You might have come for the wine, but there are plenty of other things to do in Sonoma County. This part of California is known for its show of wildflowers that begin to bloom in the spring, blanketing meadows, forests, mountain and vineyards with blues, purples, pinks, and oranges until fall.
Sure, you can get see colorful blooms while exploring wineries and hiking mountains, but one of the guaranteed ways to see a variety of California species up close is by embarking on one – or more – or the many flower tours in Sonoma County. Below, we’ve featured four must-visit flower tours nearby Sonoma County vacation homes.
Russian River Rose Company
This Healdsburg plant nursery has been growing lush gardens over flowers for almost 30 years. Located in the heart of wine country, this nursery specializes in northern California roses that grow in the same climate as grapevines. Russian River Rose Company has more than 650 varieties, including large, climbing species that cover gates and sheds to mini roses that grow bush-like, reaching just six inches.
Take a perfume rose harvest tour, during which you’ll learn about the distilling process that creates rose water and oil. Alternatively, visit the nursery April through May to see a selection of roses, with a focus on rare and specialty varieties. You can also visit the Show Garden, which includes a Rose History Trail and a Butterfly Garden.
Self-guided tour maps are available for $2.
Garden Valley Ranch
This organic farm is located in Petaluma and offers private group tours, as well as an occasional art and design workshops. The standard tour is about an hour long, taking you by foot through the farm’s rose fields. Your guide will educate you on the ins and outs of a working farm, rose varieties, and Garden Valley history, as well as show you the Fragrant Garden and Carriage House.
Workshops include do-it-yourself floral crowns and other wearables, as well as a repurposed-wood sign-making activity.
Quarryhill Botanical Garden
Quarryhill Botanical Garden has a variety of plants from all over the world, with a special focus on plants from East Asia. The Asian Woodland Garden is spread across the foothills of the Mayacama Mountains and is mostly left to grow wild. Walk the garden’s miles of trails, enjoy a moment by a tranquil pond, and take in the stunning views of Sonoma Valley.
Be sure to visit Jane’s Garden, the Chinese Rose Garden, and Stewertia Grove while you’re there. A Quarryhill app is available for self-guided tours in one of the most biologically diverse places in the region.
Quarryhill also has a nursery that is home to thousands of plants, some of which are to be added to the garden, and some of which are sold to the public. While staying at a Sonoma County vacation rental, you’ll want to get out and enjoy the region’s stunning natural beauty. Quarryhill offers opportunities for walking, hiking, birding, and nature photography.
The botanical garden is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and general admission is $12.
Cornerstone Sonoma
Cornerstone Sonoma is a garden and marketplace with an on-site restaurant, shop, and wine-tasting room, as well as a large outdoor area, Cornerstone Gardens.
Cornerstone Gardens offers a modern take on traditional botanical gardens. These constantly changing gardens are reminiscent of a modern art museum, with unique designs and landscaping. Designated as space where art, architecture, and nature converge, Cornerstone Gardens is an innovative space that is great for both adults and kids to enjoy and explore.
You can also visit the adjacent Sunset Gardens, which feature plants typically found in cocktails, dried for tea leaves, and cultivated to be used in kitchens. Admission to both of these gardens is free and open to the general public. Private tours can be booked by contacting Cornerstone.
Wine Country Life Vacations Homes offer the perfect solution for your Sonoma County headquarters. Enjoy a full day of activities and come home to your very own Sonoma County vacation rental – fully equipped and ready to enjoy. To learn more, browse our list of available homes.
