Exploring Sonoma County: Our Half-Day Adventure from San Francisco

Sonoma County is a captivating wine region in the heart of Northern California. It is merely an hour away from San Francisco, making it an ideal place for a day trip. Sonoma County enchants visitors with its rolling vineyards, quaint towns, and scenic landscapes. And the best part? It’s less touristy than its neighboring wine region, Napa Valley. 

We visited Sonoma County in 2022 during our San Francisco escapade. During the half-day tour, we visited the famous plaza, one of the oldest wineries, and enjoyed a hearty meal at one of the most popular restaurants in Sonoma.

In this blog post, I’ll share details about how to reach this place, our overall experience, and recommended wineries. If you’re looking for a hassle-free guided tour experience, here’s an ultimate Napa & Sonoma Wine guided tour I recommend.

Reaching Sonoma Valley from San Francisco

Sonoma Valley is just an hour’s drive from San Francisco and one of the most scenic drives in California. You can also reach here by public transportation. But, the bus transit route is very time-restricted and takes almost triple the time by car. 

Therefore, I recommend hiring a car for convenience. It will also allow you to take multiple stops on the go because, trust me, you wouldn’t want to miss out on any photo opportunities.

We chose Uber to reach Sonoma since neither of us had a driver’s license. It cost around $150 round trip, which we thought was inexpensive, looking at the cab tariffs in SFO. Getting an Uber from Sonoma was a real pain. The intercity transit closes at 8 PM, so a cab was the only mode of transportation left to go back. It took us 45 minutes to find a ride back to our hotel, and let me tell you honestly, it was very stressful!

Getting around Sonoma

Most attractions in Sonoma were within walking distance. For longer distances, there are bus services available to transport visitors from one place to another. Our winery was merely 15 minutes walk from the Plaza and the walk was fun. 

Exploring Sonoma Plaza

Our adventure began at Sonoma Plaza, a charming hub overflowing with history and culture. We strolled through its quaint streets, taking in the sights and sounds of this vibrant town. The Sonoma Plaza features various dining options, cafes, boutiques, art galleries, and wine-tasting salons. I suggest saving your appetite to try out one of the restaurants. We dined at La Casa Restaurant and Bar and were highly impressed by the taste and the quality. 

City Hall 

The City Hall was the first thing we explored after getting dropped at Sonoma Plaza. This historic landmark from the 20th century is a testament to the town’s rich heritage and civic pride. The building showcases Spanish Colonial architecture that represents this region’s colonial past. The elegant facade is surrounded by well-manicured lawns and fountains, leaving us in awe of its magnificent architecture. 

Mission San Francisco Solano

The Mission San Francisco Solano is a historic landmark and a cultural heritage site, offering a glimpse into California’s past. It is part of Sonoma State Historic Park. Established in 1823, it is the northernmost of the 21 missions established in Alta California by Franciscan missionaries during the Spanish colonization. 

While walking around the complex, we learned about its significance in the region’s history and the propagation of Christianity among Native American communities. We explored the building’s well-preserved adobe architecture, beautiful gardens, chapel, living quarters, and other exhibits to get an insight into the mission era and the daily lives of its inhabitants.

We were running low on time, so we decided to skip the rest. However, if you have time, do visit other interesting spots in Sonoma State Historic Park. 

Sonoma State Historic Park 

Sonoma State Historic Park offers visitors a captivating journey through the region’s past. Here are some must-visit spots within the park: 

The Sonoma Barracks Museum

This early 19th-century military outpost is a time capsule to the Mexican era in Alta California. The barracks played a significant role in the Bear Flag Revolt of 1846, a pivotal event leading to California’s eventual statehood. The museum offers a glimpse into California’s military history and the lives of soldiers stationed there.

The Toscano Hotel

The Toscano Hotel was a popular gathering place and accommodation for early travelers, providing a glimpse into the hospitality of that era. In the present day, the reconstructed representation offers an opportunity to step back in time and experience the atmosphere of a 19th-century hotel. You can explore the rooms and furnishings and learn about the social and cultural aspects of life in Sonoma during the mid-1800s.

Wine Tasting and Vineyard Tour

No trip to a wine country is complete without indulging in a wine-tasting experience. We chose a 120+ years old winery called the Sebastiani Winery for our tour. It was a guided tour that took us through their rich heritage and some of their exquisite wine collections. We highly recommend visiting this winery for a holistic tasting experience led by experts. Here’s a video of our tour that will give you a glimpse of the historic Sebastian Winery and vineyards. 

Diner at La Casa Restaurant and Bar

After a delightful day of exploration, we treated ourselves to a culinary feast at La Casa Restaurant and Bar. Residing adjacent to the historic hotel Blue Wing Inn, this restaurant offers one of the best Mexican food in town. 

We opted for an outdoor table and indulged in the delectable prawn fajita. The prawns were fresh, and the vegetables were tender and well-seared, tantalizing our taste buds with each bite. We loved the service as well! The staff was attentive and friendly, adding to the overall enjoyable experience.

Our trip to Sonoma County was a delightful adventure full of surprises. With its scenic beauty, rich history, and world-renowned wineries, Sonoma is a must-visit destination for travelers seeking authentic experiences in California’s wine country.