Sonoma represents Northern California’s less-commercial version of the famous wine country. Populated by widely scattered family-owned wineries that produce superb wine and sleepy historic towns, Sonoma has all the pastoral charm of neighboring Napa Valley, but with fewer crowds and more intimate settings. Unlike Napa Valley, this region is so big it's generally divided into two destinations: Sonoma Valley and northern Sonoma. Sonoma Valley has few fancy resorts other than famed Sonoma Mission Inn; its accommodations lean more toward small chain hotels and B&Bs. Restaurants don't quite reach the calibur of neighboring Napa, but historic Sonoma Square has outstanding shopping and the winding roads leading to neighboring Wine Country towns promise a laid-back, relaxing adventure to all who come here. To the north by about 1/2 hour, northern Sonoma is equally attractive due to destination town Healdsburg (which has world-class restaurants, shopping, and hotels), and some of the state's best wine regions, including Dry Creek Valley, Anderson Valley, Chalk Hill, and Sonoma Coast. Its dozens of highly regarded wineries are scattered along winding country roads, so getting there is half the fun.
