Do you ever sense everything you read on Northern California’s “wine country” is just about that? The biggest reason people visit Sonoma County is the wine, wine tastings, pairings, food with wine cuisine, wine festivals and breweries. However, there’s so much to do without the alcohol. The amount to see and do without the alcohol would almost seem a shame to miss.
Just because you don’t drink, doesn’t mean it should stop you from visiting this glorious place. Chances are, you’ll most likely want to keep returning even if you don’t drink.
A Couple of Anglers in the Russian River under the Wholer Bridge
I hope these activities inspire your next trip. Whether it’s a total non-drinking trip or a partial wine tasting trip where you just need ideas without the tastings, this should guide you. We all know everyone comes for the cuisine.
Year-Round Travel Spot and Well-Rounded Destination
Sip cider on the Healdsburg or Sonoma town squares during the holidays among displays of lights, decorations, and songs of carolers strolling by. Holiday festivities didn’t start to happen until the 1920s in small towns across the U.S. and here in Sonoma County the festive celebrations during the holidays seem to take hold of this type of Norman Rockwell charm.
During the holidays, we stumbled on locals gathering in the town square to light candles and listen to carolers under a gazebo. In the distance, lighted store windows and vintage bazaars were greeted by warm, friendly store clerks.
Another great way to experience going back in time for this rich history is to drive through the country in a 1947 Packard Clipper convertible limousine. Rent one to drive to dinner or just to experience the California sunsets in the country. These drivers said when parties go wine tasting, they often miss out on the sunsets right after they’ve been dropped off.
If you love the ocean, enjoy the crabs at Bodega Bay where you can pick your own crabs if you so wish to be crabby (as they say here), or enjoy a festival. You can enjoy clam chowder and seafood from nearby coastal towns throughout the year.
The fishing villages on the water are a great way to enjoy an escape too with picnic tables along the bay to enjoy fish, clam chowder or oysters.
Tomales Bay Fish
Maybe you love flowers instead. Visit the mustard flowers that transform the vineyards from January through March. You’ll find a sea of yellow mustard flowers spread throughout valley. They lie in between each line of vines in the vineyards for a spectacular display. Not to mention the roads are typically lined with wildflowers too.
Did you wish you were in Europe? Visit the lavender fields in June similar to what you might find in Provence, France. During lavender season, you’ll discover lavender festivals. A popular lavender field to visit is at Matanzas Creek near highway 12 where you can sit on an Adirondack and take in the view and the scents.
Matanzas Creek picnic tables under an oak tree.
Enjoy the Russian River in the summer when time stands still. No one keeps time here. There’s not a hint of what day it is and the memory comes flashing back when your only responsibility was to feed the dog and do your homework. Sit on Johnson’s Beach on the river rocks or take a kayak out in the water. I loved this. The idea of wine tasting hadn’t even crossed my mind.
Johnson Beach photo
Whatever you do, don’t miss appreciating this river in some kind of fashion. Even driving over the historic Wohler Bridge, you’ll find the bridge is timeless.
Old vintage cars crossing the bridge
Do you like to pose for Instagram? If you don’t think leaves turn colors in the Fall in California, you’re in for a breathtaking show.
One of the best scenic photography moments was in front of the Stonestreet winery in the Alexander Valley. As we drove through via a caravan, we lit up our phones and texts like, “turn around!” “Did you see that?” “Wow!” “Amazing” and each car made a U-turn, parked, and each person got out their phones and cameras. It was a treasure trove of photo stock.
The possibilities are really endless here especially if you like the outdoors. Why leave this only for wine drinkers?
“Have a specialty virgin cocktail with flowers, herbs and a hint of Jazmine, Vertiver or Mint. What a way to ruin a good afternoon strolling through a garden. ”
A Break From the Wine Tasting
You like the wine but not all day and all night for 3 to 5 days straight.
My new bike at the Nest you can now use.
Many tours offer tastings to cater to the wine drinkers but unlike bike riding, horseback riding, tours, and balloon rides that typically all come with some kind of wine tasting, don’t miss out on all the other options there are. We fell in love with wine country primarily for what it has to offer other than wine tasting.
