Where to Stay in Sonoma – 6 Best Areas (with Hotels)

Sonoma County combines 2 of my favorite things: wine and nature! Also known as Sonoma Wine Country, this buzzing region in California is heaven-sent for couples and families looking to unwind in the country! My ultimate guide on where to stay in Sonoma has got you covered with the best places to stay in the area to make the most out of your visit! 

The best place to stay in Sonoma is Sonoma City. Nestled in the heart of the winemaking region, this town is perfect for tourists as it has excellent wineries, hotels, and restaurants.

I’ve also cherry-picked 5 more towns in the county, sorted them by their best qualities, and found top-rated hotels in each so you can book your perfect stay in Sonoma County!

But make sure you book your hotel in advance (even if you choose a resort or lodge). This region is super famous, and all the good places sell out in a second!

Quick Picks for Your Stay

Ready to book right now? Have a look through this list of the best hotels, all located in Sonoma City:

Here’s a map of all the areas in Sonoma County, California, that I’ll talk about in this post:

1. Sonoma City – the best place to stay for the first time

I’m so excited to tell you all about this city, which is the perfect jumping-off point for your trip to Sonoma County! 

Known for its historic charm and, of course, all its rolling vineyards, Sonoma City is at the heart of the Sonoma County region! A corner of paradise for any architecture enthusiast, the city center is filled with colonial buildings that blend perfectly with modern ones.

You’ll be welcomed by a super friendly family-oriented community ready to offer you the best time in Sonoma Wine Country. 

Sonoma City used to be known as the best place in the country to start your own business. You can see that by the incredible amount of family-owned shops, cafés, and restaurants that have been there for generations!

I recommend you start your journey from Sonoma Plaza (map), as this is the largest square in California with fancy restaurants, shops, and tasting rooms!

The entire Sonoma County caters to families, and you’ll find that most wineries offer family-friendly activities. If you’re traveling with the little ones, you’ll find plenty of things to do!

GETTING AROUND: The best way to get around Sonoma County is by car (you can rent one or drive your own). Street parking is widely available and is free in many places for up to 3 hours. However, a car isn’t the recommended option for winery hopping. Sonoma Valley Wine Trolley offers shuttles between wineries on set routes, plus there are tons of bike rental services that are best for enjoying scenic views and burning off those extra calories!

Plus, you can reach most Sonoma County towns and wineries spread along Highway 12 and Route 101 in no more than 1 hour.

Before, you could just drop at any winery in the country and go wine-tasting. Nowadays, most wineries require reservations (you can book through their website). I recommend you plan your route ahead with all the wineries you want to see, as Sonoma is a pretty big county with 425 registered wineries!

Buena Vista Winery (map) on the outskirts of Sonoma City is California’s first premium winery, founded in 1857! Make sure to add this one to your itinerary!

NOTE: Wine tasting at lower-end wineries costs around $20, while for more popular ones the price can go up to $100. If you buy a bottle or two, some wineries will count the tasting fee to the price of the wine, so you basically get free wine tasting. But chances are, more expensive wineries won’t have these types of deals.

I recommend at least 2 or even 3 nights in Sonoma City since this is the very center of winemaking in the region, there are plenty of great wineries to try! And if you’re driving from San Francisco, Sonoma City is one of the first cities on the Sonoma Wine Country route less than an hour drive away! 

Other accommodation options in Sonoma City

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Sonoma City has so many more amazing hotels in dreamy locations right outside the city that I couldn’t keep them all to myself! So here are a few more options:

Luxury: Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa – Forget about everything and spend your holiday relaxing at the spa center of this Sonoma resort with a great golf course. Featuring tons of luxurious amenities like a health club, rooms with a spa bath, and a fine-dining restaurant, Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa will offer you the perfect holiday!

Mid Range: Inn at Sonoma, a Four Sisters Inn – Sunbathe under the Californian sun on the loungers by the hot tub at this inn that offers super comfortable rooms with a fireplace. Take a quick nap and wake up in time for the afternoon wine!

Budget: Sonoma Creek Inn – Affordable yet so fantastic! This inn has such a trendy design and rooms decorated with original artwork. Some suites even have a lovely little terrace!

Things to do in Sonoma City

• Explore the historic Sonoma Plaza
• Go wine tasting at Roche Winery (map)
• Admire the art at Sonoma Valley Museum of Art
• Eat out in the eclectic HopMonk Tavern Sonoma (map)
• Learn new things at Sonoma State Historic Park (map)
• Rent a bike at Sonoma Valley Bike Tours and Rentals (map)

2. Healdsburg – where to stay in Sonoma for couples

Set in the North of Sonoma County near the Russian River, some 36 miles (57 km) from Sonoma City, this city has so many wineries and vineyards that you won’t know where to start! Best of all, it’s filled with romantic, luxury inns ideal for couples who want to pair luxury with quality wine tasting!

Recommended for tourists who want to spend their holiday doing nothing but relaxing and drinking wine, obviously, Healdsburg’s small-town and laid-back atmosphere will make you want to live here.

Fountain Square Plaza (map) is the very heart of this charming town and this place alone has 26 wine tasting rooms!

