Sonoma travel guide

Sonoma Tourism | Sonoma Guide

You're Going to Love Sonoma

With a population of 10,648, Sonoma is a must-see destination in California, United States. It is among the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Sonoma deserves at least 2 full days for you to see its main sights.

Where to Eat in Sonoma

If you’re looking for affordable options, Bean and Bottle (1325 Broadway) and HopMonk Tavern - Sonoma (691 Broadway) are great picks.

Most popular restaurants in Sonoma

Californian
Wonderful (393 reviews)
Mediterranean
Wonderful (193 reviews)
American
Wonderful (169 reviews)
Californian
Wonderful (116 reviews)
Italian
Wonderful (85 reviews)
$$$$
Californian
Wonderful (67 reviews)
Californian
Wonderful (393 reviews)
Mediterranean
Wonderful (193 reviews)
American
Wonderful (169 reviews)
Californian
Wonderful (116 reviews)
Italian
Wonderful (85 reviews)
$$$$
Californian
Wonderful (67 reviews)

When to visit Sonoma

Sonoma in January
Estimated hotel price
$227
1 night at 3-star hotel
Sonoma in January
Estimated hotel price
$227
1 night at 3-star hotel

How to Get to Sonoma

Plane

When flying to Sonoma, you’ll arrive at Napa County (APC), which is located 11 miles from the city center. The shortest domestic flight to Sonoma departs from Ontario and takes around 1h 20m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Sonoma. The train journey from Sonoma to Sacramento takes 1h 41m and costs around $17 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Fresno, expect to pay about $26 for a 3h 58m trip.

Car

Another option to get to Sonoma is to pick up a car rental from San Francisco, which is about 35 miles from Sonoma. You’ll find branches of Kyte and Fox, among others, in San Francisco.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Sonoma, including FlixBus, Busbud and Greyhound. From Los Angeles, the bus ride to Sonoma takes 425 miles and will cost you around $86. From Burbank, the ticket costs about $49 for a journey of 440 miles.

Plane

When flying to Sonoma, you’ll arrive at Napa County (APC), which is located 11 miles from the city center. The shortest domestic flight to Sonoma departs from Ontario and takes around 1h 20m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Sonoma. The train journey from Sonoma to Sacramento takes 1h 41m and costs around $17 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Fresno, expect to pay about $26 for a 3h 58m trip.

Car

Another option to get to Sonoma is to pick up a car rental from San Francisco, which is about 35 miles from Sonoma. You’ll find branches of Kyte and Fox, among others, in San Francisco.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Sonoma, including FlixBus, Busbud and Greyhound. From Los Angeles, the bus ride to Sonoma takes 425 miles and will cost you around $86. From Burbank, the ticket costs about $49 for a journey of 440 miles.

Airports near Sonoma

Airlines serving Sonoma

Lufthansa
Good (4,614 reviews)
KLM
Good (848 reviews)
SWISS
Good (927 reviews)
British Airways
Good (4,451 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,599 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (2,282 reviews)
Air France
Good (974 reviews)
Iberia
Good (1,549 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (476 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (4,930 reviews)
Emirates
Good (2,125 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,478 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (5,729 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (228 reviews)
Finnair
Good (878 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (832 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,160 reviews)
LOT
Good (682 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (911 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (832 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Sonoma

From 5-star hotels such as the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa to great affordable options like the El Dorado Hotel, Sonoma offers a range of accommodations for every taste. Average rates range from around $627 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $604 and up for a 5-star experience.

Where to stay in popular areas of Sonoma

Most booked hotels in Sonoma

MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa
4 stars
Excellent (9.3, 118 reviews)
$651+
Napa Valley Lodge
4 stars
Excellent (9.1, 354 reviews)
$461+
El Pueblo Inn
3 stars
Excellent (8.8, 2155 reviews)
$206+
Hotel Yountville
4 stars
Excellent (9, 72 reviews)
$723+
The Estate Yountville
5 stars
Excellent (8.8, 232 reviews)
$745+
Bardessono Hotel & Spa
5 stars
Excellent (9, 58 reviews)
$903+

Renting a car in Sonoma

Renting a car in Sonoma costs $54 per day, on average, or $108 if you want to rent if for 2 days.

It’s generally cheaper to rent your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 15% cheaper than airport locations in Sonoma.

Expect to pay $3.90 per gallon in Sonoma (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $46.79 and $62.38. The most frequently booked car type in Sonoma is Compact (Toyota RAV4 or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Full-size rental cars (Chevrolet Malibu or similar) are, on average, 71% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Renting a car in Sonoma costs $54 per day, on average, or $108 if you want to rent if for 2 days.

It’s generally cheaper to rent your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 15% cheaper than airport locations in Sonoma.

Expect to pay $3.90 per gallon in Sonoma (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $46.79 and $62.38. The most frequently booked car type in Sonoma is Compact (Toyota RAV4 or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Full-size rental cars (Chevrolet Malibu or similar) are, on average, 71% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.