Santa Rosa and Sonoma California – Exploring Wine Country Charm
The Heart of Sonoma County - Wine, Redwoods, and West Coast Wonders
by Celeste Lipford and Terry Lipford - last updated on 4/15/2025
Thanks to its central location in Sonoma County, we chose Santa Rosa as our home base for this leg of the trip—perfectly positioned for easy access to both coastal attractions and the rolling vineyard landscapes the region is famous for. Our plan was to explore a mix of natural beauty and wine country charm, including a day trip to the majestic Muir Woods National Monument and a curated selection of nearby vineyards. During our research, we discovered just how vast and diverse Sonoma County truly is. Spanning from the Pacific coastline in the west to the forested Mayacamas Mountains in the east, the county is home to nearly 60,000 acres of vineyards and boasts more than 425 wineries, making it one of the most prolific and scenic wine regions in California.
While we weren’t aiming to visit dozens of tasting rooms, we did want to include at least a few well-regarded spots that showcased the local terroir and delivered a quality experience. One standout that quickly rose to the top of our list was DeLoach Vineyards. Located just 7.1 miles from downtown Santa Rosa, DeLoach offered the ideal combination of convenience, beautiful surroundings, and a solid reputation for crafting exceptional wines. Known for its commitment to sustainable and organic practices, DeLoach specializes in Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Zinfandel, all grown in the cool-climate Russian River Valley. It turned out to be a relaxing and rewarding stop—exactly what we were hoping for in our brief taste of Sonoma wine country.
Sonoma History
Below are some Sonoma facts, a bit of historical facts and a few frequently asked questions we've seen that are useful.
- Sonoma County is the birthplace of California’s modern wine industry and has the state’s oldest commercial winery at Buena Vista and the oldest, continuously operating family winery at Gundlach-Bundschu.
- It is the most diverse premium wine-grape growing region in the United States. In fact, it produces 6 percent of all the wine in California.
- Sonoma County has about 60,000 acres of grape vineyards.
- More than 8.4 million tourists visit Sonoma County Wine Country each year (2020).
- As early as 1920, Sonoma County was ranked as the eighth most agriculturally productive US county and a leading producer of hops, grapes, prunes, apples, and dairy and poultry products.
- The annual Sonoma County grape harvest is worth an estimated $200 million and represents 61 percent of the county’s total agriculture.
- With more than 425 wineries, Sonoma County has a varietal to suit any taste.
- Because of the range of soil types, more than 50 grape varieties are grown in Sonoma County. For example, the cool weather of the Carneros and the Russian River Valley produce exemplary Chardonnay and Pinot grapes; the warmer Dry Creek Valley and Rockpile produce excellent Zinfandel; and the Alexander Valley is famed for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
- Santa Rosa has been featured among America’s 5 Best Beer Cities in Wine Enthusiast Magazine.
- Santa Rosa boasts 57 parks within its city limits.
- What is Sonoma known for? - Sonoma is famous for its world-class wineries and vineyards, being part of California's renowned wine country. The area also has a rich historical background, including its role in California's statehood, and is known for its picturesque landscapes, farm-to-table dining, and vibrant arts scene.
- How does Sonoma compare to Napa Valley? - While both are famous wine regions, Sonoma is generally considered more laid-back and less commercialized compared to Napa Valley. Sonoma offers a more rural and relaxed vibe with fewer crowds, while Napa tends to be more upscale and touristy. Both regions offer exceptional wine-tasting experiences.
- Are there things to do in Sonoma besides wine tasting? - Yes! Sonoma offers various outdoor activities like hiking, hot air balloon rides, biking tours, and visits to Sonoma Plaza, which is filled with shops, restaurants, and historic landmarks like Mission San Francisco Solano. The region is also known for its scenic beauty, spas, and culinary experiences.
- How far is Sonoma from San Francisco? - Sonoma is about 45-60 miles north of San Francisco, depending on the specific destination. It takes approximately 1 to 1.5 hours to drive, depending on traffic.
- What are the accommodation options in Sonoma? - Sonoma offers a range of accommodations, from luxury resorts and boutique hotels to bed-and-breakfasts, vacation rentals, and camping. Popular places include The Lodge at Sonoma, Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, and various vineyard inns. As of 9/8/2024 Google says there are 126 hotels in Sonoma, click here to view a Google Search Results list of all of them.
