Wine tasting with kids can be hard if you're in the wrong place. We're always on the lookout for good family-friendly wine country activities that don't blatantly scream “KID.” Enter Cornerstone Sonoma, a botanical garden/art exhibit/wine tasting experience in one. Not only is it really cool, it's also FREE (the gardens people, not the wine).
The gardens are a collection of interactive art exhibits that surround a large green grassy lawn. Follow the path and find things like tunnels to run through, large balls to push around, oversized chairs to climb in, mazes, bridges, and so much more.
Pack a picnic or pick one up at the Cornerstone Market just before you reach the gardens. Feel free to stop in for a wine tasting before or after, or bring your own to enjoy. And be prepared to chase, because there are A LOT of places for exploring (read: getting lost), but I promise you'll enjoy it.
Cornerstone Sonoma is located at 23570 Arnold Drive in Sonoma, just off of Highway 121. The gardens are open daily from 10am to 4pm, the shops/wine tasting from 10am to 5pm.
[Photo Credits: Anna Azimi]
We LOVE Cornerstone! And if you arrive right when it opens, you basically have the entire gardens to yourself. Jack London State Park is not too far down the road in Glen Ellen, and is another family friendly place for a nice hike and picnic.