Pick up some farm fresh eggs from a vending machine.
Sonoma County has such a relaxing appeal that doing yoga in the vineyards to release tension is more than this; it’s about reconnecting with yourself. When driving through the country you’re already preparing yourself for your time at the spa. And when arriving at the popular Osmosis Spa for a relaxing mud bath, you’re halfway there to reconnecting with yourself.
If you don’t want to drive that far or pay that much, have tea at The Taste of Tea in Healdsburg. They offer a spa, food, AND tea. Owned by a Japanese family, it is highly regarded for they’re food and tea. There is also a shop for fine teas to purchase.
Go ziplining above or through the redwoods to experience why these redwood trees are so iconic in California. What’s remarkable are the choices you get. Zipline at the top of the forest, through the forest or at night. Wow.
Sonoma County is not just about wine tasting.
Oliver’s cheese section is filled with local cheeses.
Other ideas are cheese, oyster, and olive oil tastings.
California is also known for its cheeses but if you want THEEE cheese experience, create your own digital map here and plan a cheese tasting.
There are cheese factories that do tours, tastings, and classes. California is known for its cheese, and Sonoma County is where you’ll find it’s hub.
Are you a reader? Check out Jack London State Park where you can walk through his house seeing how he lived in the 19th century where he and his wife used to have people over.
Do you remember Charlie Brown? Don’t forget to walk through the Charles Schultz museum.
Don’t like museums or the great outdoors but would rather shop? In Healdsburg, you can shop til you drop. Healdsburg is a fabulous place to shop. From antiques to vintage finds, high-end retail, art galleries, and books.
Healdsburg photo
A great place to shop is Locals Tasting Room in Geyserville where you can choose to have a wine tasting for free but feel free to shop for shoes at the same time.
There is a lot to discover in Healdsburg but if you like funky bohemian, Sebastapol is a better bet for shopping.
An Experience For All
Whether it’s a matter of choice or not, there are experiences for all if you ever wondered about visiting “wine country” if you don’t drink.
Maybe some of you just choose not to go wine tasting and therefore never give this amazing travel destination a shot. Others can’t even be around it but regardless, it’s not a problem my friends.
If it’s a matter of choice and one of you just doesn’t like wine, many of the experiences can be enjoyed by all. Everyone can enjoy the same experience.
Whether you drink or not, everyone can enjoy a view, sitting by the creek, mesmerizing under the redwoods, and kayaking down a river. You can either choose to sip or not to sip with all of these experiences.
Nevertheless, you’ll all experience and share the great outdoors. Hence, life does open up for all.
If some of you will be tasting and others won’t be, plan your tasting experience with the actual experience in mind. Even if no one drinks, visit a park with views, have a picnic in an unusual setting. At Riverfront Regional Park you can sit under the redwoods in a living room-style seating area with low seats and a coffee table made out of wood.
I thought that was just cool.
You’ll find yourself always looking up in the redwoods.
I know I write a lot about these amazing redwoods but if you’ve never experienced walking under these beauties, you should. They’re so tall and the smell of cedar is cleaner than walking through a perfumery. What’s important to discover however is a time to contemplate how small we really are in this world.
The weather is just crisp enough to wear a wind jacket and a beanie. We can all share the same experience and enjoy the beauty of this glorious place. (Did I already write that?)
Don’t just think you’ll be walking into a tasting room where one person will not enjoy it as much because they’re not tasting. Reserve something unique with an incredible experience that comes with the tasting if you have to (but who says you have to?) Think of all the ways you can enjoy California country (not necessarily wine country).
Who goes to France just for their wines?
Whenever you decide to go, your trip could be custom-made to places you find most appealing to your taste too (which is another option). So just ask! And actually, I would recommend you do ask to choose exactly what the doctor ordered.
And I’m sure you’re like the rest of us that need a little reconnecting with ourselves and the outdoors. Life truly does open up - for all!
Always know you have a home to come to.
What are your favorite activities you like to do besides wine tasting?
Let me know below.
Cheers!