Mike Zakowski, owner and baker of The Bejkr, sells his bread, scones, and fresh wood-fired pretzels Friday, May 23, 2025 at the Sonoma Farmer’s Market. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
The moment one walks through the door of Quail & Condor bakery in downtown Healdsburg, a sensual feast begins. The intoxicating, yeasty aromas of just-baked breads rocket straight from nose-to-brain, and then to belly as it responds with a powerful, hungry rumble.
These are no ordinary breads. These are handmade sourdough beauties kissed with startling tang — hearty sesame-seed epis hand-rolled into classic wheat stalk shapes, and slightly sour miche that’s fluffy inside and made with fresh-milled rye, spelt, and whole wheat. The bakery’s naturally leavened baguettes are so sexy, the long, slender loaves look as though they belong tucked alongside a colorful bouquet of flowers in the basket of a bike tootling along the Champs-Élysées.
Quail & Condor caught the attention of The New York Times this past December, putting the tiny shop on the list of “22 of the Best Bakeries Across the U.S. Right Now.” Then, in January, bakery owners Melissa and Sean McGaughey were named as semifinalists for the 2025 James Beard Outstanding Bakery Award.
Sesame-seed epis and naturally leavened baguettes at Quail & Condor in Healdsburg. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
And yet, as wondrous as the accomplishments are, it can sometimes feel like just another day in Sonoma County — blessed with such a collection of outstanding family-owned bakeries, it might seem an embarrassment of riches.
But that inkling of too much privilege dissipates with that first bite of crunchy-chewy crust on Quail’s pain de campagne, the French country bread crafted with rye and whole wheat, folded in with tart olives, and even more exquisite when slathered with imported French butter.
Chef/co-owners Melissa Yanc McGaughey and Sean McGaughey and their team bake their New York Times heralded breads for Quail & Condor at their second Healdsburg restaurant, Troubadour Bread & Bistro, Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
And that’s just one example. Sonoma County boasts Wild Flour Bread in Freestone; Nightingale Breads in Forestville; Red Bird Bakery in Cotati; Goguette Bread, Village Bakery, and Marla Bakery all in Santa Rosa, and the list goes on. Some specialize in wood-fired brick hearth ovens, some use rack ovens, some work out of home kitchens with cottage licenses. But all unite in one shared cause: to make the finest breads with artisanal flours and grains, wild yeasts, and hands-on love which includes long fermentations.
What is it about Sonoma County that makes it such a hotbed for bread? San Francisco’s sourdough bread is famous, with humidity said to play a crucial role in its fermentation and flavor, but does Sonoma County have its own magical secret factor?
Bakery owners Melissa Yanc McGaughey and Sean McGaughey and their team bake breads for Quail & Condor at their second Healdsburg restaurant, Troubadour Bread & Bistro. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
“That’s a really good question,” Melissa McGaughey muses. “There aren’t a ton of grain growers here. For me, it’s about the community and lifestyle, the energy and flow. I’ve only really lived in big cities, so I always thought that the small town of Healdsburg was a stepping-stone for me, but I found that all of Sonoma County is bustling. We’re big, but small — I love that I get to connect with so many people personally.”
Mike Zakowski agrees that it’s the mesmerizing vibe keeps him rooted. He competed for Team USA at the Coupe du Monde de la Boulangerie in Paris in 2012, where the group won a silver medal. He could work anywhere across the globe.
Mike Zakowski, owner and baker of The Bejkr, sells wood-fired pretzels at the Sonoma Valley Certified Farmers Market. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Yet now, with his own The Bejkr business, he sells his mouthwatering goods at the Sonoma Valley Farmers Market year-round on Fridays at Depot Park on First Street West and during summer at the Sonoma Tuesday Night Market.
“I’ve made bread all over the world. I travel and I teach a lot. There’s good bread all over,” he says. “It’s the Sonoma weather that attracted me, actually. I’m from the Midwest originally and I’ve been here 18 years. It’s just such a stunning place to live.”
Mike Zakowski, owner and baker of The Bejkr, sells his bread, scones, and fresh wood-fired pretzels Friday, May 23, 2025, at the Sonoma Valley Certified Farmers Market. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
His breads, all artfully scored, are made of ancient, whole grains, sourced from local farms and stone milled. He mills his own specialty grains, too, such as emmer, spelt, ancient einkorn, California rye, and wheat.
He appreciates that he always finds great reception for even uncommon bread flavors like a loaf he makes with Khorasan (an ancient wheat variety), stone-milled rye, roasted sweet corn, jalapeño, cilantro, and kovasz keszites, a Hungarian-style sourdough starter.
Recently, after a tour of Japan, he’s been experimenting with even more flavors.
“I got reinspired to do some new things, like raisin water, which is an old French technique,” he says. “And I’m a matcha drinker, so I’m exploring green tea powder, adzuki beans, roasted soybeans, mochi, and rice in breads, and I’m making a shokupan now (pillowy-soft Japanese milk bread).”
The fact that so many Sonoma foodies are open to, and eager for, such interesting specialties is a big incentive for creative bakers. For Lee Magner of cult-boutique Sonoma Mountain Breads, that’s been a big selling point keeping him here.
“It’s a community that really celebrates food across the board,” he says, of people who swarm his email to grab the 100 baguettes and 125 or so artisanal loaves he produces each week at his Sonoma Mountain home and farmstand. “Craftsmanship is also really celebrated here, and people understand that making bread is definitely a labor of love.”
Sonoma Mountain Bread owner Lee Magner bakes small batches of bread out of a barn in the hills above Penngrove Friday, May 23, 2025. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
The local bread phenomenon was birthed at the turn of the last century, beginning with Franco American Bakery, which started in 1900, making the family-run business the oldest established bakery in the North Bay. The sourdough starter is the same as it was 125 years ago, lovingly nurtured like the precious child it is. It was followed with downtown Healdsburg’s Costeaux French Bakery, founded in 1923, and still wowing with its seeded sourdough and feather-soft brioche.
More beautiful breads blossomed in 1994, when Kathleen Weber introduced us to artisanal loaves made with fine ingredients like organic flours, Brittany sea salt, local extra virgin olive oils, and instead of commercial yeast, a natural starter featuring her own Petaluma ranch-grown grapes.
