History in Sonoma, CA

History is everywhere in Sonoma, even though you may not be aware of it when you first arrive. The first people to live in this part of the country were Indigenous people. They called this area home for 12,000 years or more before the Spanish missionaries arrived at the beginning of the 19^th century. It didn’t take long for the Spanish settlers and Mexico to fight over whether Mexico belonged to Spain and who was the true owner of this land. When it was over, Mexico had claimed its independence and owned this land. However, the US government wanted this land, and it wasn’t long before they claimed it and created the quaint little town of Sonoma.

Sonoma has obviously blossomed since that time, but there is still so much to see and learn about the past. Some of this history surrounds the town’s plaza, while other historical points of interest are tucked away amongst the beauty of Sonoma State Historic Park.

Weather in Sonoma, CA

Spring in Sonoma, CA

Blooming flowers are everywhere in Sonoma during the spring months, thanks to an overabundance of rainfall. The temperatures in this part of the state are normally in the upper 60s and lower 70s at this time of the year. It is important to note it gets quite cool later in the evening though, so you will want to be prepared if you are out later in the night.

Summer in Sonoma, CA

The summer months bring temperatures into the lower 80s during the day, but they can still cool down significantly at night. The sun will always be shining though, which is perfect for all the time you will want to spend outside.

Fall in Sonoma, CA

The cooler days of fall introduce the changing of colors, especially when the temperatures really drop at night. The sun is still shining, you just need to be prepared with a few extra layers if the weather changes suddenly when you are out and about.

Winter in Sonoma, CA

The winter months in Sonoma are quite mild with temperatures never really dropping below the middle 30s at night. The daytime brings temperatures in the middle the to upper 50s, which is perfect for those days you want to wear a sweater or sweatshirt. Rain is also common at this time of the year, so you will want to be prepared every time you leave your accommodations.

What to Pack for a Vacation in Sonoma, CA

Depending on where you live, you may be able to pack shorts and t-shirts, as well as sundresses for your vacation in Sonoma. If you live somewhere cold, even the lower winter temperatures may feel warm to you. However, most people will stick to packing those items during the summer and pants and sweaters the rest of the year.

During the rainy seasons, an umbrella can come in handy. And a jacket is a must during the winter and at night almost all year-round. You will definitely want a hat and sunglasses on the sunnier days of the year, as well as some sunscreen.

Activities to Embrace While on Vacation in Sonoma, CA

It shouldn’t be shocking that there are a ton of family-friendly activities in Sonoma, because this has been a popular family destination for many years now. There are dozens of parks in Sonoma, which means you will have ample opportunities to be outside. You can easily walk along the trails at these parks, check out the redwood trees, or fly a kite in an open field. I also recommend going on a safari at the wildlife preserve.

Swimming is a must when you are vacationing in Sonoma. There are quite a few beaches to choose from, but you may prefer the water in a lagoon or the swimming pool where you are staying.

Walking around town will have you shopping, dining at local restaurants, and even exploring art galleries and historic buildings. There is nothing more exciting than wandering around a new area and discovering new things!

Other amazing activities to enjoy while on a family vacation in Sonoma include:

• Take a Train Ride
• Go Ziplining
• Tree Hugging
• Horseback Riding
• Go for a Scenic Drive
• Visit Farm Animals

Top Places to See in Sonoma, CA

Now I know kids really hate visiting museums, but no one in your family is going to be able to turn down a little time with Snoopy and Charlie Brown at the Charles M. Schulz Museum. This museum will give you a glimpse into the life of this comic creator, as well as offering you a chance to see where he did all his work when you stop by his re-created studio.

If you are looking for a more unique place to see when you are exploring Sonoma, you might want to check out Safari West. Approximately 1,000 animals, who are native to Africa, live at this wildlife preserve. The best way to see this fantastic place is to take a guided safari tour, which lasts about three hours. Imagine seeing zebras, giraffes, cape buffalo, and so many other magnificent creatures without even leaving the US!

During a family vacation in Sonoma, you probably won’t have many chances to taste wine and visit vineyards. However, you can take the time to visit CocoaPlanet for a few chocolate tastings. You can indulge in some chocolate with the kids while having a glass of wine on the side. Of course, you can also enjoy a picnic lunch in the vineyards at Gloria Ferrer Champagne Caves and Vineyard. Your kids won’t be able to resist the vast open spaces and food.

