How to Vacation on a Budget in Sonoma Wine Country
Where to sip: Alexander Valley Vineyards, Healdsburg: The Estate Tasting at this family-owned winery is free. That’s right, free. Alexander Valley Vineyards also offers complimentary cave tours daily at noon and 2:30 p.m. For $60, you can take part in a guided one-mile hike, taste four wines and enjoy a box lunch prepared by Big John’s Market in Healdsburg. 8644 Highway 128, Healdsburg, 707-433-7209, avvwine.com (Courtesy of Alexander Valley Vineyards)
Where to sip: Korbel Champagne Cellars, Guerneville: Established in 1882, the oldest continually operating sparkling wine house in North America offers yet another complimentary tasting to have on your radar. The Marketplace tasting of three wines is free. Upgrade to the All Bubbles option, with five tastings for just $15. 13250 River Road, Guerneville, 707-824-7000, korbel.com/winery-tours. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Where to sip: Balletto Vineyards, Santa Rosa: Balletto’s Estate Tasting includes four wines from the winery, which produces sauvignon blanc, pinot gris, gewürztraminer and rosé. The tasting is a fine value at $15. So is the $20 Reserve Tasting of five wines, including block and vineyard designates. 5700 Occidental Road, Santa Rosa, 707-568-2455, ballettovineyards.com (Courtesy of Balletto Vineyards)
Get outside: Sonoma County Regional Parks: In between sips, stroll along the coast, hike through redwoods, or take a lap around a lake. Sonoma County Regional Parks manages more than 50 parks and trails. Parking at most locations is $7; an annual parks pass is just $69 and is an incentive to plan another getaway so you can visit your favorite spots again and again. (Jerry Dodrill Photography)
Get outside: Bartholomew Park, Sonoma: Whether you are looking for a hike or a leisurely stroll, you’ll find it here. More than three miles of hiking trails traverse wooded areas and run along vineyards and even a duck pond. There’s no entrance or parking fee; dogs on leash are welcome. 1695 Castle Road, Sonoma, bartholomewpark.org (Courtesy of Bartholomew Estate Winery)
Get outside: Cornerstone Sonoma: Find inspiration for your backyard on a stroll through the gardens at this Sonoma Valley marketplace. The space is colorful and smile-inducing, boasting everything from fruit and veggies to lush pollinator gardens. The gardens are open to the public and entrance is free. 23570 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, 707-933-3010, cornerstonesonoma.com (Thomas J. Story)
Where to eat: Mitote Food Park, Santa Rosa: The long-awaited Mitote Food Park in Santa Rosa’s Roseland neighborhood finally opened this summer. It serves up Mexican eats from eight different food trucks, including Lucha Sabina and Maria Machetes, as well as beer, wine and Mexican-inspired cocktails. Happy hour is 3-9 p.m. on Mondays and noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Friday. 665 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa, mitotefoodpark.com (Beth Schlanker/The Press Democrat)
Where to eat: Zoftig Eatery, Santa Rosa: Score a breakfast sandwich with egg, cheddar cheese and housemade English muffin for just $6.50. Add avocado, bacon or ham for $2. 57 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa, 707-738-3558, zoftigeatery.com (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Where to eat: Falafel Hut, Santa Rosa: The eatery’s vegetarian combo plate includes three falafel, three dolmas, hummus, baba ghanoush, cucumber salad, tabbouleh and warm pita bread for $14.95. Add a buck for a shawarma plate with beef, lamb or chicken. 701 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-237-7010, falafelhut.co. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
Where to eat: Freaking Tacos, Santa Rosa: Tacos with choice of meat, cilantro, onions, green and red salsa are $2.25. A Torpedo-Burrito with rice, beans, cheese, sour cream, green salsa, and choice of meat is $9.97. 400 West Third St., Suite C, Santa Rosa, 707-890-5003, freakingtacos707.com. (Courtesy of Freaking Tacos)
Where to eat: Roy’s Chicago Dog & BBQ at the Yard, Petaluma: A Vienna all beef hot dog with all the Chicago works (poppy seed bun, celery salt, neon green relish) and a basket of fries for $10.50. 84 Corona Road, Petaluma, 707-774-1574, facebook.com/RoysChicagoDogs. (Photo by Terry Hankins)
Where to eat: Magdelena’s, Petaluma: We love the industrial-sized Gold Chai Cinnamon morning rolls for $5.50. Everything at the bakery/cafe is vegetarian or vegan with many gluten-free choices. 5306 Old Redwood Highway, 707-665-0644, magdelenas.com. (Kent Porter/The Press Democrat)
Where to eat: Juanita Juanita, Sonoma: We’ve never had a bad meal at this funky roadside taqueria. Tacos are a solid choice for $3.50 a piece or a hearty burrito (one of the best in the county) for $8.75. 19114 Arnold Dr., Sonoma, 707-935-3981, juanitajuanita.com. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Where to eat: Big Bottom Market, Guerneville: For just $5 dollars you can nosh on Oprah’s favorite biscuit with butter and jam or the daily specialty biscuit for $5. Add mascarpone and honey and it’s just $9. 16228 Main St., Guerneville, 707-604-7295, bigbottommarket.com (Alvin Jornada/The Press Democrat)
Where to stay: Hotel Petaluma. About to celebrate its 100th anniversary, this historic hotel in downtown Petaluma must know a thing or two about providing a good value. Room rates start at $130. 205 Kentucky St., Petaluma, 707-241-9136, hotelpetaluma.com (Rebecca Gosselin/Sonoma Magazine)
Accommodations at Hotel Petaluma. (Courtesy of Hotel Petaluma)
The courtyard at Hotel Petaluma. (Rebecca Gosselin/Sonoma Magazine)
Where to stay: The Astro, Santa Rosa: The people behind the popular The Spinster Sisters restaurant stripped this 1960s motor lodge to the studs to turn it into the colorful property it is today. The rooms are decorated with vintage 1960s furnishings, which are available for guests to purchase. The weekday starting rate is $139; the weekend starting rate is $159. 323 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-200-4655, theastro.com (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)
The lounge at The Astro in Santa Rosa. (Courtesy of The Astro)
The courtyard at The Astro is a green oasis just a stone’s throw from downtown Santa Rosa. (Courtesy of The Astro)
Where to stay: The Sandman, Santa Rosa: A major facelift in 2018 put this roadside motel back on our radar. The Instagram-worthy Poolhouse & Bar makes it easy to justify spending a sunny day in Wine Country simply sitting by the pool. Rates from $129 a night. 3421 Cleveland Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-293-2100, sandmansantarosa.com (Courtesy The Sandman)
Room at The Sandman in Santa Rosa. (Courtesy of The Sandman)
Where to stay: Sonoma Creek Inn, Sonoma: Just a few miles north of Sonoma Plaza, this motel-style property could be one of Wine Country’s best bargains. Queen rooms (pictured) start at $90; King rooms with a patio start at $130. 239 Boyes Boulevard, Sonoma, 707-939-9463, sonomacreekinn.com (Courtesy of Sonoma Creek Inn)
Patio King guest room at Sonoma Creek Inn. (Courtesy of Sonoma Creek Inn)
