Cities, Towns
Villages & Areas
in...

2.The dramatic coastline, the legendary
Wine country and progressive cities of
Sonoma and Napa Counties

...of the REDWOOD EMPIRE


CITIES, TOWNS, VILLAGES & AREAS

CITIES, TOWNS, VILLAGES, AREAS - THE NAPA VALLEY AREAS
The dramatic coastline, the legendary Wine country and progressive cities of Sonoma and Napa Counties...


CITIES, TOWNS, VILLAGES, AREAS - THE SONOMA COUNTY AREAS
The dramatic coastline, the legendary Wine country and progressive cities of Sonoma and Napa Counties...
  • ALEXANDER VALLEY
    • The broad inland corridor of rich alluvial soil, combined with a long growing season, produces great Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay wines.

  • ANNAPOLIS
    • In the northwest corner of Sonoma County, Annapolis began as a lumbering town to supply San Francisco with its building and rebuilding. Later it became a sheep ranching and apple growing area but slumbered through the 1900's until the 1970's and the creation of Sea Ranch, a planned community a few miles away. An influx of "back to the landers" and professionals seeking a different pace have added to the population but have not changed the flavor of this charming community. Annapolis is not in any sense a thriving business community; besides a post office that could win a prize for its small size, there is a small, family-owned winery... and Annapolis is home to the renowned Starcross Monastery.

  • ANNADEL STATE PARK
    • Located on Channel Drive East in Santa Rosa, the park is 4,913 acres of day- use wilderness. Hike, bike, ride horses on 40 miles of trails, birdwatch or fish. Carry water. No dogs or fires. Open one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset. 707/539-3911.

  • ARMSTRONG REDWOODS STATE RESERVE
    • Two miles north of Guerneville, this 752-acre stand of old growth redwoods has easy trails to major groves. The Colonel Armstrong and Parson Jones trees tower more than 310 feet. Riding, biking, picnicking, wheelchair access, amphitheater, guided trail rides and horse rentals (nearby).

  • ASTI
    • A winery village founded as a cooperative community in the last century. Winery tours, tastings. Russian River canoe launching sites.

  • AUSTIN CREEK STATE RECREATION AREA
    • 4,236-acres. Primitive hike-in camping, horse camp (carry water): 707/869-2015, 707/865-2391.

  • BODEGA BAY
    • The bay was discovered in 1775 by Spanish explorers. Russian fur hunters settled at nearby Bodega in 1809. Fishing, restaurants, landmark Catholic church, hillside and waterfront lodgings and restaurants abound. DORAN REGIONAL PARK is on the bay sand-spit (swim, camp, fish). WESTSIDE PARK is in the inner-bay (camp, fish, boat launch). The UC Marine Lab offers tours Fridays 2-4pm, groups with reservation: 707/875-2211. At BODEGA HEAD STATE PARK at the north end of Bodega Bay, a 3 mile trail climbs north and down to Salmon Creek Beach at Sonoma Coast State Beach.

  • BODEGA
    • This quaint 19th century town on Bodega Hwy. once boasted 7 sawmills, and is now a quiet village of shops and Victoriana, highlighted by the schoolhouse featured in Hitchcock's "The Birds".

  • CAZADERO
    • Early logging community, scenic Austin Creek winds through town.

  • CLOVERDALE
    • A wine grape and ranching center, once the northernmost citrus growing area in California (there's still a Citrus Fair each February). Take advantage of outdoor recreation on the Russian River and nearby Lake Sonoma, and visit the historical Society museum/headquarters in the vintage Shaw House (history walking tour map available). Lodgings and fairgrounds are located at the turn off for the Highway 128-to-the-Sea route.

  • COTATI
    • The downtown hexagon-designed Plaza represents the town founder's six sons, and is a California Landmark. In late spring, there's a Jazz festival in several town restaurants. East of town, the 210-acre Fairfield Osborn Preserve is open weekends on the slope of Sonoma Mountain (by appointment 707/795-5069).

  • DUNCANS MILLS
    • Historic resort community with vintage Northwest Pacific railroad depot, shops. Campground.

  • FORESTVILLE
    • This resort town is the site of the annual Music in the Park with famous bands and musicians from across the nation and is also a center for organic farm produce.

