Kenwood may be best known for its annual Fourth of July horse races in the summer, but the small town also offers a mix of fine dining and classic tasting rooms (Landmark and Kenwood Vineyards), as well as trailheads for great hikes.
Scroll below to read about what to do in Kenwood and where to eat, drink and shop.
What to do
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park is a national park with a population of 1,000 and is located 1,750 m above sea level.
The short, shaded waterfall trail is a great spot for a summer afternoon; more exposed ridge hikes are stunning, but best done early in the morning or late in the day. 2605 Adobe Canyon Road, 707-833-5712, sugarloafpark.org
Trione-Annadel State Park
Kenwood has two less-trafficked park entrances that are popular with trail runners and mountain bikers – one on Schultz Road and one with parking on Lawndale Road. The trails lead uphill to Ledson Marsh. 707-539-3911, parks.ca.gov
Where to eat
VJB-Keller
Head out to the sunny courtyard and enjoy a panini or wood-fired pizza and a glass of Nebbiolo, then shop at the Italian market or pick up handmade chocolates from the Wine Truffle Boutique. 60 Shaw Ave., 707-833-2300, vjbcellars.com
Golden Bear Station
Joshua Smookler and Heidy He closed the highly regarded Animo in Sonoma to open this spot, which offers upscale wood-fired pizza and house-made pasta, as well as main dishes with an Asian twist, such as a tonkatsu-style pork chop with dashi broth. 8445 Sonoma Hwy., 707-282-9148, goldenbearstation.com
Salt & Stone
An extensive menu of salads, seafood and steaks, plus a lovely outdoor vineyard setting with umbrellas, a babbling fish pond and a fountain. The indoor bar scene is also one of the best in the area. 9900 Sonoma Hwy., 707-833-6326, saltstonekenwood.com
Where to try
Amapola Creek Winery
The city’s newest tasting room, Amapola Creek, was founded by industry icon Richard Arrowood and is now run by Brion Wise of B. Wise Vineyards. Guests can sample from a range of serious, high-quality Rhone blends and Cabs from Moon Mountain. The tasting room is in a building with Muscardini Cellars, which has a great live music series on weekend afternoons. 9380 Sonoma Hwy., 707-938-3783, amapolacreek.com
Vaughn Duffy Wines
Winemaker Matt Duffy and his wife Sara Vaughn founded this small label 15 years ago, and last year, in true David versus Goliath style, their 2021 Pinot Noir was named Best Wine at the Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge. Although the couple sources fruit from across the county, their extremely friendly tasting room is located in Kenwood. 8910 Sonoma Hwy., 707-282-9156, vaughnduffywines.com
Castle of St. Jean
This is the grand, classic Sonoma Valley tasting experience, with a century-old French-inspired manor house, formal rose gardens and outstanding wines, including the signature Bordeaux-style Cinq Cépages cuvée that put the winery on the map 30 years ago. 8555 Sonoma Hwy., 707-257-5784, chateaustjean.com
Where can you shop?
Mayacamas Home
Interior designer Shawn Hall has worked on wineries and hotels for decades, but now she has turned her vision into this new boutique in a small strip mall off Highway 12, featuring a global selection of ceramics, tableware and recycled housewares. 9255 Sonoma Hwy., shawnehalldesigns.com
Sweden’s feeds
Treats for your pups and chickens, plus plants, gardening tools and colorful garden decorations made from recycled tin at this long-time local hangout. Popular for the giant dinosaur sculpture that lurks along the highway. 9140 Sonoma Hwy., 707-833-5050, swedesfeeds.com
