I’m kind of embarrassed to admit this- My family and I have been to Napa more times than I can count. But in all those visits to wine country, we never ventured westward to the neighboring area of Sonoma County.
Let me clarify. Have we ever been to Sonoma County? Yes. Several times! One of our favorite camping spots is in Bodega Bay. But when you see on a map just how close Sonoma County is to Napa, it makes absolutely no sense why we haven’t added it to our rotation.
Well, all of that is about to change.
We recently had the opportunity to experience Sonoma County’s Holidays Along the Farm Trails. This free event is held annually and goes from November 14th through January 1st. Think of it as a self-guided tour of all that Sonoma has to offer whether it be a winery, a farm, or other agricultural business.
We made a weekend out of it and had the best time exploring together as a family. A huge bonus we weren’t expecting was the educational aspect of each vendor. We learned so much from each stop (a big plus for homeschoolers) and we made a ton of new memories.
If you plan on experiencing this event, I highly recommend staying at Fairfield Inn & Suites of Sebastopol. The location lends easy access to all of the destinations. It’s family friendly, has a heated pool and comes with complimentary breakfast. To book a room, click here.
Here are some of the wonderful locations we were able to visit on Holidays Along the Farm Trails.
Oak Hill Farm
If you’re looking for a unique handmade wreath, this is where you’ll want to go. Come early before they’re all gone. They also offer seasonal produce and flower bouquets. Oak Hill Farm has been around for more than 50 years. Everyone we talked to around town was familiar with their rustic 100 year old barn. To find Oak Hill Farm’s store hours, click here.
Larson Family Winery
Larson Family Winery has it all figured out when it comes to combining the wine tasting experience with a family friendly atmosphere. Cheers to that! They have a large outdoor space complete with a bocce ball court and several cornhole boards. It was nice to be able to get a glass and head straight outside to let the children play. It was the best of both worlds! You can shop their fabulous wines here.
We were lucky enough to be in town to attend The Goat Farm’s Annual Holiday Open House. Mindy Wright is the woman behind the handmade farmstead goat milk soaps. She welcomed us into her beautiful home and showed us her work space where the soaps were beautifully displayed. Mindy also offers workshops where she shares the art of soap making. You can learn more about her workshops and events here.
Garlock Christmas Tree Farm
Keith Garlock runs an amazing tree farm and it’s obvious he is passionate about his trees. Make sure to give yourself plenty of time when visiting the farm located off of Bloomfield Road. There’s a lot more to do than picking out a tree. On the weekends, there’s a petting zoo and a complimentary hayride for the family. You might even see Santa and get a chance to tell him what you want for Christmas. For more info, click here.
Monte Bellaria di Califonia
If you love lavender or just love pretty things, you have got to visit Monte Bellaria di California. The name means “mountain of beautiful air” and it was AH-mazing! Bill MacElroy, owner of Monte Bellaria di California, was able to share with us all of the offerings made right there on the property from lavender salves, olive oil and honey! We are excited to visit again in the summer months during high bloom season. Check out their upcoming events here.
A special thanks to Mili Gomez and team from Holly Hansen PR for putting together such a memorable weekend!
