Hi! will be staying in SONOMA CA for first time for 3 days in September. Stayed in NAPA twice before. Looking for recommends of things to do, favorite wineries that should not be missed, best restaurants, other attractions not to be missed, and other "daytrips" places we can visit from Sonoma (besides San Francisco) that are not more than a 2 hour drive.
THANKS!

I don't know if you mean Sonoma town or Sonoma county, but I really enjoy exploring the historical square, reading the plaques, going to the mission, sampling cheeses at the Sonoma Cheese Factory. http://www.sonomacheesefactory.com/

For me, Sonoma is so close to Calistoga, that I lump those visits together. I love a stroll down Calistoga's wild west store facades, and explore the spas from seedy (not really) to spectacular. There are many nice restaurants. I like Sarafornia http://cafesarafornia.com/ for breakfast and the Calistoga Inn http://www.calistogainn.com/ for lunch overlooking the creek.

Has anyone else been to Ca'toga?http://catoga.com/ I found it fascinating! It's only open Saturday morning in the summer, advance tickets necessary.

I like exploring the Bale Mill. http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=482

I also like just meandering to the coast, taking one road there, and another route back, and stopping in Sebastopol, Duncan Mills, Jenner, Guerneville, Occidental. I like to see what festival (apple, mustard, egg, etc.) might be happening and drop in on that.

Safari West is interesting. If you haven't been or don't plan to go to Africa, it is a microcosm without having to get the shots and 22 hour travel. If you don't want to pay for the tour, you can still visit with the giraffes and some other animals.
http://www.safariwest.com/

Jack London State Park is pretty special, as it is beautiful, and includes the romantic and tragic history of Wolf House.
http://www.parks.sonoma.net/JLPark.html

The Petrified Forest is interesting, even if it is like a '60's family roadtrip, and technically in Napa (Calistoga). http://www.petrifiedforest.org/

I like the geyser http://www.oldfaithfulgeyser.com/ with the same caveats as above, and apparently the fainting goats have stopped fainting. Great tacky gift shop too!

In the city of Santa Rosa I like Luther Burbank's house and garden tour. http://ci.santa-rosa.ca.us/departmen...s/default.aspx He was a fascinating and brilliant man. Speaking of which, there is also the Charles Schultz's museum http://www.schulzmuseum.org/ if you have tykes in tow.

I recommend that you explore the small towns, and stop when you see something curious and quirky.

Don't miss visiting Healdsburg, and touring all the many wineries in the Dry Creek or Alexander Valley area. Lots of good restaurants and shopping around the town square. Its a very pretty little town.

Thanks for all the suggestions!!! We will have plenty to do for sure, and hope to check all these places out.
Thanks again!

For a guided tour through a winery, I'd recommend Benzinger in Glen Ellen. DH and I really enjoyed it. I also second Kailani's suggestion about visiting Jack London State Park.

Chateau St. Jean, St. Francis, Ledson - are all in Sonoma County and just terrific. Venture to the Russian River Valley and see Ferrari Caranos. there are also dozens of small wineries that would just love to have you stop by. If you like Pinots - seek out Pappa Pietroperri. Also in the same complex is Amphora (petit syrah). PP and Amphora are 2 up and coming wineries with terrific wines.

Sept is generally very good on the coast. For lunch try Tides Wharf in Bodega Bay or Tony's near Marshall for BBQ oysters. Or explore the coast on your own.

Our favorite restaurant in Sonoma is Della Santina's, just off the main square.Favorite dish is a three mushroom pasta dish. Great Italian food. www.dellasantinas.com


I, too, love the wineries in the Alexander Valley. Just fun to go on the backroads and follow the picket sign posts to the next winery.

Sept. and October are the best months for the SF Bay Area, that's for sure. Enjoy the trip!