What to do in Sonoma County in the Winter

What to do, besides wine tasting, of course. You might be coming in for wine, but would like something else to do while you are here. Also see this previous post that focused on wine.

Whale off the Sonoma Coast
image from sonomacounty.com

Outdoors

Whale watching - The Gray Whales are heading south. 

• Bodega Head at Bodega Bay is the prime spot to see them. 
• Salt Point and Sea Ranch are also good. 
• Just south in Marin County good spots are Pont Reyes Nat'l Seashore and Point Bonita Lighthouse. 

December and January are the best chances to see Gray Whales. Humpback Whales may still be migrating through December.

Harbor Seals - They hand out where the Russian River meets the Pacific. You can see them at Goat Rock Beach. Late winter and into spring is the best time to see them especially after their pups are born. State law says you must stay at least 50 yards away. No dogs are allow on this beach because of the seals.

Waterfowl - Winter is a great time to see birds in wetter areas.

• Doran Beach at Bodega Bay
• Laguna Wetlands (you can use the Laguna de Santa Rosa Trail regional park)
• Spring Lake in Santa Rosa. 

Waterfalls - While none of these is exactly up to Niagara Falls, they push a decent amount of water after a winter rainstorm. 

• Sonoma Creek Falls in Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, near the town of Kenwood
• Phillips Gulch Falls, north of Jenner along the coast; a waterfall that empties into the ocean. While you're up there go to nearby Kruse Rhododendron State Natural Reserve.
• Stengall Beach Falls at Sea Ranch. 
  
  

Jan - March is mustard bloom in the vineyards
image from sfstandard.com

 

Indoors

In case of rainy weather. 

Dungeness Crab - The commercial season to find this sweet, delicate, and much anticipated delight in local grocery stores and restaurants will probably kick off January 1st, but is subject to delay. The date actually hinges on when the Humpback Whales are through their migration so there's no risk of them getting caught up in the fishing gear. You'll see people crabbing in places like Doran Beach at Bodega Bay. 

Russian River Brewery - The annual Pliny the Younger release happens in late March. This is actually a part outdoors, part indoors event as you'll wait in line to get in. 

Charles M. Schulz Museum - aka the Snoopy Museum. Schulz was the creator of the Peanuts comic strip. Kids of all ages love it here. Next door is the Snoopy Ice Rink, the Warm Puppy Cafe, and Snoopy's Gift Shop.  

For retail, there are art galleries, antique shops, boutiques, second-hand fashion stores, and more. Sonoma, Healdsburg, plus Santa Rosa's Railroad Square and Montgomery Village are good shopping areas.

Inside the Charles M Schulz Museum
image from schulzmuseum.org