Unique and memorable adventures for the whole family await in beautiful Sonoma County, in Northern California.

Often considered a romantic getaway destination for its award-winning wines, farm-to-table cuisine, and luxurious resorts, Sonoma County also offers a multitude of fun and exciting family-friendly activities.

Follow winding Highway 1 along the more than 50 miles of Pacific Ocean coastline, where you'll find sandy beaches, sheltered coves, tidal pools teeming with life, easy bluff-top trails, and a wide variety of coastal wildlife.

Bodega Head — a small rocky peninsula that juts out into the sea near Sonoma County's southern border — offers amazing coastal views that make it one of the top whale watching spots during migration season (October through April). Bring binoculars at any time of year, because you'll also see lots of playful seals and assorted sea birds.

The two-mile-long sandy beach at nearby Doran Regional Park makes it a perfect spot for beachcombing, picnicking, building sand castles, flying kites, surfing, and fishing (and camping, if you want to stay overnight).

A little farther north, where the Russian River empties into the ocean, Goat Rock Beach is known for its views of tall columns of rock, hang gliders, and the colony of Pacific Harbor Seals who spend the summer on the sand spit at the far end of the sandy beach.

Still farther north, get a hands-on experience of a unique part of California history at Fort Ross State Historic Park, once the bluff-top home to a Russian colony.

Inland from the coast, paddle, swim, fish, splash, or just relax in the sun along the slow and scenic Russian River. Stroll, picnic, and relax under towering trees at Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve.

And for a truly unique perspective on these ancient trees, go zip-lining through the redwood canopy at Sonoma Canopy Tours, which offers a unique course of seven zip lines, two sky bridges, a magnificent spiral staircase, and a rappel back to the forest floor (children must be at least 10 years old and weigh 70 pounds to participate; those under age 16 must be accompanied by an adult). 

Get a free factory tour (reservations required) at Mrs. Grossman's Sticker Factory in Petaluma; race speedy electric go-karts at Driven Raceway in Rohnert Park (drivers must be at least 48 inches tall); or step into a real-life video game at the multi-level Laser Tag of Santa Rosa.

Laugh and learn about the Peanuts Gang and the beloved cartoonist who created them at the Charles M. Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa. Right next door you can go ice skating (or enjoy a cup of hot chocolate while watching the skaters) at Snoopy's Home Ice (aka Redwood Empire Ice Arena) and shop for all things Peanuts at Snoopy's Gallery and Gift Shop.

Less than a block away, the Children's Museum of Sonoma County offers interactive, hands-on exhibits and experiences focused on art, nature, and science.

Catch sight of gazelles, zebras, cheetahs, antelopes, buffalo, wildebeests, giraffes, and other exotic animals at Safari West Wildlife Preserve & African Tent Camp. Located east of Santa Rosa, Safari West offers the experience of an African safari in the heart of Sonoma Wine Country. And for the ultimate in “glamping,” you can stay overnight in a luxurious safari tent.

Of course, this is just a brief list of the family-friendly possibilities in Sonoma County. For a free visitors guide or information on hotels, wineries, events, spas, attractions, and dining in Sonoma County, visit www.sonomacounty.com or call +1-707-522-5800.

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Find your passion in Sonoma County, located only 30 miles/50 kilometers north of San Francisco and featuring more than 425 wineries, 100-plus organic farms, and 50 miles/80 kilometers of stunning Pacific Ocean coastline.

For a free visitors guide or information on hotels, wineries, events, spas, attractions, and dining in Sonoma County, visit www.sonomacounty.com or call +1-707-522-5800.