Initially, she drew on her home-baked, Italian-style fermented fare, baked in a wood-burning oven. By 1995, the French Laundry demanded to be a customer, followed by more high-end restaurants such as Auberge du Soleil. Some might say that the local love truly took flight when Weber opened Della Fattoria in Petaluma in 2003, enchanting customers including Martha Stewart. We lost Weber in 2020, but her legendary breads live on at the restaurant.
Certainly many of Sonoma County’s local bakers could go big time, if they chose. Both Costeaux and Della Fattoria have grown over the years into wholesale businesses. More recently, after outgrowing her home-based baking business, the acclaimed Alexandra Zandvliet opened Sarmentine Organic French Bakery in Santa Rosa in 2021, which was immediately so popular she now has shops in Sebastopol and Petaluma, too.
The team at Quail & Condor bake breads at the owners’ second Healdsburg restaurant, Troubadour Bread & Bistro. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)Mike Zakowski, owner and baker of The Bejkr, sells his baked goods at the Sonoma Valley Certified Farmers Market. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Yet for many of today’s modern bakeries, keeping small is the point. “For us, the fulfillment doesn’t come from making a bunch of money and growing the business,” McGaughey says. “My husband and I are super-aligned on that. We don’t need to live superlavishly. We are able to pay our bills, put our kids in good schools, and reinvest in the people that we hire so they are able to not only have a career, but also be able to take care of themselves. If there’s anything left over, we are able to take one to two vacations a year.
“We also enjoy very much being able to work with the farmers personally. If we got any bigger, it’d be much harder for us to do that.”
The Bejkr’s Zakowski is a bit more blunt.
“No, none of that interests me,” he says politely, of expanding. “I used to do all that, working with so many bakeries. Been there, done that. I literally do everything myself now, and that’s what I love.”
Strawberry nuvole, a dessert pasta, on the Dry Creek Kitchen pasta tasting menu from chef Shane McAnelly. (Heather Irwin/The Press Democrat)
There are more than 300 identified pasta shapes in Italy, each with a unique history, birthplace and use — from cheese-filled tubes to ruffled ribbons that grip sauce.
Chef Shane McAnelly of Dry Creek Kitchen pays a delicious tribute to his favorites on the restaurant’s new six-course pasta tasting menu, including the street corn agnolotti that stole my heart in the summer of 2020.
It was one of my favorite dishes of that challenging year. The pillows of pasta with roasted sweet corn, shishito peppers, lime, cotija and cilantro were the essence of summer on a plate. I’ve long wondered if it was as good as I remembered. It is.
The Dry Creek Kitchen pasta tasting menu ($119 per person, $85 supplemental wine pairing) is a departure from the restaurant’s progressive American cuisine, allowing McAnelly to showcase his pasta prowess.
The former chef of Healdsburg’s Chalkboard and Brass Rabbit, McAnelly was celebrated for his handmade pasta and lush, seasonal sauces. He later reintroduced many of those dishes at Bricoleur Vineyards in Windsor, where he was executive chef for three years.
Shane McAnelly is the executive chef of Charlie Palmer’s Dry Creek Kitchen in Healdsburg. (Paige Green, 2023)
More than macaroni
What sets this tasting menu apart is the joyful celebration of Sonoma County produce, made magical at this time of year.
The opening salvo is a single slice of Russian River Organics heirloom tomato atop creamy stracciatella with fresh basil leaves, Rochioli olive oil and a drip of aged balsamic. It’s almost comical in its simplicity, but a talented chef knows when to step back and let the ingredients shine.
Bellwether Farms ricotta gnudi wrapped in squash blossoms and bathed in a clear broth of tomato water and Parmesan is breathtaking. I have no idea what sorcery it takes to make umami tomato water, but bathing in it would not be out of the question.
Cocoa Trifoglio on the Dry Creek Kitchen pasta tasting menu from chef Shane McAnelly. The clover-shaped tubes of pasta are infused with cocoa and topped with crunchy hazelnut praline. (Heather Irwin/The Press Democrat)
The showstopper is a sweet-savory Cocao Trifoglio, which McAnelly has revived from the Chalkboard menu. The clover-shaped tubes of pasta are infused with cocoa, lending an earthy foundation for a nest of Liberty duck confit. The lily is gilded with rich Madeira cream sauce and crunchy hazelnut praline. This will absolutely be one of my “Best Dishes of the Year.”
Beet Gigli with short rib sugo in a zesty horseradish gremolata is the heartiest course and had me crying for mercy and a doggy bag. It was just as amazing the next day for lunch, overlooking the fact that I microwaved it. Sorry, chef Shane.
Strawberry nuvole, a dessert pasta, on the Dry Creek Kitchen pasta tasting menu from chef Shane McAnelly. The pasta is made with strawberry powder and accented by white chocolate shavings and mascarpone mousse. (Heather Irwin/The Press Democrat)
Pastry chef Taylor Kelley gets into the pasta spirit with a strawberry nuvole pasta (made with flour and strawberry powder). Shavings of white chocolate and a quenelle of mascarpone mousse add glam to this clever dessert.
While I’m all about a good plate of macaroni or a messy plate of spaghetti and meatballs, Dry Creek Kitchen’s pasta tasting menu does a deep dive into the ocean of what pasta can be in the hands of a master.
Reservations are highly recommended.
Dry Creek Kitchen, 317 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg. 707-431-0330, drycreekkitchen.com
People attend a Petaluma Chamber of Commerce mixer at the Montagne Russe Winery and Record Lounge in Petaluma Thursday, July 31, 2025. (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat)
The bar for downtown Petaluma’s tasting room scene just got a little higher with the addition of Montagne Russe. Doubling as a record shop, the newly opened venue pours cool-climate Pinot Noir, Syrah and Chardonnay, plus Rhône-style selections under the winery’s Le Pöet-Laval side label.
The story
Kevin Bersofsky might still be a garage winemaker today if his neighbor hadn’t ratted him out to the feds. While working for Sutter Home Winery in 2006, Bersofsky started making his own wine at home in St. Helena. He started with a few barrels and gradually expanded production to more than a dozen. Then, in 2013, somebody squealed.
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau quickly shut down Bersofsky’s illicit operation, forcing him to dump four precious barrels down the drain. (In my mind, the feds shoot the barrels with 1920s machine guns as red wine spurts from the bullet holes. It may or may not have actually gone down that way.) Bersofsky learned his lesson and went legit, officially founding Montagne Russe in 2015.
