Spring in Sonoma: The Season Everyone Sleeps On (But You Shouldn't)
Here's what most people don't know about Sonoma in spring: it's actually the secret best time to visit. While everyone's fighting summer crowds, spring serves up wildflower-covered hillsides, golden mustard blooms carpeting the vineyards, and perfect weather for everything from hiking to wine tasting. The hills are their brightest green, wineries are relaxed, and there's zero stress about sold-out reservations.
Mustard Season Is Absolutely Stunning
From late February through April, vineyards across the valley explode in bright yellow blooms. Golden carpets of mustard stretch across rolling hillsides under brilliant blue skies, and wildflowers—poppies, lupines, native blooms—pop up on hiking trails and backroads. It's one of those California spring things that feels almost too perfect.
The Hiking Is Actually Incredible
Sonoma Overlook Trail is perfect if you want incredible views without an all-day commitment. Right in downtown Sonoma, this 2-mile round trip delivers panoramic views of vineyards, mountains, and the town below. Spring means green hills and wildflowers without the summer heat.
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park is where serious hikers go. Bald Mountain Trail—about 7 miles round trip with solid elevation gain—offers spectacular summit views. On clear spring days, you can see all the way to the Sierra Nevada. Spring also means the waterfalls are actually flowing.
Annadel State Park is massive: over 5,000 acres with 40+ miles of trails. Lake Ilsanovich sits in the middle, surrounded by wildflower-covered meadows. You can hike, mountain bike, or horseback ride for hours.
Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen lets you tour the Wolf House ruins, visit London's cottage and museum, and hike the Beauty Ranch Trail with sweeping valley views. Spring makes everything green and blooming, and it's way less crowded than the main wine tasting circuit.
If you're mixing hiking with wine tasting (the ideal day), having someone else handle the driving makes everything easier. We do custom nature-focused tours—trails in the morning, wineries in the afternoon, whatever works.
Sonoma International Film Festival
Late March brings five days of independent films, documentaries, world premieres, filmmaker Q&As, and winery parties. The festival's been running for over 25 years, and the combination of wine country and independent cinema just works. Tickets sell out for popular screenings, so plan ahead.
March 25-29, 2026
Easter Weekend Options
Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn goes all out: elegant brunch, live music, Easter egg hunt, and luxury resort vibes. Book spa treatments before or after to make it a full day.
Sonoma Plaza hosts a free, family-friendly community egg hunt with that small-town charm that makes Sonoma special.
Viansa Winery runs an egg hunt and brunch combo on their hilltop property with incredible valley views. Their Italian-inspired estate is beautiful, the brunch is legitimately good, and reservations fill up fast.
Sonoma County Restaurant Week (Feb 23 - March 1)
Dozens of restaurants offer prix fixe menus ($30-$60) during Restaurant Week. It's the perfect excuse to try Michelin-level spots, farm-to-table pioneers, and cozy bistros without the full sticker shock. Planning a food-focused day in Sonoma is just as valid as a wine-focused one—we've done food tours hitting three or four restaurants for small plates and tastings.
https://socorestaurantweek.org/
Mother's Day Spa Experiences
MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa in downtown Sonoma is the classic choice: historic estate, manicured gardens, heated pool, full-service spa. Their Mother's Day packages usually include treatments, champagne, and full amenities access.
Blush Day Spa in Kenwood offers a more intimate, boutique experience with organic treatments and excellent service.
Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary in Freestone is known for their unique Cedar Enzyme Bath (you're buried in heated cedar fiber and enzymes) and has a stunning Japanese meditation garden designed by a Kyoto-trained landscape architect. If you want a unique wellness experience, this is it.
You can build a whole Mother's Day around this: spa treatment in the morning, wine tasting and lunch in the afternoon, dinner somewhere special. Having transportation sorted means everyone actually relaxes instead of worrying about driving.
Why Spring Just Works
The weather is perfect—sunny and warm without being hot. The valley is at its most beautiful with everything green and blooming. Crowds are manageable, prices are better, and wineries and restaurants are way more relaxed. You get the full experience without the summer chaos.
How We Can Help
Yes, we do wine tours in our vintage VW buses, but we also do way more than wine. Morning hiking at Sugarloaf followed by afternoon wine tasting? Done. Food-focused days during Restaurant Week? We'll map it out. Spa treatments mixed with scenic wineries? Easy.
We offer book-by-the-seat tours through AirBnB Experiences for solo travelers and small groups, and private tours for groups up to 28 people where we customize everything. Your crew, your rules.
Spring in Sonoma is special—the valley's at its most beautiful, and there's this sense of possibility that comes with everything waking up. Whether you want to hike, eat, drink, relax, or mix it all together, this is the season. And if you want help making it happen without the logistics stress, that's what we're here for.
West Wine Tours
www.westwinetours.com
14301 Arnold Dr. Suite 3 Glen Ellen, CA 95442
(707)787-8141