Wildflowers and Wonderful Views

Sonoma Valley Spring Wildflowers and Views

Cheese and chocolate go great with wine, but right now Sonoma Valley has something even better for your pairings: wildflowers! On top of its award-winning wines, Sonoma Valley’s 13,000 acres of state and regional parks are exploding with poppies, buttercups, irises, red larkspurs, and blue-eyed grass.

Jack London State Park—in the heart of the valley—is home to its namesake adventure writer’s ranch and miles of hiking trails that go through redwood trees and up to fantastic valley vistas of vineyards rolling all the way to San Pablo Bay … with wildflowers adding a rainbow of color to the mountainsides.

Sonoma’s charming historic plaza is a must-visit, and right behind it is a favorite local hike: The Overlook Trail is 1 mile (one-way) through California poppies and up to a sweeping view of Sonoma Valley, Mount Tam, and San Francisco.

Afterwards, celebrate Sonoma Valley’s most colorful season by strolling the tasting rooms, boutique stores, and dining spots around the Plaza.

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