One of the decisions to make when taking a trip is what geographic area to stay. Going to Hawaii? First, pick an island, then where on that island. It's the same for Sonoma County, primarily because it's large and the wineries and other attractions are spread out. The county is bigger than our smallest state, Rhode Island.
The following are the most popular towns you might consider for your lodging and why you might or might not what to choose a particular location. Some towns will be closer to certain wine appellations and farther from others. So, for instance, if your primary goal is pinot noir, this can change where you'd stay for shorter driving distances.
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The main roads are: US 101 running north-south through the middle of the county from Petaluma through Santa Rosa to Cloverdale. State Highway 12 goes from the SE corner through the town of Sonoma and Santa Rosa then ends in Sebastopol though the physical road continues to the coast. State Highway 1 running all along the Pacific Coast.
Bodega Bay (on the coast) pop. 1,000
The good: The surf. Beautiful scenery. It's quiet at night. Some excellent restaurants and a couple touristy ones. Fishing charters, kite boarding, horseback riding on the beach.
Not so good: Lodging is mostly expensive and somewhat limited. Chilly summers (rarely gets above 70). If you're in Bodega Bay on a summer holiday weekend an event weekend (there are several throughout the year) traffic is a nightmare.
Cloverdale pop 8,800
The good: Least expensive lodging in the county. Cute, small town.
Not so good: Hottest town in the summer, wettest in the winter. Not a lot of restaurant choices, but Geyserville and Healdsburg aren't too far. Close to Dry Creek and Alexander Valleys for wineries. Very long way from Sonoma Valley and Carneros. It's over an hour drive to the town of Sonoma. Not much happens in Cloverdale.
Glen Ellen pop. 1,200
The good: Little, bitty, cute as hell village right out of a fairy tale almost. Limited, but very nice lodging and eating. In Sonoma Valley, just a few minutes from the town of Sonoma. Jack London State Park.
Not so good: Lodging won't be cheap. A drive to other wine areas. For instance, Glen Ellen to Healdsburg is 40 minutes.
Guerneville (pronounced gurn-vill) pop. 4,700
The good: Armstrong Redwoods. Lots of other redwoods and the Russian River. Close to the coast.
Not so good: Not close to most wineries.
Healdsburg (pronounced heeldz-burg) pop. 12,000
The good: Great selection of lodging and top restaurants, and tasting rooms in this cute little town. Central to Russian River, Dry Creek, and Alexander Valleys.
Not so good: Most expensive town for lodging and eating in the county. Weekends are often crowded. It can be hot on summer afternoons, though evenings cool off.
Occidental pop. 875
The good: Nestled in a small valley amongst the redwoods. Not too far from the coast and many Russian River wineries. A few nice restaurants and a couple old time classics. If you stay you must eat at either Negri's or the Union Hotel. Great driving roads all around, like Coleman Valley Road to Highway 1.
Not so good: A long drive from anything else.
Petaluma pop. 60,000
The good: Plenty of lodging, tons of great eating in this lively riverfront town. Probably the best nightlife in the county, though that's not saying a lot. Half hour to the town of Sonoma. Half hour to the Golden Gate, depending on traffic. If being close to wineries isn't a top priority, Petaluma is a great place to stay.
Not so good: Longer drive times to most wine regions via US 101 which can often be congested.
Rohnert Park pop 42,000
The good: It's between Petaluma to the south and Santa Rosa to the north, so RP has good access to the Russian River and Sonoma Valley. Lots of lodging, and it should be less expensive than most other towns. Everything is easy access to the US 101 freeway. Graton Casino.
Not so good: Lots of chain restaurants and any chain store imaginable. Boring, nothing to look at.
Santa Rosa (county seat, the biggest city, pop. 180,000)
The good: Best selection of lodging and restaurants in all price ranges. Other things to do besides drink (see earlier blog post). Central to most wine areas (Russian River and Sonoma Valley are the closest). Even northern Napa Valley isn't too far. Russian River Brewery.
Not so good: Lots of traffic and people relative to other places.
Sebastopol pop 7,600
The good: A small, cute town without the heavy tourism of Sonoma and Healdsburg. Several nice restaurants. The Barlow. Right in the Russian River wine area. Close to the coast. A nuclear-free zone.
Not so good: A bit expensive. Limited lodging. Lot of traffic for a small town. Longer drive to all other wine regions.
Sonoma pop 11,000
The good: Plenty of lodging, restaurants, and tasting rooms right in this cute town. It sits between Carneros and Sonoma Valley, not too far from the town of Napa. Close to the Bay Area. Home of the northernmost Spanish mission for history buffs. Easy to get around town as you can walk to most everything, including a couple dozen wine tasting rooms.
Not so good: Higher prices because of popularity with visitors. Crowded on weekends. A long way to Dry Creek and Alexander Valleys.
Windsor pop 27,000
The good: Lodging mostly along the freeway, a few restaurants in town. Nice enough, but kind of boring town. Excellent central location. Russian River Brewing's newest location.
Not so good: Chain hotels along the freeway. Nothing of interest, really.
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| Glen Ellen |
Summary
- For walking options instead of always driving everywhere, then Sonoma or Healdsburg.
- For something besides wine tasting, eating, and sleeping, then Santa Rosa or Petaluma.
- If you want it really quiet at night then Glen Ellen, Occidental, or on the coast.
- For world-class restaurants, it's Healdsburg.
- For best central location to most of the county's wine regions, then choose Santa Rosa, Windsor, or Healdsburg.
- Pinot noir and chardonnay in the Russian River Valley then stay in Santa Rosa, Windsor, Sebastopol and maybe Occidental or Guerneville.
- Cabernet sauvignon has two locations. One is Alexander and Dry Creek Valleys just north of Healdsburg. The other is Sonoma Valley. Santa Rosa or Windsor would be a good choice to stay between the two.
- For Sonoma County's signature grape, zinfandel, that's Dry Creek, so Healdsburg would be ideal.
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