Sonoma Valley is beautiful all year round, and a nice respite from nearby hectic city life and traffic. While Sonoma Valley may not be super conveniently located, that’s one of the many reasons why those that live here like it. A little bit away from it all.

Whether you are looking for a full time residence or a second home, as long as you are not looking for noise and crowds, Sonoma Valley really offers something for just about everyone.

Let me start by saying that the content of this article is my opinion. Certainly there are people that have different ideas, wants and needs than what I offer here. However, I wanted to share my thoughts and insights on some of the neighborhoods that I like best.

The East Side, East of The Plaza and “highway” 12/Broadway, is home to many beautiful turn of the century properties and many of the first original wineries like Sebastiani, Gundlach Bundschu, Scribe, Buena Vista, Bartholomew Park, to name a few.

For more modest and modern homes, the Bike Path Neighborhood, West of the Plaza and General Vallejo’s Home and State Park is a more affordable alternative to the East Side, with all the same ease of access to the Plaza’s events, shops and restaurants. And even easier access to grocery stores like Whole Foods, Sonoma Market, Safeway and Lucky’s.

Another area that I’m particularly fond of is Boyes Hot Springs East of the 12. Consisting of homes that were likely originally summer getaways for San Franciscans, they are often the cutest of cottages filled with charm and history.

Glen Ellen is another favorite, a little further off the beaten path. Green and lush and serene with just a handful of shops, restaurants and markets. It is also home to Jack London State Park and Benziger Family Winery.

If you really want to get away from it all, there’s Kenwood (North of Glen Ellen and South of Santa Rosa) and home to a restaurant that I’m told everyone must experience: Salt and Stone.

I’m not saying these are the only nice neighborhoods, not by a long shot. I’m just saying that these are some of my favorites.

To see everything that is currently for sale in Sonoma Valley click here. (The default sort is from high price to low price.)

If you have any questions at all, feel free to contact me. I look forward to hearing from you.

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