How long should you spend in Sonoma?

While you could easily spend an entire month getting to know Sonoma wine country, there are a few places that you simply should not miss. Here, we focus on the town of Sonoma with our ideal itinerary for a long weekend.



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It's important to note that staying in Napa Valley can be quite expensive, so if you're on a budget, you might want to consider staying in Sonoma instead. While still very close to Napa, Sonoma tends to be a little more affordable, with plenty of charming accommodations.

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In short, if you want a laid-back introduction to stellar vintages and gorgeous properties, Sonoma – rather than Napa – should be your California wine country destination. If you're only here for a day, consider signing up for a guided tour.

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SONOMA COUNTY, CA — Sonoma County is among the pricier places to live in California, according to the Economic Policy Institute. The organization recently released its 2018 family budget calculator that estimates how costly it is to live in each of America's 3,142 counties and 611 metro areas.

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Our beloved Sonoma County, California is renowned for amazing wines and legendary vineyards, as well as gorgeous organic produce and sustainable farming. Our natural beauty is our calling card, from our mountains, forests, rivers, valleys, and meadows, to all 55 miles of our Pacific Ocean coastline.

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Sonoma Tastings Are More Affordable (On Average) A basic tasting experience will set you back $25, $30, maybe $40 on this side of the divide. In Napa, expect to pay $35 or $40 to start, and likely more at well-known wineries. Overnight accommodations tend to be more affordable in Sonoma as well.

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Choose either Napa or Sonoma the same way you choose your wines:
  1. If you buy pricier wines, then go to Napa.
  2. If you mainly drink Cabernet Sauvignon, buttery Chardonnay, and Merlot, then go to Napa.
  3. If you buy more reasonably priced wines, then go to Sonoma.


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Public Transportation Then, you may want to consider getting to Sonoma Valley via public transit. One of the most convenient choices is the San Francisco to Sonoma shuttle run by Golden Gate Transit. This service operates buses from San Francisco to Petaluma and Santa Rosa.

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If you plan to do both Napa and Sonoma, dedicate one day to each. Also, they're close enough that I wouldn't recommend moving locations. Just stay in one place and then you won't waste time moving from one hotel to another.

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DO Feel Free to Tip the Pourer. Most wineries charge a tasting fee, which allows you to sip away guilt-free without leaving a tip! Many even waive the fee if you buy a certain number of bottles of wine. Even though it's not typically expected, at most wineries and tasting rooms, tips are always appreciated.

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Wine tasting rooms are not bars and your hosts compensation isn't meant to be dependent on tips. But, if your host has poured special wines that weren't part of the tasting you may want to consider it. That said, we're believers in rewarding great service so if you feel the experience warrants a tip, then give a tip.

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Taste the wine in small sips, not large gulps. Let it swirl in your mouth and enjoy the feel, the texture, and the taste. By swirling it you will get the whole experience and palate of tasting. Also, be observant of what lingers in your mouth after you swallow it or spit it out.

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For many of us in Sonoma County, fall is a special and much-anticipated time to be outdoors. The summer crowds have thinned, the vineyards turn striking shades of red and orange, and the air carries the scents of autumn.

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