El Verano - census-designated place in California, United States

El Verano is a village of 3,900 people (2020) in the Sonoma Valley, part of Sonoma County, within the San Francisco Bay Area in California. This page also has information on Boyes Hot Springs and Fetters Hot Springs-Agua Caliente, two adjacent, unincorporated areas.

Understand

El Verano has a Sonoma city address but is a distinctly defined area of Sonoma County. The land used to be owned by General Vallejo, and eventually it became a popular vacation area for residents of San Francisco due to its hot springs. Today, the hot springs are no longer in use and El Verano is mainly residential. El Verano is a popular shopping area for Sonoma residents and has a selection of local restaurants that are affordable.

Two other adjacent areas, also unincorporated, are included on this page:

• Boyes Hot Springs, population of about 6,600
• Fetters Hot Springs-Agua Caliente, population of about 4,100

Get in

Having a car is very helpful while getting around El Verano and into its surrounding area. While the village is small, it is a car reliant area.

By plane

El Verano is served by a number of different airports:

• San Francisco International Airport (IATA: SFO) is the largest and is 56 miles away. From SFO you'll either rent a car or a limo to take to El Verano. If you are staying in Santa Rosa, you can take the Sonoma County Airport Express which can drop you off, for a cheap rate, at various locations around Santa Rosa. Avoid a cab - it's over $250 from SFO to El Verano and it's cheaper just to rent a car for the 1½-hour drive.
• Oakland International Airport (IATA: OAK) is the second busiest hub in the Bay Area. Certain flights from Europe and many from across the United States and Hawaii use OAK. It's little under 1½ hours from Sonoma Valley. Traveling from this airport you'll either rent a car, a limo, or take the Sonoma County Airport Express if you're staying in Santa Rosa. Cabs will be super expensive, so best avoid them.
• Sacramento International Airport (IATA: SMF) is about 1½ hours away from El Verano. Some international US-based carriers fly here and many regional. To get to El Verano from SMF you'll have to rent a car.
• Sonoma County Airport (IATA: STS) is named after Snoopy creator Charles M. Schulz. It's about 45 minutes north of Sonoma Valley and is the closest airport. It is served by Alaska Airlines and California-based private flights. From here you can stay in Santa Rosa or head directly to El Verano. If staying in Santa Rosa, take a cab - but, you'll most likely need a rental car to get around the area. So rent a car and head to your destination.

By bus

From San Francisco you can take a Greyhound to Santa Rosa. That is the closest stop to El Verano. From there, you will have to rent a car or a bike.

By car

Having a car is pretty critical to controlling your own trip to El Verano and the surrounding Sonoma Valley. You can also rent a private car or a limo. But, for your own fun... it's nice to have a car. Highway 121 brings you into Sonoma Valley. Highway 12 is the primary route that runs through the town of Sonoma, into El Verano, and north and west to Santa Rosa. Do note, Highway 12 is also called "Sonoma Highway" and Highway 121 is also called "Arnold Drive". El Verano is located between Ramon Street and Thomas Avenue when heading south to north; east to west it is from Sonoma Highway to Carriger Road.

• From San Francisco

Go north over the Golden Gate Bridge (Highway 1) and follow Highway 101 north. Go east on Highway 37. Go north on Highway 121. Go north on Highway 12. When you pass Ramon Street you have entered El Verano.

• From East Bay

Go north on 580 towards Point Richmond. From Point Richmond take the Richmond Bridge. Head north on Highway 101. Go east on Highway 47. Go north on Highway 121. Head north on Highway 12.

• From Santa Rosa

Go south on Highway 101. Go south on Highway 12.

• From Sacramento

Go west on Highway 80. Go west on Highway 12. Go north on Highway 29. Go west on Highway 12.

Get around

El Verano is a small area with long city blocks. The majority of El Verano's highlights are in a shopping center, parks, and a few additional locations. Having a car is a good idea, but you can also get around by bike, walking, and public transportation. There are no car rental in El Verano, but, presumably, if you are in El Verano you have arrived by car.

By bicycle

There are no bicycle rental companies in El Verano, but you can rent bikes in Sonoma which is a quick car or cab ride away.

• Wine Country Cyclery 262 West Napa St. +1 707-996-6800
• Sonoma Valley Bike Tours 520 Broadway +1-877-308-2453

By bus

Sonoma County Transit connects El Verano to the surrounding towns in the county. Their website has information about how to purchase passes and taking your bicycle on to buses.

By taxi

Two taxi companies service El Verano:

• Vern's Taxi Service (dead link: December 2020), 254 1st Street East, +1 707-938-8885. This was the only taxi service in Sonoma until 2013.
• Sonoma Taxi, +1 707-889-1266. A Sherpa-owned and -operated taxi service.

See

Do

• Ernie Smith Community Park, 18776 Gillman Dr, 38.303135°, -122.492866°, +1 707-789-9644. Sunrise to sunset. Nice community park with free parking and free access. Dogs are welcome, there is a dog park onsite. There are also baseball and softball diamonds, picnic tables, a playground, and paved trails. Free
• Maxwell Farms Regional Park, 100 Verano Ave, 38.302684°, -122.477720°, +1 707-789-9644. Sunrise to sunset. Nice 85-acre park with soccer fields, baseball and softball diamonds, tennis and volleyball courts, and 40 acres of trails. The park has a very popular skateboard park. The playground is disability accessible. They have also have picnic areas and barbecues. $7

Buy

Eat

Budget: $5-14, mid-range: $15-30, splurge: $31+ (meal for one + soft drink).