The Montagne Russe tasting room at Bacchus Landing in Healdsburg featured a mural of a roller coaster that winemaker and owner Kevin Bersofsky designed as a senior engineering project while in college. As of Memorial Day this year, Montagne Russe shut down its Healdsburg tasting room, reopening it in Petaluma last month. (Brian Welsh)
Taking its name from the French term for roller coaster — Bersofsky helped design one as an engineering undergraduate — Montagne Russe specializes in single-vineyard wines from the Petaluma Gap and other cool-climate regions. The winery buys fruit from local growers and makes the wines at Brooks Note just down the street. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah are flagships.
The grand opening of Montagne Russe in Petaluma, Saturday, July 12, 2025. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)Records sit for sale at the Montagne Russe Winery and Record Lounge in Petaluma Thursday, July 31, 2025. (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat)
Walking into the sunny, open room, visitors are greeted with a giant roller coaster graphic that twists its way across the entire left-hand wall. Weeeee!
Tasters can settle into window seating facing Petaluma Boulevard, perch at high-top tables or grab stools at the white quartz tasting bar. The atmosphere is relaxed for both humans and pups; there’s even a basket of dog toys so furry ones can chew while their humans sip.
A small alcove at the back of the venue serves as a record emporium with thousands of albums for sale. (Bersofsky’s personal vinyl collection lives behind the bar — and yes, he does take requests.)
On the palate
The Montagne Russe 2022 Petaluma Gap Pinot Noir at the Montagne Russe Winery and Record Lounge in Petaluma Thursday, July 31, 2025. (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat)
Bersofsky is the chief financial officer at Folio Fine Wine Partners in his weekday gig, but he says he’s not a numbers guy in the vineyard. Grape-picking decisions are made according to taste, when the fruit achieves the right balance between flavor, sugar and acidity.
I could happily quaff the 2023 Le Pöet-Laval White Rhone Blend from Mendocino County ($35) all summer long. It’s crisp and lean, with appealing peachy aromas and flavors. The 2022 Montagne Russe Dragon’s Back Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir ($58) is a pretty, floral wine with aromas of raspberries and spice. The 2021 Alder Springs Syrah from Mendocino County ($55) is like sipping blackberry pancakes with a side of bacon. The wine is savory and structured, with a lush, long finish.
Tastings cost $35 (choose between Montagne Russe and Le Pöet-Laval flights). Mad scientist types can also book a “winemaker for a day” blending session for $100. Stay tuned in the coming months for “Vinyls & Vino” trivia events, movie nights and live music.
Beyond the bottle
A meaty sandwich from Stellina Alimentari in Petaluma. (Emma K Creative)
Just across the street from Montagne Russe, Stellina Alimentari is the place to savor an Italian-style focaccia sandwich or made-to-order arancini. Italian house wines are typically just 10 bucks a glass, and there are lots of yummy pantry items and take-home bottles for sale.
Montagne Russe is open from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday through Monday and from noon to 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. 155 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, 1-855-GO-RUSSE (1-855-467-8773), russewines.com
Tina Caputo is a wine, food, and travel journalist who contributes to Sonoma magazine, SevenFifty Daily, Visit California, Northern California Public Media, KQED, and more. Follow her on Bluesky at @winebroad.bsky.social, view her website at tinacaputo.com, and email her story ideas at tina@caputocontent.com.
Guy Fieri tries blueberry pancakes at Hank’s Creekside in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Guy Fieri may be a household name across the country, but he’ll always be Santa Rosa’s native son. Sonoma County is where he launched his first restaurants and where his philanthropic spirit continues to shine. Still living and working in the area, Fieri is known for supporting fellow local restaurateurs — and giving them a national spotlight on his hit Food Network show “Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives.”
For many, that kind of exposure brings a major boost in business and lasting recognition. If you’re visiting one of these featured spots, keep an eye out — Fieri’s flashy signature is often hidden somewhere inside, a fun little Easter egg for fans to discover.
La Texanita Restaurant, Santa Rosa
Craving an authentic taste for his “Global Grub” episode in season seven, Fieri went to La Texanita Restaurant in Santa Rosa. “So simple, but so good,” he said of the carne asada tacos. “I’m telling you something, there’s just nothing that can beat that handmade tortilla.” Some other Fieri favorites include the posole, sopes and huaraches. 1667 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa, 707-525-1905, latexanita.com
A molcajete and margarita from Taqueria Molcajetes, a Mexican taqueria in Santa Rosa that was featured on Guy Fieri’s Food Network series “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives” for its smoking-hot Molcajete Mixto. (Alvin Jornada / The Press Democrat, file)
Taqueria Molcajetes, Santa Rosa
Fieri highlighted numerous dishes at Santa Rosa’s Taqueria Molcajetes for his “Regional Recipes” episode in season 29, including its signature Molcajete Mixto as well as the taquitos, burritos, tacos pastor and chile verde. He called this Mexican restaurant off West College Avenue “without question, one of the best Mexican food experiences I have ever had.” 1195 W College Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-544-8280
Guy Fieri tries blueberry pancakes at Hank’s Creekside in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Hank’s Creekside Restaurant, Santa Rosa
The traditional breakfast and brunch spot Hank’s Creekside Restaurant in Santa Rosa was featured in the “House Specials” episode in season one. Fieri tried the blueberry pancakes with corn beef hash. “It’s basic, it’s simple, but it’s money,” he said. He also mentions the eggs Benedict and cinnamon-walnut French toast. 2800 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-575-8839, hanks-creekside.com
Simply Vietnam Express, Santa Rosa
Serving up the unique flavors of Vietnam, Santa Rosa’s Simply Vietnam Express was featured in the “Meaty Mashup” episode in season 29, where Fieri praised its combination pho. “Oh my goodness. It’s light, refreshing, but the depth of flavors is outstanding,” he said. “It’s everything I wanted it to be.” 3381 Cleveland Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-544-4585, simplyvietnamexpress.com
