6 Best Sights in Napa and Sonoma, California

Here's your best opportunity in the western Wine Country to wander amid Sequoia sempervirens, also known as coast redwood trees. The oldest example in this 805-acre state park, the Colonel Armstrong Tree, is thought to be more than 1,400 years old. A half mile from the parking lot, the tree is easily accessible, and you can hike a long way into the forest before things get too hilly. During hot summer days, Armstrong Redwoods's tall trees help the park keep its cool.

Fans of Snoopy and Charlie Brown will love this museum dedicated to the late Charles M. Schulz, who lived his last three decades in Santa Rosa. Permanent installations include a re-creation of the cartoonist's studio, and temporary exhibits often focus on a particular theme in his work. Children and adults can take a stab at creating cartoons in the Education Room.

An unexpected bit of wilderness in the Wine Country, this preserve with African wildlife covers 400 acres. Begin your visit with a stroll around enclosures housing lemurs, cheetahs, giraffes, and rare birds like the brightly colored scarlet ibis. Next, climb with your guide onto open-air vehicles that spend about two hours combing the expansive property, where more than 80 species—including gazelles, cape buffalo, antelope, wildebeests, and zebras—inhabit the hillsides. If you'd like to extend your stay, lodging in semi-glam Botswana-made tent cabins is available.

Sustainable farming is the big story at this family-run winery. When offered, the absorbing Eco-Tour and Tasting focuses on the Honig family's environmentally friendly farming and production methods, which include using biodiesel to fuel the tractors, monitoring water use in the vineyard and winery, and generating power with solar panels. Bluebirds, hawks, and owls patrol for insects, rodents, and other pests; trained golden retrievers spot vine-damaging mealybugs early, eliminating the need for heavy pesticides. Known for Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon, the Honigs also make rosé of Cabernet and late-harvest Sauvignon Blanc. All tastings are by appointment; call ahead for last-minute availability.

An aerial tram whisks guests up a 300-foot hill to a whitewashed Greek Mediterranean–style winery with sweeping Napa Valley views. Appointment-only Sterling, which suffered severe damage during the 2020 wildfires, is expected to reopen in fall 2023 with a new tram and completely remodeled indoor and outdoor hospitality spaces. A self-guided tour allows guests to delve into the wine-making process. Or not. On a sunny day, the vistas south down the valley can be mighty distracting. Sterling, which released its first vintage in 1969, makes waves for its Cabernet Sauvignons like the top-of-the-line Iridium and another from Diamond Mountain; Chardonnay, a crowd-pleasing Malvasia Blanca, and sparkling wine are among the lighter bottlings. For a more fulfilling visit, choose a tasting of upper-tier wines.