SANTA ROSA, CA: California Vineyards to Sunset Magic (Empty Nester Midweek Adventure)

Zeke and Terri at Luther Burbank Home and Gardens in Santa Rosa, CA (January 2025)

Join us on a 36-hour empty nester getaway packed with the best of Santa Rosa and beyond! From bumper-to-bumper San Francisco traffic, we escaped to serene Sonoma County (Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, and Point Reyes) for a midweek adventure in Northern California. It was the perfect San Francisco Bay Area road trip!

Highlights included:

• Nostalgia at the Charles Schulz Museum

• Art discoveries at Hotel E

• Private tour and tasting at Iron Horse Vineyards

• Exploring Luther Burbank's legacy gardens

• Pickleball at the retro Flamingo Resort

• Artist studio visit in Bloomfield

• Sunset magic at Point Reyes Lighthouse

Along the way, we enjoyed local eats at spots like Augie's Restaurant, Grossman's Noshery and Bar, and Due West Tavern in Olema on the California Coast.

This midweek or weekend getaway is perfect for empty nesters / GenXers seeking unique experiences, food and wine enthusiasts, history buffs, and art lovers. Sonoma County offers something for everyone, from the quirky Peanuts tributes to stunning vineyards and rugged coastal beauty.

Check out the full adventure in our latest YouTube video and subscribe for more empty nester travel tips.

What's your favorite Northern California getaway spot? Let us know in the comments!