If you’re looking for a charming small-town wine country experience, downtown Sonoma is the place to be.
Nestled in the heart of wine country, this picturesque downtown offers plenty of winery tasting rooms, art galleries, and quaint boutiques to explore. You can stroll through the streets, diving into their cultural attractions or sampling dishes from some of the best restaurants in Sonoma. And if you’re lucky enough to visit during one of Sonoma’s many festivals or events, you’ll get a true taste of what this community is all about.
So pack your bags and head to Downtown Sonoma—you won’t regret it! Below I’ve compiled all my favorite places… The best of the best in Downtown Sonoma.
P.S. I highly recommend staying at the Lodge at Sonoma! They offer a complimentary “pedals for pinot” program which includes bikes so you can easily explore everything downtown Sonoma has to offer.
Downtown Sonoma Wineries
Downtown Sonoma offers plenty of wineries and wine tasting rooms right on the Sonoma Plaza or within a short walk or bike ride. Spend an afternoon wandering from shop to shop, and then cap off your day with a delicious glass of wine at one of the local wineries. You’re sure to fall in love with Sonoma’s charming downtown area and its delicious wines!
Three Sticks Wine at the Adobe
Three Sticks Wine at the Adobe is a beautiful downtown Sonoma tasting room that offers estate-grown Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Originally built in 1842 by Salvador Vallejo, brother to General Mariano Vallejo, the Adobe has been lovingly restored as a Sonoma landmark. Now home to their tasting room, the space is warm and inviting, with a large fireplace and plush, comfortable seating.
The team offers a variety of tastings and tours, making Three Sticks the perfect place to learn about Sonoma history and enjoy some of the best wines in the region.
Soujourn Cellars
If you’re looking for an intimate, relaxed tasting in downtown Sonoma, be sure to check out Soujourn Cellars. Located just off the Sonoma Square, Sojourn offers beautiful Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon wines from growing regions across Napa and Sonoma.
Tastings here are appointment-only and hosted by knowledgeable, down-to-earth wine educators. Both indoor and outdoor seating is typically available.
Sosie Wines
Consider sitting outside at Sosie Wines and taking in the beautiful Vine Alley by the fountain. It’s spectacular!
Sosie Wines was founded on the concept that food and wine are pleasure. Here you won’t find big, overly extracted wines, but rather restrained wines with finesse. Wines are organically farmed and produced in small, artisanal batches. Be sure to try their sparkling wine!
Sebastiani
My first trip to Sebastiani was for their summer music series, and it was such a blast! Nothing beats sipping wine with a vineyard view, the sun setting on the horizon, and live music setting the mood.
For over 100 years, Sebastiani has been crafting fine wine in the heart of Sonoma County. You can enjoy a tasting inside their historic building, or outside in the courtyard. Picnic tables are available by reservation as well, if you’d like to bring a picnic lunch!
Gundlach Bundschu
Lovingly referred to as “Gun-Bun”, Gundlach Bundschu is a hip and happening tasting room that’s an easy 3 mile jaunt from downtown Sonoma. It makes for a good bike ride!
Gundlach Bundschu is a sixth-generation family-owned winery. Visit for wine tasting, seasonal bites, a six-wheeler “Pinz Excursion” tour of the vineyards, or live music and experience their easy, laid-back Sonoma vibe.
Sigh. Sparkling Wine Bar
While technically not a winery, Sigh is well-worth a stop if you’re in downtown Sonoma! This Sonoma champagne bar is gorgeous – with elevated, all-white and gold decorations, it’s a beautiful and highly photogenic locale! They also have an incredible selection of Champagne and other sparkling wines from around the world available by the glass, as well as charcuterie plates and light bites.
This is a good place to sit by the bar, so you can chat with the staff about their favorite bubbles and learn some fun stuff along the way.
Downtown Sonoma Winery Map
Downtown Sonoma Restaurants
Unlike most downtown areas, where you’ll find chain restaurants and national retailers, Sonoma’s small businesses are the lifeblood of its downtown district. From casual eateries to fine dining establishments, there’s something for everyone among the dozen or so restaurants here. Whether you’re looking for a place to have breakfast, lunch, or dinner, or just want a quick snack, Sonoma’s diverse restaurant scene is sure to please. So pull up a chair at one of these unique spots and soak up the local flavor!
Wit & Wisdom
Wit & Wisdom is Chef Michael Mina’s first venture into wine country dining and it delivers Mina’s signature flair with a highly curated culinary experience. This charming wine country tavern is attached to the Inn at Sonoma Lodge, making it conveniently located to downtown Sonoma.
The restaurant features regional California cuisine and American comfort food with a dash of finesse – their menu changes regularly, but when I was there, they offered a Lobster Pot Pie. YUM?!
My favorite thing on the menu was their steak. Cooked in the woodfired oven, it was the perfect texture inside and out. And the seasonal Shishito peppers covered in everything seasoning? I’m still craving more!!
