A Taste of Sonoma History With Winemaker Chaser

This is where the famous writer of "The Call of the Wild," "White Fang," and more than 50 other stories lived from 1905 until his death in 1916. In addition to 29 miles (47 km) of hiking trails (many of them eucalyptus-lined), the 1,400-acre (567-hectare) park features a number of historic sites, including London’s gravesite—his ashes rest in a small copper urn—plus the remains of his burned-down dream house, the wood-framed cottage where he penned many of his later books; the stone “House of Happy Walls,” a museum dedicated to London’s life (with a visitor center selling his books); an old distillery building; and more. Tip: Pick up the $1 self-guided tour map upon arrival to get oriented. Picnic tables are available.

The 8-acre site of the 1846 Bear Flag Revolt is the pulse point of the entire county, and it hums with history and local culture. Despite the tense confrontation it commemorates, the plaza (California’s oldest) is relaxing, with a cheery, parklike atmosphere. Well-preserved monuments—such as the fascinating Mission San Francisco de Solano, City Hall, General Vallejo’s home, and old army barracks—add mystique. You’ll be hard-pressed not to leave the plaza lugging shopping bags because the boutiques, bakeries, tasting rooms, and galleries are irresistible.

Fill up on an organic salad or sandwich (or just grab a coffee drink) at this cheerful little café that's housed in the Salvador Vallejo Adobe, built 1836 to 1846. Its owners curate their wall space each month with an eye toward new works by local artists.

You've probably heard of Freixenet. It's the largest sparkling wine brand on the planet, a product created by the Ferrer family, who have been growing wine in Spain for over five centuries. In the 1980s, Gloria Ferrer moved across the ocean to start her own brand, and she brought with her both expertise and big bucks. Certainly, a good chunk of change went into building this palatial estate. It glimmers like Oz, high atop a gently sloping hill, overlooking the verdant Carneros District. On a sunny day, enjoying a glass of dry brut while soaking in the magnificent views is a must. If you’re unfamiliar with the term "méthode champenoise," take the $10, 30-minute tasting tour of the fermenting tanks, bottling line, and caves brimming with racks of yeast-laden bottles. Reservations are not required but are recommended.

Fred Cline opened his still family-owned winery in 1982 in Oakley, California, but relocated the winemaking facility to this site in Sonoma in 1991 and put the tasting room in an 1850 farmhouse built by the land’s original owner. Because this is the cooler end of the Sonoma Valley, the grapes here tend to be Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Merlot, but the tasting room offers samples from all three of its vineyards. There is an intimate museum that showcases dollhouse-sized dioramas of all 21 California missions, although it hasn't reopened since shutting down in 2020. Make an advance reservation online.

Founded in 1990 by Vicki and Sam Sebastiani (the winery’s moniker is an amalgam of their first names), this Tuscan-style hilltop estate features signature Sonoma Valley wines, including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Cab Franc. It also has a deli that sells excellent sandwiches and, sometimes, tours into the underground cellars. An old-world marketplace offers comprehensive wine tastings and plenty of fresh food samples. Walk-ins are welcome for tastings.