Guidebook for Sonoma
Food Scene
This is our favorite restaurant in Sonoma! We recommend their burger (sadly, only served during lunch but sometimes they make exceptions ;) and cocktails! Perfect for a special occasion or just cuz!
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El Dorado Kitchen
405 1st St WThis is our favorite restaurant in Sonoma! We recommend their burger (sadly, only served during lunch but sometimes they make exceptions ;) and cocktails! Perfect for a special occasion or just cuz!
This place serves up a constantly changing selection of organic, local, amazing Mexican dishes. Order your food and sit outside on the picnic tables. Warning: it is pricey but we think worth it!
141 abantu bendawo batusa
El Molino Central
11 Central AveThis place serves up a constantly changing selection of organic, local, amazing Mexican dishes. Order your food and sit outside on the picnic tables. Warning: it is pricey but we think worth it!
A great lunch place to help sop up some of that wine ;) They have a variety of really good sandwiches, salads and hot plates. You can also sit outside. We like to stop here after visiting Ty Caton.
41 abantu bendawo batusa
Palooza Brewery & Gastropub
8910 Sonoma HwyA great lunch place to help sop up some of that wine ;) They have a variety of really good sandwiches, salads and hot plates. You can also sit outside. We like to stop here after visiting Ty Caton.
Great for everyone: couples, families, groups! They have the thinnest crust pizza and a huge selection of salads. One of our favorite casual places. They also have a seasonal back patio.
42 abantu bendawo batusa
The Red Grape
529 1st St WGreat for everyone: couples, families, groups! They have the thinnest crust pizza and a huge selection of salads. One of our favorite casual places. They also have a seasonal back patio.
Walkable from the house (a little *too* close for us ;) given their amazing selection of homemade donuts. They also have coffee.
Danish & Donuts
18580 CA-12Walkable from the house (a little *too* close for us ;) given their amazing selection of homemade donuts. They also have coffee.
So good our wedding feat. a version of Thomas Keller's fried chicken! They take Opentable rez only, but make them in advance. The menu is prix fixe & changes daily. All seasonal, local, organic fare.
41 abantu bendawo batusa
Ad Hoc
6476 Washington StSo good our wedding feat. a version of Thomas Keller's fried chicken! They take Opentable rez only, but make them in advance. The menu is prix fixe & changes daily. All seasonal, local, organic fare.
Another great place for an amazing thin crust pizza and salad! We like to go here after champagne at Domaine Chandon. They have an outdoor patio & we recommend reservations.
18 abantu bendawo batusa
Redd Restaurant
6480 Washington StAnother great place for an amazing thin crust pizza and salad! We like to go here after champagne at Domaine Chandon. They have an outdoor patio & we recommend reservations.
For a caffeine fix or to pick up some more beans. Local's warning that the service is exceptionally slow there, but when you're in need of reliable coffee it's close!
Starbucks
19239 Sonoma HwyFor a caffeine fix or to pick up some more beans. Local's warning that the service is exceptionally slow there, but when you're in need of reliable coffee it's close!
Local coffee house with a selection of snacks and nibbles. They also have a BBQ stand outside open during the day for lunch.
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Barking Dog Roasters
18133 CA-12Local coffee house with a selection of snacks and nibbles. They also have a BBQ stand outside open during the day for lunch.
Best place to grab a sandwich, salads or snacks. It gets SUPER busy during peak season so be prepared for a wait, but it's worth it! They also have an efficient line set-up so it moves quickly.
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Oakville Grocery
7856 St Helena HwyBest place to grab a sandwich, salads or snacks. It gets SUPER busy during peak season so be prepared for a wait, but it's worth it! They also have an efficient line set-up so it moves quickly.
This is another great Japanese restaurant. They have a wide variety of fresh sushis and creative dishes. They also have a beautiful outdoor space & occasionally, live music. Great for groups!
Shiso
19161 Sonoma HwyThis is another great Japanese restaurant. They have a wide variety of fresh sushis and creative dishes. They also have a beautiful outdoor space & occasionally, live music. Great for groups!
Incredible Indian and Nepalese food. The restaurant is nestled at the edge of Jack London State Park so you feel like you're eating in the trees. Definitely order the Garlic Cilantro Naan (in fact, order two!)
36 abantu bendawo batusa
Yeti
14301 Arnold DrIncredible Indian and Nepalese food. The restaurant is nestled at the edge of Jack London State Park so you feel like you're eating in the trees. Definitely order the Garlic Cilantro Naan (in fact, order two!)