Bo Kho, Spicy Vietnamese Beef Stew, by chef Be Nguyen of Simply Vietnam in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)Korean Burrito with ground beef marinated with soy, brown sugar, garlic and ginger, Korean barbecue sauce, avocado, mint cilantro, pickled daikon and carrot, organic brown rice, and house kimchi at Zoftig in Santa Rosa. (Chris Hardy/For Sonoma Magazine)
Zoftig Eatery, Santa Rosa
Featured on the “From Big Burgers to Little Italy” episode in season 29, Zoftig Eatery is a contemporary restaurant serving up healthy fare. Fieri tried the Korean burrito, stuffed with marinated Stemple Creek Ranch beef, house kimchi, brown rice and veggies. “I’m going to drown in my own drool,” he said before chomping down on the burrito. 57 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa, 707-521-9554, zoftigeatery.com
Tiramisu at Cafe Citti in Santa Rosa. (Heather Irwin/The Press Democrat)
Sonoma’s Sunflower Caffe, a popular breakfast destination, was featured in the “From Mozz to Matzo Balls” episode in season 11. Fieri sampled the borscht and feta lamb burger. “That’s like the [most] luscious lamb burger,” he said. “Seriously, one of the best I’ve tried.” 421 First St. W., Sonoma, 707-996-6645, sonomasunflower.com
Avocado toast from Sunflower Caffe in Sonoma. (Sunflower Caffe)The outdoor seating area at Russian River Pub in Forestville. (Russian River Pub)
Russian River Pub, Forestville
Russian River Pub is a regular go-to for Fieri, who first featured the restaurant in the “American Cookin’” episode in season one. Fieri’s favorite dishes include the pub burger, seared ahi tuna salad and beef tri-tip sandwich. But it’s the crispy, juicy chicken wings that he calls “some of the best-tasting wings in the nation.” Fieri featured the pub again in the “Takeout: Bold Bites Brought Home” episode in season 32, and a third time in the Triple D Nation spinoff in the “California Comfort” episode. 11829 River Road, Forestville, 707-887-7932, russianriverpub.com
Ten-layer lasagna at Catelli’s in Geyserville. (Chris Hardy/for Sonoma Magazine)
Catelli’s, Geyserville
Catelli’s was featured in the “Bar Food and Bon Bons” episode in season 12. Fieri said the ravioli, made in-house from scratch, was “memorably great” and he couldn’t get enough of the beef meatball sliders. Fieri featured the California-inspired Italian restaurant in three other episodes of “Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives” and its spinoff show “Triple D Nation.” 21047 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville, 707-857-3471, mycatellis.com
Changed concepts and/or management
Cochon Volant BBQ Smoke House (now Il Fuoco Pizza), Sonoma
Also featured in the “Meaty Mashup” episode was Sonoma’s former Cochon Volant BBQ Smoke House (now Il Fuoco Pizza). Fieri praised the spicy fried chicken, calling it “a chef’s fried chicken.” He also has a namesake dish on the menu — the WTF (What The Fieri) Burger — a seared beef patty topped with 14-hour smoked brisket, smoked pork shoulder, house-cured maple bacon, a fried chipotle pork cake, cheddar cheese and housemade barbecue sauce. While Cochon Volant switched to pizza-focused Il Fuoco in 2021, chef Rob Larman still offers catering and serves barbecue during weekend pop-ups at the restaurant. 18350 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma, 707-509-5480, cochonvolantbbq.com, ilfuocopizza.com
Customers order baby back ribs, sausage, pork shoulder, short ribs and beef brisket by the pound to create their mixed platter at the Cochon Volant BBQ Smoke House in Sonoma. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)Turkey Scallopini at The Bird in Santa Rosa. (Heather Irwin/Press Democrat)
Willie Bird’s Restaurant (now The Bird), Santa Rosa
Known for serving up turkey in a wide variety of ways, Willie Bird’s (now The Bird) was featured on the “Talkin’ Turkey” episode in season two. Fieri was impressed with the turkey stroganoff served in a creamy sauce with sautéed mushrooms.
Shrimp and pork shumai from dim sum specialist Michelle Wood, the new owner of Jimtown Store, at her home in Santa Rosa, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Jimtown Store (now Jimtown and Then Sum), Healdsburg
In the “Porktastic” episode in season 11, Fieri featured Healdsburg’s historic Jimtown Store, a quaint café in a rustic country store tucked away in the vineyards of Alexander Valley. “Big, deep flavor in the brisket,” Fieri said of the smoked brisket sandwich. “Sauce is no joke, you get that little back kick of the bourbon.”
Jimtown Store closed at the end of 2019 and reopened as Jimtown and Then Sum in June 2025 under chef Michelle Wood. The reimagined Jimtown now focuses on dim sum as well as spring rolls, poke bowls, banh mi and traditional deli sandwiches. Jimtown remains a fitting eatery for the “Poktastic” episode, as our dining editor loves the pork shumai and barbecue pork bao buns on the current menu. 6706 Highway 128, Healdsburg, 707-756-5022, jimtown.com
Closed
Worth Our Weight (Now Closed), Santa Rosa
The nonprofit Worth Our Weight culinary training program and bistro (located on Hahman Drive where Pascaline French Bistro is now) was featured in the “Funky Finds” episode in season 11. Fieri noted it as a “one-of-a-kind experience,” and the Guy Fieri Foundation donated a pretzel cart to the culinary program/restaurant. Worth Our Weight executive director Evelyn Cheatham announced the closing of the culinary training program for at-risk young adults in 2018 after struggling to find funding. Cheatham died in November 2019.
Worth Our Weight executive director Evelyn Cheatham announced in 2018 the culinary training program and bistro for at-risk young adults will close after struggling to find funding. Cheatham died in November 2019. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)Before Johnny Garlic’s closed in 2018, Fieri featured his own restaurant chain on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” At the restaurant’s Santa Rosa location in 2012, he showed viewers how the restaurant makes Sashimi Won Tacos and Garlic-Onion Tortilla Stack. (Kent Porter/ The Press Democrat, file)
Johnny Garlic’s (Now Closed), Santa Rosa
Before it closed in 2018, Fieri featured his own restaurant in the “Unexpected Eats” episode in season 14. The restaurant had a fusion of Mexican, Italian, Asian and Cajun dishes on the menu, and on his show Fieri highlighted the eatery’s Sashimi Won Tacos dressed in eel sauce, which won gold at the Sonoma County Harvest Fair.
Zazu Kitchen + Farm (Now Closed), Sebastopol
Farm-to-table establishment Zazu Kitchen + Farm was featured on the “From Sandwiches to Stroganoff” episode in season 29. Fieri loved the Bacon-in-the-Batter Waffle along with the quality, freshness and portion sizes of the restaurant’s dishes. Zazu closed in 2019 after a flood damaged the restaurant and surrounding businesses in Sebastopol’s The Barlow. Owners Duskie Estes and John Stewart continue to operate their Black Pig Meat Co. food truck and catering business.
