Villa Montagna offers the best of California wine country: It's an easy ten-minute drive from the fine restaurants, boutiques, spas, and tasting rooms in Sonoma and Glen Ellen, but its serene hillside location makes you feel as though you're a world away. The closest wineries are located five-minutes by car down the hill, at Moon Mountain, and Mayo vineyards—all with lovely gardens and grounds. Oak Hill Farm, a charming country market where you can buy seasonal organic produce and fresh-cut flowers, is also just minutes away at the bottom of the hill.

Guided vineyard tram tours are available at the renowned Benziger Family Winery in Glen Ellen. A scenic 30-minute drive over Trinity Pass from Cavedale Road provides easy access to the Napa Valley, St. Helena and Oakville. There are three state parks for hiking within 20 minutes of the villa. Bodega Bay and the Sonoma County coastline are an hour’s drive west.

Our top 11 favorite things to do in Sonoma

1. Go tasting at a new winery each day; some of our favorites include Gundlach Bunschu, Bartholomew Park and Imagery.

2. Stock up on picnic supplies at the Glen Ellen Market for a hike to the summit of Sugarloaf Peak in Sugarloaf Ridge State Park

3. Explore the grounds of Jack London’s estate in Jack London State Park

4. Drive to Bodega Bay, stopping for fresh-baked cinnamon buns at the Wild Flour Bread Bakery in Freestone

5. Indulge in five-star pampering at Fairmont Mission Sonoma Spa

6. Sample local Marin County oysters at the Martini Oyster Bar, just off the Sonoma Plaza

7. Rent bikes at Sonoma Valley Cyclery and explore downtown Sonoma and its wineries

8. Wander the Sonoma Plaza, stopping for drinks or dinner at the renowned Girl & the Fig Restaurant

9. Drive north to Healdsburg (45 minutes) and explore the shops and tasting rooms in this chic northern Sonoma town

10. Burn off your wine tasting and fine dining with a walk up Cavedale Road, then relax by the pool

11. Wander the garden exhibits and shop for architectural antiques at Cornerstone Gardens in Sonoma

For a monthly calendar of events go to Best in Sonoma. For more fun ideas check out Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau or How the West Was Wined, the Farmers Market in Sonoma Square each Tuesday 5:30 pm til dusk, the film festivals in May and July at Sonoma Valley File Festival and Napa Sonoma Wine Country Film Festival.

Villa Montagna is located in southern Sonoma County, just an hour’s drive from downtown San Francisco and Fisherman’s Wharf. Oakland International Airport is 46 miles away; San Francisco International, 62 miles.