Unique Wellness Experiences by Sonoma County Region
Whether you are wine tasting in the valley, relaxing by the coast, or exploring the redwoods and the Russian River, Sonoma County has an array of extraordinary wellness experiences to indulge in.
Written by Nina Jarnum
The Coast and Sea Villages
Rolling green hills meet the wild Pacific Ocean on Sonoma County’s stunning coastline. The coast offers some of the most spectacular scenery in all of California. The biodiversity, the fresh air and the wilderness of the waves are in themselves a therapeutic experience. There is an abundance of ways to combine your wellness experience with an exploration of the Pacific: Beach walks, wine tasting, whale watching, kayaking, exploring tide pools … it is all at your fingertips.
The Lodge at Bodega Bay
Enjoy the stunning coastal scenery while indulging in everything The Lodge at Bodega Bay has to offer. Start your day with outdoor yoga or a guided nature walk, spotting local wildlife. Then, take time to visit the spa and have a signature warm-shell massage and cabernet grape sea scrub. Dinner consists of a seasonal, local menu and can be enjoyed at Drake’s restaurant, the fireside lounge or, if you are wanting a little more intimacy, your room.
Osmosis Day Spa, Freestone
Unplug from the world for a day with a spa package at Osmosis. Start your day by enjoying tea in a private room overlooking the Japanese garden, followed by the signature cedar enzyme bath. Depending on the package, enjoy a massage or go full-in with the ultimate experience, which includes meditation, massage and facial.
For the full-day experience, stop by the Valley Ford market and pick up a bottle of local wine and deli snacks. From there, it’s a quick drive to the beach where you can enjoy your wine and the beautiful wilderness of the Pacific Ocean. (Remember to bring a jacket!)
The Redwoods and the River
The Russian River and redwood forest of Sonoma County offers more than beautiful nature, quaint towns, locally sourced restaurants and artisan wineries famed for their pinot noir. Combine your wellness experience with a walk and meditation in Armstrong Woods or a SUP yoga class on the river.
boon hotel + spa, Guerneville
This adult-only retreat is walking distance from Armstrong Woods. What makes boon hotel + spa special is the attention to the smallest details, from the coyuchi organic-cotton linens to the saline pool, heated or cooled to fit the weather.
The spa offers massage and face treatments for both individuals and couples, and you can add extras such as LED light treatment or Himalayan salt hot stones to your spa experience.
Enjoy a beautiful dinner at the companion restaurant, boon eat + drink, just two minutes down the road.
Farmhouse Inn & Bricoleur Vineyards Experience, Forestville
Staying at the famous Farmhouse Inn is truly Sonoma County at its best. This boutique hotel has beautiful, light rooms that come with a curated wine fridge, fireplace, steam shower and jet tub. Have a romantic dinner at the Michelin restaurant at the hotel and enjoy a massage or facial at the Wellness Barn.
To make your stay even more special, the Farmhouse Inn concierge works with an array of winery partners and artisans to give you unique experiences. A favorite is a bike ride to the gorgeous Bricoleur Vineyards, where a yoga teacher will be waiting for you at the pavilion. Enjoy a gentle private yoga class with spectacular views and finish off with a wine tasting and chef-prepared lunch.
The Valleys and Vineyards
Sonoma Valley is the epicenter of wine tasting and wine experiences, but there is so much more to this area. The rolling hills and beautiful nature that changes with the seasons gives southern France a run for its money and creates the perfect setting for a day or weekend of wellness.
Gaige House, Glen Ellen
For a deliciously Zen yet indulgent weekend away, go to the Gaige House, located in the small, quaint town of Glen Ellen. The Gaige House is a beautiful, contemporary, Californian mixed with traditional Japanese inn-style getaway.
Stay in a Zen-inspired Ryokan suite that comes with a traditional granite soaking tub, Hinoki-wood ladles, and traditional robes to slip into afterward.
Enjoy the Karesansui rock garden, the Zen yoga and meditation room, or just relax by the pool.
Come 5 o’clock, it is complimentary wine and cheese hour! And in the evening, guests are invited to enjoy sake, port and sherry in the gathering room.
Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn, Boyes Hot Springs, Sonoma
The glamour of the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa creates the perfect setting for a day or weekend at Boyes Hot Springs. This geothermal gem is the focal point of the beautiful spa, which contains five thermal mineral pools, a Roman-style bathhouse with halotheraphy sauna and aromatherapy steam room, and of course, a full menu of spa treatments, such as massages and facials. Spend your day by the outdoor pool, sipping champagne in between treatments and relaxing in the warm water. The Fairmont is wellness mixed with luxury and just plain aaaaaaaaah.
Plan Your Personal Wellness Itinerary
Whether you want complete relaxation or outdoor activities; a beach day or forest exploration, there is a wellness experience tailored to your needs and wants in Sonoma County. If you are looking for something unique and different, it is always worth asking the concierge at the hotel you are staying at for that local-knowledge touch. You can also download the Sonoma County App to start creating your personalized wellness itinerary in real-time, complete with step-by-step directions.
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