Just on the other side of the hill from Petaluma is the cute town of Sonoma. The crowds of people that go wine tasting normally go to the Napa Valley, so there are less people in Sonoma, but still it is crowded.

This suggested driving loop was developed in June 2009 – posting now in blog form at Prasanna’s suggestion

Sonoma Valley Driving Loop Instructions

Sebastiani Vineyards is very close to town and well established. They have tours, or self guided tours.

Sebastiani Winery Link

I could not seem to map it – but Buena Vista winery is very close by from Sebastiani if you are feeling adventourous. If you are in front of Sebastiani… go to he edge of the parking lot and turn right… at the end of that road turn left – there’s a fork in the road with little white signs with names of Wineries. Follow Buena Vista. It’s the oldest winery in California. Nice brick building.

Buena Vista Winery Web Site Link

On the square in the town of Sonoma is the Sonoma Mission and the Sonoma Cheese Factory – both cool places to see. There’s public parking on the square and also if you turn right at the mission and make an immediate left (follow little blue parking sign)

Keeping with my theme, here’s the websites;

Link to Sonoma Parks Web Page

Link to Sonoma Cheese Factory Web Page

General Vallejo’s home is another piece of history preserved whicih may or may not interest you

Jack London State Park is nearby and to be honest, I’ve never been there but if you were in the mood for a little hike, it’s right there. Jack London was a famous author who lived in the area.

I like Mayo Family Winery because it’s very small … and they make great wine. This isn’t one of those huge operations. They have won awards… good wine, nice people. (Sidenote – I first wrote this in 2009 for Franco Charles Babu and since then I have found that the Mayo Reserve Room is very special, it’s expensive but they offer wine and food pairings that are wonderful)

http://www.mayofamilywinery.com/ Mayo Family Winery Link

Chateau St. Jean winery is very pretty – I’m not a big fan of the wine

Ledson winery is like a castle! It’s hard to get a spot at the tasting bar but I think the place is so pretty

Now you are at the northern end of the Sonoma Valley and you could just come back the way you came, but you could also just continue north and end up in Santa Rosa.

Luther Burbank Gardens in Santa Rosa is just something I put on the map to make the driving directions loop – but it you like gardens, you may want to stop there. Luther Burbank was the guy who brought us the Santa Rosa Plum.

Luther Burbank Gardens Link

There is also a Charles Shultz Museum in Santa Rosa – he’s the guy who did the Peanuts’ comic strip – Charlie Brown, Snoopy, etc.

Shultz Museum Link