10 things to do in sonoma county that don't involve wine (but can)
I know what you’re thinking. Why do anything in Sonoma County that doesn’t involve wine?! And I hear you. Six month ago I would have said the same thing. But when you’re pregnant and don’t just want to sit at home twiddling your thumbs, you gotta get find things to do. So I started to think – what are the things that I love to do around here, and could I do them (and still have a great time) without wine? Short answer is YES! Longer answer, is well they are definitely more fun with wine, but what isn’t?!
So here goes – 10 things to do in Sonoma County that don’t involve wine. But also can 😉.
1. eat all the things
I’m not even kidding. We have so much good food in this county it’s the best recommendation I have. Everything from the taco truck off Lytton Springs Road in Geyserville to the Michilen Starred Single Thread in Healdsburg, we have something for everyone. You can check out my posts The Best Places to Eat in Sonoma County, The Best Happy Hours in Santa Rosa and because it’s the best food ever – Top 10 Cheeseburgers in Sonoma County.
2. picnic at the beach
This one can be hit or miss because of weather, but if you can land a good day out at the coast there’s nothing better. Grab a deli sandwich or bring hot dogs to roast over a fire pit and enjoy the view! Also make sure to grab some taffy on the way out at Patrick's Salt Water Taffy (it’s the pink and white striped building, you can’t miss it).
3. check out a museum
Charles Schulz Museum, Children’s Museum, and Pacific Coast Air Museum, are just naming a few. Each city in the county has something to offer. Plus, Sonoma even has a Mission (Mission San Francisco Solano) that was the 21st, last and northernmost mission in Alta California.
4. hike the trails
We have so much hiking! It’s truly amazing. And everything from easy to intermediate, even hard to expert. It’s one of my favorite things to do in the Summer. You can check out the post Affordable Wine Country Weekend in Santa Rosa, CA for a few suggestions!
5. kayak the river
I’ve actually never done this but it’s been on my list! The Russian River runs through Sonoma County from Cloverdale in the north to Jenner in the west and there are a few places to rent kayaks (or even canoes) along the river, such as River's Edge Kayak & Canoe Trips, Burke's Canoe Trips and Russian River Adventures.
6. visit safari west
It’s like going to the zoo but ten times better. Safari West has nearly 900 animals from over 90 unique species roaming through their 400-acre preserve. And the best part – you get to drive through in a safari truck with a guide to see them all! Have a night to spare? You can also spend the night there! How cool is that?!
7. zip-line the redwoods
Another activity I haven’t done yet but definitely want to! Sonoma Zipline Adventure offers two unique courses, each a 2.5 hour guided eco tour that include multiple zip lines, sky bridges, a majestic spiral staircase, and a rappel to the forest floor.
8. go glamping for the night
Camping is actually one of the best things to do here – we have so many amazing spots to go (and all year round if you don’t mind the weather)! If you aren’t into camping though, glamping is a super fun alternative. You can read all about our stay at Wildhaven in Healdsburg in this post: Glamping in Sonoma County Wine Country.
9. taste some cheese
I have two words for you: cheese trail. There are so many places to taste the most delicious cheeses in Sonoma County that there is an entire trail mapped out for you by California Cheese Trail. Granted, they cover all of California, but I definitely recommend it for Sonoma County. Some of my favorites are Cowgirl Creamy, Petaluma Creamery and Bohemian Creamery.
10. shop the square
Let me be clear – if you are looking for a great shopping day to upgrade your wardrobe with all the newest trends, this county is not for you 😂 However, if you love small local boutiques and finding rare, interesting pieces to share for years to come, then please spend a day shopping in Sonoma County. I recommend strolling the square in Healdsburg or Sonoma; not only will you find lots of cute shops, but they also have great restaurants as well!