- What Vineyards are near Sonoma? - Google says there are 425 wineries near Sonoma. Click here to view a Google Search Results list of all of them.
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Click the above video poster image to view our California road trip which allows you to get a glimpse of San Francisco, Muir Woods, Sausalito, Napa and Sonoma, Yosemite, Santa Monica, Santa Barbara, Pacific Coast Highway, Monterey, Carmel by the Sea... We did this short video to inspire others to try it out.
DeLoach Vineyards Map
Having thoroughly researched the wineries near Santa Rosa on our map, we ultimately chose to visit Deloach Vineyards. Situated within the esteemed Russian River Valley of Sonoma County, this region is renowned for its cool-climate wines, with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay taking center stage. The estate itself exudes a captivating blend of rustic charm and refined elegance, showcasing sprawling vineyards, meticulously maintained gardens, and breathtaking panoramas of the surrounding countryside.
DeLoach is a pioneer in biodynamic viticulture, meaning they use organic farming methods and follow the rhythms of the earth and lunar cycles in their winemaking process. Visitors interested in sustainability and eco-friendly farming will appreciate learning about these practices during the tour.
Deloach Vineyards
Deloach Vineyards Marker
Deloach Vineyards Tasting Room
Deloach Vineyards Tasting Room Parking
Deloach Vineyards
Deloach Vineyards Grounds
Deloach Vineyards Charcuterie
Deloach Vineyards Wine Sampler
Deloach Vineyards MenuAs you can see in these images, the DeLoach Vineyards Tasting shop sits in the middle of one of their vineyards. Perhaps a half dozen tables, you tell the service staff what you want to do (you could select a "flight" of various wines, or you could zero in on one specific type). They have a small boxed charcuterie to have with your wine, and being that it was a nice day, we enjoyed ourselves as we snacked and tried their wines.
The tables in the patio area all had umbrellas to limit the sun if you desired. The inside area of the Tasting Shop contained bottles of their wines for sale, as well as some other merchandise - such as hats, t-shirts, etc.
We chose to do the wine tasting and the menu, shown above, had a Chardonnay, two Pinot Noir's, and a Zinfandel. We liked the Chardonnay the best and purchased a bottle before leaving. As you can see it was a picture perfect day, the temperature was in the mid 70s, the sun was shining, the wine was great and there wasn't anywhere else that we needed to be. If you are looking for a winery close to Santa Rosa we recommend giving it a try.
More Info for DeLoach Vineyards
- DeLoach Vineyards Wikipedia Article:
- DeLoach Vineyards Google Images Set:
- DeLoach Vineyards Yelp Page:
- DeLoach Vineyards Google Map:
- Google Reviews for DeLoach Vineyards: oogle Reviews
Image Credits:
All of the above images are the property of Just Traveling Thru, LLC.
Sonoma, CA Map
We drove from Santa Rosa to Sonoma along California Route 12 which brought us past a number of well known vineyards like; B.R. Cohn Winery, Arrowood Vineyards, Imagery Winery, Kenwood Vineyards, Chateau St. Jean Winery, Landmark Vineyards, St. Francis Winery, Ledson Winery & Vineyards, Schug Winery, Robledo Family Winery, Benziger Family Winery and many others. It was a beautiful drive, reminiscent of Tuscany in Italy. We are always amazed at the things that we have right here in the United States. Of course, there have been a few movies that have highlighted California wine country such as the movie "Sideways". Who can forget some of the scenes in that movie? Maybe they should do one called Under the Sonoma Sun which could be about a retired couple that spend their life savings on a shack and broken down vineyard and transform their lives and the vineyard at the same time. Hollywood are you paying attention?
Image is the property of Sonoma County, CA
NOTE: Click here to view a good website that will describe the wineries to be found along route 12 in Sonoma and Napa Counties.
After a quick lunch, we drove to Sonoma Plaza and found a parking place (follow the signs to the public parking area behind the western side of the plaza). We then explored various stores as well as Sonoma State Historic Park in the center of the square.
Quick History of Sonoma: Russians were the first non-American Indian group to settle in Sonoma County, and they established Fort Ross on the Sonoma coast in 1812. The Russians abandoned Fort Ross in 1841 and sold the fort to John Sutter AKA the man who created Sacremento and the owner of Sutter's Mill where gold was discovered in 1848.
