Every summer, we say we’re going to do more of the things that make living here so special. And every summer, somehow, August arrives before we’ve made it to half of them.
So consider this your friendly nudge. We put together a Sonoma County Summer Bucket List — not for the tourists, but for us. The people who live here and still sometimes forget to take full advantage of it.
🌄 Get Outside
Zip Through the Redwoods at Sonoma Zipline Adventures
Seven zip lines, two footbridges, speeds up to 40 mph, and the kind of afternoon that your friends will be jealous of. It’s been there in Occidental the whole time — have you actually done it?
Float Down the Russian River
A self-guided canoe or kayak trip, a sandbar, a cooler, and nowhere to be. The Russian River in summer is one of those things that reminds you exactly why you live here.
Stargaze at Robert Ferguson Observatory
On select summer nights, volunteer astronomers at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park open up their high-powered telescopes to the public. It’s free, it’s stunning, and it’s the kind of local gem most people don’t know about until they’ve lived here for years.
Get Out on the Petaluma River
The Floathouse has been quietly running one of the county’s best summer calendars — and if you haven’t checked it lately, it’s worth a look. Full moon paddles, SUP yoga, Thursday sunset paddles with snacks on the dock, a River History Paddle with costumed guides, and the beloved Bands on the Basin on July 11 — still the only Sonoma County concert you can attend by boat. The Petaluma River is underrated and this summer is a great excuse to get out on it.
Go Glamping — It’s Better Than You Think
Sonoma County’s glamping scene is one of the best in California, and most locals haven’t fully explored it. A few favorites: AutoCamp in Guerneville with sleek Airstreams tucked into a redwood grove; Safari West in Santa Rosa on a 400-acre African wildlife preserve with the very real possibility of being woken up by a giraffe; and Wildhaven Sonoma with safari-style tents steps from the Russian River. There are several more great options across the county — check the full guide and pick your adventure.
🍽️ Eat & Drink Something New
The North Coast Wine & Food Festival — June 13, 2026 | Luther Burbank Center, Santa Rosa
Over 100 gold-medal wines and 20 of the county’s top chefs, all in one afternoon. If you haven’t been, this is the year. If you have, you already know.
Rediscover Locals Tasting Room in Geyserville
Nearly 80 wines — free to taste, no appointment, no pressure. Open Wednesday through Sunday. One of the county’s best-kept secrets, hiding in plain sight.
Hit a Winery — But Not Like That
Wineries have quietly reinvented themselves this summer and it’s worth paying attention. Forget the formal tasting room. B.R. Cohn is doing live music on the lawn every weekend all summer with local food trucks and panoramic vineyard views — no reservation required, just show up. Paradise Ridge runs their “Wines & Sunsets” series every Wednesday evening with gourmet food trucks and live music. Cline Cellars hosts Friday Jams — a happy hour on the 3rd Friday of the month with local artists and food truck bites. Rodney Strong’s summer concert series brings touring musicians to the vineyard green with chairs and blankets welcome. This is winery culture the way it should be — relaxed, social, and actually fun.
The Gravenstein Apple Fair — August 8–9, 2026 | Ragle Ranch Park, Sebastopol
53 years in and still the best kind of summer Saturday. Local food, cider tastings, live music, farm exhibits, and all the good vibes you’d expect from something that’s been a county institution since 1973. Grab tickets early — prices go up after August 7th.
🎨 Feed Your Soul
Country Summer Music Festival — June 12–14, 2026 | Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Santa Rosa
Northern California’s biggest country music festival is back for a full weekend at the Fairgrounds with Keith Urban, Cole Swindell, Koe Wetzel, and more than 20 artists across two stages. Line dancing, local food and drink, on-site camping, and the kind of energy that kicks summer off right. Even if country isn’t your usual thing, this one is hard not to love.
The Healdsburg Jazz Festival — June 12-21, 2026 | Healdsburg
World-class jazz in one of the most beautiful settings in the county. This year’s festival is reportedly its most ambitious program yet. If jazz is your thing — or even if it isn’t quite — this one tends to convert people.
