Sonoma County Bed and Breakfast

While you may be visiting the Sonoma County wine country to enjoy some of the fabulous wineries of the region, you can add to your wine country experience by staying at one of the charming bed and breakfast inns located in the area. When you stay at a bed and breakfast (also nicknamed a B&B), you can begin and end your day in a charming and intimate atmosphere that is special to this type of lodging. Most bed and breakfast's are nestled among some of the local residences and vineyards, often off the beaten path with a home town feel. The hosts of bed and breakfast inns are typically local residents themselves who love the area and provide genuine hospitality and can pass on helpful information of the surrounding area.

There are a variety of bed and breakfast inns throughout Sonoma County. While the city of Santa Rosa is the hub of the county, the wineries and bed and breakfast's in the county extend north up the Hwy 101 corridor to the towns of Windsor, Healdsburg, and Geyserville, or southeast along Hwy 12 as it makes it way to Kenwood, Glen Ellen, and the city of Sonoma. Whether you travel to the Sonoma Valley or to the western part of the county and out to the Russian River area, you will be close to rolling vineyards and beautiful wineries.

Bed and Breakfast Tradition

Staying at a bed and breakfast is a time-honored tradition, as travelers in the past would often seek lodging at a private home as they traveled thru the area. In those bygone days, it was more of an informal arrangement, and travelers would usually stay at a home based on comparable social rank or mutual acquaintance. Staying at a bed and breakfast today is a bit more pre-planned and professional, but the bed and breakfast experience is still special and offers a local, hometown ambiance.

Most bed and breakfast locations today are older, attractive homes that have been turned into places of lodging for travelers. Many times the homes are reminiscent of another era, and have been renovated and furnished with antique furniture. Guests stay in private rooms, some rooms have private baths and some do not. Many bed and breakfast rooms are very luxurious and elegant. Breakfast is usually offered in the morning, anywhere from a light continental breakfast to a full breakfast feast. Some B&B's also offer a light menu in the evening, focusing on local Sonoma County fruits, cheeses, crackers, and wine. Many times the B&B is owned and operated by a family that lives in the home as well.

Making Reservations

Most times advance reservations are necessary to get a room in a bed and breakfast location. Most B&B's only accommodate about 10-15 guests, making it best to make reservations ahead of time. Many Sonoma County B&B's can be found on the internet, just by searching for the keywords Sonoma County Bed and Breakfast. Many bed and breakfast inns also belong to B&B associations and travel associations which provide travel guides and various books on areas of interest. If you are working with a travel agent, they should also be able to offer suggestions and recommendations to bed and breakfast choices in Sonoma County.

When making reservations, it is always a good idea to double-check their policy for occupancy during the day. While reservations can be made for one night or multiple nights, some B&B's expect their guests to be gone during the day. Even if this is the case, it is rarely inconvenient as most guests plan on pursuing other activities during the day.

Sonoma County Activities

Sonoma County offers a variety of ways to spend your day, from the beaches, to the redwoods, to charming towns, and a vast array of wineries and vineyards. Activities offered include hot air balloon rides, golf courses, biking, canoeing, shopping, spas, and of course, wine tours. In Santa Rosa, you may want to visit the Schultz Museum and Snoopy's Gallery. If you take a drive out to the Russian River area, you can stop for a picnic lunch at the Korbel Vineyards. If you drive up to Healdsburg, you can enjoy walking around town with their shops, tasting rooms, or pampering yourself with a spa treatment. You will also enjoy the day if you drive out to the historic town of Sonoma, and walk around the town square visiting tasting rooms, shops, and the historic Sonoma Mission. Sonoma County has a bountiful array of ways to spend the day, and the wine country experience will be complete when you spend your night at any one of the Sonoma County Bed and Breakfast's located in the area.