For out-of-towners like us, it's easy to fly into either of San Francisco's large airports, rent a car, and drive up to Sonoma. The drive takes a little over an hour from either airport.
Established as a Spanish mission and later a Spanish military base to protect San Francisco's northern border, Sonoma's Spanish heritage is still widely visible, including through many historic sites.
Sonoma has, interestingly, escaped much of the commercialization that has taken hold in parts of the Napa Valley. I'd strongly recommend making it your home base in the region.
Definitely make a reservation if your heart is set on eating here or if you want to come for dinner! We kicked things off with an excellent cheese plate, featuring local cheeses and, of course, figs and fig-based jam.
If you're looking for a more casual, but no less tasty, option, HopMonk Tavern offers a pub-style atmosphere with upscale dining options and local beer.
If you're looking for something a bit more casual / an easy place to grab lunch before hitting the wineries, I can't say enough good things about Basque Boulangerie Cafe.