Geography site WorldAtlas recently released a list of the most laid-back small towns in California. Of the 11 locales named, one is in Sonoma County and three in Napa County.
Acknowledging we could all use a vacation from the stress of everyday life, WorldAtlas tracked down the best destinations for relaxing in the “chill state of California.” Local laid-back towns featured include Sonoma, Calistoga, Yountville and St. Helena.
It doesn’t get much more laid-back than sipping wines on a lazy Sunday in the heart of Wine Country. WorldAtlas stated Sonoma “encapsulates what a true small-town California life feels like,” noting its historic downtown plaza surrounded by cafes, theaters and tastings rooms.
Start with a sunny brunch of waffles and mimosas at Sunflower Caffé, seated at the cafe’s dreamy garden patio. Then sip some wines in a Japanese-style garden at Sonoma’s new Obsidian Base Camp tasting room, followed by a show at the historic Sebastiani Theatre.
WorldAtlas also recommends going on a local sip-and-stroll with friends via Gourmet Food and Wine Tours, offering immersive wine and food pairing tours in both Sonoma and Napa. Other laid-back wineries and tasting rooms to check out include the Sigh bubble bar, Three Sticks Wines and the 120-year-old Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery.
Planning to spend a whole weekend in Sonoma? We’ve mapped out the perfect three-day fall getaway to make the most of your time in the charming town.
With an abundance of spas and natural hot springs, Calistoga excels in rejuvenating relaxation. WorldAtlas highlights Calistoga Spa Hot Springs and Roman Spa Hot Springs Resort for massage treatments, volcanic ash mud baths and geothermal mineral pools.
A favorite is Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs, which has an on-site Southwestern health food restaurant, House of Better. The chile apple pie is a must-have. Other hot springs in Calistoga include Solage, Indian Springs Calistoga, Calistoga Motor Lodge & Spa and Golden Haven Hot Springs and Resort.
The Napa town is home to popular attractions like the Old Faithful Geyser of California and award-winning Sharpsteen Museum. Both destinations are great opportunities to learn about Calistoga’s geology and history.
Explore more of the area’s laid-back resorts, restaurants, tasting rooms and historic sites with our guide to the best weekend getaway in Calistoga.
Regarded as the “Culinary Capital of the Napa Valley,” Yountville is a real foodie’s destination. WorldAtlas noted the town’s three-Michelin-starred restaurant The French Laundry as well as another Thomas Keller standout, Bouchon Bistro.
If French fine dining isn’t your idea of laid-back, try the unpretentious, country western-inspired Ciccio. The Bib Gourmand-awarded restaurant offers Italian fare, like housemade pastas and wood-fired pizzas, in a rustic setting. La Calenda is another Bib Gourmand winner and one of the least formal of Keller’s restaurants. The Mexican restaurant specializes in traditional Oaxacan cuisine. Try the fish tacos made with stone-ground tortillas and enchiladas with a showstopping mole negro.
After getting your fill of world-renowned cuisine, WorldAtlas recommends feasting your eyes on the Wine Country town and surrounding countryside with Napa Valley Aloft Balloon Rides.
This small town’s greatest charm, according to WorldAtlas, “lies in its historic downtown, which is dotted with lovely restaurants, galleries, and shops to leisurely while away your afternoon.”
Sites to see include Beringer Vineyards — the longest continuously operating winery in Napa — as well as the contemporary fine art destination Christopher Hill Gallery and the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone.
For dining, try the Michelin-starred Press, which boasts the largest collection of Napa wines in the world. For more relaxed ranch vibes, try the Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch, excelling in farm-to-table fare.
Ready to unwind in California’s most laid-back small towns? From charming Sonoma’s wine tastings and historic strolls to Calistoga’s rejuvenating hot springs and Yountville’s Michelin-starred cuisine, there’s a perfect escape waiting for you in Wine Country.
Plan your ultimate relaxing getaway today – check out our complete guides for a weekend of leisure, luxury, and local flavor in these stress-free destinations!
