Located right next door to the famous Napa Valley, Sonoma is another popular place for wine tasting in northern California.
If you’re thinking of taking a trip to San Francisco, definitely consider adding on a day or two in Sonoma. The city is only about an hour away and there’s plenty of tours and shuttle services that can take you there. Or, you can go the route my friends and I took, and rent a car.
Either way, here’s my Sonoma suggestions.
WHERE TO STAY IN Sonoma
![](https://www.likethedrum.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/san-fran-14.jpg)
El Pueblo inn
During our trip to Sonoma, we stayed at the El Pueblo Inn. It’s located about a 20 minute walk or a 10 minute drive away from the main square. The double queen room we stayed in was spacious and had a cute patio area that looked out to some trees. They also offer a free continental breakfast and have a happy hour situation with wine and snacks.
Out of all the places we were looking at, the El Pueblo Inn was one of the most affordable options. So, if you’re ballin on a budget in Sonoma definitely check this place out.
![](https://www.likethedrum.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/san-fran-17-768x1024.jpg)
![](https://www.likethedrum.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/san-fran-18-768x1024.jpg)
![](https://www.likethedrum.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/san-fran-13-768x1024.jpg)
WHERE TO EAT
- Cafe Scooteria
Wouldn’t be a Like the Drum travel guide without including a place to grab a coffee. - Sunflower Cafe
A cafe that uses seasonal and locally-sourced ingredients in all its dishes. If the weather permits, sit outside in the patio area. - Sonoma Market
Essentially a Whole Foods, Sonoma Market has tons of different food stations including a salad bar, a sandwich counter, a juice/coffee bar, and more. We stopped here before heading out of Sonoma for Breakfast. Don’t… I repeat DON’T order a coffee. I made that mistake so you don’t have to. Instead grab a Ruby Boost juice and a breakfast burrito. If you need a coffee hop across the street to Cafe Scooteria. - Tortilleria Jalisco
This taco stand/ restaurant is located across the street from the El Pueblo Inn. The food is yummy and relatively affordable for the Sonoma area. - Hare & Hatter Sausage Emporium
A great place to grab lunch. They have your everyday options like a bratwurst with sauerkraut, mustard, pickles and horseradish sauce, but there’s also some unique creations like the Bombay which is a chicken sausage with masala creme, mango chutney, cheese, tomatoes, onions and cilantro. It might sound odd but it was very good! Oh, and veggie friends, they have a vegan sausage that the vegetarian in our group said was good. - The Girl + The Fig
We were planning on eating here our first night but ended up at Tortilleria Jalisco. It’s one of the highest rated restaurants in Sonoma and somewhere I’d like to try out my next trip to Sonoma.
![](https://www.likethedrum.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/san-fran-21-1024x768.jpg)
![](https://www.likethedrum.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/san-fran-08-768x1024.jpg)
![](https://www.likethedrum.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/san-fran-20-683x1024.jpg)
![](https://www.likethedrum.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/san-fran-07-768x1024.jpg)
![](https://www.likethedrum.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/san-fran-09-768x1024.jpg)
![](https://www.likethedrum.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/san-fran-10-768x1024.jpg)
![](https://www.likethedrum.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/san-fran-19-1024x768.jpg)
WHAT TO DO
Stroll around the plaza
Outside of the many restaurants that litter the plaza, there are also some cute boutique stores.
Take a cooking class
Ramekins Culinary School offers hands-on cooking classes. Learn to make things from pizza to tex mex dishes. They also host special demonstrations.
Get a view from above
Coastal Air Tours offers tours in a restored Travelair bi-plane. The plane only fits two adults and the pilot, so keep that in mind if you’re heading to Sonoma with a group.
Relax at a spa
Whether it’s a cedar bath at the Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary or a Grapeseed Essential Oil Massage at The Spa at MacArthur, Sonoma has a good selection spas and unique treatments.
![](https://www.likethedrum.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/san-fran-16-1024x768.jpg)
Found this helpful? Pin it for later!
![](https://www.likethedrum.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/2-Days-in-Sonoma-CA-_-LIKE-THE-DRUM-1-683x1024.png)
![](https://www.likethedrum.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/2-Days-in-Sonoma-CA-_-LIKE-THE-DRUM-683x1024.png)
**This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission from sales made using it. Shopping links like this help support Like the Drum, at no expense to you. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thanks for your support -T
Leave a Comment
Pingback: 5 Places to go Wine Tasting in Sonoma — Like the Drum on August 1, 2019
3 COMMENTS
Meghan Emcee
5 years agoWill definitely be checking back here for my trip to Sonoma!
Timpani
5 years ago AUTHORHappy to hear that! I hope you enjoy your time in Sonoma.