Today I want to share my itinerary for 48 hours in Sonoma with you. This county in Northern California is known for its world-class wines, but there’s a lot more to it than that. From stunning coastline to pretty plazas and redwood forests, it has something for everyone. If you have 2 days in Sonoma, you’ll be able to do and see the best the county has to offer. I’m here now and I can’t wait to show you around. I’ve included a map, too.
48 Hours in Sonoma County, California
Every time I travel to Sonoma County I wonder why I haven’t moved here yet. The rolling hills, the endless vineyards, and the historic plazas draw me in, and the warm California sun begs me to stay.
With each successive visit I discover more of this famous region, and now that I have 48 hours in Sonoma County, I find I’m increasingly tempted to call this place home.
On this particular visit I’m traveling to Sonoma with friends. We’re looking forward to a weekend getaway from San Francisco, and we can’t wait to get up to wine country.
We hop in the car in the morning for the drive through the city and across the Golden Gate Bridge, settling in as we make our way north to Sonoma County.
Day 1: Sonoma Coast
We start our 48 hours in Sonoma where any good California road trip should start: the coast. Our drive takes us north through Marin County and Petaluma to get to one of my favorite places on the Pacific Ocean.
Bodega Bay
No trip to wine country would be off to a good start without a bit of tasting, so as soon as we arrive on the Sonoma Coast, we stop at Gourmet au Bay in Bodega Bay.
This place has a creative take on wine tasting. Flights of red and white sit on little wooden surfboards, which is fitting given we’re right on the waterfront.
The views are amazing, the weather is perfect, and the wine is delicious. We enjoy excellent wood-fired pizzas with it, too. It’s a great way to kick off our 48 hours in Sonoma County.
Bodega
Just inland from the ocean is the town of Bodega. Along with Bodega Bay, it was used as a filming location for Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds. The historic main street has pretty wooden buildings and a beautiful whitewashed church.
We spend some time seeking out the sites from the movie and admiring the historic shopfronts before moving on to the next stop on our itinerary.
Jenner Headlands Preserve
Just 30 minutes up the coast, Jenner Headlands Preserve is a great place for a hike with a view in Sonoma County. It spans 5,630 acres next to Sonoma Coast State Park. The area is packed with trails with spectacular ocean views, coastal prairie land, and redwood forests.
We arrive in the afternoon and hike part of the Sea to Sky trail. It’s a 15-mile path that goes all the way from the Pacific Ocean to the top of Pole Mountain, the highest point in the region.
As we climb, can see everything from local flora to sweeping views of the ocean at Sentinel Point. It’s the perfect introduction to Sonoma County’s hiking trails, and a great way to work off some of the calories we consumed in Bodega Bay.
Hotel in Sonoma County
After hiking we head to our hotel, The Lodge at Bodega Bay. Situated on a bluff on the coast near the Russian River Valley, this place is designed for relaxation. The rooms are spacious and beautiful, and I love the expansive grounds.
The view from my room is amazing, too. I love that I can see the coast from here. After watching a colorful sunset in the evening, I wake up early to enjoy a warm sunrise from the balcony.
I also take advantage of the outdoor pool and hot tub, going for a morning dip as the rising sun paints the coastal landscape in pinks and oranges. I’d love to get a massage at the spa, too, but there are other things on the itinerary.
Day 2: Sonoma Wine Country
Leaving The Lodge at Bodega Bay, our 48 hours in Sonoma take us inland to wine country. That’s what most people travel to Sonoma for, and we’re no exception.
Sebastopol
But our first stop isn’t for wine (it’s still a bit too early in the morning for that). It’s at a coffee shop in Sebastopol. This beloved local town has always been a favorite of mine, and I make a point of stopping at Hardcore Espresso every time I’m in the area.
Why? Because there’s no place like it. This hippie cafe is comprised of an eclectic collection of outdoor furniture in a lush open space along the roadside. We settle in for coffee and breakfast, enjoying an al fresco meal in colorful surroundings.
From Hardcore Espresso it’s a short drive to The Barlow. This retail complex is full of creative companies selling everything from coffee to crystals. It’s a great place to see what some of Sonoma County’s best independent shops and galleries are up to.
Passing by the hipster Taylor Lane Organic Coffee shop, we make our way to clothing stores, home goods shops, and lifestyle spaces.
It’s fun to see what’s here, from the community market to restaurants and cafes. There are even breweries, distilleries, and wineries here.
Healdsburg
Leaving Sebastopol, the next stop on our itinerary for 48 hours in Sonoma County is Healdsburg. There’s a picture-pretty plaza here, not to mention cute shops, cellar doors, and restaurants.
We start by doing some quick shopping in downtown Healdsburg. We love all the clothes, gifts, home furnishings, and books we find around the plaza. There’s everything from art galleries to antiques shops here, and we could spend all day exploring.
When we’ve gotten our retail fix, we head to lunch at a restaurant called Bravas Bar de Tapas. It’s one of our favorites in Healdsburg, not least because they serve Spanish-style small plates in a big patio out back.
Wine Tasting in Santa Rosa
But this is wine country, after all, and we should really spend more of our 48 hours in Sonoma wine tasting if we’re going to do it properly.
Thankfully our next stop is Paradise Ridge Winery. Perched atop a hill on the outskirts of Santa Rosa, it has beautiful views over the vineyards below. Add to that a sculpture park featuring works from the Burning Man festival, regular events, and live music, and Paradise Ridge is a great place to be.
We settle in for a tasting on the deck and enjoy a range of Russian River wines paired with artisan cheeses and locally-sourced charcuterie.
Jack London State Historic Park
From there our 48 hours in Sonoma continue with a trip to Jack London State Historic Park. This place has miles of walking and hiking trails through redwood trees and beautiful natural surroundings.
It also has the former home of writer Jack London. As we tour it, I fall in love with his collection of vintage souvenirs from all over the world, not to mention his writing desk.
While we’re here we see his farm. We learn that London pioneered sustainable farming techniques long before others were thinking about them. We had no idea his contributions to agriculture were as important as his contributions to literature.
Sonoma
The last stop on our itinerary is the town of Sonoma. It’s an appropriate place to go during our 48 hours in Sonoma County. This place is known for its pretty plaza, historic mission, and important role in California’s origins as a state.
We spend some time walking around the square, popping into the shops, and exploring the buildings in Sonoma State Historic Park.
Afterwards we enjoy dinner at The Girl & The Fig, one of the most famous restaurants in Sonoma. Right on the corner of the historic plaza, it serves “country food with a French passion”. Everything from steak tartare to duck confit goes down a treat as we dine.
48 Hours in Sonoma
The next morning we enjoy a leisurely breakfast at The Lodge at Bodega Bay before heading off to San Francisco.
As we travel south, I can’t help but think I should have stayed behind. With beautiful coastline, great food and drinks, natural beauty, and warm sunshine, Sonoma County has everything necessary for a good life.
If you feel the same, you’ll enjoy my other Sonoma itineraries, too They’ll let you explore more of this part of Northern California’s wine country and give you a taste of the best of the Golden State.
Sonoma Itinerary Map
As promised, I’ve created an interactive Google map of all the places on my itinerary for 48 hours in Sonoma. You can see it here. I hope it helps you plan a great trip of your own. Happy travels!
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