Exploring dog friendly wine country and discovering that there is more than wine in Sonoma.
We all know Sonoma has a reputation for world class wines. But what do you do when you are all done with wine tasting? In this post, I’ll share with you the hidden gems I came across while exploring Sonoma County.
A region filled with green rolling hills, lush vineyards, and an exquisite culinary scene means you won’t leave disappointed. That’s if you ever want to leave. During my stay, I made sure I checked off my list of must sees. With so many outdoor activities and dog friendly places, my pup and I really enjoyed our time here.
Put It On The List
Here are my must see and do’s of Sonoma County. Whatever you choose to do, don’t skip the first one!
- EVO Tasting: Ever tried drizzling olive oil over your ice cream? It may sound a little crazy, but your taste buds will thank you. At McEvoy Ranch they take their olive oil making seriously. Creating a variety of organic olive oils. Learn all about how they infuse lemon and chai into the olive oil during the pressing process. Take in the luxurious property during a tour which leads you straight to one of Elton John’s original red pianos. (If your lucky you can play a few notes like I did.) At the end of the tour your table is reserved and set for a little EVO tasting. When you are all done dipping bread and sipping on Rose’ ask for some vanilla ice cream. Take turns pouring their lemon and chai olive oils over it. Savor and repeat… so good, right?!
- Scenic Dog Friendly Hikes: There is so much beauty around you in Sonoma. However, the views are even more breathtaking the further uphill you go. Taylor Mountain Regional Park offers 360 degree views of Santa Rosa and Sonoma County surrounding areas. You have various scenic moderate trails to choose from. If you go during the spring, you can catch the wildflowers blooming. So pretty! In the mood for coastal views? Head over to Bodega Bay. This cute coastal town comes with lots of adventure. We hiked the Bodega Bay Head Trail and took in the ocean views. While we didn’t see any whales, this is reported to be a popular whale watching spot.
- Garden Strolls: A hidden gem located in between Sonoma and Napa called Cornerstone Sonoma. Here you can peruse a beautiful garden while sipping on your favorite wine. My favorite thing about this place was it’s layout. The landscaping was set up like a maze. Each section displaying it’s own art theme. You’ll definitely get your fair share of Instagram worthy photos in front of the artistic displays throughout the garden. We went during a week day and had the place to ourselves. Total zen! Afterward, we visited the tasting room conveniently located in Cornerstone. Meadowcroft had some tasty wine to try. In there luxuriously decorated tasting room, you’ll find a corner gift shop to pick up some goods for home. They also have food sourced by GB&D ( Golden, Brown and Delicious) food truck. This is a must try! They have the absolutely best fig, bacon and gouda grill cheese!
4. Historical Sites: A unique hike through the historical estate of Jack London. This visit was limited for me since dogs were only allowed in certain areas. I still enjoyed walking through the grounds and visiting the old graveyard. One of my favorite historical site was the unfinished home that Jack London was building. It was to be his ” dream home”. Unfortunately, it caught fire in 1913 and was never completed. Take a tour of the rest of the estate and explore the gift shop before you go. This historical state park is located near many vineyards and tasting rooms. An easy stop over for sure and well worth the visit.
5. Bites and Bubbles: OK. OK. If you are not quite done with tasting Sonoma’s finest, head over to Korbel Winery. Champagne tasting on a patio overlooking their vineyard was a great way to spend the day. All the bubbly made me feel like I was celebrating a special occasion, thankfully not a requirement at Korbel. Grab some lunch at their Deli Delicatessen. Here you will discover mouthwatering sandwiches like their grilled cheese tri-tip with chimichurri sauce. Find some treasures at their gift shop or take home a couple bottles of bubbly.
If you enjoyed this post be sure to read my post on wine country on a budget. Want to see more on a particular destination? You can find video reviews on my Youtube channel. While your there don’t forget to subscribe and like. I love to hear your feedback. Send me a message or check out more photos on my Instagram page. (Links below)