Mid-winter · Weather & things to do
Sonoma in January
Little changes in Sonoma from December: highs stay near 57°F (14°C), lows near 40°F (5°C), and about 4.7 in (120 mm) of rain falls.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 70/100, 11th of 12.
- Avg high
- 57°F (14°C)
- Avg low
- 40°F (5°C)
- Rain
- 4.7 in (120 mm)
- Humidity
- 84%
- Cloud cover
- 55%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 37 min
- Comfort score
- 70/100 · Good
What January feels like
Expect mild afternoons around 57°F (14°C), good for long walks.
Lows average 40°F (5°C).
Rain is a real factor, with about 4.7 in (120 mm) across the month.
Plan around January
January sits mid-table; the best months are April – June and October & November.
- Inside the wettest three-month stretch, December – February.
- Comfort improves from 63/100 in December to 70/100.
- Our California Wine Country route recommends Apr – Oct, so January falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for January
- A warm layer for eveningsnights drop to 40°F
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoes4.7 in of rain on average
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Sonoma in January
Wet days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Glen Ellen Star
Small wood-fired kitchen serving pizzas, roasted vegetables and local wines.
Why now A sit-down stop to wait out showers in a month with 4.7 in of rain.
Gundlach Bundschu Winery
Family winery since 1858, with hillside vineyards and a relaxed tasting room.
Why now Easy to slot in when January's rain moves in.
Buena Vista Winery
California's oldest commercial winery (1857), with historic stone cellars.
Why now Keeps part of the day dry on wetter January days.
Jack London State Historic Park
Ranch trails, vineyard views and the ruins of Jack London's Wolf House.
The Girl & the Fig
Wine-country French cooking just off the plaza, open since 1997.
Nearby in January
- Napa in January~18 mi · highs 54°F, 4.7 in rain · 2°C (3°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Healdsburg in January~31 mi · highs 56°F, 6.5 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, wetter
- San Francisco in January~36 mi · highs 56°F, 3.9 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, drier
- Old Sacramento Waterfront in January~55 mi · highs 58°F, 3.6 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, drier
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~266 m to Sonoma's ~26 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Sonoma in January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Sonoma?
It's middling, scoring 70/100. The best months are April – June and October & November, at up to 100. Expect highs of 57°F (14°C) and 4.7 in (120 mm) of rain. Our California Wine Country route recommends Apr – Oct, so January is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Sonoma in January?
Average highs are 57°F (14°C) and average lows 40°F (5°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Sonoma in January?
Yes: about 4.7 in (120 mm) of rain falls across January on average, the 3rd-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 27.1 in (689 mm).
What should I pack for Sonoma in January?
Bring a warm layer for evenings (nights drop to 40°F), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (4.7 in of rain on average) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
Planning Sonoma in January?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.