The now-closed Zazu Kitchen + Farm in Sebastopol. (Chris Hardy)The now-closed Schellville Grill on Broadway at Highway 121 in Sonoma. (Robbi Pengelly/Index-Tribune)
Schellville Grill (Now Closed), Sonoma
Sonoma’s Schellville Grill was featured on the “Grilled, Smoked and Sauced” episode in season nine. Fieri tried the buckaroo sandwich with Mexican Achoté chicken on a brioche roll and the tri-tip sandwich smothered in a special barbecue sauce. It had “the right amount of smoke,” he said. Schellville Grill owner Matthew Nagan sold the restaurant in 2020.
Spring colors envelop John Leipsic of Larkspur and Wendy Robbins of Massachusetts as they tour the Western Hills Garden in Occidental, Tuesday, May 14, 2019. (Kent Porter / Press Democrat)
With spring in the rearview and sunny summer upon us, local gardens are in full bloom again. If you are seeking a peaceful sanctuary in nature, a beautiful spot for a picnic, a secluded lovers’ escape, a pathway for a revitalizing stroll or simply a place where you can unwind and relax, this list of some of our favorite gardens in Sonoma County was made for you.
Asian and California Native Plants
Sonoma Botanical Garden
Philadelphus schrenkii in bloom at the Sonoma Botanical Garden (formerly Quarryhill Botanical Garden) in Glen Ellen. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
You can take a tranquil walk or picnic among breathtaking flowers and foliage native to Asia without leaving Sonoma County. Located just outside of Glen Ellen, Sonoma Botanical Garden (formerly Quarryhill Botanical Garden) has blossomed into an expansive showcase of plant species from Asia and California over the course of nearly 40 years. A focus on conservation has long been a part of Sonoma Botanical Garden’s ethos. Founded by Jane Davenport Jansen in 1987, the garden was started from wild seeds collected on expeditions to Asia. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. 12841 Highway 12, Glen Ellen, 707-996-3166, sonomabg.org
Rhododendron, Azaleas, Camellias and more
Botanica Nursery and Gardens
Sunlight streams down on a rhododendron at Botanica Nursery and Gardens (formerly Hidden Forest Nursery) near Sebastopol on Thursday, May 6, 2021. (Christopher Chung/ The Press Democrat)
Tucked away in the Hessel Area of Sebastopol, this is a nursery and a magical secret garden all in one. Rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and Japanese maples are among the many plants available for purchase at Botanica Nursery and Gardens (formerly Hidden Forest Nursery), but the highlight of a visit to the nursery just might be a walk around its verdant grounds. Walking along the two miles of trails that wind through the botanical reserve feels like a journey to an enchanted land. Guided docent tours through the 7.5 acres are also available the first and third Saturday morning of each month. Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Monday; other times by appointment. 3970 Azalea Lane, Sebastopol. 707-823-6832, botanicanurseryandgardens.com
Roses and Irises
Russian River Rose Company
Colorful blossoms fill the landscape at the Russian River Rose Company’s garden in Healdsburg. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)
The Russian River Rose Company’s show garden in Healdsburg features over 650 different roses and 202 irises. Guided tours can be booked for a fee to see the full splendor of the garden and its many flower varieties. Among some of the garden’s highlights are the Rose Allee (eight arches covered with climbing roses), a Butterfly Garden, an Iris Garden and a Perfume Distillery where rose water and perfume are produced. 1685 Magnolia Drive, Healdsburg. 707-433-7455, russian-river-rose.com
More Roses
Garden Valley Ranch
Garden Valley Ranch in Petaluma. (Sonoma County Tourism)
Situated on over 5 acres, this expansive rose farm cultivates 8,000 rosebushes. There are a variety of ways to experience Petaluma’s historicGarden Valley Ranch. You can buy tickets for a day of flower foraging when the roses are in bloom or make a reservation to stay overnight at the property’s romantic garden cottage. The venue also can be booked for weddings and private events. 498 Pepper Road, Petaluma. 707-795-0919, gardenvalley.com
Rare Plant Species
Western Hills Garden
Spring colors envelop John Leipsic of Larkspur and Wendy Robbins of Massachusetts as they tour the Western Hills Garden in Occidental. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)Scotch broom blooms, Tuesday, May 14, 2019, at Western Hills Garden in Occidental. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)
You will not want to miss this plant lovers’ oasis in Occidental. Western Hills Garden features an array of species collected from far-off places such as Australia, South America and South Africa. Set on a 3-acre property, the garden has five ponds, 34 bridges and everything from rare conifers to endangered Chinese maples to a camellia forest. For a fee, visitors can walk through the garden on their own or book a guided tour with a group. 16250 Coleman Valley Road, Occidental. westernhillsgarden.com
Lavender
Monte-Bellaria di California
Lavender plants begin to bloom at Monte-Bellaria di California lavender farm near Sebastopol, Saturday June 17, 2023. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)
There is nothing quite like seeing lavender fields in bloom. Monte-Bellaria di California opens its lavender farm to visitors for country walks during weekends starting in April, but it’s during early summer when the lavender is in full color.Pre-paid, timed tickets are required during this “High Bloom Season” that goes from June 2o to July 27. Though not as colorful later in the year, visitors can also take walks on weekends when the lavender aromas reach their peak during the farm’s “High Fragrance Season” from Aug. 2 through Aug. 31. 3518 Bloomfield Road, Sebastopol. 707-829-2645, monte-bellaria.com
Montgomery High School junior Rima Makaryan, 16, paints details on the “Dreamer” mural she created at Montgomery High School in Santa Rosa, on Saturday, March 30, 2019. (Alvin Jornada / The Press Democrat)
“If these walls could talk” goes the saying — in Sonoma County, they can. Thanks to the work of talented artists, the facades of our local buildings share stories that reflect this area: beautiful, colorful and diverse.
Discover the creative side of Sonoma County by checking out some of our favorite local murals. Summer is a great time to get outside for a public art day trip.
