Northern California is undoubtably the best wine country in the United States. The legendary Napa Valley is a must go for any wine lover, but unfortunately in the past few years it has become extremely expensive. Luckily, there are alternatives so you can visit wine country on a budget!
Sonoma County is a short drive away from Napa and is full of wonderful wineries & adorable inns. Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway or a fun girls weekend, Sonoma County will suit your needs for an amazing wine country experience. You don’t need to spend a fortune to have delicious wine, hike beautiful hills, and walk stunning coastlines. Read on to plan your perfect wine getaway in Sonoma County.
Places to Stay
This adorable independently owned inn is located right on the Russian River. Most of the rooms have views of the river either from a balcony or porch. Four of the 12 rooms are also dog friendly. We stayed in one with a full kitchen over New Years and loved the small town hospitality of Monte Rio.
Casa Secoya ($$)
Also located on the Russian River, Casa Secoya is a dog friendly property in Monte Rio that is very budget friendly. Accommodations are simple, but recently updated and very clean! It is also a very quick drive to Armstrong Woods for great hiking.
Boon Hotel + Spa ($$$)
This small hotel in Guerneville also offers dog friendly rooms. While here you can visit the spa, drink at the pool, & enjoy a delicious breakfast. The property also offers luxury tent cabins and a vintage camper you can stay in.
The Lodge at Bodega Bay ($$$)
This stunning hotel is located on the beautiful Northern California Coast. Enjoy a room with a view, drink wine by the fire, rent a bicycle to explore the coast, and drink wine in the main lobby Thursday- Saturday afternoons.
Timber Cove ($$$)
Timber Cove is located right on the coast as you drive up highway 1. Many of the rooms have balconies and stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. This resort is farther north than those listed above, but is wonderful for a romantic weekend of hiking (bonus dog friendly!). As it is farther North on the coast, you will have to drive about an hour to reach many vineyards.
Santa Rosa: Wine Country on a Budget
This is our favorite winery in Santa Rosa. My husband and I have been members here since we moved to California. The tasting area has both outside tables in a beautiful garden, and a covered area with blankets for when it’s a bit cooler outside. They have a resident family of sheep you can say hi to, and it is also dog friendly (yay!). Make sure to try their Carignane, it’s my fave!
Foppiano is another great, small family own winery up near Healdsburg. They have both an indoor & outdoor tasting area. The outside is dog friendly and they’re bring a bowl for your pup. The petite Syrah was a favorite of ours this visit.
Right across the street from Pellegrini in Santa Rosa you’ll find Hook & Ladder. They have an a large outdoor tasting area with lots of locations for cute photos. I’m not sure if this is the norm, but my sister and I got HUGE pours (and extra pours) when we visited!
Things to Do
If you are looking for a leisurely but scenic walk, check out this regional park about a 10 minute drive from Pellegrini Olivet Lane. The park consists of a hiking trail that wraps around 2 lakes. It’s a bit busy, but we still found plenty of parking and our dog had a blast. It is super pretty at sunset!
Jenner
If you are staying in the Guerneville area, the coast is an easy 25 minute drive away. Goat Rock State Beach & Blind Beach are two stunning beaches that really embody the vibe of the Northern California coast. This entire area boasts lush cliffs that crash into the ocean. You’ll think you were on the coasts of Ireland or Portugal. But beware, these currents at these beaches are very dangerous, so no swimming!
Day Trippin
There are many day trips within an hour or two of Sonoma County (most likely 2 because California traffic). There is not public transportation in this area so you will need car. The most obvious is San Francisco if that’s your vibe. If you’re there in the summer, make sure to catch a baseball game at Oracle Park. Even if you don’t like baseball, the stadium is gorgeous and so unique!
My preference would be to take a day trip to the coast. Head to Bodega Bay to the West of Santa Rosa to go whale watching, kayaking, or paddle boarding. There are also great hikes here. To the South you also have Point Reyes National Seashore, also a stunning place to hike. There really is nothing like the California Coast.
For more California adventures, check out my posts on Yosemite National Park!
