Sonoma

Sonoma is a historic town and wine-country hub in Sonoma County, about 45 miles (72 km) north of San Francisco in California. The drive takes roughly 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes via US-101 and Highways 37 and 121. There is no direct public transit; Golden Gate Transit and Sonoma County Transit can be linked through San Rafael, but the trip takes around three hours, so most visitors drive or join a wine-country tour priced at about 150 to 300 dollars per person. Rental cars cost roughly 60 to 120 dollars per day.

The heart of the town is Sonoma Plaza, the largest town square in California, near 453 1st Street East. Around it stand the Sonoma Mission, the Sonoma Barracks and the Bear Flag Monument, all part of Sonoma State Historic Park, along with tasting rooms, cheese shops, bakeries and restaurants. Wineries in the Sonoma Valley, including those around Glen Ellen and Kenwood, are known for Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Zinfandel, and tasting rooms are generally more relaxed and slightly less costly than in neighboring Napa. Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen adds hiking and a literary history stop.

A sensible one-day arc leaves San Francisco by 8:30 a.m. to arrive for mid-morning. Visitors typically walk the plaza and mission first, then lunch at a restaurant or a picnic assembled from local cheese and bread shops, followed by two or three winery visits in the afternoon. The return drive is best started before the early evening traffic builds on Highway 37 and US-101.

Spring and fall are the best seasons, with harvest running from August to October. Summer afternoons can be hot, and fog often lingers near the southern valley mornings. Reservations are recommended at most wineries, especially on weekends.