A few more incredible places to see in Sonoma include:

• Sonoma Train Town Railroad
• Sonoma Overlook Trail
• Jack London State Historic Park
• Pacific Coast Air Museum
• Goat Rock State Beach

Amazing Festivals You Can’t-Miss in Sonoma, CA

Gravenstein Apple Fair

The Gravenstein Apple Fair is a fun-filled family event that is held during the month of August every year. The kids will stay entertained with the hay maze, stilt walkers, tractor pedal pull games, and lots of arts and crafts. As an adult, you will love the artisan tasting lounge and live music on two different stages. No one will be able to resist the activities inside the Do-It-Yourself Arena.

Bodega Bay Fisherman’s Festival

This festival is held on a weekend at the end of April or the beginning of May each year. During this weekend, the local fishermen start the salmon season off with a bang by blessing their fleets. You can join in on the fun, while listening to live music, eating delicious local foods, and purchasing arts and craft items from the vendor booths. Your favorite part though will be participating in the wooden boat challenge.

Battle of the Brews

Sonoma may be known for its wine, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t some fabulous beer being made in the area! This is the time to drink different types of beers in between bites of food you are tasting for the Sonoma County Best Bites contest. At the end of the day, you must show up for the Craft Brew Cup Best of Show competition to cheer on the winners and losers.

This is quite a bit of what you need to know before planning a family vacation in Sonoma. I can share other things with you, as I am planning your personalized family vacation.

So, are you ready to have me create a personalized family vacation itinerary for your trip to Sonoma or another destination?

If you said yes, I would like to invite you to click here to schedule a personalized family vacation planning session. When you click on this link, you will be taken directly to my digital calendar to schedule a time that is convenient for you.

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Forest Flights

The Forest Flight will have you ziplining two hundred feet above the ground. There are seven different ziplines to choose from and you will reach thirty miles per hour on them. You will also have opportunities to cross sky bridges and rappel down to the ground at the end. Oh, and you can’t forget about the thirty-foot spiral staircase!

Tree Top Flights

The Tree Top Flights will have you two hundred fifty feet above the ground, as you zoom around at forty miles per hour. There are seven ziplines here as well, but the longest one is fifteen hundred feet in length. Before you rappel back down to the ground, you must make sure you have taken the time to cross over the two sky bridges.

Night Flights

The Night Flights take place on the Forest Flight ziplines course. You will still get all the thrills, and speed, as you would during the day. However, your experience will be much different under the nighttime sky. It will be eerily quiet, as the moon and stars shine brightly from above.

While you can easily wander through the redwoods’ forests when you are visiting California during your next road trip, a zipline adventure will be met with so much more enthusiasm by your children. If you are tired of the moans and groans when you mention a family road trip, lead off with a ziplining adventure instead.

As a mom, I know how difficult children of all ages can make vacations. But I also know that if I plan enough exciting adventures like ziplining, I can keep the eye rolls to a minimum.

So, are you ready to have me create a personalized family vacation itinerary for your trip to California or another destination?

If you said yes, I would like to invite you to click here to schedule a personalized family vacation planning session. When you click on this link, you will be taken directly to my digital calendar to schedule a time that is convenient for you.

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During a road trip to Sonoma, California, you will have ample opportunities to see wildlife. One of those opportunities will have you out on an estuary wildlife tour. Inside the Sonoma Coast State Park, as well as the Greater Farallones National Wildlife Sanctuary, you will have many chances to see the animals that live there.

Sonoma Coast State Park

This gorgeous state park is located on Highway 1, basically between Bodega Bay and Jenner. Sonoma Coast State Park is comprised of more than ten thousand acres and there are nineteen miles of trails within those acres.

There are a few different tours you can take within this state park and they include the Pond Farm, group hike along the Sonoma Coast, and a group tour of the Armstrong Redwoods.

Greater Farallones Sanctuary

As much as you will love the wildlife you see within the state park, I guarantee you will prefer the animals over at the Greater Farallones Sanctuary. This sanctuary is over three thousand square miles in size. The waters in this sanctuary are used to protect wildlife and habitats while ensuring the marine ecosystem stays healthy. The abundance of marine life there includes threatened and endangered species, so you know they are doing a wonderful job.

You must thoroughly explore this sanctuary in order to get the most from your visit. It is recommended that you begin to the north and work your way along the southern coastlines. However, you can easily reverse it or simply go to the areas you are closest to each day.

A few of the favorite destinations within the Greater Farallones Sanctuary include Bowling Ball Beach, Salt Point, Tomales Bay, Duxbury Reef, and Pigeon Point Lighthouse and Reef. This entire journey may take you further away from Sonoma than you planned. But the views you see, and the experiences you have along the way will be worth the time you spend going off course on the West Coast of the USA.

Taking tours of the estuary wildlife in, and around, Sonoma, California is a must during your next road trip. There are many other things you can do in Sonoma, so don’t think your itinerary will only have wildlife options. I can plan everything your family wants to do on this trip.

