Overview
Kenwood is a small town in Sonoma County. Between Santa Rosa and Sonoma on CA-12, Kenwood is in California's wine country, and it developed during the late 19th century during a period when the name of the town was changed multiple times.
3 sights · 1 things to do · 4 places to eat · 5 bars & cafés · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Kenwood
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park
State park in the Mayacamas Mountains that comprises of Bald Mountain (2,729 feet) and Sonoma Creek which has a lovely 25-foot-tall seasonal waterfall. The park has beautiful views. It also has overnight camping. A highl…
Trione-Annadel State Park
On the northern side of Sonoma Valley, just south of Santa Rosa, this state park (formerly just "Annadel") is a 5,092-acre state owned property. Former residence to the Wappo and Pomo people, the park has geological and …
Hood Mountain Regional Park
A park surrounding Mount Hood (aka Hood Mountain), a mountain that stands 2,733 feet above Sonoma Valley. The park offers hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. When the weather is clear, you can see Golden Gate B…
Dog hikes at the Kunde Family Winery
Reservations required; lunch included. There is an estate hike of similar length (four hours) that is less expensive but does not include length, on a different day.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Mar–Nov. Summer highs reach about 86°F; winter lows dip to about 38°F. Wettest: Dec and Jan. (climate data from nearby Sonoma)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- STS Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport, Santa Rosa — 16 mi away. Directions
- CCR Buchanan Field, Concord — 40 mi away. Directions
- OAK Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport, Oakland — 51 mi away (major hub). Directions
Bus service from Santa Rosa is provided by Sonoma County Transit route 30.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Trione-Annadel State Park, Hood Mountain Regional Park
- Lunch La Cucina at VJB Vineyard & Cellars
- Afternoon Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, Dog hikes at the Kunde Family Winery
- Dinner Golden Bear Station
- Evening Landmark Winery
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Kenwood has no "downtown"; it's a series of (mostly) wineries and vineyards along California Route 12, with a few restaurants and miscellaneous retail.
Get in
Bus service from Santa Rosa is provided by Sonoma County Transit route 30.
Get around
Highway 12 isn't designed for walking, at least in the Kenwood area, nor (particularly) for biking. This is automobile country, mostly.
See
See Trione-Annadel State Park
On the northern side of Sonoma Valley, just south of Santa Rosa, this state park (formerly just "Annadel") is a 5,092-acre state owned property. Former residence to the Wappo and Pomo people, the park has geological and biological importance. The world's finest example of northern oak woodlands is located here, and wildflowers bring out quite the crowd in the spring. The park surrounds Lake Ilsanjo, which also offers fishing for bass and bluegill.
See Sugarloaf Ridge State Park (http://www.sugarloafpark.org/)
State park in the Mayacamas Mountains that comprises of Bald Mountain (2,729 feet) and Sonoma Creek which has a lovely 25-foot-tall seasonal waterfall. The park has beautiful views. It also has overnight camping. A highlight is the Robert Ferguson Observatory, the largest publicly accessible observatory in the western United States.
Do
Buy
Eat
Eat Golden Bear Station
Upscale woodfired pizzas, housemade pastas, and Asian-accented entrées
Eat La Cucina at VJB Vineyard & Cellars
Grab freshly made Italian panini, salad, meats, cheeses, and sides from this winery takeout spot. Many of the foods are family recipes. You can eat them at the onsite, sunny courtyard or take them to go. There is also an onsite pizza place with takeout and a gelato shop.
Eat Mayo Family Winery Reserve Room
The food and wine pairing features seven unusual artisanal bites paired with seven interesting wines.
Eat Salt and Stone
A full menu of salads, seafood and steaks, and lovely outdoor seating with umbrellas and a bubbling fishpond and fountain.
Drink
Drink Amapola Creek Winery
Taste from a lineup of high-end Rhone blends and Cabernets from Moon Mountain, with live music on some weekend afternoons.
Drink Chateau St. Jean
Offering a wide variety of tasting and food options, in a hundred-year-old French-inspired estate home, with formal rose gardens
Drink Landmark Winery
A beautiful and classy property, Landmark has indoor and outdoor tasting options of their estate wines. The property also has a bocce ball court and picnic area. From the winery, you can see Sugarloaf Ridge.
Drink Palooza Brewery and Gastropub
Gourmet pub grub, wine & beer served in a mellow tavern with ping-pong tournaments and outdoor seats. Live music and comedy nights.
Drink Vaughn Duffy Wines
While the main focus of the tasting room is pinot noirs, there are other varietals; overall, a super-friendly tasting room
Sleep
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My experience
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