A Few Days in Sonoma County

If you’ve been reading my blog lately, you know I’ve been spending a lot of time in California. I was back again a few days ago, and this time, I explored some of the best spots in beautiful Sonoma County. This California county encompasses an area on the coast east of Sacramento, north of San Francisco, and south of Mendocino National Forest. It’s a beautiful area that’s home to Santa Rosa, Sonoma, and some of the most beautiful areas in the state.

On this trip, I explored some San Francisco gems, vineyards in Sonoma, the beautiful redwoods of Guerneville, and a few other wonderful local spots. It seems that no matter how often I visit California, there’s always more beauty to discover, and this trip to Sonoma County put a very fine point on that!

Day one began with a late arrival to San Francisco and a delicious dinner at Cavana. This local hotspot celebrates the flavor, culture, and heritage of Central and South America with authentic cuisine from those areas and ingredient-driven cocktails that focus on the taste of both themselves and the food with which they’ll be accompanied.

After dinner, I headed to Kimpton Alton Fisherman’s Wharf, a beloved hotel known as much for being a local haunt as it is for a relaxing destination for visitors to the area. Seamlessly fusing modern flair with classic California vibes, the hotel immediately greets visitors with lovely white oak, natural lighting, and skylights hugged by greenery.

After an evening in my cozy bed in my equally cozy room, it was time to begin my adventure in full. Day two began with coffee and a sweet treat at Fiddle Fig Cafe, a lovely little spot with as much flavor and whimsy as you’d expect from its name. It’s a local gem in the North Beach neighborhood, as adored by the locals as it is by travelers who stop in for a bite.

From there, I made my way to Sonoma County proper for a wine tasting at Bartholomew Winery, a gorgeous spot in the heart of Bartholomew Park in Sonoma Valley. This sustainably farmed, mission-style winery, built in 1922, produces wines as excellent as the views you’ll find atop Oak Knoll, a fantastic spot on the property offering sweeping panoramas of the vineyards themselves, along with the rolling hills beyond.

After tasting some exquisite wines and enjoying a light snack, it was time to head to Guerneville. Once there, I snagged lunch at The Guerneville Taco Truck, offering some of the best burritos and tacos you’ll find anywhere in California. I enjoyed the amazing food and the view so the local park before heading to the Armstrong Redwoods to explore one of the most iconic elements of California.

Armstrong Redwoods is home to acre upon acre of majestic Sequoia trees, which can live 500 to 1,000 years. Some have even been estimated to be over 2,000 years old! These massive trees are the tallest on the planet, growing up to between 350 and 350 feet tall, with a diameter of 12 to 16 feet. Walking the trails that wind their way through these massive trees makes any visitor feel so small in the best way possible. It’s truly amazing.

From Armstrong Redwoods, I made my way to Timber Cove Resort. It’s one of the most impressive places I’ve ever stayed. The hotel is situated on the rugged Sonoma coastline, with the vast ocean on one side and the towered redwoods in the area on the other. It’s the perfect blend of modern amenities and the peacefulness of being one with nature.

I checked in and took advantage of their unique restorative experience, Sunset Meditation at Timber Cove. This relaxing and centering guided mindfulness experience combines meditation with simple breathwork, gentle movement, and sensory awareness practices. It’s an excellent way to relax the body and spirit, and an experience that I won’t soon forget.

After my Sunset Meditation experience, I enjoyed a delicious dinner in the main restaurant room prepared by the Coast Kitchen team. The food is the perfect combination of upscale flavors with a relaxed style.

The next day, I took part in a walking and foraging tour with Taste of Coastal Foraging. The group’s expert guides walked us through the process of finding and collecting edible fungi, sea greens, berries, and greens while we explored the natural beauty of the area and its natural ecosystems. The foraging experience ended with a curated tasting at Timber Cover Resort, which showcased how the resort’s restaurant uses local ingredients to craft its amazing food.

That evening, I headed to The Sea Ranch Lodge, a beautiful getaway designed with being one with nature in mind. One of the oldest buildings in The Sea Ranch, the lodge was built in 1968, and features 17 intimate guest rooms designed to harmonize with the beauty and tranquility of nature. These guest rooms mark the final phase of The Sea Ranch’s multi-million-dollar renovation, which began with the revitalization of its public space in 2021 and the debut of The Sea Ranch Living home rental program in 2022. It’s the ultimate fusion of architecture and natural beauty.

After taking in the scenery, I enjoyed a sunset dinner, featuring delicious food crafted with local ingredients, while I took in the sights and sounds of nature.

After dinner, I headed back to Timber Cove Resort, where I packed for the next morning’s departure back home. Coming home from a trip is always a combination of excitement to see my family again and a touch of sadness to leave a beautiful place, and the beauty of Sonoma County made it even more bittersweet. It’s a gorgeous place, and I’ll be bringing the family next time!

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