A Guide To Moving To Sonoma County

Welcome to Wine Country: Moving to Sonoma County, CA

Are you thinking about moving to Sonoma County? From elsewhere in California or another state? In this video, I’ll share the key things you need to know having made the move myself from elsewhere in the Bay Area.

Whether it is the cost of living, the price of homes, the weather, or the different lifestyles you can enjoy, I’ll cover it all off. Whether it is right for you is a very personal decision but it’s important to know what you can expect.

Everyone knows about the world-class wineries but there is a lot more to deciding to move here than just moving somewhere because of the wine (although it helps!)

As someone who moved here from the Bay Area, less than five years ago, but having owned a second home in Sonoma County prior to that, I’ll share my personal experience.

Photo from https://www.sonomacounty.com/

First off, let’s talk about the cost of living.

The cost of living in Sonoma is 52% higher than the national average according to the Council for Community and Economic Research. However, it’s more likely that you are looking to move here from elsewhere in California. Compared to the rest of California, the cost of living in Sonoma County is fractionally lower than the California average.

The cost of housing is clearly a major consideration for anyone who is looking to move here either because of a new job or if you are looking to retire here. As you would expect, with median house prices now over $800k, the cost of homes is a lot more expensive than the national average, by over 160% which is pretty frightening in its own right. However it’s all relative. If you are moving from San Francisco where the median home price is over $1.4m, you will get more for your money in Sonoma County.

In fact, one of the reasons the Sonoma County market has continued to perform so well is that a lot of homes are purchased by people who are earning Bay Area salaries so even with the higher interest rates, homes in Sonoma County are still relatively affordable.

Of course, where you decide to purchase within the county will make a big difference as to what you get for your money. For example, if you buy a place in Russian River where the median price of a home is under $550k and you can get a really nice home for $1m. However, if you are looking to buy in one of the more expensive towns such as Sonoma or Healdsburg where median prices are $1m 50 you will need to increase your budget considerably

What about the Job Market?

Compared to Napa County, where wine and hospitality are pretty much the only industries, Sonoma County has a broad range of local industries beyond tourism and hospitality. For example, it has a couple of large healthcare facilities including Kaiser, employing hundreds of people, manufacturing companies covering medical devices, agriculture, lab equipment as well as food and beverage manufacturing. In fact, there are nearly a third more manufacturing jobs in Sonoma County compared to the national average for an area this size. It also has a vibrant construction industry as well as large retail centers in Santa Rosa and Petaluma.

But if you are thinking of moving to Sonoma County, I am sure it is not all work?

There's so much to experience right in Sonoma County's backyard.

Let’s Start With Wine

Along with Napa County, Sonoma County is the heart of wine county in Northern California with over 425 wineries and 60,000 acres of planted vineyards with world-class wineries producing some of the world’s top Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnays, and more. The wineries are spread all over the county from the inland areas of Sonoma Valley and Dry Creek Valley in Healdsburg along the famous Russian River and out to the coastal areas for the delicate Sauvignon Blancs.

If you are interested in wine you are probably interested in the food scene. Sonoma County is home to several notable restaurants, including those recognized by the Michelin Guide. Some of the notable Michelin-starred restaurants in Sonoma County include Single Thread, Farmhouse Inn and Restaurant, and Barn Diva all in Healdsburg. While Sonoma has a number of notable restaurants including Folktable, Valley Bar + Bottle, and Glen Ellen Star

What about the outdoor lifestyle?

I moved from Mill Valley, just north of San Francisco which is home to Mount Tam and the birthplace of mountain biking so it is a hard act to follow. However, Sonoma County compares pretty well although I do miss Mount Tam every now and again although that being said it is only a 45-minute drive away so it’s not like it is far away.

There is no question that the cycling here is world-class, particularly road biking on the back roads. It is easy to go an hour without ever seeing another car or bike if you get off the mainstream roads. Compared to Marin County, everything is so much quieter, few cars, few people, and fewer bikes which I love. Napa County also has great cycling but it is that much hotter. In the heat of summer, there is no way to get away from the searing heat compared to Sonoma County when you can just head west and be at the coast in 30 to 40 minutes if you live west of the 101.

