We here at Sip Sip Hooray! love a good deal! Amid all the stories swirling around about how expensive Wine Country visits have become, we decided to challenge ourselves and see if we could buck the trend, and save a few – or more – bucks.
Our first destination was Napa Valley, and ICYMI the episode, check it out here.
Now we’re headed to Sonoma County, one of Travel & Leisure’s Best 50 Places to Travel in 2024.
We did the research so you don’t have to. How about wine tastings for $35 or less, hotels for $200 or less a night, good local eats and fun activities that won’t break the bank? Yes please! We’ve even got several recommendations that are free 😃 You might just have money left over for purchasing some bottles – or cases – of wine.
Sonoma County is big – and encompasses many different geographical areas, so we’re offering our best finds, a taste of what you can discover in this diverse region that stretches from the Pacific Coast eastward to the border with Napa County.
Note: This is our own independent research and recommendations. We are not receiving fees or commissions for the places mentioned in this episode.
Wineries with tasting fees $35 and less
Please check ahead of your visit for current pricing and reservations.
• Passalacqua Winery (Healdsburg). Free; appointments required.
• Preston Farm and Winery (Healdsburg). $35 tasting fee, reservations required.
• David Coffaro Winery (Geyserville). $10 tasting fee for four wines, waived with wine purchase.
• Longboard Vineyards (Healdsburg). Tasting fee $20; waived with two bottle purchase.
• Meeker Wine (Healdsburg).Tasting fee: $20, waived with wine purchase.
• Liocco Wines (Healdsburg). Tasting fee $30.
• Merriam Vineyards (Healdsburg). Tasting fee $35.
Fun things to do
• Francis Ford Coppola Winery (Geyserville). $35 tasting fee. $10 property tour. Free admission for self-guided memorabilia tour of Francis Ford Coppola and Sofia Coppola’s personal archives of memorabilia, spanning decades of their iconic filmmaking careers. You can also dine onsite at the Rustic restaurant.
• Charles M. Schulz Museum (Santa Rosa). Adults $12, Seniors (age 62 and over with ID) $8, Students (with valid student ID) — $5, Youth (age 4–18) $5 and Children (age 3 and under) free.
• Snoopy’s Home Ice (Santa Rosa). Ice skating rink with public skating and rental skates; check for schedule and fees.
• Jack London State Historic Park (Glen Ellen). $10 per car for park entry.
• Sonoma Botanical Garden (Glen Ellen). $15 per person.
• Patrick Amiot Junk Artist on Florence Avenue (Sebastopol). Free outdoor art exhibit featuring whimsical junk sculptures by Patrick Amiot.
• The Barlow (Sebastopol). A community of restaurants, shops, wine tasting rooms, a brewery and cidery.
• Sonoma County Cider Trail – follow this map to discover these craft ciders.
Where to eat – restaurants and casual eateries
• The Matheson (Healdsburg). Listed in New York Times “Six Places to Drink Wine in Napa Valley and Sonoma,” Aug. 2023.
• Noble Folk Ice Cream & Pie Bar (Healdsburg)
• Journeyman Meat Company (Healdsburg). Artisan salumi, pre-made pizzas, and some of the best burgers in Sonoma County.
• The Girl & The Fig (Sonoma)
• El Molino Central (Sonoma)
•Valley Bar & Bottle Shop (Sonoma). Weekday lunch deals. Listed in New York Times “Six Places to Drink Wine in Napa Valley and Sonoma,” Aug. 2023.
Where to stay – hotels $200 per night and less
Please check ahead of your visit for current pricing and reservations.
• The Sandman (Santa Rosa). Rooms between $89–$103 per night.
• The Astro (Santa Rosa). Rates between $149–$169 per night.
• The Lodge at Healdsburg (Tapestry Collection by Hilton). Rates $188–$200 per night.
• Jack London Lodge (Glen Ellen). Rates between $184–$200 per night.
• Wildhaven (Healdsburg). Glamping experience by the Russian River with heated tents and cabins. Rates between $149–$199 per night.
Travel tips – when to go, planning a visit, savings passes, flights and wine flies free programs
• Best times to visit Sonoma County: Late fall (after harvest) and early spring for fewer crowds and better rates. The shoulder season between Thanksgiving and Christmas is ideal for quieter visits. Winter (January and February) offers the best deals, though rain is possible.
• Sonoma CA App from Visit Sonoma (sonomacounty.com). Download for planning your trip and creating custom itineraries.
• Sonoma County Tasting Pass. Discounts on winery and distillery tastings and other benefits for 1, 2, or 30 days. Available on the Sonoma County website.
• Air Travel to Sonoma County: Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport (STS) Located in Santa Rosa, STS is easily accessible with Avelo Airlines, American Airlines and Alaska Airlines.
• Wine Flies Free. If you’re flying with Avelo or Alaska, you can ship your wine for free as checked luggage, which saves on shipping costs. Check ahead of time to make sure this is offered on your route.
• Highway 101 North from San Francisco traffic. There is road construction, and traffic between San Francisco and Sonoma County can be heavy, so check traffic apps before you travel to avoid missing flights or reservations.