Hello Partners,

Please enjoy our Safe Travels Promise Video, which reminds visitors to travel safely when enjoying all the beautiful outdoor activities all around Sonoma County (and we'd be delighted if you'll help us share it!)

Take a look at our announcements of the SCT "Life Opens Up" Campaign, and What's New July 2020 news release.

We also worked with The Travel Mom to run a promotional giveaway that includes a two night stay at Hotel E and tasting passes to Dry Creek Vineyard, which received over 2,800 comment section engagements on Instagram.

With safety and social distancing being top of mind, travelers and media are drawn to our wide open spaces, outdoor tasting and dining experiences, and road trips are definitely the highlight of the summer! If you have any new offerings, promotions, or have designed new programs to adjust to social distancing guidelines, please let us know!

Enjoy the following clippings of stories, interviews, articles all about Sonoma County.


Birgitt and Anna
Sonoma County Tourism
publicrelations@sonomacounty.com
707-522-5826/ 707-522-5818
Sonoma County is nominated for the USA Today's 10Best Wine Regions. You can vote once per day through August 10 - we will be!
As a result of SCT efforts, Janie Har of the Associated Press reported on the Life Opens Up campaign to invite travelers to explore Sonoma County safely. Boon Hotel & Spa is featured. This article appeared in US World & News Report , NBC Los Angeles , CBS Bay Area , LA Times , and many more.

"Travelers have questions about what’s open, with lots of interest in swimming, boating, camping and beaches, said Birgitt Vaughan, director of global media relations for Sonoma County Tourism."
Travel + Leisure lists San Francisco to Napa and Sonoma as one of the most popular road trips in the West Coast, highlighting wine tasting, beauty, and trees. It was picked up by MSN.

"If you have time to combine visits to both Sonoma and Napa, drive northwest from Calistoga to Geyserville on State Route 128. From there, head south to Healdsburg and then Santa Rosa before driving west to the coastal towns of Jenner and Bodega Bay and returning to San Francisco on Highway 1."
KRON4-TV reported on Sonoma County reopening up to travelers with Dana Rebmann , who encourages people to enjoy the fresh air in Sonoma County while observing safety practices.

Featured are the hike and picnic offerings at La Crema , Notre Vue Winery , Jordan Winery, and Bouchaine .
SCT worked with Christopher Elliott of USA Today to keep travel dreams alive with scenic wine country destinations like Sonoma County. This article was published online and in print, and syndicated over 35 times to media outlets like the Ashbury Park Press, The Star Gazette , El Paso Times , Courier Journal , Lansing State Journal, The Town Talk , etc.

"It is not worth trying to duplicate a European vacation," says Birgitt Vaughan, who grew up in Germany and now works for Sonoma County Tourism. "Rather, embrace what makes a destination special." 
Biggi spoke with Emily Kaufman (aka The Travel Mom) about how Life Opens Up in Sonoma County in her The Travel Talk segment, who has 34.4K followers on Facebook.

Biggi and Emily discusses the plethora of outdoor activities like the Armstrong Redwoods , kayaking, canoeing, ziplining, horseback riding, etc. Experiences at Osmosis, Safari West, and Farmhouse Inn are also featured in the video chat.
SCT worked with The Travel Mom on a Sonoma County Getaway giveaway on Instagram, which includes a two night stay at Hotel E and tasting passes at Dry Creek Vineyards. The giveaway garnered over 3,200 entries.

She interviewed Vern Lakusta of Hotel E and Kim Stare Wallace of Dry Creek Vineyards.
AFAR magazine reported on how travel to Europe is restricted for Americans, but there is plenty of room to roam in Sonoma County. Featured are Farmhouse Inn, Monte-Bellaria di California, and Matanzas Creek Winery .

"You may be familiar with the wineries and dramatic coastline of California’s Sonoma County, but it’s also home to lavender farms that bloom each June and July."
As a result of SCT efforts, The Matador Network reported on Sonoma County's super diverse landscape, which can be discovered through this summer's most popular vacation - the road trip.

This road trip recommends the best stops in Northern California: Sonoma, Glen Ellen, Sebastopol, Freestone, Occidental, Healdsburg, West Dry Creek Road, Skaggs Spring Road, and Stewart's Point.
Biggi spoke with Megan Goldsby of KCBS Radio on how popular Sonoma County's vacation rentals are for Bay Area travelers as the region opens back up to leisure tourism.

Biggi recommends reservations to restaurants and wineries, particularly for visitors who are planning to come on the weekends.
Kate Loweth of Red Tricycle experienced the new Wildhaven Sonoma glamping spot right on the Russian River with her son, and explains why she recommends it for any family glamping vacation.

"Days spent tubing in the Russian River, nights around the campfire and downtown Healdsburg just a short drive away make this spot the ultimate destination for Bay Area families."
Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner of Forbes reports on what Sonoma County wineries and eateries are indulging on this summer. Featured are Valley in Sonoma, and Flowers Winery in Healdsburg.

"Winemakers, estate directors and chefs shared which local products they’re indulging in this summer, so gourmands across the country can replicate the experience, wherever they are."
With the help of SCT, travel bloggers Bree and Ben shared their 2-day itinerary for Sonoma County, featuring vegan friendly restaurants with a focus on shopping small.

The blog post features The Barlow , Golden State Cider Room, Amy's Drive Thru, Slice of Life, The Cozy Plum, Charles M. Schulz Museum, Made Local Marketplace, Savory Spice Shop, and Bollywood Bar & Clay Oven.
Nancy D. Brown writes about Sonoma County horseback riding and wine tasting experiences in News Africa Now. Featured are Rollin F Ranch, DeLoach Vineyards, and Buena Vista Winery.
As a result of SCT's press release, Corporate & Incentive Travel Magazine reported on the Sonoma County Tourism's "Life Opens Up Campaign"