Broadway Under the Stars — Don’t Miss the 15th Season — June–August 2026 | Field of Dreams, Sonoma
Transcendence Theatre Company’s landmark 15th season brings Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations (June 12–28), Radio Recall (July 10–12), and Mamma Mia! (August 14–30) to the Field of Dreams. Arrive at 5pm for the pre-show picnic — local food, wine, and live music on the lawn before the show. If you’ve been before, you know. If you haven’t, fix that this summer.
Summer at the Green Music Center — July–September 2026 | Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park
One of Sonoma County’s most underappreciated summer venues. This year’s lineup: Gin Blossoms, Blues Traveler & Spin Doctors (July 17), Wynonna Judd & Melissa Etheridge (July 18), Trombone Shorty & St. Paul and the Broken Bones (August 16), and Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo’ (September 5). Bring a blanket, sit on the lawn, and enjoy one of the best summer evenings in the county.
Free Concerts All Summer Long — Take Your Pick
There’s no shortage of free live music this summer. The Krush 95.9 Backyard Concerts run Thursdays from June 25 through August 28 at the station’s backyard in Santa Rosa — all ages, no tickets, food trucks on-site, doors at 5:30pm. The Santa Rosa Wednesday Night Market brings live music to Old Courthouse Square every Wednesday from May 13 through August 12, 5–9:30pm, with dozens of food vendors and 7,000+ of your neighbors. Windsor’s Summer Nights on the Green runs Thursdays June 4 through August 27 on the Town Green — a lower-key, family-friendly evening with concerts, farmers market vendors, and lawn games. And Sonoma Sundays on the Plaza is back every Sunday through early October at the Grinstead Amphitheatre. Pick your Wednesday, pick your Thursday, and go.
The Hot Air Balloon Classic — July 18–19, 2026 | Santa Rosa
Wake up early. Watch hundreds of balloons rise over the county. Take a tethered ride if you’re feeling bold. Some things are classics for a reason.
The Sonoma County Fair — August 7–16, 2026 | Santa Rosa
The Hall of Flowers, carnival rides, local art, live entertainment, fair food, and that particular feeling of summer you can’t quite get anywhere else. A tradition worth keeping.
☀️ Make a Day of It
Sometimes the best summer day is a slow, unplanned one right here in the county. A few ideas worth bookmarking:
The Barlow in Sebastopol
A 12-acre open-air marketplace built inside a former apple-processing plant — wineries, breweries, a distillery, award-winning restaurants, artisan makers, and a dog-friendly vibe that’s hard not to love. New energy this summer, including a Summer Solstice Weekend Celebration (June 19–21) with BBQ, concerts, and more. Worth a fresh visit if it’s been a while.
Morton’s Warm Springs in Glen Ellen
Three geothermal mineral pools (no chlorine, no sulfur smell), Sonoma Creek running through the property, shaded picnic grounds, and a genuinely peaceful afternoon waiting for you. Pack a lunch, bring the family, and stay all day.
A Day in Guerneville
Guerneville in summer is pure Sonoma County at its most itself. Johnson’s Beach, an inner tube, and absolutely no agenda — then a wander down Main Street and into Armstrong Redwoods if you’ve still got energy.
Valley Ford — Sonoma County’s Smallest Town with Outsized Charm
Blink and you’ll miss it, but don’t. A tiny community with outsized character, a great local bar scene, and a buzzy new restaurant called Farrell that’s worth the detour.
Sonoma Coast on a Weekday
On a Tuesday, when the tourists are gone and the fog lifts by noon. Start at Bodega Head, where trails lead to small sandy coves and spectacular views — perfect for a picnic with a bottle of something cold. Head north to Wright’s Beach for one of the most beautiful stretches of sand on the coast, with easy access to the Kortum Trail — dramatic bluff-top walking between Wright’s Beach and Goat Rock with sea stacks, harbor seals, and the Pacific crashing below you the whole way. Continue up to Salt Point State Park near Jenner for 20 miles of trails and secluded picnic spots with magnificent ocean views. Pack a lunch, pull over often, and remember that most people have to travel hours to get here.
Whatever ends up on your list — we hope this summer is one of the good ones.
Wishing you a wonderful summer,