Sonoma's 5 Fall Wonders

Sonoma's 5 Fall Wonders

Hiking Sonoma Valley

1) Hike the Trails in Daylight or Moonlight

From redwoods to rolling vineyards, Sonoma Valley’s regional and state parks have miles of magical trails. Hike under redwoods and ancient oaks at Jack London State Park, or go see the splendor of a fall sunset at the locals’ favorite Overlook Trail, just above the Plaza. Soak in the warmth of the lower-sitting sun, or bundle up to see the moon and the stars and listen to the owls on a night hike at Sugarloaf Ridge. For something different, walk the vineyards on a do-it-yourself tour at St. Francis Winery.

Rams Gate Winery Sonoma Valley

2) FlavorFall!

Sonoma’s food + drink scene is fall of flavor, and great views! Taste your way around the valley, from the restaurants surrounding the historic plaza to wineries nestled among the hills. Reserve a food & wine pairing at Ram’s Gate, where your autumn exploration includes a view overlooking the greater San Pablo watershed. The oasis is part of the Pacific Flyway, where birds of many feathers flock together, making beautiful music with their birdsongs while you taste wines from the valley. Bonus: Steal this fabulous holiday-season recipe and wine pairing of pork rib roast and Cab Franc.

Sonoma Plaza

3) Scenic Drives and Strolls

Ready for some fall colors in wine country? Pick up the map of the local trees at the visitors bureau and stroll Sonoma Plaza’s stunning 8 acres. Surrounded by cafés, tasting rooms, restaurants, and shops, a plaza walk among 30 varieties of trees is a relaxing way to experience the change of season. If scenic drives are more your thing, escape to the Valley of the Moon Scenic Highway. Stop for a mountaintop tasting 1,400 feet above the valley floor, and eat a delicious wood-fired pizza lunch in a gorgeous outdoor courtyard nearby.

4) Morning Glory!

Morning Glory! Those crisp mornings during harvest in Sonoma Valley are some of the most memorable you’ll ever experience, giving you all the feels of fall. Wake up to the scents of the valley’s bounty—from freshly baked bread and brewed coffee at the Plaza’s Basque Boulangerie Café to the aromas of crushed grapes during the peak of harvest. Bonus: Get up close to the grape crush on the Loxton Crush Pad Tour. It’s a front-row view of how grapes are sorted, crushed, and fermented into wine. Later, enjoy a special cellar tasting of current releases. (No reservations needed, but hurry—this harvest season experience only goes until the end of October.)

5) Sonoma Valley Now

Fall is a magical time of year, and Sonoma Valley has a gorgeously produced guide to help you make the most of the season. Discover the valley’s top outdoor adventures, find your must-taste food and wine spots, and learn about great places to stay. You can also find good deals and autumn promotions.

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  1. Picnic and a Pedal

    West Marin has all the right stuff for an afternoon getaway: bike paths, babbling brooks, canopy forests, and secluded picnic spots. Combine a picnic and a pedal at Samuel P. Taylor State Park by biking the easygoing Cross Marin Trail.

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  2. Hike the Oursan Trail alongside Briones Reservoir in the East Bay

    Opt for Oursan

    Hike the trail less traveled in the East Bay's Briones Regional Park. The Oursan Trail is pure serenity on a wide hiking path skirting the northern shores of Briones Reservoir.

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  3. Most Peaceful Hike of All

    Is this the most peaceful one-hour hike in the Bay Area? It's got our vote! Lake Lagunitas is the smallest lake in a series of five found on the north side of Mount Tam, so it’s got that tiny but mighty charm. Do a 1.5-mile loop around the lake's shore-hugging trail.

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  4. Sebastopol Food & Wine Roll

    One apple farm, three charming towns, multiple wineries, and infinite natural beauty. Savor a perfect autumn day in Sonoma County by biking the West County Regional Trail from Sebastopol to Forestville via Graton. It’s a 17-mile (round-trip) adventure. 

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  1. Wine Down, Dine Out in Lake Chelan

    The fertile soil around Washington State's Lake Chelan is ripe for more than just the amazing apples. Vineyards here yield high quality grapes, and some of the country’s best less-discovered wineries. Locals know it, and you will too when you start choosing from the more than 30 wineries in the region.

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  2. Lace Up for Lacy

    Lacy Park in San Marino is a hidden gem that may very well be the most pristine green space in greater Los Angeles, and a concealed pair of nearby stairways makes it all the more appealing.

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  3. Hiker amid trees at Oak Glen Preserve in Yucaipa Southern California

    Apple of Your Eye

    That fall feeling is definitely in the air and on display at the Oak Glen Preserve. Apple orchards and colorful leaves are a bonus, as are the apple cider donuts and slushies you can enjoy post-hike.

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  4. Hike San Diego Volcan Mountain Wilderness

    Planet of the Oaks

    Let us count the number of oak tree species in the Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve near Julian: coast, scrub, canyon, black, and Engelmann. Five! The preserve’s Five Oaks Trail is a 3.2-mile hike that boasts all five.

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