I?ve lived in Sonoma County, California all my life except for my time away at college and law school. I grew up in an area known for its small towns and rolling hills filled with vineyards and oak trees. Sonoma is next door to Napa County and both are major travel destinations. I?m biased, but I think Sonoma County has a slight edge with its fifty miles of Pacific coastline, redwood forests, and variety of things to do.
I get this question a lot from readers, “What are the best things to do and see when visiting the Northern California wine country"” Today I?ll stick to just Sonoma County, the place I call home. Here are my recommended places to visit, they offer the best experiences and vistas. These are the spots where I take out-of-town family or friends when they visit. 1. Highway 121 Wineries – Viansa, Jacuzzi, Cline & Cornerstone Gardens
I?ve written about my five favorite wineries in Sonoma, they are located along the Highway 121 corridor and easy to visit in a day. Highly recommended for that wine tasting experience! I recommend Viansa, Jacuzzi Vineyards, Cline Cellers, and Cornerstone Gardens.

 
2. Armstrong Woods
A giant redwood forest with trails among 1,000 year old trees! Armstrong Woods state park is a pleasant place to walk, however it?s currently closed due to fire damage. Hopefully it reopens soon, but as an alternative there is Muir Woods national park to the south in Marin County, an equally impressive redwood forest.

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