SONOMA COUNTY NAMED A BEST PLACE TO GO IN 2020 BY FROMMER’S READERS
SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA — Sonoma County has been selected as the “readers’ choice” in the Frommer’s “Best Places to Go” in 2020 list. Frommer’s, whose guidebooks have sold more than 75 million copies, named 19 of their top destinations, but opened the final slot to an online public vote. Sonoma County was selected over competing nominees: Charleston, South Carolina; Eilat, Israel; Porto, Portugal; and the Finger Lakes region of New York.
“Sonoma County [provides] an ideal setting for a classic wine country holiday (among more than 400 wineries), but with a diversity that sets it apart from most winelands,” wrote Frommer's in their recent announcement. “You'd think that a place blessed with such beauty and bounty would be overrun and exclusively priced, but somehow, a visit here has retained much of the unpretentious welcome that embraced [Jack] London all those years ago.”
“On behalf of Sonoma County, we extend our thanks to Frommer’s and their readers for this kind honor,” said Claudia Vecchio, president/CEO of Sonoma County Tourism. “Between this recognition and our recent “Wine Region of the Year” designation by Wine Enthusiast magazine, Sonoma County is certainly feeling the love. We are more excited than ever to welcome visitors to Sonoma County to experience for themselves how Life Opens Up in our extraordinary destination.”
In addition to the world-renowned wineries open year-round, Sonoma County offers a mosaic of outdoor recreation, craft breweries and distilleries, and boutique communities dotted across the county. A great reason to plan a visit to Sonoma County is to attend one of the popular events held throughout the county in 2020, including:
Pliny the Younger Release (February)
Celebrate the 16th annual release of Pliny the Younger with Russian River Brewing Company. This highly coveted limited release Triple IPA is only available once a year as a local distribution, pub draft only.
russianriverbrewing.com/pliny-the-younger
Sonoma County Restaurant Week (February)
Restaurants offer prix-fixe two-course lunch menus ($10, $15) and three-course dinner menus ($19, $29, $39). There aren't any tickets or passes, and part of the appeal is that you can try restaurants you've been curious about without as much risk to your wallet.
sonomacounty.com/restaurantweek
California's Artisan Cheese Festival (March)
Meet celebrated cheese makers and sample artisan cheeses at this tasty festival, held at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. Seminars and farm tours are available.
artisancheesefestival.com
Barrel Tastings (throughout the county in March)
Discover this time-honored tradition. Learn from the winemakers how they work with the wines after harvest, before the wine is bottled. Be the first to taste limited production wines and purchase futures for your own cellar. Wine Road Barrel Tasting March 6-8, 13-15.
wineroad.com
Sonoma International Film Festival (March)
An intimate celebration of unforgettable cinema, world-class food and fine wine on Sonoma's historic plaza. The Sonoma International Film Festival features over 90 hand-selected films screened in intimate venues within walking distance of Sonoma's historic plaza. Renowned filmmakers, industry leaders, and celebrities such as Bruce Willis, Susan Sarandon, Mary-Louise Parker, and Ray Liotta have enjoyed this unique event.
sonomafilmfest.org
IRONMAN Santa Rosa (July)
Staged throughout Sonoma County and traversing through communities like Geyserville and Windsor, IRONMAN Santa Rosa draws not only triathletes, but their families, support crews, and thousands of cheering, enthusiastic spectators. The downtown Santa Rosa finish delivers a fun, celebratory wine country experience.
visitsantarosa.com/ironman-santa-rosa-2020
Gravenstein Apple Fair (August)
Showcasing the best in arts, crafts, food, wines and brews, games, entertainment, and farm life activities, this country fair celebrates the Gravenstein apple.
gravensteinapplefair.com
Taste of Sonoma (September)
Enjoy the finest in Sonoma County wine and food at the annual showcase event Taste of Sonoma. Purveyors gather on the gorgeous grounds of the Green Music Center for a day of tastings and entertainment.
tasteofsonoma.com
Sonoma County Wine Auction (September)
Named one of the top charitable wine auctions by Wine Spectator, the Sonoma County Wine Auction brings wine superstars, local celebrity chefs, and honored guests together to invest in the community. The event features imaginative and indulgent auction lots, highlighted by exquisite wine and cuisine.
sonomacountywineauction.com
Sonoma County Harvest Fair (October)
It's a wine country harvest extravaganza with three days of wine tasting with more than 100 wineries, wine sales, food pairing, craft beer and cider tasting, chef demonstrations, workshops, and the World Championship Grape Stomp. Enjoy live music, a classic car show, a pumpkin patch, harvest games, and more.
harvestfair.org
Discover additional Sonoma County annual festivals at: https://www.sonomacounty.com/articles/biggest-and-best-annual-sonoma-county-festivals
For a comprehensive list of Sonoma County happenings, explore our calendar of events at: https://www.sonomacounty.com/sonoma-events
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About Sonoma County Tourism:
Sonoma County Tourism (SCT) is the official destination stewardship organization for California's Sonoma County. SCT is a private, non-profit marketing and sales organization dedicated to sustaining the hospitality economy in Sonoma County, California. Tourism generates $2.175 billion annually for the local economy, $193.8 million in government revenue, and supports more than 22,300 jobs. To protect the destination’s resources – both natural and human – for residents and travelers for many generations to come, SCT has instituted a new Sonoma County travel pledge. For more information, call 707-522-5800 or 800-576-6662, or visit www.sonomacounty.com.
Birgitt Vaughan
Director of Global Media Relations
Sonoma County Tourism
400 Aviation Blvd., Suite 500
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
707-522-5826
[email protected]
Link to Frommer's Best Places to Go in 2020: https://www.frommers.com/slideshows/848383-frommer-s-best-places-to-go-in-2020