Sonoma and Petaluma, California

While Sonoma, and the surrounding "Wine Country" towns might not be the first destination you would think of as "kid friendly," there is lots for kids to do in this beautiful area. You might also want to check out our guide to Napa Valley With Kids and San Francisco With Kids

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Activities

Francis Ford Coppola Winery

Address 300 Via Archimedes, Geyserville, CA 95441 Map, Tel 707-857-1400 Call, Website

This famous winery has a pool, cabanas, and a cafe. On summer weekends, events might include live music, special tastings or other activities. If your hotel doesn't have a pool, this is a nice place to spend an afternoon! more

Jack and Jill's A Place for Creative Play

Address 217 Western Ave., Petaluma, CA Map, Tel 707-981-7155 Call, Website

This indoor playspace is sort of like a miniature children's museum. There's an art area, a train table, shops, a kitchen and more. Check the website for details about classes. On rainy days and holidays you might want to call ahead to see whether there is a waiting list. more

Mrs Grossman's Sticker Factory

Address 2198 South McDowell Blvd. Petaluma, Ca 94954 Map, Tel (800) 429-4549 Call, Hours Vary seasonally, call for details, Cost $3 per person (can be used towards a $20 purchase in the store, Reservations Required Website

Tour the Mrs Grossman's sticker factory and learn how stickers get printed, packaged and shipped. Strollers are not allowed on the production floor and children under 5 will need to hold an adult's hand. You must reserve your tour in advance. If you are not able to make a reservation, the factory is still worth a stop. You can peek onto the production floor and into the huge sticker warehouse from the publicly accessible areas. The company store, with it's complete collection (and discounted products) also makes a fun stop for kids. more

Safari West

Address 3115 Porter Creek Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95404-9655 Map, Tel (707) 579-2551 Call, Website

Safari West is an open-air recreation of the African Bush. Visitors explore the 400 acre park in safari-vehicles on a bumpy 3 hour tour and see animals like giraffe, gazelle, wildebeest and more. You'll want to plan to spend an entire day of your vacation here (and be sure that your kids aren't already road-weary from the trip to Sonoma) more

Sonoma Train Town Railroad Rides

Address 20264 Broadway, Sonoma, CA 95476 Map, Tel (707) 938-3912 Call, Hours Vary seasonally. Call for details., Cost $4.25 for train rides. $2 for all other rides., Time Train rides take 20 minutes Website

Train town is a passionate model-train collector's answer to expansion. Families can ride a quarter-size train along an obsessively accurate model railroad through a 10-acre park. On they way, you will pass houses and waterfalls, cross a bridge and go through tunnels. There are also other rides, including a Ferris Wheel, Merry-Go-Round, and a few train themed rides. more

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Hotels

Readers recommend:

Sheraton Sonoma County - Petaluma “my kids love the Sheraton in Petaluma CA because it has a ...”