Sonoma County

From views of the sparkling Pacific Ocean to the rugged hills of Jack London State Park, Sonoma has plenty to offer anyone on a Bay Area outing.

A scavenger hunt awaits you in Sonoma County! "Peanuts on Parade", a tribute to artist Charles Schulz, has the gang scattered across Santa Rosa and beyond.

Check out our gallery of over one hundred statues including Charlie Brown, Woodstock, Lucy and more here!

The first stop for your “Peanuts on Parade” tour should be the Charles Schulz Museum!

Next door is the iconic Snoopy’s Home Ice . Grab a cookie and beverage at the Warm Puppy Cafe.

Find souveniers and more at Snoopy’s Gallery & Gifts!

Start your journey of Sonoma County in its largest city: Santa Rosa! From the home of General Vallejo’s Mother-in-law: Dona Maria Carrillo to the rise of Snoopy’s Home Ice and the award-winning Schulz Museum, Santa Rosa has much to offer any visitor.

Explore the historic Railroad Square or take Rosie the Trolley over to the 1920s restored storefronts of Old Courthouse Square. You can’t miss this quaint California city.

Explore more here.

Sonoma County’s crabby capitol is nestled on an inlet next to the Pacific Ocean, Bodega Bay. Chowder-lovers flock here for the annual Chowder Day in January. If you don't make it down then, I believe it's worth the trek to Bodega Bay for either chowder or other fresh, local catch.

My favorite spot is Spud’s Point Crab Co. We make our own annual trek early in the morning during crab season to savor a crab cocktail and their hearty New England-style white clam chowder.

Parking is scarce in the area. Please be mindful of the locals who live there and mind the signs. Hence us going for “Mom’s breakfast chowder” so there’s zero hassle for anyone. Spud Point is open 9AM-5PM Daily!

Nearby is the town of Bodega, where the old Schoolhouse from the horror classic “The Birds” was filmed. It is the only remaining structure from the original film.

However, you can visit The Tide’s Wharf and Restaurant in nearby Bodega Bay that still houses the original facade of the establishment at the time of filming. Read more about these other filming locations here.

Fishetarian is a fabulous stop by the Bay for Fish ‘n’ Chips, oysters, whatever your seafood sensibilities desire. Be sure to grab a sticker from their array of souvenirs!

This gorgeous area north of Bodega Bay to the boundaries of Mendocino County has some of the most gorgeous views in the country.

Between Salmon Creek Beach where fresh water meets salty, to the imposing Goat Rock , and on up the winding coast to the historical Fort Ross , this expansive stretch of coast is a treasure of the county and worth the trek to immerse yourself in what it can offer. More about Sonoma County Coast Park here.

Goat Rock Beach

As a movie fan, I have found that Sonoma County has been home to many famous film sets.

From Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds” to “The Goonies”, the latter who filmed the final scene at Goat Rock in the 1980s. Read more about Sonoma County’s place in film history here.

Fort Ross

The former Imperial Russian settlement is set amid the rugged Northern Sonoma County coast. Check into the history of this area here.

This state park is worth the drive up Highway 1 as you get to take in the seaside air and can appreciate the tenacity to survive in such a remote location.

Freedom to scramble up the canopy of The Apple Tree to survey the level below. Watch fabric flow through tubes and fly through AirMazing. Discover planets as you head to Space Odyssey at this award-winning children’s museum!

Explore working in a full-service kitchen, a dental office or the science and medical lab!

Run upstairs and have endless fun playing with the dollhouse! See what you can find in the Victorian House of Cabinet Curiosities nearby.

There’s something for everyone at Ella’s Art Studio !

Their outdoor space has a garden, seasonal flowers, and a great water table, Mechanical Waterways 2.0, for those hot, sunny days!

Check out more inspiring exhibits at the museum here!

Get there early for parking in the lot adjacent. There is street parking also available.

Mid-May to mid-July brings Lavender blooms in Sonoma County! We highly recommend stopping by during the Lavender Daze to wind your way around the labyrinth. The farm hosts jazz and other music events during this time. They’re very family friendly and love teaching the kids about their animals and flowers onsite.

See more about Lavender Daze!

Also, they have a little shop selling their lavender products and honey. Check out their site here.

During September and October, a delicacy is available only in Sonoma County at the Crane Melon Barn. It’s down the road from where we live, and I found out from an Atlas Obscura article!

I picked up a few, and they’re lovely, delicate and the flesh is a little custardy. Worth stopping by this 150 year old redwood barn to grab a few while they’re available since you can’t get them anywhere else.

More about Crane Melon Barn here.

The Barn also hosts “Boutiques” around the Holiday season. More information at their page.