Free and Cheap Things to do in the Sonoma County, California Wine Country
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102 Free (and Cheap) Things to do in Sonoma County

Sonoma County has a reputation as being pretty pricey—and it can be. But it’s also blessed with mild weather, stunning scenery, and some great outdoor adventure, as well as a plethora of free events and music. Here’s a list of 102 free and cheap things to do in Sonoma County. (If you find 102 overwhelming, check out 10 free things in Bodega Bay, Cloverdale, Healdsburg, Petaluma, Sebastopol, Sonoma Valley, Santa Rosa, and Windsor.) This is just a taste of what’s available; one time events come up every day. Subscribe to SOTC for the latest free and cheap things to do in Sonoma County delivered to your inbox or RSS feed.

If you want to just see free things to do in a particular category, click on the category below and it will bring you down to that spot in the list.

Arts
Attractions, Sightseeing & Festivals
Food & Wine
History & Museums
Movies
Music
Outdoors

Arts

  • Check out the annual summer Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition in Cloverdale Plaza.
  • belltower 102 Free (and Cheap) Things to do in Sonoma County See the Tribute to the Children at the Bell Tower. Over 130 bells of various sizes (farm bells, school bells, ships, bells, church bells) were donated to this 18 foot tallmonument to Nicholas Green, a 7 year old Bodega Bay boy who was killed in Italy in 1994. It can be found next to the community center on the ocean side of Hwy 1 about 1½ miles north of the Bodega Bay Visitors Center.
  • Visit Paradise Ridge Winery‘s Marijke’s Grove Sculpture Garden, a wooded grove nestled among the oaks, on a ridge overlooking the Russian River Valley. Wednesday evenings they stay open for sunset watching.
  • Stroll Florence Ave, Sebastopol. This residential neighborhood is a veritable outdoor art exhibit with whimsical junk sculptures by Patick Amiot.
  • Appreciate art at the Petaluma Arts Council exhibits or at the Art Walk held every Second Friday downtown.
  • Check out the Healdsburg First Fridays Art Walk. On the first Friday of every month from May – December, 15 Galleries in Downtown Healdsburg  open their doors from 4 – 7 pm to welcome art, photography, music, food & wine enthusiasts. Healdsburg has the highest concentration of fine art galleries north of San Francisco.
  • Visit the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art (free admission on Sundays).
  • Stroll through Cornerstone Gardens, nine acres of garden installations created by the world’s leading landscape architects.
  • RRSquarerphoto 150x150 102 Free (and Cheap) Things to do in Sonoma County Hunt for Charlie Brown statues (also Snoopy, Woodstock, and Lucy statues).  In 2005, 55  five-foot tall, round-headed Charlie Brown statues weredecorated by artists and sold to local businesses or art patrons who scattered them about Sonoma County. In 2006 76 Woodstocks were created. In 2007, for “Joe Cool Summer” 95 Snoopy statues were created. This year was Lucy’s year. If you’re wondering why:  “Peanuts” creator Charles Schulz, who drew the Charlie Brown cartoons for nearly 50 years, lived in Sonoma County. These statues can be seen all over the county, so you can create your own scavenger/photo hunt: see how many you can find.
  • The Summer Shakespeare on the Green offers free plays on the Windsor Green for several summer weekends.
  • Indulge your literary side at the annual Sonoma County Book Festival (Sept).
  • Appreciate art at the Sebastopol Center for the Arts(ongoing exhibitions) or the Sebastopol Gallery.
  • snoopy rootbeer 102 Free (and Cheap) Things to do in Sonoma County Peruse Peanuts. The Charles M. Schultz Museum (across the street from the ice skating rink) is a fun outing. It has lots of Peanuts strips, but also exhibits of other cartoonists and frequent activities. It usually costs $10 for adults and $5 for kids and seniors, but it often runs free admission days.