But it’s not only the vineyards that bring tourists here, as there are plenty of other things to try in town. For example, Healdsburg Memorial Beach (map) is an excellent spot for a nice swim and a bit of sunbathing!

People who have been to Healdsburg say that the city has tons of charm and has plenty of authentic, inviting shops and restaurants. 

Rodney Strong Vineyards (map) is one of the best award-winning wineries in town. Enjoy casual Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wine tasting with charcuterie, live music in the summer, and vast vine-stripped hills that you can tour.

I recommend staying at least 2 nights in Healdsburg to experience all it has to offer!

NAPA VS. SONOMA: If you’re thinking between Napa and Sonoma, Sonoma is my personal favorite for its more intimate atmosphere and lower prices. Napa is a bit too commercial for my taste, but it’s renowned for its bold red wines, notably Cabernet Sauvignon. In Sonoma, you can find a broader range of wines (which makes sense since the region is much larger). We have a whole article dedicated to the Napa vs. Sonoma debate, check it out here!

Other accommodation options in Healdsburg

Things to do in Healdsburg

• Check out the shops in the Plaza
• Go for a swim at Healdsburg Memorial Beach
• Spend a chill afternoon at Seghesio Family Vineyards (map)
• Explore Sonoma Valley on a wine trolley tour

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3. Windsor – where to stay in Sonoma Valley for families

Welcome to one of Sonoma County’s most family-friendly towns! Windsor is located just next to the Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport and a 40-minute drive North of Sonoma City. 

The heart of the town is called Town Green (in Downtown Windsor, map), and it’s the main venue for free summer concerts, movie nights, festivals, farmers’ markets, and whatnot. You’ll also find tons of huge parks like Foothill Regional Park (map) just on the city’s outskirts, with hundreds of acres of walking and biking trails, ideal for the kids to run free!

Most of Downtown is pedestrian-friendly, and you’ll find plenty of shops and even candy shops run by local families for generations!

The town lies just 2 miles from the Russian River and is part of the Russian River Wine Country. With plenty of wineries close by you can literally walk from one to another. 

In terms of accommodation, you’ll mostly find small inns, family homes, and 3-star hotels, as this is not really a luxury-oriented area.

Other accommodation options in Windsor

Things to do in Windsor

• Go beer tasting in the legendary Russian River Brewing Company (map)
• Spend a fun night out at Town Green 
• Hike the day out in the Foothill Regional Park 
• Visit the popular Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards (map) and La Crema Estate (map) wineries
• Have a family picnic at the Steelhead Beach (map)

4. Glen Ellen – where to stay in Sonoma for nature lovers

In need of a serious break from the urban city atmosphere? I hear ya! I’m always in the mood for that!

Glen Ellen, which is located 7 miles (11 km) North of Sonoma City, is the perfect place for that! You can visit this town all year round and always find something to do off the beaten path.

For starters, Jack London State Historic Park (map), with its 26 miles of hiking trails, and the picnic-perfect Valley Regional Park (map) are both so beautiful you can easily spend a whole day here! That’s if you’re not too busy with all the wine tastings!

Some of Sonoma’s most notable wineries are located in Glen Ellen. Some of the must-tries include Benziger Family Winery (map), voted best in Sonoma, and Hamel (map), the absolute favorite winery for everyone who visits it!

I love that there’s a public swimming pool, Morton’s Warm Springs Resort (map), much less crowded than the one in Santa Rosa. For just $20 per person (for adults), you can enjoy 2 large pools and one baby pool (plus, there’s free parking).

Other accommodation options in Glen Ellen

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BONUS: Kenwood Inn and Spa – We’ve already established that Sonoma County has tons of unique hotels, so I had to add another option as it’s pretty awesome! Set right outside Glen Ellen, Kenwood Inn and Spa looks like one of those beautiful Italian villas. Featuring wooden elements and rooms with vintage furniture, a balcony, and a fireplace, this hotel is one-of-a-kind! After a wine tasting, explore the grounds and grab your bathing suit for a quick dip in the pool!

Things to do in Glen Ellen

• Visit the Jack London State Historic Park
• Go for a walk in Sonoma Valley Regional Park
• Check out the Sonoma Botanical Garden (map)
• Visit the organic Oak Hill Farm (map) and stock up on fresh produce
• Have fun during a wine-tasting tour

5. Rohnert Park – best area to stay in Sonoma for an active vacation

Visiting Sonoma with small kids and want to keep them entertained for days? Rohnert Park has got you covered! This small town is located just a 30-minute ride from Sonoma City and all the area’s top-rated wineries.

From the K1 Raceway with arcade games, mini golf, and go-karts to roller rinks, family fun centers, casinos, to natural parks and lakes, Rohnert Park has so many fun activities for all ages. 

The Crane Creek Regional Park (map) is ideal for biking and hiking, while the Roberts Lake Park (map) has nice picnic and fishing spots. 

Rohnert Park is also home to Sonoma State University (map), inviting to tourists and locals for its Green Music Center located on the Uni’s premises. This venue hosts concerts and symphonies year-round!

