Central Sonoma County

Central Sonoma County encompasses the cool, lush wine regions of Russian River Valley and Green Valley. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay thrive here, producing wines with rich fruit and a balancing acidity. The joy of the region comes from not only these delicious wines, but from the wilderness and homey cafés and bakeries sprinkled throughout.

Don’t miss

There’s plenty to do in Central Sonoma County. The Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, north of Guerneville, is packed with ancient redwood trees and laced with secret trails waiting to be explored. To get an above-ground view, check out Sonoma Zipline Adventures in Occidental, where you’ll zip high above the ground through 2,000 year-old redwoods trees.

Business and culture revolve around the thriving city of Santa Rosa. Fun-for-any-age activities include the Charles M. Schulz Museum – home to the largest collection of Peanuts comic strips in the world. See our restaurant round-up of the top 20 restaurants in Sonoma County.

Santa Rosa

Located 1.5 hours north of San Francisco in Central Sonoma County, the city of Santa Rosa offers numerous wineries, a wildlife park, its own symphony, and the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts.

Sebastopol

Just 15 minutes west of Santa Rosa, Sebastopol is situated in Central Sonoma County. The liberal and laid-back town was originally an orchard town, planted with groves of apples and plums when the region was...

Occidental/Freestone

Located just a 25-minute drive from the Pacific Coast, the quiet town of Occidental is tucked among the redwoods of Central Sonoma County. This tiny hamlet is situated midway along the ten ­mile Bohemian Highway drive, a pastoral route that winds among ancient redwood groves.

Forestville & Graton

A destination for bohemians and writers since the turn of the century, the tiny town of Forestville in Central Sonoma County continues to draw visitors to its riverside beaches and wine growing region.

Guerneville

Guerneville has long been a weekend getaway and summer vacation spot for San Franciscans since the 19th century and in recent years has also become a popular destination for the city’s gay and lesbian community...