Discover Sonoma
75 carefully curated photography spots with GPS coordinates, shooting tips, and local insights
Sonoma Coast State Park
A sprawling park with a rugged coastline, sandy beaches, and hiking trails. Explore the park’s diverse landscapes to capture a variety of shots.
Bodega Head
Bodega Head is a picturesque location offering panoramic views of the ocean and rocky cliffs. The area's hiking trails provide numerous opportunities for capturing stunning landscape photos. It is a favorite among photographers due to its dramatic scenery and diverse wildlife viewing opportunities, including migrating whales and seals.
Grove of Old Trees
A stunning grove of ancient trees, perfect for capturing the mystique of nature and the beauty of old-growth forests.
Goat Rock Beach
A scenic beach with dramatic rock formations and crashing waves. This location is ideal for capturing the ocean’s power and the coastline’s beauty.
Sonoma Coast Overlook
A viewpoint offering sweeping views of the coastline and surrounding landscape.
Armstrong Woods State Natural Reserve
Featuring towering redwoods, this reserve offers dramatic landscapes and opportunities for nature photography. Highlights include the Colonel Armstrong Tree and the Discovery Trail.
Jack London State Park
This historic park in Glen Ellen features rolling hills, lush forests, and beautiful vineyards. It's perfect for capturing diverse landscapes and sunsets.
The Sea Ranch - Shell Beach Meadows
This coastal spot offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, providing opportunities for seascape and wildlife photography.
Bodega Head Nature Trail
Located on a granite outcropping, this trail offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and surrounding landscape. It's perfect for capturing dramatic landscapes and wildlife.
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park
A park with scenic hiking trails and stunning views, ideal for landscape and nature photography.
Monte-Bellario di California
An epic lavender farm with over 35,000 plants, offering vibrant landscapes and unique photographic opportunities during blooming season.
Russian River
The Russian River offers stunning natural landscapes and wildlife photography opportunities. Photographers can capture serene river scenes, wildlife, and the surrounding wetlands, making it a great spot for nature and landscape photography.
Cornerstone Gardens
Located in Sonoma County, Cornerstone Gardens is a unique spot featuring a variety of creative gardens and contemporary art installations. It's ideal for capturing vibrant colors and unusual compositions.
Shell Beach Meadows
Located in The Sea Ranch, this coastal spot offers stunning ocean views and lookouts. It's ideal for capturing dramatic seascapes and sunsets.
Doran Beach
A popular spot for its sandy beach, tide pools, and beautiful sunsets. Photographers can capture the shoreline, birds, and other wildlife that inhabit the area.
Helen Putnam Regional Park
Known for its breathtaking views of rolling hills, Helen Putnam Park is great for capturing sunsets and wildflowers. It offers a variety of landscapes for photography.
Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve
This reserve features some of the tallest trees in Northern California, providing a magical setting for nature photography.
Coleman Valley Road
This picturesque drive offers stunning views of Sonoma County's rugged coastline and interior valleys. It's ideal for capturing scenic landscapes from the road.
Goatlandia
A sanctuary for goats, sheep, pigs, horses, and birds. It's perfect for wildlife photography and capturing the unique bond between these animals.
Sonoma County Vineyards
Near Penngrove, the rolling vineyards offer breathtaking landscapes, especially during harvest season. The vineyards provide endless opportunities for capturing beautiful rows of grapes, sunsets, and the rolling hills of Sonoma County.
Mission San Francisco Solano de Sonoma
This historic mission is the last built in California, offering a rich backdrop for historical and architectural photography. It's located in the heart of Sonoma and is a significant cultural landmark.
Gunsight Rock via Hood Mountain Trail
Located nearby, this hike offers stunning views of Sonoma and Napa Valley. Ideal for landscape and panoramic photography.
Tolay Lake Regional Park
Tolay Lake offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape, especially during sunset. It's a great spot for capturing nature and wildlife.
Gundlach Bundschu Winery
This family-owned winery is known for its beautiful vineyards and historic architecture, making it perfect for capturing wine country landscapes and architectural details.
Bees N Blooms
California's largest lavender labyrinth, offering vibrant colors and unique landscapes for photography during the blooming season.
