The drive from San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge to Sonoma County wine country takes about an hour, winding through Northern California’s cityscapes, fields and scenic vineyards. Home to more than 425 wineries, this region may not be the first spot that comes to mind when planning a family vacation, but Sonoma offers more than just award-winning grapes.
In fact, families will find redwood forests, a sandy stretch of coast, a wild side some folks call the “Sonoma Serengeti” — and even characters from “Peanuts” comics.
Sonoma Zipline Adventures
Get an adrenaline rush from the get-go at Sonoma Zipline Adventures, located deep in rural Sonoma County. Start your vacation off with a panoramic treetop course that includes seven ziplines, two sky bridges and a photo-worthy spiral staircase before the grand-finale rappel back to the forest floor. (Note: Children must be at least 10 years old and weigh 70 pounds to participate.)
Occidental and Union Hotel Restaurant
After the tour, families can enjoy having their feet back on solid ground while exploring the tiny nearby town of Occidental. Grab a bite to eat at Union Hotel Restaurant, a popular Italian spot complete with traditional red-and-white-checkered tablecloths (open Friday to Sunday).
Sonoma Coast State Park
Don’t miss out on a day at the beach during your Sonoma County getaway. Just a 30-minute drive from Occidental is Sonoma Coast State Park, a scenic 17-mile stretch perfect for strolling and playing in the sand. Leave your swimsuit at home, though; the surf here is rough and cold. Check out the wildlife at Goat Rock Beach in Jenner, where harbor seals sometimes outnumber people. From March through June, protective seal moms line the sand with their pups.
Santa Rosa and Safari West
If the sea air gets everyone’s stomachs grumbling again, head inland for a stop at Betty’s Fish & Chips, a small hole-in-the-wall fish-fry joint in Santa Rosa. Stay long enough to enjoy the homemade pie for dessert, then make the 20-minute drive north to Safari West. Spread over 400 acres, the wildlife preserve is home to cheetahs, giraffes and more than 900 animals from some 90 unique species. Explore the area on an Africa-style safari, then extend your adventure with an overnight stay in luxe glamping tents imported from Botswana. Just like kids on vacation, critters are known to carry on a bit in the evening — but think of the chatter as a local lullaby.
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The Petrified Forest
Keep the wild rumpus going with a short hop over to the Petrified Forest. Here, parents and kids alike will feel inestimably small as they step back in time 3 million years and walk among giant redwood trees that were preserved by thick layers of volcanic ash. Self-guided tours average about 40 minutes, and good walking shoes are a must, as some trails have uneven surfaces.
See Snoopy, Charlie Brown and Friends
After time-traveling to a preserved ancient forest, step back into modern life with a visit to see Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the rest of the “Peanuts" gang at Charles M. Schulz Museum. Watch the iconic animated specials in the 100-seat theater, read comic strips and maybe even discover how to become a cartoonist in the hands-on Education Room. Just across the street from the museum is the chalet-style Snoopy’s Home Ice rink, where kids can go for a twirl on the ice or sip hot chocolate served with a generous topping of whipped cream by the fire in the Warm Puppy Cafe.
Family-Friendly Wine Country
For parents who want to experience everything wine country has to offer without worrying about keeping the kids entertained, Francis Ford Coppola Winery is the perfect spot. The property has two seasonal pools, four bocce courts and a tent filled with children’s books — and, of course, more than 40 wines produced on-site for the adults in the group. Movie buffs will appreciate the Academy Awards, film props (including a Tucker car on a revolving stage) and costumes on display in the on-site Coppola film memorabilia collection.
Editor's Note: This story was originally published Feb. 1, 2016. It has been updated to reflect current operations and openings.
When to Go
Sonoma County has a Mediterranean climate. Temperatures rarely drop below freezing during the rainy winter season. During the summer, very warm days are typically followed by cool nights thanks to coastal fog. Weather can vary from the coast to inland areas, so layers are a good idea any time of the year.
Getting There
San Francisco International Airport and Oakland International Airport are both about a 2½-hour drive from Sonoma County. However, Alaska Airlines offers direct flights to Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport, and all the carrier’s flights originating from the small airport include a case of wine as part of the free luggage allowance. Regardless of airport choice, travelers should plan on renting a car.
