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If your idea of a perfect vacation is to eat and drink your way through scenic landscapes, all without leaving the U.S., then we’ve found the dream destination for you.
Home to a whopping 19 wine-growing regions, a stunning coastline fringed with redwood forests, and mild winter weather, this is a Californian wonderland.
Travelzoo has revealed a list of their ‘best bets’ for 2025 travel. And at the very top of the list is Sonoma County, California.
It’s easy to see why.
Tour Fascinating Vineyards
Sonoma County is the home of Californian wine but without the glitz associated with Napa Valley.
There are 19 wine-growing regions that support 400 wineries and an incredible 60,000 acres of vineyards for you to explore.
If you have more than a passing interest in wine, then this is a great place to visit.
Many of these vineyards are open to the public so that you can visit them independently.
But the best way to explore the vineyards of Sonoma County (especially if you want to visit several in one trip) is with a tour.
Taking a small group wine tour will take you to some of the best vineyards in the region and pack you full of delicious wine and fascinating info, all without having to worry about driving back to your hotel at the end of the tour!
Platypus Wine Tours is a highly rated tour operator that will take you to three hidden gem wineries in Sonoma County.
Prices vary depending on the day of your tour (with weekends more expensive than weekdays) but start from $119.
Beautiful Beaches
If you can tear yourself from the vineyards (and the delicious wine), then Sonoma County is an ideal, if underrated, place for a beach break, too.
Some of the best beaches include Goat Rock Beach in Sonoma Coast State Park.
The wildlife here is spectacular, and because this is a golden sand beach, it’s a great place to relax and unwind too.
If you’re looking for epic coastal views, then you should try Stengel Beach, where you’ll find amazing views of waterfalls and coastal cliffs.
From the overhead vantage point here, on certain days, you can see harbor seals and even grey whales in the water below.
Because Sonoma County has such an expansive coastline, it’s also a great place to try your hand at watersports, fishing, or take a boat ride.
Bodega Bay is a prime spot for chartering a boat or taking a boat tour.
Andiamo Whale Watching Charter Bodega Bay Tours offers highly rated and knowledgeable whale-watching tours.
This is a bucket-list-worthy thing to do when you’re in the area.
They offer whale-watching tours, bird-watching tours, and harbor tours, but the whale-watching tours are the most iconic. A private charter for 2 people costs $450.
Small Town Exploration
Sonoma County is just 30 miles north of San Francisco, but rather than live in a big city, you’ll find an abundance of quaint small towns here.
There is a growing trend for small-town vacations in 2025, and this is a great place to embrace this trend.
One of the most well-known towns in Sonoma County is Healdsburg.
This has all the small-town charm you’d expect but with an injection of trendy attitude and upscale amenities.
Town activities revolve around a historic 19th-century plaza where you’ll find boutique shops and family-run coffee shops.
If you’re a foodie like me, then you’ll love the town dining scene with a focus on quality ingredients and farm-to-fork dining.
Some of the best restaurants in town include Barndiva, which serves upscale country cuisine and has been awarded a Michelin star thanks to its high quality.
For the ultimate foodie choice, book a table at the SingleThread Farm Restaurant and Inn.
This has been awarded not one but three Michelin stars. It’s also been awarded a rare Michelin Green Star.
You’ll need to book this in advance as you’ll be served an eleven-course tasting menu customized to your dining preferences as well as dietary requirements.
This meal is a marathon, not a sprint, and all ingredients are either produced in-house or locally sourced.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.