So, are you ready to have me create a personalized family vacation itinerary to Sonoma or another destination?

If you said yes, I would like to invite you to click here to schedule a personalized family vacation planning session. When you click on this link, you will be taken directly to my digital calendar to schedule a time that is convenient for you.

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Sonoma Town may not have as many wineries as Napa Valley. But they have enough to pique your attention during your visit. The five wineries within Sonoma town are all quite special, yet they all offer something unique. This is why I recommend visiting them all when you are driving near Sonoma Town for your next road trip.

Best Wineries in Sonoma Town

Gundlach Bundschu

This is not the oldest winery in Sonoma Town. It is the one that has the sixth generation of the family running it. Gundlach Bundschu opened back in 1857. They currently produce forty thousand cases of wine each year. There are sixteen different types of wines to choose from. Out of all those wines, the Merlot is the most popular.

Ravenswood Winery

If you are a fan of Zinfandel, you must check out Ravenswood Winery. They produce fifteen different types of Zinfandels, but many of them are smaller batches. There is only one type that is mass-produced, so you may want to consider tasting them all to find your all-time favorite.

Bartholomew Estate Winery

You will find this winery in the middle of Bartholomew Park. The winery itself is in an old hospital building. The goal of this winery is to produce wines that are of the highest quality. The entire vineyard is considered organic, so that helps when it comes to the quality of the wines they make.

Sebastiani Vineyards

These vineyards began operation back in 1904, but it is now owned by the Foley Estate instead of the Sebastiani family. The history of this vineyard is still present in everything that is done to make some of the best wine in the region.

Buena Vista Winery

This winery also opened back in 1857, but it was the first of the two wineries to open that year. Therefore, this is the oldest winery in Sonoma Town. While this winery has changed owners over the years, the wine is just as amazing. You can sit in the historic tasting room, as you do a tasting and learn all you can about the evolution of wine over the years.

These may be the only five wineries in Sonoma Town, but they are also considered the best wineries in Sonoma Town and the surrounding area. You must have these wineries on your list of things to do when you are taking a road trip near Sonoma.

So, are you ready to have me create a personalized family vacation itinerary for your trip to Sonoma or another destination?

If you said yes, I would like to invite you to click here to schedule a personalized family vacation planning session. When you click on this link, you will be taken directly to my digital calendar to schedule a time that is convenient for you.

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Have you ever been?

If you answered yes, then you already know why it is such an incredible destination!

If you answered no, well, you need to see what the best things to do in the town are and then start planning the trip of a lifetime!

Healdsburg Town can be found in Sonoma County. This is prime wine country in the state of California. Three of the top wineries in the entire country can be found in this charming town. But people arrive there daily for the tranquility, as well as the culture.

5 Best Things to Do in Healdsburg Town AKA the Best Small Town in America

Visit the Galleries

There are at least twenty-four galleries in this small town. You can wander between them all when you are feeling like adding a little culture to your days and nights. Each gallery is filled with fine art and many times they offer complimentary samples of food and wine.

Relax in Healdsburg Plaza

In the middle of Healdsburg Plaza, you will find a gazebo with a copper roof. You can easily sit inside the gazebo, or on the grass around it, to enjoy a picnic or a snack. There are concerts in this historic area throughout the summer months, as well as many local events. So, you will want to plan your trip carefully. You can also wander around the many local shops near the plaza. But be prepared to lose track of time if you do.

Do a Little Taste Testing at a Local Winery or Brewery

There are many wineries in this small town. You will also find a large number of micro-breweries. You can easily spend a little time at them all, as you discover new wines, beers, and ciders to have shipped back home.

Visit the Healdsburg Museum

The Healdsburg Museum is inside what was once a Carnegie Library. It is now on the National Register of Historic Places. As you wander through this museum, you will see many different exhibits that share the history of the town and those who have lived there.

Hike the Healdsburg Ridge Preserve

There are many different hiking trails through this preserve, so feel free to walk along as many of them as you have time for. I recommend taking the time to go to the Fox Pond Overlook, Russian River Overlook, and Serpentine Overlook. The views are extraordinary and you will feel as if you have finally reached paradise!

These are the five best things to do in Healdsburg Town, which is also known as the best small town in America. You will love every minute you spend in this small town and you will quickly understand why it is loved by so many people around the world.

So, are you ready to have me create a personalized family vacation for your trip to Healdsburg Town or another destination?

If you said yes, I would like to invite you to click here to schedule a personalized family vacation planning session. When you click on this link, you will be taken directly to my digital calendar to schedule a time that is convenient for you.

Not ready for a personalized family vacation planning session yet? Sign up for my newsletter and continue to receive all the travel information I share.

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