The menu offers something for everyone, buoyed by a carefully curated wine list that focuses on small producers from around the world. There was a great selection of bottles and by-the-glass wines that I thoroughly enjoyed examining.
And for dessert? Be sure to try Wit & Wisdom’s famous “Wit Chocolate Bar” – a grown-up version of a snickers bar, with caramel milk chocolate and peanut butter crumble outside.
Valley Bar & Bottle
This hipster dining spot in downtown Sonoma offers light and addictive shareable Mediterranean plates. We started out with their freshly baked sourdough bread and deliciously salted butter then split the XO egg – this unique item comes highly recommended from yelp, and I couldn’t agree more!
The highly-curated menu features great dishes that all have their own touch. I recommend ordering a few things and sharing them family style so everyone can get a taste of what’s on the menu.
Animo
This Sonoma restaurant has been all over Instagram for its unique experience. Believe the hype. Full disclosure – the outside may leave you scratching your head, as it’s next to the McDonald’s and an auto repair shop, but it’s conveniently located just a few minute’s drive from the Sonoma town square.
Their menu is interesting, and unlike anything else in Sonoma – a Korean hearth-cooked family-style restaurant. But it’s really all about the details: the menus are personalized with your name, the bathroom has Byredo hand cream and the speakers are all B&O.
Sweet Scoops
While walking around the Sonoma Plaza on a hot summer day, ice cream is a must! Be sure to stop by Sweet Scoops, a handmade icecream shop that rotates flavors daily utilizing local ingredients.
Delicious Dish
Located a short drive outside of the downtown area, Delicious Dish is a favorite spot among locals.
Low-key and absolutely mouth-watering, Delicious Dish is a woman-led, under-the-radar, “punk little sister” to Sonoma’s downtown restaurants. Their patio space is absolutely chic, featuring beautiful beachy-blue chairs and comfy outdoor couches. It’s also home to great fried chicken sandwiches, divine salads, and wine. Of course wine.
My favorite thing? They host regular summer outdoor dinner-and-movie nights, including a series of spooky films in October.
Downtown Sonoma Hotels
If you’re looking for a charming small town to stay in while exploring wine country, Sonoma is the place for you. While there are many options for downtown Sonoma hotels, we’ve narrowed it down to our top two favorites.
Both of these hotels are within walking distance of the main square, so you can easily explore all that the charming town of Sonoma has to offer. Plus, with each of these hotels comes a unique experience that you won’t find anywhere else. So, whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway or an adventure-filled weekend, read on!
The Lodge at Sonoma
Located within walking distance from the Sonoma Plaza, the Lodge at Sonoma is the perfect place to stay in downtown Sonoma. Luxury in the heart of wine country!
The Lodge at Sonoma offers amenities beyond compare: a luxurious pool, hot tub, Inn Spa, evening wine reception events, self-serve wine in the lobby, and… my favorite of all… complimentary bikes as part of their “Pedal for Pinot” program – an easy way to explore downtown Sonoma wineries and beyond. Biking through wine country is an unforgettable experience!
I also love that Chef Michael Mina’s restaurant, Wit & Wisdom, is right on property, making it easy to have a delicious and wine-filled dinner, then wander home after.
I highly recommend checking out their Cottages, which are spacious inside and out.
Sonoma Hotel
The two big pluses for the Sonoma Hotel are location and character. Character, character, character! Housed in a charming,old building, the Sonoma Hotel sits on the edge of the main square, giving easy access to downtown Sonoma wineries, restaurants, and bars.
This vintage hotel offers a cozy, aesthetic downtown Sonoma stay. Rooms are furnished with antique furniture – including clawfoot tubs. I felt like I was staying in a room at someone’s home!
The only downside here is that the hotel does not have designated parking, so be aware of that if bringing a car. Overall, it’s worth a stay – so charming!
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Enjoy Downtown Sonoma!
Sonoma is a charming small town with plenty of character. With its quaint downtown and abundance of wineries and restaurants, you can easily spend a weekend or longer exploring everything the town has to offer. With its downtown square, excellent restaurants and wineries, and relaxed wine country atmosphere, Sonoma should be at the top of your list for places to visit in California. And if you need any more convincing, just know that there are also some great hotels to choose from! So what are you waiting for? Get packing! I hope you enjoy your time in downtown Sonoma as much as I did. Let me know your favorite spots in the comments below.
Common Questions About Downtown Sonoma
What to do in downtown Sonoma?
Downtown Sonoma is a must-visit! I loved walking through the park like setting with all the flowers, benches, trees and beauty of buildings mixed with nature. Surrounding the square is a great mixture of history, wineries, shops and restaurants. I would highly recommend walking through this area on your first day before the wine tours and vineyard visits!
Does Sonoma have a downtown?
Sonoma has a downtown plaza that is absolutely lovely. The downtown area is an eight-acre tree-filled oasis surrounded by unique shops, restaurants, tasting rooms, and historic sites.
Downtown Sonoma winery map?
You can check out my Downtown Sonoma Winery Map here.