If hiking is your thing, again there are so many options across its varied terrain, from coastal trails along the Pacific to mountainous paths through redwood forests inland. Right in Santa Rosa, Spring Lake Regional Park provides lakeside strolls and challenging hikes up to vantage points with panoramic views of the city and beyond. Nearby Annadel State Park has dozens of miles of trails that traverse meadows, forests, and rocky ledges with views across Sonoma Valley.

For ocean vistas, the Kortum Trail starting at Goat Rock Beach just south of Jenner winds along bluffs above the sea with striking views. This is definitely one of my favorite areas to hike. Just inland near Jenner, the Sylvan Trail ascends into the foothills, offering peaceful walks under oak and bay laurels. Just inland from Jenner along the Russian River is Armstrong Redwoods State Park which has flat, easy trails through majestic old-growth redwoods.

Just north of where I live in Healdsburg is, the Lake Sonoma Recreation Area which provides miles of trails for all levels around the lake and up Dry Creek Valley. Whether you are looking for coastal walks, forest walks, or hikes among rolling hills there is something for everyone.

There is so much more to do outdoors beyond hiking and cycling including kayaking, paddleboarding on the Russian River, horse riding through redwood groves, and even ziplining and hot air ballooning. Of course, if golf is your thing then it has some top calls public and private courses including what is often cited as one of the best nine-hole courses in the US designed by Alistair Mackenzie who also designed the Masters course at Augusta.

What Are the Options For Choosing Where To Live?

Santa Rosa is the largest city and county headquarters of Sonoma County, serving as the main commercial and business hub. There are neighborhoods to suit all budgets in and around Santa Rosa from North West Santa Rosa being one of the more affordable areas whereas North East Santa Rosa is one of the more expensive areas with newly built homes in Fountaingrove and homes that feel a bit more rural but are still in the city in places like Montecito Heights. There are also great family neighborhoods close to Montgomery Village. If you are interested in living in downtown Santa Rosa there are also plenty of options.

If you are looking to live somewhere which are food and wine centers, then you will likely want to consider the famous Wine Country towns of Sonoma and Healdsburg where you will be close to wineries and have the option of living surrounded by vineyards just a few minutes from town.

Sonoma feels a bit more touristy but has tons of charm with the historic Plaza, art galleries, and some good restaurants. Conde Nast Traveller magazine recently called Healdsburg “Sonoma County’s most charming town”. It does have an amazing sense of community as well as the cute historic Plaza. Given the number of high-end restaurants, Healdsburg is fast establishing itself as the foodie capital of Sonoma County.

Sebastopol provides a more bohemian, artistic vibe with whole food grocers, yoga studios, live music venues, and artisan workshops. Sebastopol also has the Barlow Center which was completed a few years ago which is a great hub for fast casual food and micro-breweries.

Petaluma offers convenience to San Francisco with a rideshare commute of around 40 minutes to the Ferries. Its picturesque downtown sits on the river with independent shops and a growing art, theater, and music presence as well as farm-to-table dining options. The west side of Petaluma is where the older historic (and more expensive homes are).

The other options are northern towns like Cloverdale which are a bit further away from immediate amenities which appeal to families seeking space while still within striking distance of Santa Rosa.

If you're looking to retire in Sonoma County, you'll find several well-established communities catering to retirees

Oakmont Village, near Santa Rosa,  is the largest and has over 4,000 retiree residents with amenity-rich lifestyles supported by 3 recreation centers, 54 holes of golf, and 200+ social clubs to keep busy. Homes range from condos and townhomes to custom luxury estates.

Healdsburg, Windsor, and Sonoma all have 55 + retirement communities. The Healdsburg RiversBend community is on southside of Healdsburg. I’ve done separate videos specifically on this community which I often think is among the best value real estate in Healdsburg. Just over a mile from the Plaza, you can buy a 2 or 3-bed home for $750-$850k

The other option, this time on the north end of town is Enso Village, a senior living facility that comprises 221 independent units and 54 assisted living and memory care units. It has been developed as a partnership between the San Francisco Zen Center and Kendal Corporation.

