowned creator portrayed. -Richard A. Green

Take A Beach Trip

Sonoma’s dramatic coast is a welcome destination during the fall. Head west on Highway 12 toward Bodega Bay for a beachfront hike.

Watch Fall Sports

Tune into your favorite sport at Ausiello’s 5th Street Bar & Grill in downtown Santa Rosa. You can get a booth with your own TV, plus the beer is cold, and the burgers are tasty. Owner Armand Ausiello has an outstanding array of vintage sports memorabilia (you could spend a long time marveling at all the cool stuff), and he’s so accommodating that he honors special (and obscure) TV channel requests on the bigger screens. This is the friendliest place for every fan. -John D’Anna

Go Leaf Peeping

The morning fog settles over the trees at Healdsburg’s Riverfront Regional Park, pulling one’s attention skyward. Head through a grove of redwoods before the trail opens up onto a wide main path — no hiking boots needed. It’s the perfect fall stroll for any weekend — including after your Thanksgiving feast. The 2.18-mile main loop is flat yet rewarding, providing views of Lake Benoist and tunnels of trees with piles of leaves at their base. At the trail’s north end, a short path leads to a beach along the Russian River. Back at the car, it’s just a few minutes to drive for a slice of pizza at PizzaLeah in Windsor. Try the Old Grey Beard with spicy Italian sausage, hot honey, and orange zest.  -Madison Smalstig