Family-Friendly Sonoma

This side of wine country’s casual warmth makes for a harvest season that delights all ages.

- Matt Villano

IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA’S NAPA VALLEY, ornate tasting rooms with $50 Cabernet flights are the norm. But things tend to be more down-to-earth west of the Mayacamas Mountains, where Sonoma County’s mix of organic farms, neat vineyard rows, and gently curving backroads can infuse even the most keyed-up of clans with a sunny form of Zen. While little hands are best kept at arm’s length from the stemware, the apple orchards present another equally juicy way for minors and their parents to experience the countryside. Heck, there’s even a whole museum devoted to Charlie Brown and friends. The cusp of autumn—when workers begin cutting grapes from vines and produce stands overflow with fruit —is the best time to go. Just about any stop along the way offers an intimate peek at where the region’s food and prized wines come from.

The hippest hotel is ready for recess

With its colorful rocket sign reaching for the sky like a Disneyland ride, The Astro (from $ 160; theastro.com ) in Santa Rosa instantly dazzles the under-8 set; adults will appreciate the chic midcentury furniture and bold art collection. Less than a year old, the upcycled motor lodge has 32 rooms (plus two suites with kitchenettes) and welcomes young ’uns, who can borrow books from a children’s library in the lobby. Parents can sign out vintage tricycles or Shinola bikes for a ride through Juilliard Park. Final destination? Railroad Square for ice cream, of course.

Tasting rooms keep kids entertained