Sonoma Valley - Sonoma County West

Here's our own Travel for Kids hand-picked list of family hotels and vacation rentals in Sonoma Valley and West County, all styles and price ranges, and near to places you'll want to explore:

Benziger Family Winery (Glen Ellen, on the road to Jack London State Park) – The Benziger Family Winery is one of our favorites, because kids can get a chance to understand the ecology of a vineyard, as well as enjoy a picnic under the oak trees, play on the swing set, check out the old rusted farm tractor, plows, grape crusher or wooden wine barrels, watch the peacocks, or walk out into the middle of a vineyard.

The setting of this vineyard is just about perfect. Nestled in the hills, covered with vines, wooden frame buildings evoke the Sonoma Valley of earlier decades. Take the 45 min. tram tour (half price for kids, since they won't be wine tasting), which goes through the fields, and stops at the caves, grape crusher, and in the vineyard itself. Kids can feel free to ask all the questions they like on the tour.

Absolutely don't miss the self-guided walk to the "Insectory," which starts at the parking lot, just follow the flags into the middle of the vineyard. The Insectory has plants that encourage biological control of pests, and display exhibits that explain traditional estate farming (composting, care of soil, providing houses for birds owls and bats to keep out gophers and finches that attack the vines.) And listen for the sounds of birds.