Attractions, Sightseeing and Festivals

  • Take a tour of Raymond Burr’s Orchid Greenhouse at Raymond Burr Vineyards. Tours are available every Saturday and Sunday at 11am by appointment only. Call 1-888-900-0024 for reservations.
  • Take a Healdsburg Tree Walk. The Healdsburg Visitors Bureau has a map of 50 old growth trees in Healdsburg (many in or around the plaza). Take a map and stroll the area, tracking down the “Top 50 trees” in town.
  • bocceballlandmark 150x150 102 Free (and Cheap) Things to do in Sonoma County Learn to Play Bocce Ball. Then grab some balls and a picnic and head out to one of Bocce Ball Courts: try De La Montanya Winery, Armida Winery, Preston Vineyards, Davis Family Vineyards, Family Wineries, Pedronchelli. Landmark Winery, and Seghesio Family Vineyards or Vintage Oaks Park (1201 Mitchell Lane in Windsor) or Hiram Lewis Park (9680 Brooks Road S. in Windsor).
  • Enjoy a small town parade. One weekend in April every year, Sebastopol hosts the Sebastopol Apple Blossom Parade and neighboring Petaluma hosts the Butter & Eggs Day Parade. I keep hoping they’ll switch to different weekends, or at least run one on Saturday and the other on Sunday, but often you just have to choose.
  • The Fort Ross Cultural Heritage Day celebrates Russian heritage in California on the last Saturday in July every year.
  • Take a tour of  Canine Companions for Independence, where assistance dogs are trained as service, hearing, companion and facility dogs. Tours are Mondays and Wednesdays at 10 am and 2 pm 2965 Dutton Avenue (707) 577-1700.
  • Look to the skies at the Robert Ferguson Observatory, (in Sugarloaf Ridge State Park.) They offer public viewing usually for $3 a person, but occasionally for free. Parking is $8. While there, take the PlanetWalk, a scale model of the solar system designed to fit within the boundaries of Sugarloaf Ridge State Park. This “solar system” has been shrunk more than 2,360,000,000 times, small enough for the park to include the orbit of the most distant planet, Pluto, and large enough that the smallest planets could still be seen.  Robert Ferguson Observatory 2605 Adobe Canyon Road, Kenwood.
  • Explore the annual Bodega Bay Fisherman’s Festival. It’s usually held in April and includes a Blessing of the Fleet, wooden boat races, food and wine.
  • Landmarkhorse 150x150 102 Free (and Cheap) Things to do in Sonoma County Take a free horse-drawn wagon ride through the vineyards on Saturday mornings in the summer at Landmark Vineyards. They often have live music on Saturdays as well
  • Feel the small town love at Healdsburg’s annual Future Farmer’s Fair and Twilight Parade.(May)
  • The Santa Rosa Junior College Planetarium has free “First Friday” shows , but even on other days, it’s not too pricy: $5 General & $3 Students and Seniors (60+).( cash only)
  • The annual Handcar Regatta in Railroad Square (Sept) is free and lots of fun. Think of crowds in Steam punk costume and some truly entertaining hand powered rail car races.
  • wildlife 150x150 102 Free (and Cheap) Things to do in Sonoma County Take a guided tour of Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue and met a coyote and mountain lion or two. Saturdays in Summer at 10, 12 and 2 pm, in winter just at 2 pm. Suggested donation, $5 adults, $3 kids.
  • Every Halloween and Christmas, a family on Jose Ramon Ave in Santa Rosa puts on the most amazing light shows to celebrate the season. Cruise by after dark to check it out.

