If you’re heading to Northern California then making a stop in the cute little town of Hopland is a must. Lucky for me, it’s just an hour from my hometown! The city’s population is just over 1,000, but don’t let the small size fool you, it’s still famous for its wine, olive oil, restaurants and eclectic shops. Here’s my one day bucket list for having the best time during your visit.
Things to Do in Hopland for the day
9:00 AM: Morning Magic at Cafe Poppy
Start your day with a light and yummy breakfast at Cafe Poppy in the historic Thatcher Hotel. This trendy cafe offers freshly brewed coffee, espresso drinks and mouth watering pastries made with local ingredients. You can have your coffee inside the cafe itself or mosey over to the adjoining hotel and have your cup of joe in their cozy library or on the dreamy patio (that’s where I went!).
PS: If you’re a lover of coffee who needs a second cup, hit up Steep Organic Coffee for your next one!
9:45 AM: Explore Adorable Downtown Hopland
After breakfast, take a stroll through downtown Hopland. It’s super small, but super cute! Check out the local shops, cute white steepled church on Spring Street and, even if you are all coffeed-out or a non-coffee drinker, pop by Steep to see their impressive selection of crystals for sale.
Don’t forget to snap some photos of the picturesque Main Street with its charming buildings!
11:00 AM: Olive Oil Tasting at Terra Savia Winery
Next, head to Terra Savia Winery for a bucket list worthy olive oil tasting experience. Terra Savia is known for its organic wines and olive oils, produced right on the estate. When you opt for an oil tasting, you’ll be guided through about six different varieties. It was super interesting to try to tell the, sometimes very subtle, differences between them.
I walked away with a bottle of their “Field Blend” and their Blood Orange Olive Oil, plus some balsamic vinegar. I’m going to put the latter of the two on a bowl of vanilla ice cream—delish!
PS: It’s a bonus that they also have a lot of furry and feathered rescue animals on site. They were kind enough to give us a few carrots to feed to the animals and I fell in love with the cutest donkey EVER—say “hi” to him for me when you visit.
1:00 PM: Bocce Ball and Wine at Brutocao Cellars
Before heading to this next stop, pick up to-go lunch from Bluebird Cafe or Hopland Tap to bring to Brutocao Cellars for a game of bocce ball and some fantastic wine. They have outdoor tables and 6 Olympic regulation bocce courts—don’t worry a sheet of the games rules is included.
3:30 PM: Wine Tasting at Campovida
Keep the wine tasting going at Campovida, a pretty winery that’s all about sustainability and community. Known for their organic wines, particularly their award-winning Viognier and bold Zinfandel, the highlight of your visit will be more than just tasty wine—their grounds are absolutely stunning.
TIP: Try to time your visit to coincide with the blooming lavender and other pretty flowers, which makes it perfect for snapping some great Instagram pics!
5:30 PM: Early Dinner at The Golden Pig
For dinner, make your way back downtown to dine at The Golden Pig, a casual local spot known for its farm-to-table food. We kept it simple with their Smoked in-house pastrami Reuben and ceviche, but next time I’d get the Heart Arrow Ranch rotisserie chicken with a brussel sprout starter. Yum!
If that doesn’t make you drool, then I’d recommend going to Stock Yard for their wood-fired mushroom pizza!
Make it an Overnighter
Stay at the Thatcher Hotel
If you want to extend your day trip itinerary into an overnighter, book a room at the Thatcher Hotel. This beautifully restored Victorian hotel was founded in 1890 by pioneer William Thatcher. It has a cozy curated library, a cool bar and an outdoor courtyard that I wish was my backyard! Plus, it’s located right downtown.
Hopland, California Day Trip Video
Nearby Day Trip Activities
- The Quirky Sea Ranch Chapel in Northern California
- The Perfect Day Trip to Point Reyes, California: 12-Hour Itinerary
- One-Bucket List Day in Sebastopol, California: 12-Hour Itinerary
- A Laidback One-Day Itinerary for Bodega Bay, California
Traveling Soon? Use my Favorite Resources for Booking Your Trip!
Book Your Flight
Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine, because it checks dozens of airlines so you can easily find the best fare deals. You can also select ‘cheapest month’ to find the lowest fares for your destination (I use this all the time!).
Book Your Accommodations
I use both Booking.com and Expedia for hotels, because each offers a couple different hotel choices and I like to compare the reviews on each one. If you have a group or are looking for more of a home atmosphere, head over to VRBO or AirBNB that has houses, apartments and even just a room for rent in every price range.
Book Your Rental Car
If love the freedom to explore like I do, driving from place to place is the best option! I always book with Discover Cars for the best prices and top brand options.
Book Some Fun Tours!
Viator and Get Your Guide are my go-to search engines for cool bucket list experiences! Each one can have different tours, so check both—why limit yourself, right?
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel can be unpredictable. Whether it’s a last-minute cancellation, an injury, or (ugh) theft, things happen. That’s why I recommend never leaving the country without travel insurance. Here are my faves: Safety Wing and World Nomads.
Get Packing & Travel Essentials Ready
Check out the Bucket List Journey Amazon Store to find all my favorite travel essentials. Everything from Packing cubes, to travel adapters and toiletry containers to walking shoes.
*Lastly, check travel.state.gov for visa requirements and safety information.
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