Top Five Autumn Experiences in Sonoma Valley

Top Five Autumn Experiences in Sonoma Valley

1) Carneros Wine Flight

Bird watching and wine tasting pair beautifully when the Pacific Flyway is in close proximity to Sonoma Valley wineries. Sip wines and see the wildlife from the patios at Ram’s Gate and Viansa, both overlooking a large wetland that’s a popular stopover for birds of all feathers.

2) Ghost for It

In the early 1900s, famed author Jack London lived in the heart of Sonoma Valley. His dream home, the Wolf House, was nearly complete when it mysteriously burned to the ground. Walk out to the massive ruins and to London’s gravesite.

3) Go to a Star Party

Once a month, usually on a Saturday, Robert Ferguson Observatory in Sugarloaf State Park hosts a star party—a truly enlightening evening giving visitors access to the celestial viewing via some seriously powerful telescopes.

4) Pedal or Segway to the Wineries

You don’t need a car to explore Sonoma Valley’s wineries. Rent a bike in town or do a Segway tour to wineries like Ravenswood and Buena Vista—the birthplace of the California wine industry. Or stroll the plaza and check out over a dozen wine tasting lounges (you can bring your bottle to the picnic-perfect lawn at the plaza).

5) Eat Outdoors

Sonoma Valley’s charming northern neighborhood, The Springs, is home to some of the tastiest Mexican restaurants on the planet, and food trucks galore. Eat your enchiladas on a patio, then get some homemade ice cream at La Michoacana.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Sponsored

    Chasing Dark Skies: Southern Oregon

    Hot springs, hiking, lodging, antelope, and one of the world’s best places for looking up at night.

    View
  2. Woman with her arms outstretched to the rolling hills scenery while on a rock outcrop at Barnabe Peak in Samuel P Taylor Sate Park in Marin

    Barnabe Bonanza

    Sure, there are higher mountains in Marin (Mount Tam) and easier ascents (Mount Burdell), but is there a more expansive North Bay view? Barnabe Peak in Samuel P. Taylor State Park offers a glorious panorama including Mount Tam, Mount Diablo, and Mount St. Helena.

    View
  3. Tamtastic Sunset

    Sure, the East Peak of Mount Tam is absolutely spectacular at sunset, but some magic-hour enthusiasts head to a nearby spot, Trojan Point, for a little more personal space in their panoramic viewings.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Lagoon Swoon

    We all love an underdog story, especially in the shadow of the greats. Enter a truly SoCal coastal version: Malibu Lagoon State Beach. Though situated next to Surfrider Beach, a fa

    View
  2. Woman hiking the San Onofre Bluffs Loop Trail to San Onofre State Beach in San Diego County

    Bluffing Good!

    Lovely coastline, beautiful beaches, unique geological history, and picturesque sandstone cliffs with limited foot traffic in San Diego County? Head to San Onofre State Beach and the 5-mile San Onofre Bluffs Loop Trail.

    View
  3. Tahoe's Trio of Lake Vistas

    They say good things come in threes, and it’s true when you embark on this 8-mile (round-trip) hike in Tahoe’s Desolation Wilderness. It gives you three excellent lake vistas: Eagl

    View