Food & Wine

  • cotatifarmersmarket 150x150 102 Free (and Cheap) Things to do in Sonoma County Check out one of Sonoma’s farmer’s markets for fresh local produce, music, art, and a real community spirit.
  • Go wine tasting. Most wineries now charge $5-$10 for tasting fees, but you can still find some that give free tastings, and even at $5 or $10 a pop, a couple wine tasting stops ant wineries, a scenic drive and a picnic in the garden of a winery is a lovely and not too-expensive way to spend a day.
  • Take a picnic and a drive through the scenic Alexander Valley. (There are some great wineries along the way, but I think they all charge tasting fees of $5-$10). You can find Alexander Valley winery maps here.
  • Take the free tour at Fritz Underground Winery, 24691 Dutcher Creek Road (Saturdays and Sundays only, reservations not necessary, but recommended 707-894-3389).
  • Take a free tour and tasting of Terra Bella Vista Extra Virgin Olive Oil‘s olive ranch in Santa Rosa. Reservations required. 707-586-3777
  • Picnic in a Winery (There are so many great picnic areas in wineries in Sonoma County it can be hard to chose, but here’s some kid friendly winery suggestions, and here is a winery picnic plan.)
  • Sip and swirl at the Hotel Healdburg’s free wine tastings Thursday and Fridays 3 pm to 5 pm.
  • figones olive 150x150 102 Free (and Cheap) Things to do in Sonoma County Take a free tour of Figone’s Olive Oil Company in Sonoma (reservations suggested.)
  • Is there anything better than free wine tasting? How about chocolate tasting? Wine Country Chocolates has two free tasting rooms, at The Jack London Village,14301 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen and at 14 First Street East, on the Sonoma Plaza.
  • Wine-d out? Stop by the Lagunitas Taproom and Beer Sanctuary. Don’t let the industrial park location scare you off, it’s a pleasant place to hang, and there’s often live music.
  • Stop by the Sonoma Cheese Factory for free samples of cheeses, fudge, or gelato. It’s also a great place to fortify the picnic basket.
  • Check out the free self-guided vineyard tours put out by the Sonoma County Vintners.
  • Do some wine tasting in Bella’s Wine Caves.
  • Take a free tour and taste some brie at the Marin French Cheese Factory (OK, I know it’s called Marin, but it’s actually on the Sonoma/Marin border…on the Petaluma side). It’s a nice stop if you’re on your way to Point Reyes.
  • Get a taste of the Mediterranean at the annual Glendi Food Festival (Sept.)
  • Pick up a Farm Trails map and go visit a farm, nursery or ranch.
  • Visit the Korbel Champagne Cellars en route to Armstrong Woods or the Russian River. Free Champagne tasting, a nice deli, and gardens to stroll around, and frequent free tours.
  • balloon 102 Free (and Cheap) Things to do in Sonoma County The Annual Sonoma County Balloon Festival (June) is a breathtaking sight.

