California's lesser-known wine hotspot was named best small town to visit in America — take a look

Benzinger

Sonoma, California, a region located in the heart of America's top winemaking region, has been named the best small town to visit in the country by US News & World Report.

The accolade came as a surprise, largely because Sonoma is a county made up of 13 cities — including the city of Sonoma — and several unincorporated towns. The region has flown under the radar relative to Napa Valley, with its elite wineries and globally known brand. But Sonoma has become more popular in recent years because of its laid-back vibe and affordability.

US News and World Report described Sonoma in glowing terms, calling it "Napa's rustic, less-refined, and more-relaxed sister" that comes without the crowds and high price tags.

I recently spent the day in Sonoma County to see why wine-lovers are abandoning Napa for wine country's lesser-known hotspot.

If Napa Valley is the Disneyland of wine country, Sonoma is the Disney World.

Located about an hour's drive north of San Francisco, Sonoma stretches across three times the land area of Napa County. The region includes redwoods and a 55-mile coastline.

Because it's so large, you can't easily bike or use a ride-sharing service from one winery to the next. I enlisted my boyfriend as a designated driver for the day.