  • FREESTONE

  • GEYSERVILLE
    • The winery center near the Russian River in Alexander Valley is also the turn- off point for the Devil's Canyon Geysers (geothermal project), and is just five minutes to Lake Sonoma. The town features inns, restaurants and horse and carriage winery visits. Visitors Information is available at Bosworth's Store, 21060 Geyserville Avenue, Monday-Saturday, 8am-5:30pm. 707/857-3745.

  • GUERNEVILLE
    • Major resort community and recreation center with a sandy beach. The antique rose garden at Korbel Winery is open all summer.

  • HEALDSBURG
    • More than 50 wineries are found within 15 minutes of town. Restaurants, inns, shops and the town museum surround Plaza Park. The Sonoma County Wine Library is on Matheson Street. The city-owned Villa Chanticleer is the local meeting/gathering hall: 707/431-3301. Enjoy Healdsburg Memorial Beach on the Russian River, where visitors can canoe, swim, fish or rent boats 707/433-1625. Bicycle tours are available. Lake Sonoma recreation area is just 11 miles to the west.

  • JACK LONDON STATE HISTORIC PARK
    • The park is 1-1/2 miles west of Glen Ellen, and covers 795 acres, including the ruins of the famed author's Wolf House, a grave site, his widow's home with London's mementos and the cottage where he lived, worked and died. Trails lead to Sonoma Mountain (3.3 miles), around the lake and through farm area, with horse trails and picnicking available. Wheelchair accessible. The museum is open 10am-5pm, and the park is open 8am-sunset (fee). Horse rentals, horseback tours nearby. 707/938-5216.

  • JENNER
    • Picturesque village at the mouth of the Russian River on Highway 1, with lodging, restaurants, and community theater. Hike, relax on the beach, and see Goat Rock, a sanctuary for more than 200 spotted harbor seals. Jenner also features Penny Island, which abounds with birds, otters, and other wildlife.

  • KENWOOD
    • This winery village was part of old Rancho Los Guilicos, on-going as a ranching, grape and orchard area, while tourists arrived by rail to bathe in local hot mineral springs. Trains stopped in 1936 (the stone depot still stands), and now, contemporary wineries welcome visitors. East of Kenwood, via Adobe Canyon Road, is SUGARLOAF RIDGE STATE PARK, 2,500 hillside acres at an 1,100 foot elevation with primitive campsites, horse corrals, nature trails and views (carry water in summer): 707/833-5712. To the northwest is HOOD MOUNTAIN REGIONAL PARK, with views of the Valley of the Moon and Santa Rosa Plain, offering hiking, biking, creekside picnic areas and camping. Enter via Los Alamos Road (parking fee), open Oct-May, closed in fire season. 707/527-2041.

  • LAKE SONOMA RECREATION AREA
    • Accessible via Canyon Road or Dry Creek Road from Highway 101. The U.S. Army Engineers Warm Springs Dam project is a lake with a 53-mile shoreline: five- lane public boat launch, fishing, picnicking, developed campsites, boat-in campsites, 40 miles of hiking trails, private marina, sailing cruises and swimming. Visit the lake overlook and Visitors Center, as well as the resource and dam construction exhibits. Fish hatchery tours are available seasonally by appointment. The lake area is open 24 hours: 707/433-9483.

  • MONTE RIO
    • Resort town with boat launch and the first public beach in the lower Russian River Valley.

  • OCCIDENTAL
    • This picturesque little town in the redwoods near Russian River was formerly a railroad-lumber center, and is now a supplier of holiday wreaths made of local evergreens. The town is famous for family-style Italian restaurants. It also offers lodgings and a country artisans' co-op.

  • PETALUMA ADOBE STATE HISTORIC PARK
    • Once the largest and richest privately owned Mexican estate north of San Francisco Bay, Rancho Petaluma was built by General Vallejo during rancho era, 1834 - 1844. Authentic hand tools, furnishings, displays, animals. Open Wednesday - Sunday. Sameday privileges at state historic sites in Sonoma. Picnicking. Follow State markers off Highway 101 and 116 east at Adobe and Casa Grande Roads. 707/938-1519.