History & Museums

  • Take a free walking tour of historic buildings. Maps available at the Cloverdale History Center at 215 North Cloverdale Blvd. While there, check out the exhibits in the historic Gould-Shaw House.
  • Visit the Healdsburg Hand Fan Museum. This quirky, but interesting museum of handheld fans shouldn’t take more than 20 minutes, but it’s just a block or so off the square, and worth a quick stop. Free admission.
  • Give yourself the shivers visiting the Potter Schoolhouse in Bodega (the schoolhouse in Hitchcock’s The Birds.)
  • Check out the West County Museum located in the historic P&SR Railroad Depot in Sebastopol. The building had been designed by Brainerd Jones, noted Petaluma based architect.
  • Take a free historical walking tour of Petaluma. Led by costumed docents, these are held Saturdays during the summer at 10 am leaving from the Petaluma Historical Museum at 20 4th St.
  • luther burbank daisies 384x 150x150 102 Free (and Cheap) Things to do in Sonoma County Visit the historic Luther Burbank Home & Garden.
  • Tour the Sonoma Mission and General Vallejos’ home. (Mission Tours: Friday, Saturday and Sunday: 11am, 12pm, 1pm and 2pm)
  • Tour the Bodega Marine Laboratory. Fridays, every half hour from 2-4 pm. for groups less than 10 people. Admission is free, but there is a suggested donation of $5. Take Hwy 1 past Tides Restaurant. Turn left onto Eastshore Road go to bottom of hill and turn right onto Bay Flat Road. Follow road around harbor. Gate to the Marine Lab is ½ mile past Westside Park.
  • Visit the Military Antiques Museum at 300 Petaluma Blvd. North in Petaluma.
  • Visit the Cloverdale Historical Murals on the north wall of the Sciaini Building at 124 S. Cloverdale Boulevard. The Murals depict early life in Cloverdale and were painted by local artists Marge and Jim Gray, Cathy Ferris, Al Delsid, and Ed Herman.
  • Stroll Santa Rosa’s McDonald Ave. to see historic mansions.
  • Petaluma adobe 102 Free (and Cheap) Things to do in Sonoma County Take a tour of Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park (Tours Saturdays and Sundays1 pm and 2pm)
  • Download a free MP3 audio tour of Petaluma.
  • Head to the Pacific Coast Air Museum. $5 adults kids under 12 free. On the First Thursday of the month, if you go between 11:30 an 1pm you get a free large hot dog, chips and soda with your admission. Go the first Saturday of the month between 11am and noon and there will be free aviation storytelling.
  • To get a feel for the viticultural history of the area, see the extensive display of photos by Victorian photographer Eadweard Muybridge from his “A Vintage in California” series (1870-71)  at the Museum on the grounds of the Bartholomew Park Winery.
  • Visit the Environmental Discovery Center at Spring Lake. Open to the public noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday – Sunday. Free admission with entry to Spring Lake. It offers multi-sensory, hands-on activities for people of all ages. Rotating exhibits focus on a different aspect of the natural resources of Sonoma County.
  • The House of Happy Walls Museum is a museum about author Jack London’s life  in, appropriately enough, Jack London State Historical Park. There are some nice hikes and the ruins of the huge Wolf House that the Londons built, but which burned down before they could move in.  Jack London is also buried there.
  • Visit the Watson School in Bodega (you can’t go inside, but you can walk around the 1 room schoolhouse built in 1856).
  • See the Missions Museum at Cline Cellar Winery.
  • fortross 102 Free (and Cheap) Things to do in Sonoma County People are often surprised by the Russian heritage in our area. Find out why at Fort Ross State Park (the annual Heritage Day in July is fun, too).
  • Take a half-mile trail in Stillwater Cove Regional  Park (16 miles north of Jenner) leading to the historic one-room Fort Ross Schoolhouse. Parking is $6 ( there is also a picnic area with a  view of the ocean here.)
  • Learn about our area’s Native American heritage at the California Indian Museum and Cultural Center. Hours:  Monday – Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Saturdays during lectures and special events or by appointment. Admission $7.00 for adults and $5.00 for Seniors and Children 5250 Aero Drive Santa Rosa (707) 579-3004

Movies

Music

  • Check out FNL (Friday Night Live, the free music series in downtown Cloverdale in the summer).
  • Enjoy the free Saturday Morning Music series at Aqus café in Petaluma.
  • musicinplazahealdsburg 150x150 102 Free (and Cheap) Things to do in Sonoma County Check out the Summer Music in the Plaza Series in Healdsburg. (Tuesdays from 6 pm to 8 pm in Summer, following the Farmer’s Market which runs 4 pm to 6pm)
  • Enjoy some music at the Summer on the Plaza Series (June 25-August 13) on Thursdays from 6:30 to 8 pm in the Sebastopol Plaza.
  • The Sonoma Valley Jazz Society hosts free monthly concerts from June through September. Appearing in the Plaza at the Tuesday evening Sonoma Farmers Market. Starts at 6 pm.
  • Cotati’s Annual Jazz & Art Festival (June) is free! (last year it included a piano drop picnic)

