These Wine Country Destinations Offer So Much More Than Vino

The Sunset Travel Awards celebrate the best in travel in the West. These destinations are the 2025 winners of the Where to Go: Wine Country Getaways category. Check out the complete list of winners here. For our definitive and searchable travel directory to help you plan your next trip in the West, click here.

Santa Maria Valley, California

Santa Maria Valley

This destination is so much more than the regional style of barbecue that makes it famous. Its cool maritime climate not only makes for award-winning wines but also excellent outdoor adventures like hiking and mountain biking, craft beer tasting, and shopping at indie boutiques.

San Luis Obispo County, California

Courtesy of Visit SLO CAL

Here, adventure comes in many forms—whether it’s hiking to wildflower-covered peaks in Montaña de Oro, surfing the coast’s 80 miles of shoreline, spotting elephant seals and monarch butterflies, or swinging above vibrant hillsides at the Instagram-famous “Serenity Swing.” Travelers can also indulge in the region’s rich farm-to-table culture and top it all off with a visit to one of our favorite up-and-already there wine regions, Paso Robles.

Healdsburg, California

Stay Healdsburg

It’s a rare occasion to thumb through an issue of Sunset and not see something about this stunner of a town, which lies at the crux of three of the region’s premier American Viticultural Areas—Russian River Valley, Dry Creek Valley, and Alexander Valley. With world-class restaurants, eco-conscious boutique hotels, and the obvious wine tasting, it’s the perfect spot to situate yourself for an ideal wine country weekend.

Solvang, California

SolvangUSA.com

Solvang captivates visitors with its Danish-American charm, offering a delightful array of wine tasting, unique boutiques, and artisan food experiences ranging from street cuisine to Michelin-honored, new-Californian fare. Amid its enchanting architecture, guests can enjoy small-batch coffee, hand-bottled spices, and local events like the festive Solvang Julefest, ensuring an unforgettable cultural escape on the West Coast.