Petaluma
“Sonoma” by Maxfield Bala
Maxfield Bala fell in love with drawing and all things art when he was a middle school student doodling in the corners of his notebooks. As a Petaluma local, he never thought he would have an opportunity to bring his small drawings to life in a big way. Today, Bala is one of a handful of North Bay artists sought out by local art committees and city planning departments to design and paint larger-than-life public art installations. 2557 Petaluma Blvd. S., Petaluma
Mural artist Maxfield Bala applies spray paint to his “Welcome to Petaluma” mural project on Petaluma Blvd South along Highway 101 in Petaluma on Monday, Jan. 28, 2019. (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat)Mural artist Maxfield Bala works on his “Welcome to Petaluma” mural project on Petaluma Boulevard South along Highway 101 in Petaluma on Monday, Jan. 28, 2019. (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat)
“Welcome to Petaluma” by Maxfield Bala
This mural, spanning 50-feet wide and 13-feet tall, is one of multiple projects Bala has been asked to contribute to Sonoma County. “The welcome mural I am painting has so many features that represent the city that are iconic to Petaluma that we have all grown up with as a community,” said 25-year-old Bala in a 2019 interview. “It is just nice to give back to the community in the way I know how, which is through art.” Petaluma Boulevard South, along Highway 101 heading toward San Francisco.
Phoenix Theater Mural by Ricky Watts
A “splash of cosmic color” in downtown Petaluma, local artist Ricky Watts’s 3,000-square-foot mural transformed the southern wall of the Phoenix Theater into a huge outdoor art exhibit in 2013. In 2015, Claus Brigmann, with the help of Mike Hollibaugh, built a solar-powered LED lighting system to illuminate the mural after dark. Watts describes his artwork’s abstract style as “space rainbows,” with fluid shapes and colors that intertwine. The Phoenix Theater, 201 Washington St., Petaluma
The colorful mural on the south wall of The Phoenix Theatre created by local Sonoma County artist Ricky Watts, in Petaluma on Thursday, July 5, 2018. (Alvin Jornada / The Press Democrat)Murals and other forms of art are seen all along American Alley for the O+ Festival in Petaluma on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2015. (Rachel Simpson / for the Petaluma Argus-Courier)
Various Murals, American Alley
Alleyways aren’t typically known for their photographic potential, but Petaluma’s American Alley is an exception. This hidden gem is home to abstract and realist murals. Painted on historic brick buildings, they offer a glimpse into the life of the working class. The murals were painted by various artists during the O+ Festival in November 2015. Located between Petaluma Boulevard North and Kentucky Street, off of Washington Street.
Santa Rosa
“Dreamer” by Rima Makaryan
Artist Rima Makaryan, a Montgomery High School junior, wants people to see beauty in the immigrant experience, and not just focus on border walls, family separations and other charged elements of the current debate. Drawing on her own experience as an Armenian immigrant, Makaryan pushes viewers of her work to appreciate those who come to this country seeking better lives, or to escape hardship or violence in their native lands. Montgomery High School, 1250 Hahman Drive, Santa Rosa
Montgomery High School junior Rima Makaryan, 16, paints details on the “Dreamer” mural she created at her school in Santa Rosa, on Saturday, March 30, 2019. (Alvin Jornada / The Press Democrat)Untitled murals by MJ Lindo-Lawyer, Joshua Lawyer and Big Hepos in Santa Rosa, off Santa Rosa Avenue, on a former used car lot at the corner with Sebastopol Avenue. (Ricardo Ibarra)
Untitled Mural by MJ Lindo-Lawyer, Joshua Lawyer, Big Hepos
Husband-and-wife artists Joshua Lawyer and MJ Lindo-Lawyer, along with friend and fellow artist Big Hepos, completed work on this Santa Rosa Avenue mural in December, 2018. Only five months later, the mural was vandalized. The faces it depicted, two of them brown, had been splashed with white paint. Thanks to a successful GoFundMe campaign, the artwork was restored. While the original had featured the faces in profile, the restored version shows the faces looking straight at the viewer. 505 and 514 Santa Rosa Ave., on a former used car lot at the corner with Sebastopol Avenue.
“Battle of Good versus Evil” by Joshua Lawyer, MJ Lindo-Lawyer and Big Hepos
A struggle between light and darkness, the idea behind this mural was “a David and Goliath story arch,” according to Joshua Lawyer. It depicts two figures, face-to-face in a wrestling ring: an indigenous woman in jeans, sweatshirt and Converse shoes facing a looming Lucha Libre-masked wrestler, painted in darker, heavier tones. The mural sits on a Roseland site that has historically been a community gathering place, the meeting spot for protests and the location for the annual Cinco de Mayo fiesta. 883 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa
“Battle of Good versus Evil” mural by Joshua Lawyer, MJ Lindo-Lawyer and Big Hepos on Sebastopol Road in Santa Rosa. (Ricardo Ibarra)Pedestrians walk past a mural created by Daniel Doughty and Nick Jensen at Art Alley in the SOFA arts district in Santa Rosa. (Alvin Jornada / The Press Democrat)
Untitled Mural by Daniel Doughty and Nick Jensen
The South of A Street arts district — SOFA — covers a few blocks between Santa Rosa Avenue and South A Street, bordering Sebastopol and Sonoma avenues and neighboring Juilliard Park. A great destination for art appreciation, it is home to galleries as well as street art. A manga-inspired mural, created by Daniel Doughty and Nick Jensen, can be found in SOFA’s Art Alley.
Guernica Mural by Mario Uribe
Ever since local artist Mario Uribe was in art school, almost 60 years ago, he’s been moved by Pablo Picasso’s 1937 oil painting Guernica. One of Picasso’s best known works, it captures the horrors of war in a scene depicting the German aerial bombing of the Basque town of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War. Today, the painting is exhibited in the Museo Reina Sofía in Madrid. Thanks to Uribe, locals and visitors to Sonoma County can see a reproduction of it it in SOFA’s Art Alley. “The message in Guernica fits our world today and deserves to be replicated,” says Uribe, who projected the painting onto the wall at night and traced it. He then premixed the colors for the mural and several Artstart apprentices helped paint the various areas, while Uribe put in the finishing touches. 461 Sebastopol Ave., Santa Rosa
Imaginists Theater founders Amy Pinto and Brent Lindsay have bought the building that houses the theater and small artists studios in the South A district of Santa Rosa. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)An artist who goes by the pseudonym Bud Snow, lower right, paints her mandala mural with the help of Judy Kennedy, left, and Reina Rivera at Juilliard Park in Santa Rosa, on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016. The mural was commissioned by the Santa Rosa Art in Public Places Committee with a grant from Downtown Connect. (Christopher Chung / The Press Democrat)
Mandala Mural by Bud Snow
This bold and brightly colored mandala was created by muralist Julia Davis, aka Bud Snow, in the shallow bed of an abandoned fountain in Juilliard Park. The large, circular artwork features concentric rings of abstract, mythological-looking creatures Snow thinks of as contemporary versions of prehistoric, or perhaps, evolutionary beasts. “I’m interested in urban cave painting — discussing community, spirituality, friendship, joy, love — through simplified, abstracted but recognizable forms,” the Oakland artist said in a 2016 interview. Juilliard Park, Santa Rosa
Laura Kelly Memorial Mural by Bud Snow
The loss of a friend powered Bud Snow’s largest project to date: a vertical mural six stories high on the backside of Santa Rosa’s Roxy theater. Laura Nicole Kelly, a Sonoma County practitioner of Ayurvedic medicine, died from cancer in 2016. “She was my best friend. A lot of people were touched and healed by Laura,” said Snow, whose tribute to her friend takes the shape of a processional banner, featuring images that the late Kelly shared with Snow. Behind Roxy Stadium 14 onFirst Street, Santa Rosa.
