Sonoma County offers safe experiences to enjoy the holidays
As fresh, crisp air has found its way to Sonoma County, businesses and communities around the destination are preparing for the holiday season and are making safety priority #1. Take in dazzling holiday lights displays, cozy up to wine and culinary experiences, or catch beautiful sunsets over sweeping vineyards and the Pacific Ocean – all in Sonoma County.
Those who are guests to the area are asked to continue practicing safety measures, including wearing face coverings in public and keeping distance of at least 6 feet from others. Sonoma County Tourism (SCT) is also encouraging visitors to review The Safe Travels Promise, which provides guidelines to ensure safety. In addition, SCT encourages visitors to make reservations ahead of time, to ensure availability. Click here for the latest about how Sonoma County is protecting both visitors and residents.
Ultimate Private Safaris in Sonoma County
Embark on an intimate and personalized safari excursion at Safari West, a majestic 400-acre wildlife preserve in the Sonoma Serengeti begging to be explored. With your own private open-air safari vehicle and a dedicated expert guide for your group, set out in search of zebra, wildebeest, rhinos, ostrich, and more. Private excursions like Winos & Rhinos and Brews & Buffalos include delicious snacks with a sampling of local wines or craft beers. Adventure luxuriously with the Royal Winos & Rhinos Safari Adventure for a wine tasting of fine vintages paired with artisan treats like prosciutto wrapped melon, crab cakes, or smoked salmon. Reservations are for up to 8, from $1,100 to $1,600.
Private Wine Country Playground at B.R. Cohn Winery & Olive Oil Company estate
Take a load off and enjoy unique spaces for you and your own private party. The Peace, Love & Wine playground comes with tarot cards, retro props with boho decor, giant Jenga, and lots of photo ops. The Have A Ball Playground features a Foosball table, a miniature putting green, Ping Pong, or book a Classics Playground for cornhole, ladder ball, ring toss, and a grand old time. Each private area includes a picnic table and a selection of games and can be booked for two-hour time slots. Add-on boxed lunches from The Girl and The Fig and wine by the bottle and glass. Reserve your playground for $150 for two hours, up to 8 guests.
Private Outdoor Wellness Tours on the Sonoma Coast
Choose from an unmatched combination of wellness nature walking experiences, custom workshops designed to empower the individual, or unbeaten path yoga experiences. Unbeaten Path Tours' s fully customizable tours include exploration of The Sea Ranch’s architecture as an abstraction of landscape, incredible forest bathing experiences exploring the vital interconnections with the coastal redwoods, and guided meditation and movement workshops, combining yogic wellness with a guided nature experience. Explore the coast with whale watching, wildflowers, and a history of the land in the Seascapes and Wildflowers Tour. Reservations start at $70 per person. Custom private tour options are available.
Sonoma County celebrates the spirit of the season through art
In true Sonoma County spirit, an expression of public art is lighting up the outdoor spaces to celebrate human connection, gratitude, and the holiday season.
Santa Rosa’s Fourth Street has been transformed into a lively pedestrian stretch, featuring outdoor dining and great people watching. An array of art displays have also popped up that help to add to the ambience. The most recent installment is a festive gold mailbox, inviting letters of love, grievances, and questions about the past or future. It even has its own Instagram page that posts the anonymous submissions.
The Charlie Brown Christmas Tree Grove is an annual holiday event located on the Windsor Town Green. The event highlights 200 individually decorated holiday trees lining the walkways of the Green. Students, families, and local businesses showcase their talents in design and decorating with their themed trees. The Charlie Brown Christmas Tree Grove will be open December 3rdthrough New Year’s Eve with streaming Holiday music and lighting displays as well as virtual celebrations.
The plaza in Healdsburg will be decorated with sculptural, site-specific light installations led by local artist, Jessica C. Martin. LIGHTS is part of a series of commissioned temporary art projects that bring wonder, joy, and meaningful reflection to the community and its visitors. In responding to the theme of "voices," artists have installed works linked to Healdsburg's history, stories, our connections to one another, voices of nature, our individual experiences, and the diverse voices of our town.
Christmas pop-ups and experiences
Get into the holiday spirit and enjoy Miracle at Brewsters Beer Garden in Petaluma, featuring seasonal cocktails, kitschy décor, and a seasonal extravaganza that transports visitors into a holiday wonderland filled with photo ops, and a menu full of cocktails mixed with festive flavors like spiced apple cider. Cozy up under massive heat lamps while enjoying cocktails and seasonally harvested produce on the holiday menu, all served by staff wearing all sorts of holiday costumes. Miracle starts November 23rd.
Enjoy magical tasting experiences under the Winter Wonderland Tent at Muscardini Cellars, where visitors are surrounded by a dazzling display of 2,000 sparkling lights, stunning silver snowflakes and twinkling olive trees. Celebrate the holidays with the Muscardini family’s seasonal wine and sensory jar experience, a delicious wine and chocolate pairing from Master Chocolatier Chef Sebastian Beline of Paris or try your hand at a blind tasting experience of Thanksgiving-perfect wines.
Many businesses throughout Sonoma County are offering deals and discounts on lodging and activities. Examples include Holiday Cheer at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa; All for One, One for All in the vineyards at Geyserville Inn; and Romance Package on the Sonoma Coast at Timber Coast Resort.
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About Sonoma County
Experience Sonoma County, where Life Opens Up. Just as wine “opens up” when it’s allowed to breathe, Sonoma County inspires visitors to open up to new experiences. Just 30 miles north of San Francisco, Sonoma County is one of the world’s most progressive food and wine destinations and is home to more than 425 wineries ranging from small family-owned properties to global brands. Visitors also can explore stunning natural resources while hiking among towering redwoods, cruising the rugged Pacific coastline, and discovering inviting small towns. More information can be found at SonomaCounty.com.
Sonoma County Tourism
Birgitt Vaughan
Director of Global Media Relations
Anna Yan
Public Relations Manager
[email protected]
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