Top Five Autumn Experiences in Sonoma Valley

Top Five Autumn Experiences in Sonoma Valley

1) Carneros Wine Flight

Bird watching and wine tasting pair beautifully when the Pacific Flyway is in close proximity to Sonoma Valley wineries. Sip wines and see the wildlife from the patios at Ram’s Gate and Viansa, both overlooking a large wetland that’s a popular stopover for birds of all feathers.

2) Ghost for It

In the early 1900s, famed author Jack London lived in the heart of Sonoma Valley. His dream home, the Wolf House, was nearly complete when it mysteriously burned to the ground. Walk out to the massive ruins and to London’s gravesite.

3) Go to a Star Party

Once a month, usually on a Saturday, Robert Ferguson Observatory in Sugarloaf State Park hosts a star party—a truly enlightening evening giving visitors access to the celestial viewing via some seriously powerful telescopes.

4) Pedal or Segway to the Wineries

You don’t need a car to explore Sonoma Valley’s wineries. Rent a bike in town or do a Segway tour to wineries like Ravenswood and Buena Vista—the birthplace of the California wine industry. Or stroll the plaza and check out over a dozen wine tasting lounges (you can bring your bottle to the picnic-perfect lawn at the plaza).

5) Eat Outdoors

Sonoma Valley’s charming northern neighborhood, The Springs, is home to some of the tastiest Mexican restaurants on the planet, and food trucks galore. Eat your enchiladas on a patio, then get some homemade ice cream at La Michoacana.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Woman walking down the stairs overlooking the ocean on the Coastal Trail in San Francisco

    America's Best Urban Hike

    Long ago we dubbed it the “Grand Walk” and said it was one of the most scenic and stunning trails in the West. We were wrong. This is the most scenic urban hike in America!

    View
  2. Hike or Bike the Skyline

    A new section of the Bay Area Ridge Trail is open for biking, hiking, or horseback riding along the 12-mile (out-and-back) Skyline Watershed Ridge Trail.

    View
  3. Woman riding a bike on the the Vine Trail in Napa Valley

    Through the Grapevine

    Cycle California’s most famous wine valley on the car-free Vine Trail, an ambitious project going through the heart of Napa Valley. Park your car and ride 6 miles from Napa to Yountville for lunch.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Soaks, Sleeps, and Stars

    Ahhh. Yahhh. Crane Hot Springs sits in Oregon's remote high desert, where the brightest lights at night are overhead. Reserve a stay to soak in geothermal waters beneath a sky drenched in stars. Or head out to Silvies Valley Ranch for a luxury escape at a sprawling working ranch with world-class golf courses and plentiful outdoor adventures.

    View
  2. Stars, Steaks, and Strange Brews

    Forget Michelin stars. Deep in Oregon's high desert, legendary Cowboy Dinner Tree is destination dining at its most deliciously down-to-earth, well worth the required reservation and desert drive to reach it.

    View
  3. Outback to the Future

    Some must-see destinations are written in the stars. Deep in Oregon's remote southern high desert lies the largest certified International Dark Sky Sanctuary on the planet. With 2.5 million acres of protected dark skies, you get the best of the celestial out here in what's known as the Oregon Outback, including geothermal soaks and an incredible playa that's a hidden gem.

    View