Sonoma Golf Trip Planning Guide
Sonoma is Napa's mellower neighbor — a historic plaza ringed with bars and restaurants, plus a spread of public golf from the redwoods of Healdsburg to the marshes of Sonoma. Less buttoned-up, just as much wine, and easier on the wallet.
Quick Facts
Spring, Summer, Fall
STS (35 min drive)
$35–$200
$350/night
4 of 5
~$321/person
Sample 3-Day Itinerary
Here's a realistic 3-day itinerary for a group golf trip to Sonoma. Every venue below is real and pulled from our curated database — no filler.
Day 1
Northwood Golf Club — parkland, $40–$70 · 4.6★
Alister MacKenzie 9-holer among the Russian River redwoods — a unique bucket-list curiosity
The Girl & The Fig — farm to-table, $$$ · 4.5★
French country cooking on the Sonoma plaza — a wine-country dinner that handles a crew
Steiner's Tavern — dive · Open late
Oldest bar in Sonoma right on the plaza — sports, cheap beer, and a local crowd
Day 2
Sonoma Golf Club — parkland, $150–$200 · 4.5★
Classic 1920s parkland layout that hosted the PGA Tour Champions — accessible via Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn stays
Sonoma Valley Wine Tour — full day, $70–$200/pp
Zin and cab across Glen Ellen and Kenwood with a driver — the wine-country rest day
El Dorado Kitchen — upscale, $$$ · 4.5★
Plaza-side California cooking with a buzzy bar and courtyard — central and group-friendly
Hopmonk Tavern Sonoma — brewpub · Open late
Beer garden and live-music venue on the plaza edge — group taps and a stage
Day 3
Windsor Golf Club — parkland, $45–$85 · 4.4★
Former Nationwide Tour host north of Santa Rosa — well-conditioned and a great value
Russian River Kayak / Float — half day, $40–$80/pp
Paddle or float the Russian River with a cooler in summer — redwoods and beaches
Mary's Pizza Shack — italian, $$ · 4.4★
Sonoma-founded pizza institution — big tables, pitchers, and an easy post-round dinner
Sigh Champagne Bar — cocktail
Bubbles-focused plaza bar — a fun, different start to the night
Course-by-Course Guide
Sonoma has 5 courses worth playing. 4 are walkable if you want to save on cart fees.
Where to Stay
Sonoma has 2 group-friendly lodging options in our database, starting at $350/night for the whole house. Several options include hot tubs — a non-negotiable for most groups.
$500–$1800 /night
Sonoma plaza or the hills toward Glen Ellen and Kenwood — cottages or vineyard estates
$350–$750 /night
Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn — spa resort with access to Sonoma Golf Club
Group Dining Guide
4 restaurants vetted for group golf trips. Several can handle large parties without a reservation headache.
The Girl & The Fig
$$$French country cooking on the Sonoma plaza — a wine-country dinner that handles a crew
El Dorado Kitchen
$$$Plaza-side California cooking with a buzzy bar and courtyard — central and group-friendly
Mary's Pizza Shack
$$Sonoma-founded pizza institution — big tables, pitchers, and an easy post-round dinner
Sonoma's Best Cocina
$$Casual Mexican with a patio — tacos and margaritas to fuel the plaza crawl
Nightlife
4 bars curated for groups. 3 stay open past midnight.
Steiner's Tavern
Late nightOldest bar in Sonoma right on the plaza — sports, cheap beer, and a local crowd
Hopmonk Tavern Sonoma
Late nightBeer garden and live-music venue on the plaza edge — group taps and a stage
Sigh Champagne Bar
Bubbles-focused plaza bar — a fun, different start to the night
Murphy's Irish Pub
Late nightPlaza Irish pub with a back garden and live music — pints and trivia
Activities Beyond Golf
4 off-course activities for rest days or afternoons.
Sonoma Valley Wine Tour
Zin and cab across Glen Ellen and Kenwood with a driver — the wine-country rest day
Russian River Kayak / Float
Paddle or float the Russian River with a cooler in summer — redwoods and beaches
Healdsburg Tasting Crawl
Walkable square ringed with tasting rooms 30 minutes north — top-tier pinot and zin
Sonoma Plaza Beer & Bites
Graze the historic plaza's breweries and cheese shops on arrival day
Getting There
Fly into Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport (STS) — it's a 35-minute drive to Sonoma. For groups of 8+, consider booking a shuttle or party bus from the airport (local providers include Beau Wine Tours and Pure Luxury Transportation). Renting two SUVs usually works for groups of 4-8.