Top Activities in Wine Country

While Sonoma and Napa are most well known for their wine, there are far more activities that most don’t even know about. With a rich culture and history, beautiful scenery beyond the bountiful vineyards, gourmet food scene and more, Wine Country doesn’t fall short of being a little slice of heaven. Here are the top activities in Wine Country to do while you visit.

Featured Photo: Courtesy of @aceitbiketours

Sonoma

A red and gold trolley with people riding on it is moving down a paved road surrounded by trees and greenery. The trolley, labeled "Wine Trolley," has an open-air design with wooden seats. It is a sunny day with a clear blue sky—a perfect setting for one of the top activities in Sonoma.
Photo: Courtesy of @sonomatrolley

Sonoma Valley Wine Trolley Including Lunch

453 1st St E, Sonoma, CA 95476

Take a unique ride in the Sonoma Valley Wine Trolley modeled after iconic cable cars in San Francisco while your guide teaches you about historic landmarks you will pass. Visit three wineries with regional varieties and enjoy lunch from a local winery.

A colorful hot air balloon hovers over a vast green vineyard, with two more balloons floating in the sky. The landscape features rolling hills covered in grapevines and a cloudy sky creating a scenic view—one of the top activities in Sonoma.
Photo: Courtesy of @sonomaballooning

Join-in Flight in Sonoma

21870 8th St E, Sonoma, CA 95476

Mark off your bucket-list and take a hot air balloon over Napa and Sonoma and enjoy panoramic views of the rolling hills and wineries.

Two people are riding horses on a dirt trail with a scenic background of mountains and a lake. Both are wearing helmets and casual attire. One rider is on a light-colored horse, and the other is on a darker horse. The landscape features greenery, a clear sky, and captures one of the top activities in Sonoma.
Photo: Courtesy of @theranchatlakesonoma

Sonoma Horseback-Riding Tour

100 Marina Rd. Lot A, Geyserville, CA

Ride from the Ranch at Lake Sonoma along the Southlake Trail. Enjoy up close views of vineyards and Lake Sonoma as well as Dry Creek Valley, Alexander Valley, and Mt St Helena

Two people wearing helmets are riding bicycles on a paved road alongside a vineyard with green and yellow grapevines. The road is bordered by a slight embankment, with a dense forest in the background under an overcast sky—a perfect snapshot of one of the top activities in Sonoma.
Photo: Courtesy of @sonomaadventures

Independent Hassle-free Bike Rental in Sonoma

1254 Broadway, Sonoma, CA 95476

Pedal around Sonoma at your own pace with a hassle free bike rental. Your rental includes a map, lock, handlebar bag, and helmet, and before you take off you can ask for tips on where to go.

A group of people in colorful kayaks, wearing life jackets and holding paddles, are gathered on a calm body of water with rocky formations in the background. The sky is clear, and everyone appears to be enjoying one of the top activities in Sonoma.
Photo: Courtesy of Smart Tours

Russian River Kayak Tour at the Beautiful Sonoma Coast

Visitor Center, 10451 CA-1, Jenner, CA 95450

Enjoy the outdoors of Sonoma on this paddling and beach walking expedition. Spend 3 hours exploring the Russian River where it meets the ocean and enjoy views of birds, seals, and maybe even whales.

A group of eight people wearing helmets, sunglasses, and casual clothes are riding bicycles on a paved path through a forested area. The weather is sunny, and the group appears to be enjoying one of the top activities in Sonoma.
Photo: Courtesy of @aceitbiketours

Sonoma Wine Country Bike Tour

A Place to Play, 2375 W 3rd St, Santa Rosa, CA 95401

Cruise around Sonoma via bike and visit two to three wineries. Your guide will provide commentary on highlights of Sonomas viticultural history.

Four people sit on two red sidecars in front of a vineyard and a sign that says "Welcome to this world famous wine growing region NAPA VALLEY."
Photo: Courtesy of @ridesbyme_classic_sidecar_tours

Sidecar Sonoma Valley Wine tours

Sonoma City Manager, 1 The Plz, Sonoma, CA 95476

This small group tour takes you to three wineries in Napa Valley where you’ll have time to taste various wines. After you explore the rolling hills via sidecar, enjoy a picnic style lunch.

Three people in jackets and hats walk along a forest trail bordered by a wooden fence, surrounded by towering redwood trees—one of the top activities in Sonoma. One tree has a large hollow at its base. The scene is lush with green foliage, and the path is covered in fallen leaves.
Photo: Courtesy of NPS Image

Small Group Muir Woods with Napa & Sonoma Wine Tour

Pick up from most central San Francisco hotels and hostels

Spend time admiring the redwoods via trails in Muir Woods then go to Sonoma and Napa Valley for wine and cheese tasting. On your tour you’ll also get to see views of San Fransisco, Alcatraz, and the Marin Headlands.

Napa

Three women ride on bikes towards the camera on a wide paved road and with rows of pink and white flowers along the sides of the road.
Photo: Courtesy of Napa Valley Bike Tours on Facebook

Half-Day Napa Valley E-Bike Tour

6500 Washington St, Yountville

Be under the open sunshine by exploring Wine Country’s Napa Valley by e-bike and the guidance of a knowledgeable tour guide. You’ll stop at a winery if you want a quick sip, before getting free reign to explore wherever you’d like on the bikes.

A large group of people dressing for hiking stand on a hiking trail next to a creek and surrounded by trees.
Photo: Courtesy of Napa Native on Facebook

Napa Valley Redwood Hike

Pickup from your hotel

Learn about all of Napa’s native flora and fauna while breathing in the crisp air of the redwood forest and learning tidbits about the land’s history from your expert guide. The hike is about 3.25 miles long, with little elevation gain.

An aerial view of Downtown Napa, with lots of buildings and a river running through.
Photo: Courtesy of Carlos Wolters on Unsplash

Napa Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game

1275 McKinstry St, Napa

Explore a variety of Napa favorites, but with the fun twist of a scavenger hunt. Have your friends and family present to work all together and solve the 22 clues and sightsee at the same time.

A group of people watch someone instructing amidst farming plots and against the side of a hill dotted with trees.
Photo: Courtesy of Stepping Stone Farm's website

Private Farm Workshop in Napa Valley

Soda Canyon Rd

Connect with nature by seeing where over 40 types of fruits, veggies and flowers are grown. There’s even a hands-on component of this tour, where you’ll get to learn how to build soil, plant seeds, harvest sustainably and more. 

More Please!
For more suggestions on the best restaurants in Sonoma County, the best things to do in Sonoma County and the best places to stay in Sonoma County, click here.

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