Hi Reader,

A Sonoma County weekend sounds simple until you start figuring out which wineries, towns, and coastal stops actually fit together.

Here’s an easy way to do it:

Spend Day 1 exploring Healdsburg and nearby wine country, then make Day 2 your Sonoma Coast day.

You’ll get the vineyards and harvest-season atmosphere Sonoma is famous for, plus Bodega Bay, ocean views, seafood, and even another coastal wine experience, without trying to squeeze the entire county into one weekend.

🍇 Day 1: Healdsburg + Dry Creek & Russian River Valleys

🍎 Start at the Healdsburg Farmers Market

If you’re visiting on a Saturday, start your morning at the Healdsburg Farmers Market for seasonal produce, flowers, prepared foods, and other local finds.

The Saturday market runs 8:30am–12pm through December 19, 2026 at the Foley Family Community Pavilion, just a short walk from Healdsburg Plaza.

Not visiting on a Saturday? The market is also open from 9-1pm on Tuesdays at the same location until the end of the month. Or start with a walk around Healdsburg Plaza instead and give yourself some time to browse downtown before heading into wine country.

🍷 Winery #1: Dry Creek Vineyard

Head into Dry Creek Valley for your first tasting at Dry Creek Vineyard.

For something more memorable than a standard tasting, we recommend booking their Vineyard Stroll & Tasting, offered Thursday through Monday. You’ll walk through the estate vineyard and insectary garden, learn about the winery’s farming and sustainability practices, and finish with a seated tasting of limited-production wines paired with local cheese and charcuterie.

It's currently $75 per person and requires a reservation. They also offer other options for guided tastings.

🥪 Grab lunch at Dry Creek General Store

Stay in the valley for lunch instead of driving all the way back into Healdsburg.

The historic Dry Creek General Store is a classic wine-country lunch stop where you can grab a deli sandwich and sides before continuing your day.

🍷 Winery #2: MacRostie Winery Estate House

Next, head to MacRostie Winery Estate House on Westside Road in the Russian River Valley with views of their vineyards.

Their Signature Experience features five wines, with a focus on single-vineyard Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs from the Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast.

🌿 End the day back in Healdsburg

After two wineries, skip another tasting room and head back downtown.

Walk around the Plaza, browse a few shops if they're still open, then settle in for dinner.

🌊 Day 2: Bodega Bay + Sonoma Coast

The next morning, head west toward Bodega Bay for a completely different side of Sonoma County.

🥾 Start with a coastal hike

Start with the Bodega Head Trail, a roughly 1.7-mile loop with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and Bodega Bay. Experience the rugged Sonoma Coast without using up your entire morning.

→ Check current Sonoma Coast State Park information​

🦀 Grab a seafood lunch in Bodega Bay

After your hike, make seafood part of the itinerary. Bodega Bay has everything from casual clam chowder and crab sandwiches to sit-down restaurants overlooking the water.

🍷 End with a coastal wine tasting

Finish the afternoon at Sonoma Coast Vineyards right in Bodega Bay.

Their Taste of the Coast experience is a 60-minute guided flight of four current releases, with outdoor seating overlooking the bay. It’s currently $35 per person, and reservations are encouraged but not required.

Packing tip: even if it's warm in Healdsburg the day before, bring layers for Bodega Bay. Weather along the Sonoma Coast can be much cooler and more variable than it is inland.

🍎 Going this September? A few 2026 dates to know

If your weekend is flexible, you can also plan around one of these harvest-season events:

• ​September 12: Harvest Wine Trail: 11am-4pm, with tastings at 20 participating Northern Sonoma County wineries. Tickets are currently $50.
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• ​September 19: Heirloom Apple Festival: 10am-3pm at Gold Ridge Organic Farms in Sebastopol.
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• ​September 26–27: Weekend Along the Farm Trails Fall Tour: Registration is free but required, and some individual stops may require separate reservations or charge for special experiences.

So if Sonoma County has been sitting on your trip list, September and fall harvest season are a great excuse to turn it into a weekend.

Until next time,
Shreeyeh

P.S. If you're planning a trip to Napa Valley, I've created an interactive Google map with 185 pins of the best things to do in Napa Valley & a 5-day sample visual itinerary.

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