The Laura Kelly Memorial Mural by Bud Snow on the backside of Santa Rosa’s Roxy theater. (Spring Maxfield)Artists Daniel Doughty, left, and Mario Uribe, right, move a scaffolding holding Jennifer Tatum, so that she can reach another portion of the Palms Inn Project mural, in Santa Rosa on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2017. (Christopher Chung/ The Press Democrat)
Palms Inn Mural by Mario Uribe
Local artist Mario Uribe, along with his assistant Daniel Doughty, Petaluma artist Jennifer Mygatt Tatum and apprentices from the nonprofit Artstart, created this 208-square-foot mural on the back of the wall of the Palms Inn, a 104-unit motel for homeless veterans and the chronically homeless. Wanting to draw attention to homelessness in Sonoma County and the need for more housing, Uribe used pictures of the residents to create composites of smiling people. Together, they form a puzzle in the shape of a house and, at the residents’ request, Uribe also included emblems of the five military branches. 3345 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa
Healing Mural by Mario Uribe
This mural, located in the Roseland neighborhood in southwest Santa Rosa, memorializes one of Sonoma County’s most traumatic events, the fatal shooting of 13-year-old Andy Lopez. The 48-foot-long mural depicts strong and colorful images of Mexican-American culture and day-to-day life, combined with the familiar, now-iconic image of Lopez, a Santa Rosa teenager who was shot by a Sonoma County sheriff’s deputy in 2013 as he walked through his Moorland Avenue neighborhood carrying an Airsoft BB gun the deputy reportedly mistook for a real weapon. 779 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa
Artist Mario Uribe installed a new panel (no justice, no peace) on the “Healing Mural” at Andy’s Park in Roseland, Tuesday Aug. 1, 2017. The panel replaces an old panel, in which some in the community, including the Lopez family, say was too sympathetic to the Sonoma County sheriff’s department. Andy Lopez was shot and killed by deputy Erick Gelhaus on Oct. 22, 2013. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)Artist Blanca Molina’s colorful mural, which translates to “live and enjoy life,” continues to bring smiles to those who pass by Sazón Peruvian restaurant on Sebastopol Road in Santa Rosa. (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat)
“Vivir y Disfrutar” by Blanca Molina
Local graphic designer Blanca Molina and her partner created a vibrant mural outside of Sazón Peruvian Restaurant in 2022 that celebrates Peruvina culture with a beautiful landscape, including cactuses, alpacas and a Quechua woman. Molina designed the piece as part of a mile-long Mural Festival in Santa Rosa’s Roeland neighborhood, helmed by MJ Lindo-Lawyer and Joshua Lawyer and featuring works by various other local artists. 1129 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa
HenHouse Mural by Blanca Molina
In 2023, artist Blanca Molina completed a colorful mural inside HenHouse Brewing’s Santa Rosa location, featuring two hens toasting glasses of beer adjacent to a wall that reads, “con cerveza, no hay tristeza,” which Molina said roughly translates to “with beer, there is no sadness.” Molina also created a series of fun beer can labels for HenHouse. 322 Bellevue Ave., Santa Rosa
A mural by Sonoma County-based artist Blanca Molina at Henhouse Brewing Company in Santa Rosa. (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat)Blanca Molina, an artist and graphic designer in Sonoma County, sits in Tía María bakery in Santa Rosa’s Roseland neighborhood, with one of her murals on the wall behind her. (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat)
Tía María Mural by Blanca Molina
Stretching across a wall at Tía María bakery in Santa Rosa’s Roseland neighborhood is one of Blanca Molina’s latest works, completed in spring of 2025. The mural features orange poppies and a bouquet of conchas sprouting from a traditional café de olla on a bright pink background, with overlaying text that reads, “May your cafecitos be strong and your chisme be juicy.” 44 Sebastopol Ave., Santa Rosa
“Raising Rainbows” by Maria de Los Angeles
Installed in early 2023 inside the Santa Rosa Junior College Foundation’s new building, this 7-by-17-foot acrylic mural is a lush floral landscape with symbolic imagery of community, equity, migration and environmental justice. The piece celebrates students, cultural diversity and the mission of education. 707 Elliott Ave., Santa Rosa
Maria de Los Angeles’ mural “Raising Rainbows,” measuring 7 feet by 17 feet, is on view in the Santa Rosa Junior College foundation building’s community room. (Ryan Bonilla)Artist Maria de Los Angeles takes a picture of Karla Garcia’s drawing and where she would like it to be placed on a community-focused mural at the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Luther Burbank Center for the Arts Murals by Maria de Los Angeles
In August 2023, artist Maria de Los Angeles unveiled two large-scale, vibrantly detailed acrylic murals on the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts campus. “The Muses: A Celebration of a Blossoming Imagination” (19-by-19 feet) honors the performing arts, while “Four Seasons: A Celebration of Community and Environmental Beauty” (8-by-20 feet) evokes nature’s seasonal cycle and communal ties. Around 100 community participants contributed to the murals. 50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa
Anova School Mural by The Velvet Bandit
On the grounds of the Anova Center for Education campus in Santa Rosa, The Velvet Bandit created her largest piece yet (40 feet by 8 feet), depicting poppies, daisies and positive word affirmations. The vibrant and inspiring mural was unveiled in July, 2025. Commissioned by Anova CEO Andrew Bailey, who was uplifted by her earlier “rogue art,” this bold public artwork now greets Anova school visitors. 212 Concourse Blvd., Santa Rosa
The Velvet Bandit with a mural she painted on the grounds of Anova Center for Education in Santa Rosa, Wednesday, July 2, 2025. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)Emmanuel Morales is one of three artists that helped to create a mural celebrating diversity, native culture, and the immigrant experience on a wall which had been previously vandalized with pro-Trump sentiments. Photo taken at Cali Calmecac Language Academy on Friday, January 13, 2017, in Windsor. (Beth Schlanker/The Press Democrat)
Windsor
Cali Calmecac Mural by Various Artists
