There’s no place like Sonoma. Sorry Napa, Sonoma takes the cake for me.
3-Day Getaway to Sonoma County
For days when I am looking for a well-deserved break from San Francisco, the first place that I think of going to is Sonoma County. Living in the city, I am always so grateful to know that I am just an hour drive away from Sonoma County. If you’re looking for a perfect weekend getaway itinerary for Sonoma County, here is your 3 day Sonoma County itinerary.
Also, when my mom visited me in the city not too long ago, this is the exact itinerary I used to show her the best that Sonoma County has to offer. Let’s get to it, shall we?
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Day 1: Exploring Petaluma & Santa Rosa
Start your day with a leisurely stroll through the charming and historic downtown Petaluma. Petaluma is just a 50 minute drive north of San Francisco, making it the perfect entry to Sonoma County. Here you can peruse around unique shops, local boutiques, and antique stores (there are lots of them here!). If you want to learn more about how the town of Petaluma came to be, you can’t miss the Petaluma Historical Library & Museum.
Boutiques Worth Checking Out in Downtown Petaluma
There are so many boutiques in downtown Petaluma. You can spend an entire day just walking through downtown and perusing through all the stores. Here are a few boutiques worth checking out:
Chelsea Antiques
Chelsea Antiques is a thoughtfully curated antique store, featuring collections of 25 independent dealers. There is just so much to see and indulge in when walking through this antique shop in downtown Petaluma. You’ll find a wide selection of furniture, lighting, artwork, estate jewelry, and unusual artifacts. I mean, I never thought about having a stoup in my own home, but upon coming across the most beautiful stoups I’ve ever seen, I felt more than inclined to have one of my own.
It’s an inspiring antique store, one that gives you ideas. Definitely a good change from other antique stores, which often leaves you feeling overwhelmed. At least for me.. That’s something I sometimes find myself feeling once I leave.
Organic Erotic
Organic Erotic is a well loved store in downtown Petaluma, offering beautiful pieces for your home, your altar, and your self care practices. If you’re all about building your home into a sanctuary and a safe space, Organic Erotic has all the things for you to create that perfectly. From books, to ornaments, to vintage tables and chairs, and more, you’ll find yourself falling in love with this store and wanting to buy every single item that they have.
The Treasury
One of the most impressive boutiques in downtown Petaluma is The Treasury. The Treasury is a family-owned boutique set in a stunnnnning 1926 vintage bank building. This unique store offers a curated selection of luxury eyewear from Veo Optics, skincare products from their family farm’s olive oil, and a variety of unique gifts sourced from around the globe. Impeccably designed, this store is one you can’t walk past without wanting to take a peek in.
Estuary
Another store that could easily take all my money is Estuary. This charming store has a blend of vintage furniture, artisan made decor, as well as books, self care products, and lifestyle products. This is all around a wonderful store. Estuary features a carefully curated collection of hand-picked items designed to make you feel good and stand the test of time. Their selection emphasizes sustainability and mindfulness, embodying the ethos of being “Woman-Owned & Mother Earth Approved.”
I personally purchased a few products here that I use every single day.
Jess Brown Design
Jess Brown Design is a distinctive brand offering curated collections of thoughtfully crafted items. There is a wide array of unique pieces, all reflective of Jess Brown’s artistic vision. You’ll find rag dolls, home decor, clothing, and a curated selection of books. I could spend all day in this store easily.
Sidecar Mercantile
Sidecar Mercantile is a fun boutique store located in downtown Petaluma. They have a wide variety of products for your home including lifestyle and travel products as well.
Enjoy Lunch at Petaluma
Enjoy lunch at one of the many delightful local cafés or restaurants. I highly recommend Risibisi for delicious Italian food in a comfortable setting.
Check Into Your Hotel in Sonoma County
Where to Stay in Sonoma County: Flamingo Resort
If you’re looking for a great boutique hotel recommendation in Sonoma County, I highly recommend the Flamingo Resort in Santa Rosa. I found this gem off of Plannin and saw that the rates were unbelievably affordable, especially for what you get.
Flamingo Resort is a mid-century modern motel turned into a Palm Springs-esque boutique hotel. The initial photo of the driveway on their website vaguely reminded me of the entrance to the Virgin Hotel in Las Vegas. It was very cute and had amenities such as a heated pool, jacuzzi, a restaurant, and a gym. For $100 a night, it was a pretty good deal.
If you love the color pink, you’ll love all the hints of pink in juxtaposition to all the wooden accents scattered all throughout. We got a free upgrade upon check in (woot!) and settled into one of their Premium King rooms.
While the front desk service was a little off, I did enjoy the warm, friendly service at their restaurant, Lazeaway Club. All of the food was ABSOLUTELY delicious. I loved that 90% of the menu was Asian-influenced. Not what we were expecting but that’s not a complaint at all. Our room was pretty standard. We had everything we needed, and plenty of space. I do wish we had a view of the pool, that would have definitely upped the experience. But nonetheless it was worth the price that we paid for.
Where to Eat Dinner in Santa Rosa
After checking in, go for a casual stroll in downtown Santa Rosa and grab dinner there. This cute little town has so much to offer. I recommend visiting the Charles Schulz Museum if you’re a big fan of Snoopy.
