This Northern California Village Is Surrounded by Mountains and Vineyards—and You Can Explore It by Electric Trike

Key Points

• Sandwiched between the Mayacamas and Sonoma Mountains, Kenwood, California, is a small town with big appeal for outdoor enthusiasts and oenophiles alike.

• The town’s location in vineyard-rich Sonoma Valley makes it easy to go wine tasting at both grand estates and boutique, family-run businesses.

• Sugarloaf Ridge State Park and Robert Ferguson Observatory host nature-focused events all year round, day and night.

Tucked into the northern reaches of Sonoma Valley between Santa Rosa and Sonoma, the tiny town of Kenwood, California, hides in plain sight. No big “Welcome to Kenwood” signs greet motorists along this rural stretch of Highway 12, aka Sonoma Highway—it would take you just a few minutes to drive straight through this unincorporated village.

But if you don’t stop in Kenwood, you’ll miss out on a state park with 25 miles of hiking trails, an observatory that throws star parties, and more than a dozen top-notch wineries. The surrounding area, dubbed the “Valley of the Moon,” also has some of the prettiest scenery in Sonoma County.

“The rolling hills, the mountains, the vineyards—it’s just beautiful,” says Lindsay Hamilton, who owns Hamilton Family Wines with her husband, Greg. The couple moved to Kenwood from Berkeley in 2016 to enjoy a slower-paced lifestyle, but the following year, wildfires destroyed their home. Rather than leave, they doubled down, building a new house on the same lot and launching Hamilton Family Wines. It’s one of several businesses that have recently cropped up in the sleepy village, which currently has a population of around 1,000.

“There’s been a changing of the guard in Kenwood for a number of reasons—fires, COVID, just aging out,” Greg Hamilton says. “That’s left an opportunity for some younger people to come in. I think that’s helped revitalize the community.”

More change is coming. The hospitality brand Soho House has announced plans to open a countryside retreat here as early as next year, a project that calls for 50 cottages and villas, wine tasting rooms, and other amenities spread across 350 bucolic acres at the base of Hood Mountain.

In the meantime, there’s still plenty to explore in and around the area. Here’s what you need to know before planning a trip to Kenwood, California.

Best Things to Do

For an offbeat way to sightsee and sip wine, set out on a scenic electric tricycle ride with Pushpak Wine Country Tours. Your three-wheeled adventure includes stops at a historic train depot and a tranquil park before ending with wine and cheese at Hamilton Family Wines.

For even more local scenery, panoramic vistas await at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park. Wildflowers bloom in late spring and early summer, and winter rains feed a 25-foot-tall seasonal waterfall.

The park’s extensive trail network also winds through scenic meadows and groves of coast redwoods and oaks. On a clear day, plan to hike to the 2,729-foot-tall summit of Bald Mountain—the park’s highest peak—for views that stretch from the San Francisco Bay on one side to the Sierra Nevada on the other.

The park is also the grounds for Robert Ferguson Observatory, a prime spot for stargazing that puts on a number of events year-round. During monthly Public Star Parties, astronomy experts gather to give entertaining talks about the cosmos and help make sense of what the observatory’s high-powered telescopes show in the sky.

After a daytime visit to Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, you can spend a few hours soaking in the thermal pools at Morton’s Warm Springs. This casual, family-friendly resort nestled in the woods outside Glen Ellen is open from May through September and features a trio of mineral spring-fed pools, all with temperatures between 90 and 94 degrees. The deep pool is adults-only from 10 a.m. to noon daily.

Where to Eat and Drink

The Californian Italian restaurant Stella opened in 2025 and quickly became a star of the Kenwood dining scene. Hits include freshly made pasta, mozzarella served multiple ways, and anything coming off the wood-fired grill. Many of the veggies and herbs are grown on a nearby biodynamic farm, and the three-course Sunday supper is not to be missed.

Asian, Italian, and other global influences add a creative touch to the menu at Golden Bear Station, a New American eatery that feels like a mashup of a modern farmhouse and a Brooklyn loft. The restaurant only serves dinner, but during the morning hours from Wednesday through Sunday, you can grab tasty breakfast sandwiches and coffee at SPK Coffee & Breakfast Sandwich, a walk-up counter outside.

Another great breakfast option is Pillowfight Coffee, where locals and visitors alike linger over cold brews and matcha lattes. The café is named after Kenwood’s legendary World Pillow Fighting Championships, a Fourth of July tradition that was held in the village for four decades and has been revived at the nearby Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa.

When lunchtime arrives, the Italian-style courtyard at VJB Cellars is a sweet spot to dine on crisp paninis, wood-fired pizzas, and creamy gelato. And for a classic, steak-and-seafood kind of night, nab a table on the vineyard-side patio at Salt & Stone, which has a stacked menu of American fare and an impressive local wine list.

Speaking of wines, Kenwood has a hefty selection of vineyard estates and boutique tasting rooms. You can feel like you’ve taken a side trip to France with a visit to Chateau St. Jean, and sample wine in a cave or on a mountaintop at Kunde Family Winery. Cabernet fans, meanwhile, should hit the tasting lounge at En Garde, and nearby Vaughn Duffy produces some stellar pinot noirs. Greg and Lindsay Hamilton’s eponymous winery is another boutique, family-owned and operated spot. The rosé, made from their small plot of grenache grapes, is best enjoyed beneath the scenic stand of olive trees by the back patio.

Also in Kenwood, MacLaren specializes in syrah and other northern Rhône varietals. Owner Steve Law and his wife, Heather, transformed an old barn into a cute cottage, where Steve leads tasting sessions by appointment only.

Where to Stay

If you’re looking for a vacation home-style stay, the Hamiltons rent out a charming carriage house adjacent to their vineyard. Built in the 20th century, the restored property sleeps up to six people and has a private hot tub, patio, and full kitchen. Guests can also request an on-site wine tasting.

As for hotel stays, the Tuscan-inspired Kenwood Inn & Spa is a romantic hideaway with a pool, hot tub, and outdoor space to sip coffee or wine while listening to the fountains. The inn has 29 guest rooms and a spa offering massages and facials. During the daily complimentary wine hour, guests can sip glasses from a rotating roster of local vintners.

To spend a night out under the stars, book a spot at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park. The park has year-round camping for RVs and tents, including two wheelchair-accessible sites with campfire pits. A few canvas glamping tents are available, too.

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