  • PETALUMA
    • The Restaurant Capital 32 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Walking tour brochures of iron-front buildings and Victorian homes are available from the Petaluma Visitors Program, 799 Baywood Dr., Ste. #1. There's also a museum, winery and cheese factory tours, golf, live theater and farm visits. Yachts are moored on the riverfront near specialty shops and restaurants. Historic district restoration is in progress. Paddlewheeler and electric ferry rides. Dairy farm area.

  • ROHNERT PARK
    • This college and residential community has expansive recreational facilities: golf courses, a sports complex, baseball stadium, pools and parks. Sonoma State University, a four-year college, hosts many public events: 707/664-2353. Sonoma County Wine and Visitors Center offers information on growing methods, wine-making, and touring the wine country: 707/586-3795.

  • SANTA ROSA
    • The Sonoma County seat, "the city designed for living". The gardens of plant wizard Luther Burbank, who lived and worked here, are now a city park on Sonoma Avenue. The Church from One Tree, Ripley's Believe-It-Or-Not Memorial Museum, was built from a single redwood tree in 1875. Municipal parks include: JUILLIARD (picnicking), LAKE RALPHINE (boating) and SPRING LAKE REGIONAL PARK (fishing, boating, camping). The County Fairgrounds are located on Bennett Avenue, Burbank Center for the Arts on Mark West Springs Road (events), and the Sonoma County Museum on 7th Street in the Old Post Office Building (history). The city also has major shopping centers, downtown retailers and the historic Railroad Square. Santa Rosa Junior College offers performing arts to the public (707/664-2353).

  • SEA RANCH
    • This planned community, winner of numerous architectural and environmental awards, was developed on bluffs, meadows, and hills overlooking the sea. Ten beaches, a beautiful 18-hole golf course, hiking trails, and an airport. There are public access trails from Highway One to the ocean beaches every two miles - well signed, with limited parking (fee) at the trailhead. Please stay on the trails; everything else is private property (some vacation rental homes). 707-527-2041.

  • SEBASTOPOL
    • An apple-growing farm center, Sebastopol has an old-fashioned downtown and an ornate Buddhist Temple on the Gravenstein Highway. The Apple Blossom Festival takes place in April, and the Gravenstein Apple Fair in August, both at Ragle Park.

  • SONOMA
    • A pueblo was founded around the Plaza and Mission San Francisco Solano in 1823, and was the site of the California Bear Flag Rebellion (1846) against Mexico. Today, Sonoma features an eight-acre Plaza, rebuilt Mission, barracks, the Toscano Hotel and General Vallejo's Victorian home, preserved as a state park. The Depot Park Museum exhibits Valley history. Close by are wineries, restaurants, inns, shops, cheeseworks, a bike path and a par course. The Sonoma Community Center is on East Napa Street (events: 707/938-4646). If you like walking, pick up a tour guide from the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau at 453 First Street East. Events: 707/996-1090. The Buena Vista Winery, founded in 1857 by pioneer winemaker Count Agoston Haraszthy, includes a hand-dug aging cave, old-world gardens (picnicking, events) and an art gallery. Sonoma Valley Regional Park, near Glen Ellen, offers picnicking, hiking, and biking.

  • VALLEY FORD

  • WINDSOR
    • Growing community with vineyard heritage.


CLICK TO FIND:

LODGING ATTRACTIONS, PARKS, PLACES TO GO & THINGS TO DO
CITIES, TOWNS, VILLAGES & AREAS TRIVIA & FUN FACTS
VISITOR INFORMATION & SERVICES WINERIES & BREWERIES
DINING CAMPING & RV PARKS
OTHER BUSINESSES SONOMA COUNTY MAP
NAPA COUNTY MAP

For other areas of THE REDWOOD EMPIRE, click below:
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4.The dramatic & beautiful Coast, the dynamic inland areas & Wine country of Mendocino County

3.The Lakes and Playgrounds of Clearlake & Lake County

2.The dramatic coastline, the legendary Wine country and progressive cities of Sonoma and Napa Counties

1.Baghdad by the Bay... the beautiful and compelling City of San Francisco and, across the Golden Gate, the magnetic towns and villages and the coastal playgrounds of Marin County

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