This easy 3-day Sonoma itinerary balances wine tasting with food, nature and hands-on experiences that go far beyond the vineyard. Designed for a girls’ getaway, it mixes walkable charm, memorable wineries, local makers and standout meals without overpacking your schedule or taxing your patience.
Highlights
- Curated winery picks with personality: Organic, small-production estates, panoramic-view tastings, Rhône varietals, pizza-on-site wineries, and welcoming patios built for lingering.
- Day-by-day flow that actually works: Walkable Sonoma Plaza exploration, intentional winery tastings, and a mid-trip hotel switch that shifts the pace from exploring to unwinding.
- More than wine, but still very Sonoma: Cheesemaking class, farmers market finds, scenic hikes, and meals that spotlight local makers and entrepreneurial spirit.
Editor’s Note: The writer was hosted.
Sonoma is what I think of as Country California: friendly, green and community-oriented. Winemakers know the restaurateurs. Shop owners know the cheesemakers. Wine is central but definitely not the only reason to visit. This itinerary is how I spent a girls’ getaway in Sonoma, with a mix of wineries, food, outdoor time, and hands-on experiences. I can’t wait to go back.
For hotel recos, see our companion guide comparing Inn at Sonoma and Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Before you go, buy the Sonoma Valley Wine Tasting Pass. One price covers tastings at multiple wineries during the pass window. The app is a bit clunky but still worth it.
Here’s what you need to know about the pass:
- Most wineries require reservations
- Not all wineries are open daily
- Many wineries close by 6pm.
- Several pass options are available: 24 or 48 hours or a 30-day tasting pass
- The first tasting activates the pass.
Are you ready to explore more? Let us inspire you!
Day 1: Arrival + Sonoma Plaza
Check In: Inn at Sonoma
I loved this boutique, walkable hotel. It’s only two blocks from the Plaza, which was ideal for our first night so we could explore without more driving. Fireplace in the room, free bike rentals, outstanding complimentary breakfast and “wine hour” every day.
Explore Sonoma Plaza for Shopping and Food
Stop in at the Zina Lounge at the historically preserved Ledson Hotel, near the center of the Plaza. Expect an exceptional tasting with a young man who speaks wine fluently and enthusiastically. We had a great time sipping, learning and taking loads of photos.
Dinner Options Near the Plaza:
- Valley Bar + Bottle
- the girl & the fig
- Wit & Wisdom
For Night Owls
Trivia night or live music at Murphy’s Irish Pub
Day 2: Wineries + Nature + Glen Ellen
Morning: Lasseter Family Winery for 100% Organic Wines
Lasseter is where I learned that I like acidity in a wine. It’ sa great winery to start with, especially if your group includes both wine lovers and wine likers. Our guide set the tone. He clearly knew the wines, the history, and the land; he was able to make learning about canes and canopies engaging and fun.
- Private gates open to a lush, beautifully landscaped property
- Fruit is estate-grown; farming is an important focus of the vineyard
- Small production (about 4,000 cases)
- Direct-to-consumer blends only
- Tastings are intentional with small bites that surprise and delight with the wine pairings
- The rosé is my favorite, modeled after Provence styles, crisp and mineral-driven, with bright acidity
Afternoon: Coursey Graves Estate for Views and More Views
Set high above the valley, the panoramic views and the gardens are as spectacular as the wines. It’s farther out of town but worth the drive.
Why it’s worth a stop:
- Hilltop setting and tasting with sweeping views
- Vineyard walk that explains farming decisions in an accessible way
- Wine cave with terracotta barrels used for Cabernet and Syrah to soften tannins
- Thoughtfully staged tasting
Dinner: POPPY in Glen Ellen CA
Country fare with fashion. Delicious and memorable. I started with Parisian shaved ham and baguette, followed by delicious salmon and butternut squash. My friend, a prime rib oficianodo, said hers was delish. Casual atmosphere, sophisticated menu.
Check In: Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn
Switching hotels here gives your trip a different rhythm—this is where things slow down.
The Farimont Sonoma is elegant but not pretentious. The restaurant is fantastic and the pool and spa are gorgeous. The hotel is an 8-minute drive to the Plaza but it offers free shuttle service daily.
Day 3: Cheesemaking + Wine + Bread
Morning: Sonoma Valley Farmers Market
This market is local, lively and very Sonoma. We found fresh produce and bread and scones by @thebejkr. It’s so good that I had his Rugbrod and cardamom scones shipped to me.
Cheesemaking Class at Epicurean Connection
This is a fun and interesting non-wine activity that still feels very Sonoma. I give it the Best Trip Souvenir award (I took home 3 containers of cheese and butter). All ages can participate. It was one of the most memorable experiences of the trip.
- Hands-on butter and ricotta cheesemaking
- You leave with cheese, butter and recipe
Lunch: Sunflower Cafe
This is a happy place and you WILL need a reservation! It’s always packed and you’ll know why once you eat there. We sat outside in the garden patio and killed a giant bacon pecan waffle and the fall scramble with root veggies with Laura Chenel goat cheese and fried sage. YES!
Afternoon: Time for Wine!
Anaba Winery
Anaba is social, relaxed, and built for lingering. We lounged on the couches in the outdoor space, hung by the fire pits and took pictures of the vineyards that surrounded us. We sipped Rhône varietals and snacked on amazing pizza. Don’t judge.
Why it’s worth a stop:
- People’s Choice award: Best Tasting Room
- Large outdoor space that invites you to hang out
- Rhône varietals that are easy to enjoy
- Pizza on-site
- Olive oil production alongside wine
- Pickleball court for members (and non-members for a fee)
- 2023 Turbine White Rhône Blend is a standout
Robledo Family Winery
Founded by Ronaldo Robledo, who immigrated from Mexico as a teenager and built a vineyard management business long before opening the winery, we loved the Pinot Noir and long tables in the open-air patio.
Why it’s worth a stop:
- Family-owned winery with deep farming roots
- Founder story that reflects Sonoma’s working vineyards
- Manages over 500 acres across Sonoma, Napa, and Lake County
- Known for Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sauvignon Blanc
- Pinot Noir is smooth and approachable, not overly tannic
- Patio-friendly; guests are welcome to bring snacks
An Alternative for Nature Lovers
If you’ve had enough wine, there is plenty of nature to explore. We did not do this, but I’d love to explore it on my next visit to Sonoma. I would start with the Fairmont’s docent-led hikes (weather permitting) through oak woodlands and vineyards (2–4 miles). It’s a calm, grounding way to end the trip before heading home.
For a more immersive hike, head to Jack London State Historic Park for:
- Scenic walking trails
- Picnic-friendly
- A chance to get outside and balance the day
Dinner: Spread Kitchen. This is a must.
Owned by Cristina Topham, a former Wall Street professional turned yacht chef turned Sonoma restaurateur, Spread is one of the best examples of Sonoma’s entrepreneurial spirit. After Covid shut down her catering business overnight, she pivoted to pita kits, farmers markets and weekly menus and built it into one of the most talked-about spots in Wine Country.
Why it’s worth it:
- SF Chronicle Top 25 Restaurants in Wine Country
- Among the best Middle Eastern restaurants in the Bay Area
- Excellent vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options
- Fresh pita made in-house (thousands weekly)
I would drive six hours to have the lamb kofta with tahini-yogurt sauce followed by homemade baklawa again (I bought a box of baklawa to take home and to give as gifts). The falafel is known to be outrageously crunchy good and it lives up to the hype. I LOVE french fries and the dirty fries topped with za’atar, feta, tahini-yogurt, herbs and my choice of toppings are exceptional.
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