Looking for the perfect Sonoma weekend getaway? Summer in Sonoma Wine Country offers everything travelers love about Northern California: vineyard views, spa retreats, outdoor dining, wine tasting, and live music under the stars.

At Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, one of the most iconic Sonoma wine country hotels, summer weekends come alive every Friday night during the hotel’s popular Summer Music Series. Locals and visitors gather around outdoor firepits to enjoy live jazz, blues and soul music while sipping Sonoma wines and craft cocktails beneath the warm California sky.

And according to local lore, Sonoma may even have a connection to the origin of the word “jazz” itself.

Several historians trace early uses of the term “jazz” back to Northern California baseball culture in the early 1900s, when the word was used to describe energy, spirit and vitality long before it became associated with music. Some accounts point specifically to Sonoma County spring training culture, giving modern summer evenings here an even richer connection to jazz history.

If you are searching for things to do in Sonoma this summer, here is the perfect 4 day itinerary built around live music, wine tasting, spa experiences and relaxed wine country living.

Day One: Arrive in Sonoma & Settle into Wine Country Time

The best Sonoma vacations begin slowly.

Check into Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa and spend the afternoon settling into one of the most historic luxury resorts in Sonoma County. Originally known for its geothermal mineral hot springs, the property has welcomed travelers seeking wellness and relaxation for more than a century.

After arriving, ease into vacation mode with an afternoon by the pool or a spa treatment inspired by Sonoma’s natural mineral waters. Then head into Sonoma Plaza, one of the best places to explore local tasting rooms, boutique shopping, art galleries and wine country dining.

For dinner, enjoy seasonal cuisine at Santé paired with Sonoma Valley wines before returning to the resort for a relaxed evening beside the outdoor firepits.

For travelers searching for relaxing things to do in Sonoma, the first evening is all about slowing down and embracing the pace of wine country.

Day Two: Wine Tasting, Slow Afternoons & Friday Night Jazz

Friday is the perfect day to explore Sonoma Valley wineries.

Spend the morning wine tasting at nearby vineyards and family-owned wineries throughout Sonoma Wine Country. Compared to Napa Valley, Sonoma offers a more relaxed and approachable atmosphere, making it ideal for leisurely tastings and scenic drives.

After a day of vineyard visits, return to Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa to experience one of the top Sonoma summer events: the Friday Night Summer Music Series.

Every Friday night, the resort transforms into one of the best places for live music in Sonoma. Hotel guests and locals gather outdoors for an evening of jazz, blues and soul music surrounded by firepits, wine country views and the relaxed energy of summer in Sonoma.

Guests can enjoy cocktails, Sonoma wines, local craft beer and wood-fired bites from CaliForno, the resort’s signature food truck. The atmosphere feels effortlessly California: elevated yet casual, lively yet intimate.

As the music fills the courtyard, the connection to Sonoma’s rumored jazz history feels especially fitting. Historians researching the origins of the word “jazz” often point to Northern California slang used during baseball spring training in Sonoma County during the early 1900s. At the time, “jazz” referred to energy and spirit, qualities that still define Friday nights at the resort today.

Whether or not the word truly originated here, Sonoma continues to embody the feeling behind it.

For anyone searching online for live music in Sonoma, summer concerts in Sonoma County or things to do in Sonoma on a Friday night, this experience belongs at the top of the list.

Day Three: Spa Mornings, Scenic Drives & Sonoma Sunsets

After an evening of live music and wine country cocktails, Saturday is best spent embracing Sonoma’s slower side.

Begin the morning with breakfast on your private patio before heading to the spa for mineral pools, steam rooms or a restorative massage. Wellness has always been part of Sonoma’s identity, dating back to the area’s historic hot springs culture.

In the afternoon, take a scenic drive through Sonoma Valley. Explore nearby wineries, hidden vineyard roads, local farm stands and small towns throughout wine country. Sonoma is known for its laid-back atmosphere, making even simple moments feel memorable.

Saturday evening is the perfect opportunity to enjoy Sonoma’s celebrated farm-to-table dining scene. Reserve dinner at a local restaurant featuring seasonal ingredients and Sonoma County wines before returning to the resort for one final evening beneath the stars.

For travelers researching romantic getaways in Sonoma or relaxing wine country vacations, this is the kind of day that defines the Sonoma experience.

Day Four: One Last Slow Morning Before Heading Home