You will likely drive by the huge BBQs with pollo and your mouth will start watering! Call ahead and order a pollo burrito or tacos (they don't speak great English) They also have other meats (carne asada, carnitas, etc) but we highly recommend you get the pollo!
6 abantu bendawo batusa
ELBrinquito
17380 CA-12You will likely drive by the huge BBQs with pollo and your mouth will start watering! Call ahead and order a pollo burrito or tacos (they don't speak great English) They also have other meats (carne asada, carnitas, etc) but we highly recommend you get the pollo!
Super informal Mexican cantina right behind the Plaza. We love it for a casual dinner (especially with kids) and then walk to ice cream after and play / sit in the Plaza
12 abantu bendawo batusa
La Casa
121 E Spain StSuper informal Mexican cantina right behind the Plaza. We love it for a casual dinner (especially with kids) and then walk to ice cream after and play / sit in the Plaza
Amazing home made ice cream with rotating flavors. One of our favorite stops after dinner in the Plaza and take it to go to enjoy at the playground or park.
12 abantu bendawo batusa
Sweet Scoops Homemade Ice Cream
408 1st St EAmazing home made ice cream with rotating flavors. One of our favorite stops after dinner in the Plaza and take it to go to enjoy at the playground or park.
BEST brewpub. We go after Traintown (did we mention we have young kids ;) but this is definitely an adult friendly place. Great brews and cocktails and really good food!
They often have live music too.
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HopMonk Tavern Sonoma
691 BroadwayBEST brewpub. We go after Traintown (did we mention we have young kids ;) but this is definitely an adult friendly place. Great brews and cocktails and really good food!
They often have live music too.
Shopping
You can walk here from the house. They offer a bounty of fresh, local produce and staples like milk, eggs, bread, chips and dips.
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Sonoma Valley Fruit Basket
18474 CA-12You can walk here from the house. They offer a bounty of fresh, local produce and staples like milk, eggs, bread, chips and dips.
A short walk from the house. Go here for your BBQ meat: INCREDIBLE carne asada, al pastor and marinated pollo that tastes amazing on the grill! They also have ice cold beers stocked in the fridge.
Carniceria Chapala
18615 California 12A short walk from the house. Go here for your BBQ meat: INCREDIBLE carne asada, al pastor and marinated pollo that tastes amazing on the grill! They also have ice cold beers stocked in the fridge.
Essentials
Walk from the house, come here for a fancy dinner or cocktail, or the spa! We've gotten a facial and massage and enjoyed the Hot Springs. Highly recommended!
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The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa
100 Boyes BlvdWalk from the house, come here for a fancy dinner or cocktail, or the spa! We've gotten a facial and massage and enjoyed the Hot Springs. Highly recommended!
Our favorite grocery store in Sonoma: a large selection of ready to eat items, salad bar, hot buffet and our favorite: the deli! They make massive sandwiches. Also great local items to stock up on.
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Sonoma Market
500 W Napa StOur favorite grocery store in Sonoma: a large selection of ready to eat items, salad bar, hot buffet and our favorite: the deli! They make massive sandwiches. Also great local items to stock up on.
This is one of my favorite spas ever: get the 90 minute stone massage and a facial and you feel like putty! They also have a private pool area where you can order wine, lunch and snacks.
Raindance Spa
1325 BroadwayThis is one of my favorite spas ever: get the 90 minute stone massage and a facial and you feel like putty! They also have a private pool area where you can order wine, lunch and snacks.
Walkable from the house and a great place to pick up any needed or forgotten items like toothpaste, spices, shaving cream, etc for your stay. Great for parents as they have a big selection of toys.
Dollar Tree
640 E Cotati AveWalkable from the house and a great place to pick up any needed or forgotten items like toothpaste, spices, shaving cream, etc for your stay. Great for parents as they have a big selection of toys.
HUGE Rite Aid with everything you need from toiletries, snacks & alcohol to bigger items like coolers, pool toys or picnic baskets.
8 abantu bendawo batusa
Rite Aid
19205 Sonoma HwyHUGE Rite Aid with everything you need from toiletries, snacks & alcohol to bigger items like coolers, pool toys or picnic baskets.
Drinks & Nightlife
Our favorite winery! It is a tasting room and not a vineyard so may get overlooked but tell George (the Tasting Room Manager) we sent you & we guarantee you'll have a great time!