Outdoors

  • wale bodega 150x150 102 Free (and Cheap) Things to do in Sonoma County Watch for whales. (Jan-April) Try Bodega Head in Bodega Bay.
  • Go tubing or kayaking on the Russian River.
  • Hike in the Redwoods at Armstrong Woods State Park.
  • Fly a kite at Doran Regional Park. The Candy and Kites store hosts Friday Night Kite Flys Spring through September from 6 pm to 7 pm at Doran Beach Campground. Bring your own or try one of their demo kites. (Call 707-875-3777 to confirm they’re meeting on any particular Friday.) There is also an annual Sand Castles and Kites Day at Doran Regional Park in April.
  • goat rock 150x150 102 Free (and Cheap) Things to do in Sonoma County View harbor seal pups at Goat Rock (March-Sept).
  • Explore tide pools at low tide at Miwok, Carmet, Schoolhouse, and Shell Beaches.
  • Take a bike ride down very scenic and not so hilly Starr Road in Windsor.
  • View the wildflowers (Feb-June), whales, and sea lions along the short, popular (but somewhat hard to find) 2 mile long Bodega Head Loop Trail.  Take Highway One to Bodega Bay. Turn left on Bay Flat Rd, go about 4 miles. You’ll see a sign for Campbell Cove and the road takes a sharp right. Go uphill and bear right at the fork until you reach the free parking lot by the cliff. Be careful along the sandstone cliffs and overhangs, they are brittle and break off without warning. It can be very windy and foggy. Or you can see forever. It’s hard to say. Be thankful, no matter the weather, a nuclear power plant was once planned for this site. You can still see the “Hole in the Head” that was dug before Rose Gaffney successfully led environmentalist in opposition to a nuclear power plant built on the San Andreas fault.
  • Have a breakfast picnic at Goat Rock.
  • Explore the Yorty Creek Recreation area.  There’s picnicking, swimming, bank fishing, and car top boat launch. No lifeguard on duty, and no dogs allowed on the beach.
  • Bicycle the Red Winery Road in the Alexander Valley between Healdsburg and Geyserville. This route is mostly flat and peaceful, with little traffic and great scenery—majestic oaks and wineries, of course.
  • Hike to the top of Sugarloaf Ridge’s Bald Mountain. This is one of the prettiest viewpoints in the Bay Area. Only 2,729 feet high, the views include every significant wine country peak and valley. (Spring is best, the wildflowers are beautiful and the 6.2 mile hike can be hot and exposed in summer).
  • Mountain bike in Annadel State Park. Try the fun and fast South Burma trail, or if you’re an advanced rider, take the Two Quarry climb up to Warren Richardson, and then ride down Rough Go.
  • shollenberger 102 Free (and Cheap) Things to do in Sonoma County Birdwatch at Shollenberger Park in Petaluma.
  • Bicycle Spring Hill-Chileno Valley. This is a peaceful 30 mile ride with some moderate to strenuous climbs in the bucolic dairy lands along the border between Sonoma and Marin Counties.
  • Go birding at the Laguna de Santa Rosa Wetlands Preserve (the second largest freshwater wetland in  coastal North Califonia and habitat to over 200 species of birds.)
  • sonoambikepath 102 Free (and Cheap) Things to do in Sonoma County The Sonoma Bike Path is short but lovely. Starting at the Sonoma Plaza, ride one block North on 1st Street, and turn left onto the bike path. The paved path passes the historic Vallejo home on its way west and ends at Maxwell Farms Regional Park.
  • Swim at Spring Lake Lagoon. It’s a 3 acre swimming lagoon with sandy beach and concession stand.  The swimming lagoon is staffed by lifeguards and is open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Parking is $7.
  • Bike the Joe Rodota Trail (2.8 miles of paved trail that runs along an abandoned railroad line between Sebastopol and Santa Rosa.)
  • Explore Healdsburg’s Riverfront Regional Park, a 300-acre park next to the Russian River with two fishing ponds, trails, and a redwood grove picnic area.
  • Take the Bird Walk Coastal Access Trail along the salt marsh. 355 State Highway 1, north of the town of Bodega Bay. It’s a paved trail through an area that’s home to thousands of birds throughout the year. Parking $6.
  • Check out rhododendrons in bloom (usually in May) at Kruse Rhododendron State Reserve near Salt Point.
  • Spot Butterflies at Hallberg Butterfly Gardens Annual Open House. (It’s only open to group tours the rest of the year)
  • Visit Ragel Ranch Park in Sebastopol for a kid’s playground, dog park, nature trail and peace garden with a sculpture created by world-renowned artist, Masayuki Nagase. Parking $6.

Note:  Everything is subject to change. Please call ahead if possible to be sure whatever is listed here still is free or still exists. Otherwise, try to be flexible. I make no guarantees.