Bodega Dunes Campground
A campground surrounded by dunes, offering a unique perspective on the coastal landscape and wildlife.
Petrified Forest
A short hike through the Petrified Forest offers stunning views and unique rock formations created from petrified redwood trees. It's an ideal location for landscape photography.
Jack London State Historic Park
This historic park offers rolling hills, forests, and vineyards, making it ideal for nature and scenic photography. It also provides opportunities for capturing historical architecture.
Benziger Family Vineyards
Known for its sustainable farming practices, Benziger offers scenic views of vineyards and sheep grazing in the fields, ideal for capturing wine country landscapes.
Truett-Hurst Winery
Features sheep and goats in vineyards, offering a unique setting for capturing wine country landscapes with animals.
The Russian River
Popular for water activities, the Russian River offers beautiful riverbank scenes and water reflections. It's perfect for capturing serene nature shots.
Bodega Bay
A picturesque coastal area with a mix of beaches, cliffs, and scenic views. Ideal for capturing dramatic seascapes and sunsets.
Buena Vista Winery
California's oldest premium winery, offering scenic views and historical architecture. It's ideal for capturing wine country landscapes and architecture.
Quarry Hill Botanical Garden
A beautiful garden featuring diverse plant species and scenic views, ideal for nature and macro photography.
Sonoma Plaza
Sonoma Plaza is the historic heart of Sonoma, California, featuring beautiful architecture, vibrant art galleries, restaurants, and tasting rooms. It's perfect for capturing street life, architecture, and portraits amidst a lively backdrop.
Pinnacle Gulch Coastal Access
A scenic spot with unique rock formations and dramatic coastline views.
Downtown Penngrove Wall Murals
The walls of some buildings in downtown Penngrove feature vibrant murals, offering interesting subjects for street and urban photography. These murals add a pop of color and local character to photographs.
Downtown Penngrove Main Street
Downtown Penngrove Main Street is filled with historic buildings, some dating back to the 1800s. The area offers eclectic shops, restaurants, coffee shops, and bars, providing a charming backdrop for architectural and street photography. The historic buildings and lively atmosphere make it perfect for capturing small-town America.
Jenner Beach
A quiet beach with scenic views of the surrounding coastline. Ideal for capturing peaceful coastal scenes and wildlife.
Bullhead Beach
A secluded beach with scenic views and unique rock formations.
Martin's Beach
A secluded beach with unique rock formations, ideal for capturing serene coastal scenes.
Achadinha Cheese Company
A charming setting with cows and goats, offering opportunities for capturing farm animals in a picturesque environment.
Sonoma Botanical Garden
A beautiful garden featuring a variety of plant species, perfect for nature photography and capturing vibrant colors.
Tolay Creek
A smaller area within Tolay Lake Regional Park, Tolay Creek offers additional opportunities for nature and wildlife photography.
Portuguese Beach
One of the Sonoma Coast's most expansive beaches, ideal for walking and surf wading. It offers a serene environment with steep interior cliffs.
Paloma Vineyard
A picturesque vineyard offering serene landscapes and rustic charm.
Bodega Bay Marina
A picturesque marina with sailboats and stunning views of the ocean. Capture the marina’s tranquility and the surrounding scenic views.
Fisherman’s Wharf
A bustling area with seafood restaurants and shops, offering opportunities for capturing vibrant street scenes.
Sonoma Golf Club
Located in the picturesque Sonoma Valley, the Sonoma Golf Club offers serene landscapes and opportunities for capturing golfing moments or scenic views of the surrounding vineyards.
Penngrove Hills
The rolling hills surrounding Penngrove offer panoramic views of the countryside, making them ideal for landscape photography. The location is perfect for capturing sunrises or sunsets over the hills.
Chief Miwok Trailhead
The Chief Miwok Trailhead offers access to scenic trails with opportunities for nature and wildlife photography. The area is surrounded by natural beauty, perfect for capturing unique landscapes and hiking scenes.
