Sonoma Coast State Park showcases the Pacific Coast in striking forms: secluded coves, rugged headlands, natural arches and diverse tide pools define the landscape. This is where a journey of discovery through Sonoma County begins, with a look at a coastline whose different stretches each have their own character.

Coast, Beaches and Trails

Sonoma Coast State Park stretches for 17 miles from Bodega Head to Vista Trail, located about four miles north of Jenner. At more than a dozen points along Coast Highway 1, the park offers beach access—useful for anyone looking to explore different parts of the coast.

Doran Regional Park at Bodega Bay also combines coastal scenery with a clearly defined stretch of beach: a wide, two-mile-long beach lies there. The park’s grassy dunes are connected to the Bird Walk Coastal Access Trail. The beach and dunes therefore offer two distinct starting points for a visit to this coastal area.

Inland, Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve preserves coast redwoods in Sonoma County. There are 9.2 miles of trails for hiking. Trione-Annadel State Park offers a different seasonal highlight: from early spring to early summer, numerous wildflowers bloom there, especially on a hike around Lake Ilsanjo. Here, the season and the specific location by the lake go hand in hand.

Discover Art and History

The Charles M. Schulz Museum preserves, displays and interprets the art of Charles M. Schulz. The Original Peanuts Comic Strip Collection comprises nearly 7,000 original comic strip drawings from 1950 to 2000. Comics fans will find not just individual characters here, but an extensive collection of original drawings spanning five decades.

Contemporary art and regional history come together at the Museum of Sonoma County. The museum showcases both subjects and includes a contemporary art gallery as well as a historic post office dating to 1910. This contrast connects a look at art today with a specific historic building.

Jack London State Historic Park tells the story of writer and adventurer Jack London, who made Glen Ellen and Sonoma Valley his home. The site offers a way to explore his life story, while the Museum of Sonoma County takes a broader look at art and regional history.

At Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park stands a large adobe building that served as the center of a prosperous private ranch between 1834 and 1846. The park offers tours and activities. Practical offerings include candle making, basket weaving, cooking and wool spinning; they are primarily geared toward school groups. The historic building and the activities thus offer different ways to engage with the history of the site.

Wine and Culinary Experiences

Sonoma County is home to 19 distinct American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), as well as more than 425 wineries. The number of wineries may change over time. Many wineries offer culinary experiences such as wine and food pairings, chef-led lunches and dinners, and themed dining evenings. The offerings go beyond wine tasting to include different ways to share a meal.

Choose the direction of your discoveries according to your interests, without committing to a fixed itinerary.

Discover More Destinations

Sonoma, Healdsburg, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa, Cloverdale, Glen Ellen, Bodega Bay, Petaluma, Guerneville, Windsor, Sebastopol, Graton, Monte Rio, Jenner, Valley Ford, Geyserville, Vineburg, Occidental, Cazadero, Sea Ranch, Cotati, Stewarts Point, Forestville, Annapolis

For the broader travel overview: California.