Sonoma County's charming communities are chock full of fascinating destinations for locals and visitors alike.
Sonoma County offers world-renowned points of interest and endless shopping opportunities for the holidays.
By BC Staff
Published: December, 2016
Sonoma
Sonoma’s historic Mission-style plaza is like a step back in time. Historic landmarks, hidden alleys, courtyards and charming adobes offer a mix of shops, galleries, boutiques, restaurants and other attractions. You can rest your feet after shopping by taking in a movie at the Sebastiani Theatre, a 1930s-era movie theater that serves up first-run films, cold drinks and hot popcorn.
Cornerstone Sonoma
Cornerstone Sonoma combines shopping, boutique wineries, one-of-a-kind gardens and an event center in the Carneros wine region. Shops in this area have extraordinary, unique objects for home and garden décor; innovative and distinctive clothing and accessories; and even the dreamy and colorful world of romance and flowers.
Petaluma
Built on secure bedrock, the riverside town of Petaluma was one of the few Bay Area communities undamaged by the 1906 earthquake. Today, its well-preserved downtown offers an engaging mix of shops and other destinations, many in historic buildings. Local artists display their works in galleries throughout the area. You can also take a free walking tour led by a volunteer from the Petaluma Historical Library and Museum.
Sebastopol
Located at the crossroads of state highways 12 and 116, this laid-back, western Sonoma County town blends a small-town vibe with a trendy, global awareness. The Barlow, a 220,000-square-foot culinary and arts center on the eastern edge of downtown Sebastopol, offers a total-immersion retail experience with shopping, dining and tasting on 12.5 acres of industrial chic. Sebastopol is also home to Antique Row, where hundreds of dealers offer vintage and antique items in more than a dozen locations along two-lane Highway 116. Also in Sebastopol, be sure not to miss the three-block-long Florence Avenue, where whimsical junk sculptures by local artists Patrick Amiot and Brigitte Laurent create a colorful outdoor art gallery.
Bodega and Bodega Bay
Nestled among rolling hills and along the stunning Sonoma County coastline, these communities—made famous by Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds—provide a rich variety of sights and sounds. Here, you can explore the 17 miles of bluffs and beaches that make up the Sonoma Coast State Park; watch for seals and whales from the rocky outcropping known as Bodega Head; or tour the Bodega Marine Laboratory. In a pretty valley four miles inland from the coast, tiny Bodega offers the work of artists and artisans, picnic supplies and Hitchcock memorabilia, antiques and collectibles, and surfing supplies.
Duncans Mills
Located a few miles inland from where the Russian River empties into the Pacific Ocean, this town often enjoys blue skies while the surrounding hills are covered by fog. In addition to the breathtaking scenery, Duncans Mills is a great place to find one-of-a-kind gifts and souvenirs, visit local art galleries and to enjoy fantastic food in local eateries.
Santa Rosa
Blending the Wine Country lifestyle with urban amenities, Santa Rosa is Sonoma County’s largest city, and offers the widest variety of recreation. Historic Railroad Square offers an authentic old-town ambiance with a delightful mix of antique galleries, specialty shops, coffee shops and restaurants. The neighborhood around the cosmopolitan Courthouse Square is considered the heart of Santa Rosa, with Fourth Street offering shops, galleries, coffee houses, outdoor cafés and delis.
Windsor
Located in central Sonoma County, Windsor is a small town with an outsized personality. In addition to great shops featuring jewelry, candy, flowers, art, fashion, antiques and collectibles, unique home décor and toys, Windsor’s pedestrian-friendly Town Green hosts more than 30 free annual events, including summer outdoor movies nights, concerts and a farmers market.
Healdsburg
Casually trendy and delightfully rustic, Healdsburg is a wine and culinary epicenter with shops and galleries surrounding its historic plaza. With about two dozen art galleries within walking distance of the plaza, Healdsburg is an art lover’s dream spot. You can also drive—or cycle—through glorious countryside to visit the abundant local wineries. The nearly 100 restaurants in the area offer something for everyone, from basic burgers to ethnic fusion and farm-to-table gourmet dining.
Geyserville and Cloverdale
Located in the heart of Wine Country in northern Sonoma County, these two communities combine rural charm with upscale flair. Just a few blocks long, Geyserville offers wooden boardwalks and shops inside Wild West storefronts. Named one of “America’s Coolest Small Towns,” Cloverdale offers antiques, home furnishings, fabric, fashion, art and pottery. From basic to gourmet, seasonal farm-to-table dining options abound in Geyserville and Cloverdale. You can also check out more than 30 outdoor sculptures on the Sculpture Trail in both towns.
Sonoma County is located just 30 miles north of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge. To order a free visitor guide or information on hotels, wineries, events, spas, attractions and dining in Sonoma County, visit www.sonomacounty.com or call (800) 576-6662.
All Photos courtesy of Sonoma County Tourism
Duncan Mills is a great place to explore art galleries offering works by local artists and museum-quality California painters.