Do note that you’ll only find just a few family-run wineries in Rohnert Park. However, it’s a great place to be if you want easy access to fun activities for the kids while still being just a short ride from the wineries!

Also, the only truly upscale hotel in the area, Graton Resort & Casino, is adult-only, which is why I won’t recommend it as a luxury option below. If you’re traveling as a couple, this is more than a great luxury option!

Other accommodation options in Rohnert Park

Things to do in Rohnert Park

• Spend a fun day at the Scandia Family Fun Center (map)
• Play golf on a local golf course (map)
• Have fun speeding around in Go-karts (map)
• Eat the best sourdough sandwiches in town (map)
• Catch a concert at the Green Music Center (map)
• Let the kids enjoy themselves in the Cal Skate of Rohnert Park (map)

6. Santa Rosa – the largest city in Sonoma County

Santa Rosa is a big city located a 30-minute drive North of Sonoma City, and here, you’ll find museums, kid-friendly attractions, souvenir shops, restaurants, and pretty much all the amenities of a big city. 

This being said Santa Rosa is not often the preferred place to stay for wine tasting and enjoying the wine country as it doesn’t have that vibe. Still, I decided to add it to the list just in case you want to spend a day here and see what Sonoma’s largest city is all about. 

I mean, Santa Rosa may not be the best place for wine tasting, but it certainly has its fair share of popular wineries. Some say St. Francis Winery (map) in Santa Rosa is the most beautiful winery in the whole region with its recognizable bell tower! 

The Railroad Square (map) is the heart of the old town of Santa Rosa, with tons of authentic shops in restored buildings dating from the 1800s. The top attractions for kids are definitely the Children’s Museum of Sonoma County and Snoopy’s Home Ice Rink (map).

NOTE: Santa Rosa experiences major traffic congestion, especially during the season. Use the Waze app to plan your commute when roads are less congested. This is usually before 9 AM and after 18 PM, but there are really no general rules. 

Other accommodation options in Santa Rosa

Things to do in Santa Rosa

• Spend a fun day at the Children’s Museum
• Take the kids to Howarth Park (map)
• Go wine tasting at D’Argenzio Winery (map)
• Take a scenic ride to the Sonoma Coast State Park (map)

FAQs about where to stay in Sonoma

🤔 Is it better to stay in Napa or Sonoma?

Both places are just as beautiful. However, Sonoma is for sure more affordable than Napa Valley. Expect to pay less for wine and hotels in Sonoma while also having access to more wine varieties. 

❓ What’s the difference between staying in Sonoma vs. Healdsburg?

It depends on what you prefer. Sonoma City is perfect for first-time visitors and people who want to explore the whole valley, while Healdsburg is great for couples.

🍷 Can you stay at a winery in Sonoma?

🍇 What town to stay in when visiting Sonoma?

Stay in Sonoma City or Healdsburg for the most charming scenery, authentic vibe, and delicious wineries. 

4️⃣ How many days do you need in Sonoma?

4 days is ideal for anyone who wants to tour the Sonoma Wine Country from South to North! You can also do a 2-day itinerary if you’re just passing by.

🚶 Is Downtown Sonoma walkable?

Yes! You can walk in Downtown Sonoma and you’ll find plenty of pedestrian areas there. 

🚘 How do you get around Sonoma Valley?

Renting a car is the best way to get around Sonoma Valley because public transport isn’t really well-developed. Sonoma Valley is also very bicycle-friendly, so you can also get around with a bike.

❓ Where to stay in Sonoma for the first time?

Sonoma City or Healdsburg are ideal for first-time visitors. You can also stay in Windsor if you’re traveling with family. McArthur Palace in Sonoma is the best luxury hotel, while An Inn to Remember is the best mid-range deal.

💲 Where to stay in Sonoma on a budget?

Vacation rentals and inns are the best budget-friendly options for travelers to Sonoma. Sonoma Creek Inn is a nice example where you can expect to pay as little as $110 per night for 2 people.

🍷 Where to stay in Sonoma for wine tasting?

Both Sonoma City and Healdsburg offer easy access to some of the best wineries in Sonoma. Sonoma Hotel (and most accommodations around Sonoma Plaza) is less than a 10-minute walk from wine-tasting venues.

Final thoughts on where to stay in Sonoma Wine Country

I hope this post helped you decide where to stay in Sonoma Wine Country! I did my best to include all the information you need to plan your trip, including the top towns in the region and great hotels.

I know the list is long, but it’s better to have all these options so you can pick the very best accommodation for you! If you need extra help, here are my two favorite options in Sonoma City:

• MacArthur Place Inn and Spa – A fabulous inn & spa in Sonoma that has rooms with private outdoor patios and complimentary wine tasting. One of the best places to stay in Sonoma, California!
• An Inn to Remember – Cozy, comfortable, and affordable! It’s how I could best describe this beautiful inn

Remember to book your Sonoma resort in advance. This is a super popular holiday destination and if you want the best accommodations that come with swimming pools or free cancellation, you’ll need to hurry!

If you have any other questions about this world-class wine country in California, leave me a comment below and I’ll answer ASAP!

Have a great trip,

Victoria

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