48 Hours in Sonoma County

Sonoma County Road Trip

Sonoma County road trip

Time is precious. Which is why Sonoma County is the ideal 48-hour getaway! We’re talking acres of beautiful open space, easygoing hiking and biking trails, amazing food, and of course—the wine!

Day 1: Start at Sonoma Valley’s historic plaza, surrounded by restaurants, wine tasting rooms, cool shops, even a state park. Rent bikes or hop on the Wine Trolley to explore the surrounding area and tasting rooms—like California’s first premium winery, Buena Vista.

Day 2: Swing up Highway 12, stopping at marquee winery estates like Kunde, St. Francis, and Chateau St. Jean. Get to Bodega Bay by late afternoon for a sunset hike and famous winter whale-watching at Bodega Head. Have dinner by the water at Gourmet Au Bay or go for farm-to-table comfort food at Terrapin Creek.

Day 3: Make your way along the wild and scenic Sonoma Coast, stopping for selfies at iconic Goat Rock. Grab lunch in Jenner at River’s End Restaurant & Inn. A little further north, explore Fort Ross State Historic Park and its scenic coastal hiking trail. Now that you’ve got your 48-hour getaway, the big question: Who gets shotgun?

COOL STAYS & DEALS: Get fantastic ideas and deals for lodging, wine tasting, dining and more.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Perles Beach Angel Island San Francisco Bay

    Secret Beach

    A hidden beach and a killer view? Those are hard to come by, but that’s exactly what you’ll get at Perles Beach on Angel Island. Bike or hike to this beautiful pocket cove.

    View
  2. Cinematic Sonoma

    Longer days. Golden light. Wildflowers in bloom. It’s the perfect moment to plan your spring escape to Sonoma for the Sonoma International Film Festival, March 25–29. No fuss. No sprawl. Just films, friends, fresh air, and that unmistakable Sonoma glow.

    View
  3. Hike Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve

    Mellow in the Marsh

    Beach, birds, ice plant popping purple flowers: That’s a hiking slam dunk! Hike about 2 miles at Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve using their easy to navigate (well-signed) Sequoia Audubon Trail.

    View
  4. A man is looking through his binoculars at sunrise at the Bayland Nature Preserve in Palo Alto

    Baylands Bird & Art Loop

    Combine an outdoor art walk and wildlife sightings at the Baylands Nature Preserve in Palo Alto. This 5-mile loop through Byxbee Park and the Emily Renzel Wetlands features striking installations by artists Peter Richards and Michael Oppenheimer—where the landscape itself becomes part of the canvas.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Tree Town

    Home to an estimated 21,000 trees and 100 acres of parkland, South Pasadena has earned its nickname: the City of Trees. This 2.5-mile neighborhood walk lets you experience its leafy canopy up close, winding through charming streets and three of the city’s beloved parks.

    View
  2. Fountain to Falls trail Monrovia

    Fountain to the Falls

    There are three ways to reach the lovely Monrovia Canyon Falls, but only one of them is worthy of being named a good challenge, with a lovely old town stroll included.

    View
  3. A Better Way to Baldwin

    The Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook in Culver City is one of West L.A.’s most popular hiking spots, but most visitors miss the bigger picture. This 3.5-mile out-and-back along a section of the Park to Playa Trail offers a fuller experience of this gorgeous nature park with sweeping urban views and a few artistic surprises along the way.

    View
  4. Stairstruck in Hollywood

    Beachwood Canyon in Hollywoodland has an action-packed adventure with A-list workouts, big-budget views, and a stair-studded cast. Running time is 1.25 miles with five staircases.

    View