Sonoma Wine Country Travel Guide, California

If you want to enjoy best California wine then Sonoma wine region is a perfect place to experience it. Unlike the neighboring Napa wine region which is more commercialized, Sonoma wine country has is more smaller and family owned and operated kind of wineries. You will find very friendly people in Sonoma country wine tasting rooms, more than anywhere in the whole wine growing region. Sonoma wine country has more than 200 wineries (big and small) and it has about 100 thousand acres wine growing land.

Sonoma has 5 distinct wine-growing districts: Dry Creek Valley, Los Carneros District, Sonoma Valley, Russian River Valley and Alexander Valley. You will find the premium quality wines of both white and red wine, famous categories include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pino, Syrah, Zinfandel, Shiraz and very often vineyards have their own special wine. The best time to visit the region is during summers when the vines/grape plants are loaded with grapes. Although it can be a bit warm, it is truly the best time to enjoy the true ambiance of the region.

To reach the Sonoma wine country, just drive 30 miles north of Golden gate bridge and about 20 miles more to reach the wine growing heartland of the region. You can alternatively fly here by using the services of Horizon airlines which connects Sonoma county's Santa Rosa Airport (RSA) to Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Seattle. There are shuttle buses (Airporter Express) directly from San Francisco and Oakland airports to the county. Although there is public transport available in bigger cities of the county, to visit the core wine region you will need to drive on your own. To fully enjoy the region, we suggest you to stay here for at least a few days and not plan just a day-trip. Sonoma county has more to offer than just wine, it is a huge entertainment location on its own offering a variety of activities and attractions, some of which are listed below.

POPULAR TOURIST ATTRACTIONS AND ACTIVITIES:

1. Take a hot air balloon ride end enjoy the vastness and beauty of wine region from the sky. There are many hot air ballooning operators in the region.

2. Visit the beautiful River rock casino at Russian river and Alexander valley, offering a range of services to their guests.

3. Point Arena Lighthouse and Museum.

4. Boating and fishing facilities at the Sonoma coast along the Pacific ocean and along the Russian river. Rent a cabin at Jenner facing the ocean and spend the night with your loved ones.

5. Taste the Sonoma county goat cheese considered the best in country.

6. Safari west wildlife preserve.

7. Hike at the Armstrong Redwoods state reserve .

8. Infineon Raceway where you can enjoy professional car racing experience.

9. Fort Ross State Historic Park: The site of trading post and fort established by Russians in 1812.

10. Train Ride and wine train.

11. Petrified forest and old faithful geyser in Calistoga.

12. Several premium Golf courses, Spa's and shopping malls for you to relax.

13. Being so close to San Francisco you may also consider visiting the GOLDEN GATE bridge, Pier 39,Alcatraz, China Town and the famous Crooked street of SF Downtown.

14. Luther Burbank Home and Gardens: Life and work of the horticulturist who introduced 800 variety of flowers, fruits, nuts etc..

15. Nightlife is good too, there are several bars and clubs especially in Santa Rosa.

Great websites for comprehensive information are sonoma-county.org and sonomacounty.com