I happily indulged in a bowl of ramen at Miso Good Ramen.
Day 2: Exploring Around Sebastopol
Sonoma County is home to some of the most adorable quaint little towns with the best downtowns. After exploring Petaluma and Santa Rosa, I can assure you you’re going to be excited for what other towns to visit. For your second day in Sonoma County, I recommend exploring around Sebastapol.
Spending the Morning at Barlow
Sebastapol is known to be artsy, vibrant, bohemian, and very down-to-earth. You’ll hear drums banging, people singing, and dancing around in a small park located in downtown. It’s a fun place to be in.
To start your day off, head to the Barlow. This is an outdoor market district with local food, wine, beer, and crafts. You can check out galleries here and do some shopping as well.
Shops at the Barlow Worth Checking Out
Endless Energy Crystals
If you’re into crystals and spirituality, you are in the right place. Sebastapol is home to a multitude of crystal shops. One worth checking out at the Barlow is Endless Energy Crystals. This charming crystal boutique offers a wide range of crystals, minerals, and artisan jewelry.
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The Punchdown
Of course, one can’t resist a good wine bar, especially a natty wine bar. The Punchdown is a well curated wine bar and bottle shop, perfect for anyone who’s looking to buy a bottle or enjoy a splash of wine. The shop is renowned for its careful selection of wines that follow natural farming principles, emphasizing organic, biodynamic, and minimal intervention winemaking. You can enjoy a carefully curated selection of “zero-zero” or natural wines before heading back out to shop.
Sarmentine Artisan Boulanger
When one can’t resist a good wine bar, one also can’t resist a good French bakery and cafe. For a pick me up and small bites, I recommend stopping by Sarmentine Artisan Boulanger. They make a killer flat white and have a delicious selection of freshly baked goods.
Lunch in Downtown Sebastapol
While there are a lot of lunch options at the Barlow, if you’re looking to dine outside of it, there’s also downtown Sebastapol, just a short 2 minute walk away. Here, you’ll find a wide array of different restaurants.
You’ll also find another wide variety of boutiques!
Boutiques Worth Checking Out in Downtown Sebastapol
There are so many crystal shops, clothing boutiques, and vintage shops in downtown Sebastapol. Here are a few boutiques you cannot not go into for your next visit.
Retrospect Vintage
There’s nothing like a good mid-century modern find, and that’s exactly what Retrospect Vintage is all about. You’ll find some mid-century modern decor pieces and furnitures in such pristine condition. To top it off, they are all moderately priced!
Copperfield’s Books
If you’re a book lover, you’ll also love Copperfield’s Books. Copperfield’s Books is a small book chain that can only be found in Sonoma, Napa, and Marin County. I personally love going to one of these every time I am near one, for their comfortable and friendly atmosphere and their well curated selection of books.
Dinner at Flamingo Resort
After a day of exploring downtown Sebastapol, head back to Flamingo Resort to relax. Enjoy dinner at the resort or explore another restaurant in Santa Rosa!
Day 3 in Sonoma: Explore Bodega Bay or Head Home
As mentioned, there is so much to see in Sonoma County. This 3 day itinerary is just scratching the surface. In my original trip with my mom, we headed straight to the airport on the morning of day three, however if you still have some energy, this is the perfect excuse to check out the beautiful Sonoma Coast.
Check Out of the Flamingo Resort
In the morning, check out of the resort and get ready for a full day of adventure. I’d recommend stopping by Dutch Bros for a coffee and muffin top for the long, explorative drive to the coast.
BTW download the app before you go. You can get a free drink or get a discount!
Pit Stop at Forestville
Your first stop of the day on the way to Bodega Bay will be Forestville, a quaint little mountain town just 20 minutes away. You can stretch your legs by strolling around the quaint downtown area, particularly Front Street. The main road, Highway 116, offers a variety of local shops and cafes to explore.
Here you can enjoy a hearty breakfast at one of the local eateries, such as Piala Georgian Cuisine, which is known for its diverse and delicious breakfast options
Pit Stop at Guerneville
Your second stop, which is only a 10 minute drive away from Forestville, will be Guerneville. Another small town just filled with so many fun activities. You can take a short hike or drive through Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, grab some biscuits at Big Bottom Market, and maybe check out a boutique or two in downtown Guerneville.
Explore Bodega Bay
Now it’s time for the final stop of the day, which is Bodega Bay. Bodega Bay is an iconic coastal town. You might know it from The Birds, that famous Alfred Hitchcock film. The drive itself is beautiful, expect stunning views and teary eyes. You’re in for a treat.
Here you can have lunch and indulge in some delicious fresh seafood, take a coastal walk or hike, and even partake in a whale watching tour.
From here, you can choose to book a room and stay another night, or head back home to San Francisco/wherever home is.
The Perfect 3 Day Sonoma County Itinerary
I hope this 3 day Sonoma County itinerary inspired you for your next trip. I do want to mention that you can always reach out to me for a personalized travel itinerary for only $50. Feel free to email me at nica@bynicalina.com for more information.
