There are myriad places to stay in Wine Country with vineyard views. But some of the best places to stay in Sonoma County have absolutely nothing to do with wine. From sleeping in treetops, to catching Z’s in an Airstream, to finding your zen at a traditional Japanese inn, this stretch of Northern California boasts an eclectic collection of one-of-a-kind lodging spots. And, fortunately, they’re all close to wineries, so you can fit in some sipping and swirling during your stay as well.

Go on safari on the Sonoma Serengeti. Home to nearly a thousand animals, wildlife preserve Safari West stretches across 400-acres in Santa Rosa. In between towering giraffes, charismatic wildebeest and herds of zebras, there are 30 African safari tents.

Imported from Botswana, every tent sports a full bathroom, hardwood floors, electricity, portable heater, ceiling fan and private deck overlooking the property. Whether you’re visiting with your kids, friends or the love of your life, there are several sleeping configurations available, including a king bed, two double beds and kid-friendly double bunk beds.

Safari-inspired decor — think zebra emblazoned bedding and flamingo table lamps — paired with furnishings made on-site from salvaged wood complete this unique Wine Country experience. No two tents are exactly the same, but wherever you rest your head for the evening, expect to hear a symphony of animals wishing you good night and waking you for complimentary breakfast when the sun rises. (Every tent is stocked with earplugs, just in case that cacophony gets a bit loud.)

To understand the expansive reach of the wildlife preserve, reserve a safari for the afternoon of your arrival. Open-air, double decker safari trucks zig zag across the property, providing a lay of the land and views of wildlife like Cape buffalo, oryx, gazelles and more. A combination of driving and walking tours run about three hours. One of Safari West’s newest residents is also arguably its most popular: Born in early April of 2023, Otto Lang is the first rhinoceros born at Safari West and in Sonoma County.

Sonoma County nights can be chilly, even during summer. Beds have electric blankets, but warm pajamas come in handy. Flip flops or slippers are also a good idea, as the tents’ hardwood floors can get cold. Tent stays are not available in January and February.

Find it: Safari West, 3115 Porter Creek Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95404; 800-616-2695

This Sonoma Valley stunner transports guests to Japan without ever having to step foot at SFO. Located off of Highway 12 in bucolic Glen Ellen, Gaige House boasts 23 guest rooms with a modern, Asian flair. 

Eight of the rooms — the Ryokan Zen Creekside Suites and the Ryokan Zen Garden Suites —are designed to make you feel as though you’ve stepped into a traditional yet high-end Japanese ryokan inn. Room amenities include a deep granite soaking tub, yukata robes with obi sash, geta outdoor slippers (like flip-flops with a wooden base), zori indoor slippers, a cast iron tea set and sake and cookies made by Japanese confectioner Yoku Moku.

Set along Calabazas Creek, the serene surrounds at Gaige House include private Zen gardens, an outdoor pool and hot tub, gurgling fountains and a spot specifically for yoga and meditation. The boutique hotel is part of the Four Sisters Inns collection, which provides perks ranging from complimentary breakfast — which you can also enjoy in bed for an extra $15 — to a daily wine and cheese hour and freshly baked cookies.  

Find it: Gaige House, 13540 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen, CA 95442; 707-935-0237

Zipline your way off the grid to a good night’s sleep.

Perfect for nature lovers and speed racers, after conquering seven ziplines — with speeds of up to 30 miles per hour — on the Forest Flight Tour at  Sonoma Zipline Adventures in Occidental, a short hike leads adventure seekers to five secluded treehouses.

Think of the treehouses as yurts in the sky. Each is decked out with a queen bed, a set of bunk beds, compostable toilet and sink. Dinner and breakfast are delivered via room service to enjoy on a treetop deck. When check-out time arrives, guests zip line their way out, suiting up in a specially designed harness to tackle the Tree Tops Tour. Complete with seven ziplines, a pair of sky bridges and 45-foot rappel down to solid ground, it’s all but guaranteed to spike an adrenaline rush.

Treehouses sleep up to four people. Families are welcome, but kids must be at least 10 years old and weigh 70 pounds to participate in the ziplines. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or adult. There is also one treehouse on the ground that is accessible for guests with mobility issues.

Forget everything you dreamed about treehouses as a kid. This is better!

A spiral staircase winds its way 30 feet up to the Eagle’s Nest Treehouse. Towering above a 400-acre private ranch in Bodega, there’s nothing else like it on the Sonoma Coast. Unexpected sky-high luxuries include a queen bed, electricity, heat, a coffee machine and a full bathroom with a glass-walled shower boasting stellar forest views.

The wrap-around porch is the ideal place to simply relax and do nothing, but those who can’t sit still have miles of trails to explore and the opportunity to meet the many residents of Salmon Creek Ranch — in addition to cows, goats and ducks, there’s a handful of Anatolian shepherd guard dogs.

It’s kind of like camping, just without any of the work and no sleeping on the ground. 

Located less than a mile from downtown Guerneville, AutoCamp offers 23 custom Airstream travel trailers to call home during a Wine Country getaway. Each shimmery camper features a queen-size bed, full bathroom, television, heat, air conditioning and a small sofa that converts into second bed. The iconic silver trailers also have a well-stocked kitchenette that includes a mini refrigerator and microwave. 

For a legit camping meal, cook over a campfire; all of AutoCamp’s Airstreams have a private fire pit and outdoor dining area. If you want to go the easy route (we won’t tell anyone) head into town for dinner — The Guerneville Taco Truck is a local favorite.

April through October you can also opt to spend the night in a luxe platform tent at AutoCamp. This version of glamping includes a king bed, electricity, dual fan and heater, plus a mini refrigerator, a sofa that converts into a second bed and outdoor fire pit. Tent guests have access to restrooms and showers in the Clubhouse, AutoCamp’s take on a hotel lobby.

This story was edited by Hearst Newspapers Managing Editor Kristina Moy; you can contact her at [email protected].