Best Areas to Stay in Sonoma County | San Francisco Travel-贝博体彩
Hot air balloon hovering over a vineyard.

Best Areas to Stay
In Sonoma County

Whether you're looking for a quiet getaway or an outdoor adventure, Sonoma County offers an easy escape from the City by the Bay.

Each season brings a bounty of activities to enjoy with loved ones when you gather in Sonoma County. Located about 45 miles northeast of San Francisco, Sonoma is an easy escape from the City by the Bay. These are some of the best areas to stay in Sonoma County to connect with nature, raise your glass with friends, and get some major rest and relaxation.

Best Areas to Stay for Couples

Everything here screams mid-century marvelous. The historic Flamingo Resort & SpaOpens in new window in Santa Rosa is a classic '50s place for couples seeking fun and relaxation with contemporary amenities. The Flamingo is a year-round oasis offering a year-round-heated pool, soothing hot tub, tennis, an onsite restaurant, the Lazeaway Club, and poolside dining at Wild Bird. You can either chill out with yoga and meditation or get your groove on with live music on weekends in the Vintage SpaceOpens in new window, a lounge that also hosts comedy shows and an extravagant drag brunch on the first Sunday of the month. (Drag brunch will sell out so book early!) If you're looking to test your palate, there are numerous wineries nearby in the Russian River Valley. 

Best Areas to Stay for Wine Tasting

For an upscale wine tasting experience and farm-to-table dining, head to Healdsburg. Wineries abound around the Healdsburg Plaza and lodging ranges from charming inns to luxury guesthouses. The Fairview Inn & SuitesOpens in new window is an affordable choice for wine tasting in Healdsburg, while the Bella Luna InnOpens in new window offers five star luxury a short drive from town.

Best Areas to Stay Along the Sonoma Coast

Make your way up the Sonoma Coast to catch a glimpse of whales migrating just offshore. Stay at the The Lodge at Bodega BayOpens in new window for unparalleled ocean views and outdoor fire pits. Soak in their infinity hot tub as you watch the sunset. 

Best Areas to Stay in Historic Downtown Sonoma

MacArthur PlaceOpens in new window is both a hotel and restaurant and guests love the onsite spa, The Spa at MacArthur. The spa offers farm to massage table treatments--yes, this is a real thing! 

For film buffs who want to combine independent films, food, and wine, the Sonoma International Film FestivalOpens in new window at the historic Sonoma main plaza is held every spring. Centered around the 1933 Sebastiani Theatre movie house, among other venues all within two blocks of the plaza, they have screened hundreds of films since 1998. Book your room early at the El Dorado Hotel & KitchenOpens in new window in charming downtown Sonoma. If you're lucky, you'll get a room facing the plaza. Guests love the outdoor balconies!

Best Areas to Stay for Families

For "Peanuts" fans, there are several five-foot-tall statues of Charlie Brown and the gang throughout downtown Santa Rosa. The Courtyard by Marriott Santa RosaOpens in new window and Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine CountryOpens in new window is an ideal stay, as you discover who will be the first in your family to find Snoopy near the town's historic Railroad Square district. The Charles M. Schulz MuseumOpens in new window is just a short drive away, where you will find iconic characters from the famed comic strip and kids can try their hand at cartooning.

Across the valley in the city of Sonoma is Train TownOpens in new window. Reminiscent of an elaborate outdoor railroad, kids of all sizes will get a thrill on the train rides, petting zoo (stop to feed the alpacas!), carousel, and ferris wheel. Train Town is open daily during the summer and on weekends the rest of the year. El Pueblo InnOpens in new window is an affordable choice for lodging, just eight blocks off the main Sonoma Plaza.

Best Areas to Stay for a Luxurious Getaway

Sonoma County delivers on just about every luxurious amenity you can think of. If you're looking for fine dining and lavish spas, Sonoma County has an array of enticing options. Farmhouse InnOpens in new window in Forestville offers a romantic and rustic getaway that includes the on-site Farmhouse Restaurant, the hotel's Michelin-starred restaurant. Vintners ResortOpens in new window in Santa Rosa is a four-diamond resort surrounded by 92 acres of lush vineyards. Exceptional amenities include a complimentary half bottle of wine upon arrival and vineyard, courtyard, or garden views from every room.

If you're seeking spa treatments in an elegant setting, Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & SpaOpens in new window is the perfect respite. The on-site Willow Stream Spa offers geothermal soaking pools, an aromatherapy steam room, sauna, lounge chairs, and a full menu of spa services. Electronics are discouraged so guests can fully unwind. Enjoy the complimentary wine tasting held daily in the hotel lobby from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. or relax at any one of the fire pits on the lawn outside under the stars.

Best Areas to Stay with Pets

Pamper your pooch at one of Sonoma County's pet-friendly hotels. Your furry friends are warmly welcomed (and encouraged) to stay at resorts like Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine CountryOpens in new window and The Sandman HotelOpens in new window in Santa Rosa. Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country welcomes pets with a bed, bowls, and yummy treats to ensure their stay is just as comfortable as yours. Get your pet fee waived when you book through The Sandman Hotel's Pamper Your Pooch packageOpens in new window, which contributes $5 to the NorCal Boxer Rescue for each package booked.

Best Areas to Stay for Outdoor Activities

Sonoma County isn't just about the wine tastings and spa treatments. There are plenty of activities for those who like to venture outdoors. Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & SpaOpens in new window offers guests paid access to Sonoma Golf Club and docent-led morning hikes on weekends. It also serves as the perfect base camp for exploring vista points and nearby parks. Fairfield Inn & Suites SebastopolOpens in new window is also a great place to stay for plenty of local adventures. Hike through a whole grove of redwood trees at Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, explore spectacular Pacific Coast beaches at Bodega Bay, or kayak in the Russian River watershed.

Best Areas to Stay with Meeting Spaces

While Sonoma County is a fantastic destination for leisure, it's also a great location to host meetings and events because of its natural beauty and hospitable atmosphere. DoubleTree by Hilton Sonoma Wine CountryOpens in new window in Rohnert Park offers some of the largest meeting spaces in wine country with 18,000 square feet of indoor space and 32,000 square feet of outdoor space. An added bonus is their close proximity to the Green Music Center at nearby Sonoma State University, offering a dose of arts and culture.  Or you can take a look at the Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine CountryOpens in new window, which boasts over 15,000 square feet of space in 11 different meeting rooms. 

Looking for a great group rate? For every 20 rooms paid, Flamingo Resort & SpaOpens in new window's meeting package offers a variety of perks tailored to the interests of your attendees and depending on the time of year. Contact our Convention Services team to book a venue.

dog at the entrance of a tent

You Can Also Book a Short-Term Rental in Sonoma

You can book a short-term rental, ranging from single rooms to entire places, which can be booked on AirbnbOpens in new windowVRBOOpens in new window or Booking.comOpens in new window.


Carol High
Carol High

Carol is a digital marketer creating media-rich content for global audiences covering travel, San Francisco and the Bay Area, food & drink, outdoor experiences, and cross-cultural storytelling. Her work is found in the San Mateo Daily Journal and The Skyline View (Skyline College). Before travel writing, her professional background included working internationally in business, nonprofits, and government. She lives in San Francisco with her family and regularly explores the parks in her city, especially untamed McLaren Park.