On July 4, 1823, Mission San Francisco Solano de Sonoma was established by Father José Altimira. The Sonoma Mission was the only California mission established after Mexico achieved its independence from Spain on September 27, 1821, and it is the northernmost and final of the 21 missions established in California by the Franciscans. Click here to go to the Sonoma Wikipedia Page.
Sonoma State Park
Sonoma State Historic Park Map
Sonoma State Historic Park
Sonoma Barracks
Sonoma State Historic Poster
Sonoma Barracks
Sonoma BarracksSonoma Plaza is a vibrant hub that seamlessly blends a lively mix of restaurants and shops with the serene beauty of Sonoma State Historic Park. This captivating park encompasses six significant historical attractions, including the venerable Mission San Francisco Solano, the charming Blue Wing Inn, the historic Sonoma Barracks with its evocative servant quarters, and the elegant Toscana Hotel and Kitchen. General Vallejo's grand home, a testament to the region's rich history, is located less than a mile from the plaza. The entire area is meticulously maintained, and knowledgeable docents are readily available to provide insightful information and answer any questions.
Sonoma Plaza Wineries
Caddis Wines Sonoma
Bennett Valley Cellars
Edge Restaurant Sonoma
Sojourn Cellars Sonoma
Winery Owner's Car
Pangloss Cellars SonomaThere are 30+ wine tasting rooms within one block of the Sonoma Plaza, offering primarily Sonoma County wines (click here to view the complete list). This is California's largest town square, and there are a number of interesting shops, restaurants, wine tasting rooms, etc, for you to visit or admire.
As can be seen in these images, the stores in Sonoma appeared to be prosperous - and yes - the Ferrari was owned by a local wine merchant. When he saw us admiring his car, he came out of his shop and spoke with us.
Image Credits:
- All the above images are the property of Just Traveling Thru, LLC, unless otherwise noted.
Wine Country Chocolates
Exploring at Wine Country Chocolates
Exploring at Wine Country Chocolates
Exploring at Wine Country ChocolatesWine Country Chocolates attracted our attention because they usually offer chocolate tastings. Unfortunately due to COVID tasting had been suspended. However we stopped in and purchased a mix of 7 chocolates and we relished them for the next few days as an afternoon treat. It's owned and operated by a mother and daughter who gave up their day jobs to become chocolatiers. It's a great story and their chocolate is fabulous. Check out their website (link below) for more information.
More Info for Wine Country Chocolates
Image Credits:
- Image # 3 above is the property of Winnie W. via Yelp.com.
- All other images are the property of Just Traveling Thru, LLC, unless otherwise noted.
Some Useful Links for Santa Rosa
- Just Traveling Thru Travel Planning Tips
- Santa Rosa Article on the Wikipedia site
- History of Santa Rosa on the Britannica Website
- Sonoma History on the Britannica site
- Google search results list for "Accommodations in Santa Rosa"
- Google search results list for "Restaurants in Santa Rosa"
- Google search results list for "Restaurants in Sonoma"
- Google Image List for Sonoma
- Google Image List for Santa Rosa
- Napa & Sonoma Curated Wine Tour (day trip) from "Get Your Guide"
- Visit our Youtube Channel
- Our Image Gallery for Santa Rosa
- Wikipedia Article for Santa Rosa
- Google Image Gallery for Santa Rosa
- Google Reviews for Santa Rosa
Trip Itinerary & Overview Map
Click above Image to view larger Google MapAs you can see in this static map, we had a number of destinations (as well as a number of side trips) that would require a considerable amount of driving. Each of the itinerary stops is linked to our content (or page) to allow you to view our content.
Locations / Start & End points are both San Francisco International Airport
- San Francisco Hilton Financial District.
- Bonita Point Lighthouse and Fort Baker area.
- Sausalito, CA.
- Santa Rosa, CA in the heart of the Sonoma County Wine District.
- Salida, CA - overnight rest stop along the way to Yosemite.
- Yosemite National Park, CA where we stayed at the Rush Creek Lodge.
- Frontieres Underground Garden Fresno, CA - this was an entertainment side stop, as we had read about this place and also wanted to get lunch.
- Santa Monica, CA
- Santa Barbara, CA
- Morro Bay, CA.
- Monterey Bay, CA to explore the Monterey Bay and Carmel by the Sea areas.
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