Sonoma County Named Best Place to Travel in 2024

Travel + Leisure has bestowed upon Sonoma County the title of being one of the premier destinations to explore in 2024, featuring prominently on the magazine’s esteemed list of 50 global travel hotspots. This recognition underscores Sonoma County’s burgeoning status as a sought-after travel gem, as heralded by the reputable New York-based travel authority.

Included within Travel + Leisure’s highly coveted compilation, Sonoma County shines in the category dedicated to culinary delights, aptly labeled “For Food and Drinks.”

Commencing its glowing appraisal, Travel + Leisure describes Sonoma County as a sprawling haven, boasting an expanse that dwarfs even Napa, and brimming with twice the opportunities for exploration and indulgence.

Delving into the fabric of Sonoma County’s charm, the magazine extols the vibrancy of our small towns, where burgeoning enterprises are making significant waves on the culinary and cultural fronts, propelling the region into the global spotlight as a destination “on the rise.”

Citing the recent addition of the West Sonoma Coast American Viticultural Area (AVA), Travel + Leisure highlights Sonoma County’s impressive array of 19 AVAs, showcasing a rich tapestry of vintages crafted by esteemed wineries such as Flowers, Scribe, and Vérité Wines.

However, the allure of Sonoma County extends far beyond its world-renowned wines, as highlighted by Travel + Leisure, which showcases the allure of its Pacific coastline stretching from Bodega Bay to Sea Ranch, the diverse offerings of the Russian River of Guerneville, and the burgeoning culinary scene of Healdsburg.

In its meticulous curation of accommodations, Travel + Leisure spotlights the Sea Ranch Lodge, recently renovated to offer a dreamlike retreat atop the cliffs, alongside the idyllic Dawn Ranch in Guerneville, boasting 22 acres of serenity with its treehouse-like cabins and creekside glamping tents.

Notable culinary establishments in Healdsburg earn their well-deserved mention, including the debut of Chef Stu Stalker’s plant-based restaurant Second Story, the acclaimed Michelin three-starred SingleThread, and Chef Dustin Valette’s The Matheson, each contributing to the epicurean tapestry of the region.

For more on what Sonoma County has to offer, visit SonomaCounty.com.