Budget

• Picazo Cafe, 19100 Arnold Dr, 38.297591°, -122.491441°, +1 707-931-4377, schavez@picazocafe.com. 6AM-4PM. Owned by the Chavez family, this is a diner that serves breakfast and lunch. Bagels, breakfast sandwiches and special omelets are available in the morning and the afternoon brings fresh sandwiches and house-made grilled burger varieties served with fries. They serve local beer and wine. A local favorite. $3-10 2019-07-27

Mid-range

• Juanita Juanita, 19114 Arnold Dr, 38.297281°, -122.491419°, +1 707-935-3981. Woman-owned Mexican restaurant with a quirky retro feel. Good food but it's more expensive than other Mexican restaurants in town. $11-25 - Cash only 2019-07-27
• Palms Grill, 18999 Sonoma Hwy, 38.303035°, -122.476094°, +1 707-939-8100. 6AM-10PM. One of two locations in the area (the other is in Petaluma), this is all-American diner food that is beloved by the "mature set" in Sonoma. Great breakfasts and American classics like meatfloaf and chicken fried steak. Weekly specials. $11-25
• Las Diablitas Taco Shop, 18976 Sonoma Hwy, 38.303430°, -122.477199°, +1 707-933-6330. Tu-Sa 11AM-10PM; Su M 5-10PM. Indoor and outdoor seating, limited parking, great food. 2019-07-27

Splurge

• Shige Sushi and Izakaya, 19161 Sonoma Hwy (in Maxwell Village), 38.300458°, -122.476167°, +1 707-933-9331, info@shisorestaurant.com. Tu-Su 5-9PM. The only sushi restaurant in Sonoma Valley, the restaurant also offers izakaya (pub) fare like meat skewers and chicken curry as well as a very wide range of sushi (don't miss the specials board, a bit hidden at the far end of the sushi bar). The restaurant opened in 2019, but it's a successor to a much smaller restaurant in Cotati.) 2019-07-27

Drink

• El Verano Inn, 705 Laurel Ave, 38.300599°, -122.487562°, +1 707-935-0611. Self described as the "last roadhouse in Sonoma Valley," the El Verano Inn is a dive bar with pool, live music, and yes, "lingerie shows". This historic building was built in 1887 and has been a post office, general store, bus depot, apartments, and many bars. $2-10

Sleep

The El Verano area has limited lodging options. Many more can be found nearby in Sonoma.

• Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, 100 Boyes Boulevard, Sonoma, +1 (707) 938-9000. The Fairmont chain is definitely high end, but judging by the number of disappointed postings at hotel review sites, this location falls short. There are extensive spa treatments and pool facilities, for those so inclined. 2019-07-27
• Sonoma Creek Inn, 239 Boyes Blvd, Sonoma, +1 (707) 939-9463. An affordable, casual alternative to pricier wine country hotels. Many of the 16 rooms have private outdoor patios or porches. 2019-07-27

Connect

If you are in need of free wifi during your visit, the following restaurants and establishments offer it:

• Breakaway Cafe, 19101 Sonoma Highway (in Maxwell Village), 38.300395°, -122.475246°, +1 707-996-5949, info@breakawaycafe.com. 8AM-9PM. Casual restaurant with a bar and dining room; good martini's to enjoy while using their wifi. $11-30
• Starbucks, 19239 Sonoma Hwy (in Maxwell Village), 38.299114°, -122.475861°, +1 707-935-3187. 4:30AM-10PM. you can also go next door and use the wifi from the Starbucks at Burrito Shop $2-6

Cope

Gym

• Park Point, 19111 Sonoma Highway (in Maxwell Village), 38.300483°, -122.475796°, +1 707-996-3111, ellie@parkpointhealthclub.com. M-F 5:30AM-10PM, Su 7AM-7PM. The most popular workout facility in town, Park Point offers discounted passes for visitors in need of a workout. They have all the standards, including classes like yoga and zumba, a pool, and tennis courts.

Hair salon

• Hairitage Salon, 18770 Sonoma Hwy, +1 707-996-3641. 10AM-6:30PM.

Nail salon

• Sonoma Nails, 18997 California 12, 38.303493°, -122.475800°, +1 707-933-8681, Sonomanails@mail.com. Varies. Decent Vietnamese nail salon available for mani/pedi needs. Appointments are suggested, as this is the most popular nail salon in Sonoma Valley. $10-50

Go next

• Agua Caliente - A town just north of El Verano with a springs history and a thriving Latino culture
• Boyes Hot Springs - The next town north of El Verano
• Fetters Hot Springs - The sister town to Agua Caliente founded for its hot springs and home to amazing Mexican food
• Glen Ellen - Northwest of El Verano, the historic home and hangout of Jack London during his last years.
• Kenwood - The last town before getting to Santa Rosa with many wineries
• Petaluma - West of El Verano, Petaluma is a hip and arty city with a laid back vibe
• Sonoma - The largest town in Sonoma Valley and right around the corner from El Verano