With all that’s going on in the world, a lot of us are feeling overwhelmed, anxious and just plain stressed out.
As much as I’d like to whisk myself away for an all-day spa retreat complete with a 90-minute aromatherapy massage and 24-karat full-body mask with optional Beluga caviar and Cristal foot scrub, my current budget doesn’t always — and by that I mean practically never — allow for that kind of indulgence. I am a writer after all.
Fortunately for me and my wallet, Sonoma County offers lots of affordable ways to find serenity in stressful times. Here are some of my favorites, ranging in price from absolutely free to $50.
Join a Nature Walk
Taking a walk or hike in a beautiful natural setting is a proven stress reliever, so stop doom-scrolling on your phone and get outside. While you’re at it, why not meet some other humans? Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen regularly offers guided group hikes, like the upcoming Springtime Blooms and Birds experience (May 4) and Grounded in Nature: A Mindful Walk (June 14). Most hikes are just $20 to join and some are free.
Jack London State Historic Park, 2400 London Ranch Road, Glen Ellen, 707-938-5216, jacklondonpark.com
Say Ommmmmm
Yoga, especially the gentler hatha and vinyasa varieties, is a fabulous way to practice mindfulness and relaxation in a hectic world.
MacArthur Place in Sonoma offers $10 morning yoga sessions for Sonoma locals on Saturdays and Sundays, held on the property’s Burris Lawn or in Coach House. After you get your “om” on, stroll down to the Plaza for a caffeinated pick-me-up in the garden at Sunflower Caffé.
Following an angst-inducing day at work, head over to Renew Yoga in Petaluma. Held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, their evening community yoga classes cost just $10. I can’t guarantee that you won’t be tempted into Old Chicago Pizza just down the hall for a post-yoga pie (the aromas wafting down the corridors are nearly impossible to resist), but cheesy comfort food can be its own kind of therapy.
Also in Petaluma, The Float House hosts free community yoga classes on the dock from May through September. The one-hour flow sessions take place on the first Friday of each month, and one Sunday per month.
The Sea Ranch Lodge offers free yoga (to the public) on Saturdays and Sundays in The Meadow Room. When you’re finished refreshing your mind and spirit, grab a craft cocktail and a seat on the ocean-facing deck to see if you can spot a passing whale.
MacArthur Place, 29 E. MacArthur St., Sonoma, 707-938-2929, macarthurplace.com. Renew Yoga, 35 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, 707-762-7760, renew.yoga. The Float House, 50 Water St., Petaluma, 707-971-3640, thefloathousepetaluma.org. The Sea Ranch Lodge, 60 Sea Walk Drive, The Sea Ranch, 707-579-9777, thesearanchlodge.com
Get Out on the Water
When I’m feeling wound up or burned out, I grab my inflatable paddleboard and head for the water. Even if I can only spare 45 minutes between meetings, a leisurely paddle always makes me feel calm and relaxed.
If you don’t have your own watercraft, it’s easy and affordable to rent — and you won’t have to waste time and energy lugging your SUP or kayak down to the lake. The Float House in Petaluma rents paddleboards, kayaks and canoes for $30 per hour, and for $35 an hour you can rent a SUP at beautiful Lake Sonoma. Spring Lake in Santa Rosa also offers rentals during the summer and the lake’s compact size makes it a terrific place for paddlers.
Lake Sonoma Marina, 4200 Skaggs Springs Road, Geyserville, lakesonoma.com. Spring Lake Regional Park, 393 Violetti Road, Santa Rosa, 707-539-8092, sonomacountyparks.org
Take a [Figurative] Bath
Forest bathing has become a “thing” lately, and Sonoma County, with its woody landscapes, is tailor-made for the Japanese eco-therapy practice. It involves going out into the forest with a guide and consciously using all five senses to slow down and connect with nature.
The Sonoma Land Trust hosts free community forest bathing sessions in local parks, led by well-known local practitioner Jenny Harrow-Keeler. Check out the online calendar for upcoming dates. The nonprofit also hosts a free series of “Wellness Wednesday” and “Mindful Monday” events.
Sound bathing is another option to soothe the soul. (If your favorite part of a yoga class is Shavasana, aka: “corpse pose,” this one’s for you!) As participants lie on their mats, facilitators use instruments like singing bowls, gongs and chimes to surround them with resonant sounds. Occidental Center for the Arts offers sound bath sessions on the second Tuesday of each month for $25-$35 on a sliding scale,
Sonoma Land Trust, 707-526-6930, sonomalandtrust.org. Occidental Center for the Arts, 3850 Doris Murphy Court, Occidental, 707-874-9392, occidentalcenterforthearts.org
Hang out by the Pool
When I feel like I need a vacation but can’t get away, a poolside retreat with tropical ambiance is the next best thing. Flamingo Resort & Spa in Santa Rosa offers a $49 Daycation Pass that includes access to the resort pool and lounge chairs, plus the hot tub, steam shower and sauna. (You can also use the hotel’s fitness facilities, but why disrupt the chill vibe with cardio?) When you’re ready for lunch and a cool drink, saunter on over to the Lazeaway Club for a bite.
Flamingo Resort and Spa, 2777 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-545-8530, flamingoresort.com
Cuddle a Cute Critter
When the going gets tough, there’s nothing like quality time with a furry friend to leach the stress and worry from your body and mind.
Feline fans can find comfort at Mini Cat Town’s Kitten Lounge & Adoption Center at Santa Rosa Plaza. Fifteen bucks will get you 30 minutes of play and cuddle time with adorable kitties, and if you happen to fall in love, they’re all adoptable.
Not to worry if, like me, you’re highly allergic to cats and find that a trip to the emergency room is anything but relaxing. Focus Forward Studio in Santa Rosa offers Pawsitive Fitness yoga and Pilates classes ($30) alongside friendly rescue pups. The low-key classes are a collaboration with Compassion Without Borders in Santa Rosa, which means your fellow “classmates” are on the lookout for forever homes.
Mini Cat Town Kitten Lounge, 1071 Santa Rosa Plaza, Santa Rosa, minicattown.org. Focus Forward Studio, 4283 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa, focusforwardstudio.com