Penngrove Park
Penngrove Park offers a variety of photography opportunities, including playgrounds, horseshoe pits, barbecue areas, and a gazebo. The park is a staging area for the annual Penngrove Celebration Parade and features historic elements mixed with community activities. It's ideal for capturing candid family moments, community events, and vibrant street photography.
Riverside Park, Guerneville
A scenic park along the Russian River, offering opportunities for nature and landscape photography.
Penngrove Historic Railroad Tracks
The historic railroad tracks in Penngrove provide a nostalgic backdrop for photography, offering opportunities to capture unique industrial landscapes and historical scenes.
Fetters Hot Springs-Agua Caliente
Fetters Hot Springs is a charming area known for its natural hot springs and picturesque surroundings. It offers a serene landscape with rolling hills and natural scenery, making it a great spot for capturing peaceful moments and unique textures. Given its specific mention, it likely complements portraits and landscapes well.
Sonoma Plaza (near Napa Valley)
While not in Napa, Sonoma Plaza is a nearby historic site with world-class restaurants, tasting rooms, and art galleries, offering street photography opportunities.
Penngrove Farmers Market
The Penngrove Farmers Market offers a vibrant scene filled with local produce, crafts, and community spirit. It's a great spot for capturing street photography and the colors of fresh produce.
Penngrove Barns
The surrounding countryside of Penngrove features rustic barns, offering unique opportunities for landscape and agricultural photography. These structures, often with vibrant wildflowers nearby, provide scenic backdrops for capturing the rural essence of Sonoma County.
Quarry Hill
Quarry Hill offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, providing a unique spot for landscape photography. The area has a mix of natural scenery and interesting geological formations.
General Vallejo's Home
A historic house offering unique architecture and garden views, suitable for historical and architectural photography.
Tides Wharf Restaurant
Known for its great views and seafood, this restaurant offers opportunities to capture the marina and coastal scenery while enjoying a meal.
Jenner Headlands Preserve
Located near the Russian River, this preserve offers stunning views of coastline, forests, and wildlife, making it ideal for landscape and nature photography.
Bodega Town
A quaint town famous for its role in Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds, offering opportunities for capturing rustic architecture and nostalgic scenes.
The Old Town of Bodega
Quaint and historic, offering opportunities for capturing rustic architecture and nostalgic scenes.
Sonoma State University Campus
The Sonoma State University campus offers a mix of modern and natural scenery, with its architecture and surroundings providing interesting subjects for landscape and architectural photography. The campus environment also offers opportunities for candid portraits and street photography.
Peterson Lane
Peterson Lane is a rural road with a picturesque backdrop of rolling hills and farmland, offering opportunities for capturing rustic landscapes and agricultural scenes.
Penngrove Historic Homes
Penngrove features several historic homes, some dating back to the early 20th century. These homes provide interesting architectural subjects for photography, showcasing the area's past.
Old Adobe Road
This scenic road offers a mix of old adobes and modern houses against a backdrop of lush greenery, providing a unique blend for architectural and landscape photography. The area has a charming, rustic feel.
Penngrove Creek Wildlife
Along Penngrove Creek, there are opportunities to capture wildlife such as birds, fish, and other small animals. The area is perfect for nature and wildlife photography.
Penngrove Community Garden
The community garden is a lush green space filled with various plants and floral arrangements, providing opportunities for nature and garden photography.
Riverfront Park (Healdsburg)
Located in Healdsburg and adjacent to St. Vincent's High School, this small park offers scenic views of the surrounding area, suitable for nature and landscape photography.
Penngrove Orchards
The nearby orchards are filled with fruit trees, offering vibrant colors and textures throughout the year. They provide opportunities for capturing agricultural landscapes and the changing seasons.
Penngrove Creek
Penngrove Creek offers serene natural landscapes, perfect for capturing wildlife, such as birds and fish, and the surrounding vegetation. The creek provides a peaceful backdrop for nature photography.
Penngrove Oak Trees
The area around Penngrove features majestic oak trees, offering opportunities for landscape and nature photography. These trees provide a beautiful backdrop for capturing seasonal changes.
Skywalker Ranch
A private property known for its scenic views and connection to George Lucas, offering occasional opportunities for landscape photography from surrounding areas.