Marin & beyond 

While wine country may the first thing that comes to mind when we think of Sonoma, the laid-back Russian River Valley is worth a weekend visit to explore its lush scenery, top notch restaurants and wineries, and eccentric spirit. 

This curated guide highlights my Russian River Valley favorites with plenty of recs for a long weekend trip. Unlock it to access:

🛌 Places to stay: boutique hotels, glamping, airbnbs
🍽 Places to eat
🛶 Things to do: outdoor activities, wineries, wellness
🌳 Essential destination tips
🍷 Lifetime updates including new places and deeper insights without paying more later

This guide does not include Healdsburg or Santa Rosa. For recommendations in those areas, take a look at The Sonoma List in my California shop. 

Russian River Valley AVA, CA, USA

Guerneville, CA, USA

Russian River Valley Black Book

Sebastopol

Freestone

Sonoma

Guerneville

Santa Rosa

Healdsburg

Sonoma County

How to visit Northern California’s wine country! 

Includes recommendations for Napa & Sonoma and surrounding areas! 

Check out the best wineries, restaurants & more! 

Napa Valley, CA, USA

Sonoma, CA, USA

Napa, CA, USA

Northern California |  Wine Country 

Mill Valley

Fairfax

San Francisco

Point Reyes Station

Inverness

Lagunitas-Forest Knolls

Marshall

Honeymoon 

This board has numerous food, wine and to do’s all along the coastal region all the way inward to Santa Rosa and Healdsburg. Great multi day getaways in this less busy wine region and smaller towns. 

Sebastopol, CA, USA

Russian River, California, USA

Bodega Bay, CA, USA

Northern California, CA, USA

Sonoma County, CA, USA

Tomales Bay, California, USA

Dillon Beach, CA, USA

Healdsburg, CA, USA

Sonoma Coast and beyond 

Embark on a four-day journey through the enchanting landscapes of Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley with this exclusive travel guide. This guide offers expert recommendations on must-visit wineries, providing a curated selection that caters to diverse palates. I keep coming back to wine country and below are the hidden gems I've found along the way. Cheers to a perfect four days in Napa and Sonoma! 

Yountville, CA, USA

4 Days in California Wine Country: Hidden Gems Edition

The tranquil counties of California's North Coast and Wine Region are emphasized by mammoth tree forests that yield to the great Pacific Ocean's rocky shoreline while farms and vineyards roll across inland hills. 

History about the natives and original settlers gives a bit of context to this serene region. Experience redwood forests, a sublime Pacific coastline, nature preserves, organic farms and creameries, pastoral wine and olive country, and world-class restaurants, inns, and spas. 

Feel a sense of awe in the collective of Redwoods National and State Parks, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Del Norte and Humboldt Counties. Mendocino County is also heavily forested with redwoods and a stunning coastline, while inland to its east, Lake County takes its name from Clear Lake, the largest natural lake completely in California.

Sonoma and Napa Counties may be most famous for their world-class winemakers and are also considered to be part of the San Francisco Bay Area, but most of Sonoma County fits into the North Coast and both counties feel uniquely separate from (and more relaxed than) the bustling Bay Area.

List of Places per County: Del Norte (12) + Humboldt (23) + Mendocino (31) + Lake (6) + Sonoma (38) + Napa (19)

Inspired California: North Coast + Wine Country

Some stops for you along the 1/101. Trails, shops, restaurants, breweries… and a Bigfoot Museum, for good measure. I’d recommend looking at this via the map view for some sense of direction.

Hotel confirmations have all been forwarded to your email. Confirmations numbers & contact info are under each hotel (bottom of the list). If you ever need anything or any advice — I am just a little beep boop bop on the phone away. Have the best time. 🫶

Ilana & Jeremy’s Redwoods Road Trip

Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve

Located close to Guerneville, Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve boasts 805 acres of redwoods and a variety of easy to strenuous hiking trails. Go in the morning before the atmospheric fog burns off and head to the river or the coast around Jenner for the rest of the day.

If you're looking for something short and easy, take the 1.7 Pioneer Nature Trail that winds past the oldest and tallest trees in the grove.




A hidden gem! You can pull right up to the entrance and then see the whole forrest on foot. The paths are all flat and maintained. These trees are magical! 

Armstrong Redwoods features a small but attractive old-growth redwood grove in a canyon just north of the Russian River and

Use the ultimate guide below to walk among lush ferns and giant trees at this 805-acre park.

Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve

About Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve

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