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Ty Caton Vineyards Tasting Room
8910 Sonoma HwyOur favorite winery! It is a tasting room and not a vineyard so may get overlooked but tell George (the Tasting Room Manager) we sent you & we guarantee you'll have a great time!
Another of our favorites: they do beautiful blends. They also have a huge outdoor deck where you can take your tastings or buy a bottle to enjoy. Occasionally they have food trucks, too!
15 abantu bendawo batusa
Muscardini Cellars
9380 Sonoma HwyAnother of our favorites: they do beautiful blends. They also have a huge outdoor deck where you can take your tastings or buy a bottle to enjoy. Occasionally they have food trucks, too!
We love Cline! Great tasting, large selection of wines and stunning grounds. We recommend picking up sandwiches at Sonoma Market and buying a bottle of wine after your tasting for an al freso picnic.
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Cline Cellars
24737 Arnold DrWe love Cline! Great tasting, large selection of wines and stunning grounds. We recommend picking up sandwiches at Sonoma Market and buying a bottle of wine after your tasting for an al freso picnic.
Super tasting room in Glen Ellen. They're known for their Albarino (highly recommended) and do some lovely blends. I tend to prefer their whites here.
6 abantu bendawo batusa
Eric Ross Winery
14300 Arnold DrSuper tasting room in Glen Ellen. They're known for their Albarino (highly recommended) and do some lovely blends. I tend to prefer their whites here.
You can actually go on a mile hike through the hills that ends at the winery (Work for your wine ;) We always bring a picnic, buy a bottle of Sauv Blanc & enjoy the vineyard views.
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Bartholomew Estate Vineyards and Winery
1000 Vineyard LnYou can actually go on a mile hike through the hills that ends at the winery (Work for your wine ;) We always bring a picnic, buy a bottle of Sauv Blanc & enjoy the vineyard views.
A beautiful, scenic winery with a recently renovated (and breathtaking!) tasting room. Reservation only but the wines are fabulous and well worth it. They also do olive oil tasting!
8 abantu bendawo batusa
Round Pond Estate
875 Rutherford RdA beautiful, scenic winery with a recently renovated (and breathtaking!) tasting room. Reservation only but the wines are fabulous and well worth it. They also do olive oil tasting!
A beautiful winery with Mediterranean style grounds. They tend to serve mostly white or light wines. Reservation only and you can also make reservations for a lunch/wine pairing, too.
Michel-Schlumberger Wine Estate
4155 Wine Creek RdA beautiful winery with Mediterranean style grounds. They tend to serve mostly white or light wines. Reservation only and you can also make reservations for a lunch/wine pairing, too.
Stunning, expansive grounds. Tends to draw a lot of visitors so not as intimate as other wineries but a fun place to try a variety of sparkling wines and then head to Redd for a delicious lunch.
31 abantu bendawo batusa
Domaine Chandon
1 California DrStunning, expansive grounds. Tends to draw a lot of visitors so not as intimate as other wineries but a fun place to try a variety of sparkling wines and then head to Redd for a delicious lunch.
The most stunning winery I've ever been to. They only take reservations (that tend to be a bit pricey but you get a full tour); otherwise, ask if you can sit on their patio and order a bottle of wine!
23 abantu bendawo batusa
Hamel Family Wines
15401 Sonoma HwyThe most stunning winery I've ever been to. They only take reservations (that tend to be a bit pricey but you get a full tour); otherwise, ask if you can sit on their patio and order a bottle of wine!
One of our favorite wineries: beautiful setting and superb wines. Close to the house and also kid-friendly—lots of wagons, pushbikes and space! They also offer bocce ball and cornhole for adults.
18 abantu bendawo batusa
Larson Family Winery
Millerick RdOne of our favorite wineries: beautiful setting and superb wines. Close to the house and also kid-friendly—lots of wagons, pushbikes and space! They also offer bocce ball and cornhole for adults.
Parks & Nature
Jack London State Historic Park
2400 London Ranch RdEntertainment & Activities
If you have kids, you HAVE to stop at Sonoma Traintown. It's only open Thursday - Sunday, but in addition to a fun mini train ride for kids and adults (it stops at a petting zoo and miniature town), they also have a carousel and amusement park rides—all pint sized.
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I-Railway ye-Sonoma TrainTown
20264 BroadwayIf you have kids, you HAVE to stop at Sonoma Traintown. It's only open Thursday - Sunday, but in addition to a fun mini train ride for kids and adults (it stops at a petting zoo and miniature town), they also have a carousel and amusement park rides—all pint sized.