Windsor

The only Windsor 55+ community is Brooks Creek (right across from Safeway) and they have 1, 2, and 3-bedroom units with either a 1 or 2-car garage. Some are attached units and some are detached. They are great units and price points for Windsor.

We should also talk about the weather

The great thing about Sonoma County is that if you like the heat you can choose to live inland or if you prefer the cooler coastal weather then there are plenty of options there as well. There is actually a pretty significant variation in temperatures due to influences from the Pacific Ocean inland to the bay and valleys. Along the coast itself, in winter typical highs are around 55°F with frequent overnight freezes dipping into the low 30s. Even summer remains moderate, with highs generally only in the 60s with cool nights dropping into the 40s due to persistent ocean winds and fog.

Just a short way inland, Santa Rosa, Sonoma and Healdsburg enjoy warmer Mediterranean conditions. In winter we get cooler days with highs in the upper 50s and low 60s with chilly nights often dipping below freezing.

Summers see warm to hot weather, as highs reach the low 80s and 90s on average although every year we seem to get 10+ days that reach triple digits. As you go north up to places like Cloverdale it is hotter still.

I know when I first moved here, the thing I was most surprised about when it came to the weather was how much more seasonal it was than in Mill Valley in Marin which I really like. It’s nice having cold winter mornings and summers where you can live outside for months on end.

What About the Fire risk?

A subject that often comes up with people moving here is Fire. For the 5 years to 2021 we had some pretty horrendous fires. Of course, there are no guarantees that we won’t have a future fire event anywhere in California or anywhere for that matter. However, the one thing I always say is that in 2017 there were literally no emergency communication, power shut off or evacuation systems in place which is why the first fires were so catastrophic.

Of course, we can have a fire anywhere but firstly I think the chances are that much lower, but more importantly, there will be plenty of warning so no one will fear their personal safety is at risk which to me is the most important thing. No one wants to lose their home but the most important thing is that no one loses their life.

If you look at where the majority of the fires have happened, they have all been on the East side of the 101 with the exception of the Walbridge fire near Healdsburg. I am probably stating the obvious but the main reason is because further west the climate is cooler and so less prone to fires. We just hope that the last couple of years will continue with no major fires.

Finally what about the education options if you have children?

If you're moving to Sonoma County with school-aged children, rest assured there are top-rated options when it comes to education.

Public Schools

The Santa Rosa City Schools district offers premier public education with standout programs in science, technology, arts, and athletics. Santa Rosa High holds a national ranking of #350 (U.S. News & World Report). Many districts also offer immersion language programs in Spanish starting in elementary school. Every city has their own district all with varying standards so it is worth drilling down once you decide on the rough area you want to live in. There are some Spanish immersion schools that are really growing in popularity, like Cali Calmecac Language Academy in Windsor that is a K-8 school.

Private Schools

From religious academies like St. John's in Healdsburg as the Catholic elementary school to college prep institutions such as Cardinal Newman, Sonoma County boasts over 20 private and charter schools. Some specialize in progressive models like Montessori or Waldorf education which have an emphasis on outdoor learning and the arts. Average yearly tuition ranges from $8,000-$25,000.

There are a number of smaller private schools as well, like Grace Christian or even Redwood Adventist Academy. The most "prestigious" private schools are both in Santa Rosa and are the Sonoma Country Day School (K - 8) and Sonoma Academy (high school) which cost over $30k per year. They are more expensive than that range though. I believe the elementary is over $20k and the high school is over $30k. 

Higher Education

For college-bound teens, Santa Rosa Junior College provides affordable higher education with strong transfer pathways to universities like nearby Sonoma State. Top fields of study include agriculture, hospitality, and viticulture - a natural fit given Sonoma's wine country setting. SRJC and Sonoma State are the main colleges in the county.

In Summary

So that is a summary of the key things to think about if you are looking to move to Sonoma County. We work with people from all over the US who are looking to move to Sonoma County. The great thing is that there are so many options but if you don’t know the area it can be a little daunting.

If you are looking to move or are even just curious about what it would be like, please give me a call. We will be happy to help and answer your questions and guide you through the process.