What to Expect When Visiting Sonoma County Wine Country

Sonoma County’s beautiful and varied terrain beckons travelers to hike through towering redwood forests, paddle along meandering rivers, or simply unwind to the sounds of nature. With so many things to see and do, it’s best to take some time to plan ahead. When you’re prepared for your adventure, you and your group are more likely to have a good time and help protect the outdoors. 

Here are a few extra tips to keep your visit as safe and enjoyable as possible:

• Learn more about the Sonoma County Leave No Trace Seven Principals, including Know Before You Go, Be Extremely Careful with Fire, and Keep Wildlife Wild. Each Principal provides helpful tips to protect and preserve this special corner of the world for generations to come.
• When planning water activities along the coast, at the river or at the lake, make sure to read these important safety tips, and watch this quick, informative video on safety at the coast.
• Sonoma County residents and visitors looking to swim, float or play at two of Sonoma County’s most popular Russian River beaches can avoid the likelihood of full parking lots by taking the Sonoma County Regional Parks River Shuttle this summer. The River Shuttle runs weekends and holidays from Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day weekend. The shuttle route travels a loop, departing every 30 minutes between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. from El Molino High School, 7050 Covey Road, in Forestville to Steelhead Beach Regional Park and Sunset Beach River Park. Click here for more information.
• If you’re traveling during fire season, click here for current information. Check Red Flag Warnings and fire restriction advisories. You may not be authorized to have a campfire depending on drought or weather conditions. If campfires are prohibited, have alternative methods for staying warm, cooking food and enjoying your time that do not involve campfires.
• Fireworks are illegal throughout most of Sonoma County. To  view information about where fireworks are banned or allowed throughout the county, click here.

Give Yourself A Little Extra Time

We want visitors to have the best experience possible in Sonoma County, and so we recommend giving yourself a little bit of extra time. You are in Wine Country; slow down enough to fully enjoy it. Be aware of any road closures or construction, and use pull-outs when needed.

Make Reservations

While not all restaurants and wineries require, or even offer reservations, many do. We recommend making reservations well in advance when possible, especially on weekends. Same-day reservations are sometimes available and welcome by phone call, and some places welcome walk-in visitors.

One of the advantages of calling ahead is it often affords a more intimate experience for guests. While Sonoma County is a naturally intimate place that allows travelers to slow down, stretch out and connect with each other and our community of artisans, planning ahead can take that experience to the next level.

Enjoy Wine Country, Save Water

Sonoma County, like most of California, experiences drought. In an effort to protect this beautiful destination for generations to come, we asking visitors to join with us in helping conserve water. The following blog post has water conservation tips as you plan your trip.

Leave No Trace

Experiencing our destination through the Sonoma County Leave No Trace Seven Principles gives travelers an opportunity to make a difference. Together, we can protect and preserve this special corner of the world for generations to come.