Sonoma County captivates visitors with its blend of wine country elegance and rustic California charm: It’s a place where acclaimed Pinot Noirs share the spotlight with craft breweries, majestic redwoods, and the dramatic coastline. The weather is reliably pleasant year-round and the location makes for an easy getaway: After crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, you can begin exploring Sonoma County in about a half-hour.
Spanning more than 1,500 square miles from San Pablo Bay in the south to the rugged Mendocino County border in the north, this diverse region rewards visitors with unforgettable experiences that range from hot-air balloon rides over lush vineyards to fresh-caught seafood enjoyed at sunset overlooking the Pacific. Here's a guide to making the most of a 48-hour stay in this bewitching destination.
Day One: Sonoma, Windsor, and Healdsburg
Wine Country Luxury Stay
Begin your Sonoma County adventure at MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa, a renovated 19th-century estate in the historic town of Sonoma. This 64-room luxury resort sets the tone for a weekend of wine-forward indulgence with its lavish accommodations and serene six-acre setting. Start your day with breakfast in bed—perhaps the housemade granola with seasonal berries—or slide into a booth at Layla, the refined onsite eatery. Early risers might even want to squeeze in a few laps in the pool before the day's first adventure.
Alternate lodging options in Sonoma include the luxe Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa on the north side of town and Bungalows 313, a cozy collection of rooms located mere steps from Sonoma Plaza.
Hot-Air Balloon Ride
As the sun peaks over the Mayacamas Mountains to the east, make your way to Sonoma Ballooning for a breathtaking sunrise flight. As you drift peacefully above the morning fog, you'll gain a bird's-eye perspective of Sonoma Valley’s vineyards, ancient oak groves, and small towns. The early start is rewarded with champagne views and, back on terra firma, a celebratory toast.
Craft Beer and Wine Tasting
Head north to Windsor, where the Russian River Brewing Company offers an altogether different kind of tasting experience. This acclaimed brewery, famous for its cult-favorite Pliny the Elder double IPA and seasonal Pliny the Younger triple IPA, provides fascinating behind-the-scenes tours of their state-of-the-art facility. Learn about their innovative brewing processes while sampling their extensive beer lineup, then enjoy a hearty lunch of beer-friendly fare.
Continue north to stylish Healdsburg, where Marine Layer Wines provides a modern take on wine tasting. Located in a renovated building right on the town square, this boutique winery specializes in small-lot Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir and Chardonnay—but don’t skip the brut rosé, which takes full advantage of the region’s sandy loam. While in Healdsburg, consider additional tastings at Hirsch Vineyards, just a three-minute walk from Marine Layer, and Unti Vineyards, a must-visit in the heart of the Dry Creek Valley.
Explore Historic Elegance
As your day winds down, check into The Madrona, a meticulously restored 1881 mansion that's been transformed into one of the county’s most distinctive hotels. The property's 24 accommodations, spread across several buildings on an eight-acre estate, showcase a unique blend of original period pieces and contemporary design elements. Spend the evening exploring the mansion's elegant common areas and manicured grounds or enjoy dinner at the property's eponymous upscale restaurant, a culinary celebration of regional bounty.
Day Two: Sebastopol, Bodega Bay, and Jenner
Check Out Sebastopol’s The Barlow
In the morning, drive southwest to The Barlow, a 12-acre outdoor market district in the quirky town of Sebastopol. Begin at the Lori Austin Gallery, where the contemporary art collection provides insight into Northern California's vibrant art scene. Next, stop by WM Cofield Cheesemakers to assemble a picnic lunch of their British-inspired cheeses and local accompaniments. Don't miss a behind-the-scenes peek at JG Switzer, where traditional wool textiles are transformed into luxury home goods.
The Barlow offers plenty more to explore, from the potent potables at Golden State Cider and Crooked Goat Brewing to The Rewind Arcade, Sonoma County’s first retro arcade bar.
Eat Lunch and Hike on the Coast
Continue west to Bodega Bay, where Fishetarian Fish Market serves up just-caught seafood with stunning harbor views. Their fish and chips—made with local rock cod—and fresh crab rolls offer a taste of the Pacific that's worth the drive. For dessert, pick up some saltwater taffy at Patrick's of Bodega Bay, a local institution since 1960.
Post-lunch, stretch your legs on the Kortum Trail, one of Sonoma County's most spectacular coastal hikes. This relatively easy 4.6-mile round-trip trail between Wright's Beach and Blind Beach offers dramatic bluff-top views of sea stacks, crashing waves, and perhaps even migrating whales, depending on the season. If you’re feeling ambitious, keep walking north to Goat Rock Beach, home to a colony of harbor seals and known to film fans as a key location in the 1985 flick The Goonies.
Watch the Sunset in Jenner
Cap your Sonoma County weekend at River's End Restaurant & Inn in Jenner, where the Russian River meets the Pacific Ocean. Time your dinner reservation to coincide with sunset—the restaurant's wall of windows provides front-row seats to nature's nightly show. The menu emphasizes local seafood and seasonal ingredients, with dishes that complement the dramatic setting. Their fresh-caught Dungeness crab cakes and salmon chowder are standouts, best enjoyed with a glass of local wine as the sun vanishes into the horizon.
From rolling vineyards to rugged coastline to eminently walkable towns, Sonoma County offers an irresistible blend of experiences that can't be fully explored in a single weekend. That said, this 48-hour itinerary makes a great starting point for anybody looking to visit this special part of California.