A once-white wall defaced by anti-immigrant graffitiwas transformed into a vibrant mural celebrating Latino immigrants’ heritage and culture. Painted by local artists and students from Santa Rosa Junior College, the mural was conceived as an empowering response to vandalism that marred Cali Calmecac’s campus in late October, 2016. In vivid shades of purple, blue, green and other colors, the mural depicts scenes of creation, indigenous dancers, agriculture and students in the classroom. The main artists involved in the mural were Arturo Monroy, Mario Quijas, Emmanuel Morales, Jiovanny Soto and Everardo Flores. 9491 Starr Road, Windsor
Sonoma
Vida de la Muerte by Various Artists
This 15-by-60-foot mural, created by nearly 20 teens and organized by the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art, was funded in part by a National Endowment for the Arts grant aimed at supporting public art and artist residency collaborations. Acclaimed street artist Chor Boogie, a.k.a. Joaquin Lamar Hailey, of San Rafael, led the project. Boogie’s murals and artwork have appeared all over the world, including the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and the Smithsonian Institute. The colorful mural, featuring bright images of vineyards, Dia de Los Muertos icons, constellations named for animals and more, covers the wall of the Republic of Thrift shop in Boyes Hot Springs. 17496 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma
The 15-by-60-foot “Vida de la Muerte” mural in Sonoma, created by nearly 20 teens and organized by the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art, covers the wall of the Republic of Thrift shop in Boyes Hot Springs. (Lorna Sheridan)Artist Maria de Los Angeles, who works in New York City and lives in Jersey City, created two murals for the town of Glen Ellen in 2021. (Ryan Bonilla)
Glen Ellen
Glen Ellen Murals by Maria de Los Angeles
Commissioned by developers Stephen and Holly Sorkin in collaboration with the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art, Maria de Los Angeles completed two murals for Glen Ellen in 2021. The colorful murals, titled “Valley of Dreams” and “Galaxy of Hope,” are displayed on two walls of a mixed-use building that includes retail space, the Garden Court Cafe restaurant and an affordable housing project. 13647 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen
Sebastopol
“Teens Go Green” by Dana Lynn Vallarino
This 10-by-20-foot mural brightens up the campus at Brook Haven School in Sebastopol with colorful silhouettes of youth walking, biking, scootering and skateboarding. The mural is the result of a brainstorming session during a weekly Teens Go Green Club meeting. The club encourages students to get themselves to school using environmentally friendly modes of transportation. Sebastopol artist and Brook Haven alumna Dana Vallarino worked with club members to design the mural, even using them as models for the silhouettes. 7905 Valentine Ave., Sebastopol
Sebastopol artist Dana Lynn Vallarino paints a mural at Brook Haven School in Sebastopol. (Christopher Chung/ The Press Democrat)Muralist Amanda Lynn puts the final touches of color on a bluebird on a fig tree on the outer walls of The Playground Café at St. Stephen’s Church Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, in Sebastopol. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
“The Playground” by Amanda Lynn
A once-blank church wall was transformed into a charming mural evoking “a bit of wonderment for everyone.” Painted in October 2024 by Forestville muralist Amanda Lynn, the mural features local flora, insects and a bluebird. These elements were drawn directly from the church’s 4-acre site at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church.The mural reflects Lynn’s joy in creating public art that brings delight to Sebastopol and its community. 500 Robinson Road, Sebastopol
Healdsburg
Harmon Guest House Murals by Various Artists
Healdsburg’s Harmon Guest House (227 Healdsburg Ave.) has been inviting local artists to bring their talents to the resort since 2021 — with stunning results. The artworks range from sculptures and paintings to dance choreography and abstract nature videos. Here are some of the murals that have gone up at Harmon Guest House:
Artist Jake Messing poses with his “Blue Harmon” mural, which spans the staircase at Harmon Guest House in Healdsburg on Monday, September 16, 2024. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)
“Blue Harmon” by Jake Messing: Installed in May of 2022, Messing’s flock of bold blue herons graces the main stairwell at Harmon Guest House. The ascending herons symbolize “self-reliance, determination and good luck,” according to the artist.
“Mistress of Memory / Palimpsest Suites” by Alice Warnecke Sutro: Local artist and winemaker Alice Warnecke Sutro created a mixed-media art project for Harmon Guest House that included a large wall mural at its The Rooftop terrace, as well as etchings on glass shower doors. The mural and shower art featured figurative line drawings of people. The artwork was put on display in June, 2024.
Artist Alice Sutro’s “Mistress of Memory” is featured in the restaurant atop Harmon Guest House in Healdsburg on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)Maria de Los Angeles’ art piece “Mi Healdsburg-My Healdsburg” spans four stories on Harmon Guest House in Healdsburg on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)
“Mi Healdsburg / My Healdsburg” by Maria de Los Angeles: Unveiled Aug. 23, 2024, this temporary vinyl and glass mural, located atHarmon Guest House, featured a striking central female figure carrying local produce. The nearly 50-f00t-tall piece, designed by artist Maria de Los Angeles, was created via community workshops and funded by a $19,000 public art grant with the purpose of attracting and welcoming more people to the hotel and surrounding community.
Cloverdale
Staff of La Familia Sana from left to right; Laura Arreguin, Jade Weymouth, Andrea G, Christina Rosas, Maria De Jesus Ferreira, Mayra Arreguin and Blanca Molina (center), muralist, stand in front of Molina’s mural during its unveiling in Cloverdale on Sept. 20, 2024. (Abraham Fuentes/For The Press Democrat)Blanca Molina’s mural stands on the corner of N. Cloverdale Boulevard and W. Second Street for its unveiling in Cloverdale on Sept. 20, 2024. (Abraham Fuentes/For The Press Democrat)
“The Way of the Community Mural Project” by Blanca Molina, Nico Kimzin and others
With input from Cloverdale Latino youth, La Familia Sana — a nonprofit benefiting underserved people — partnered with Kimzin Creative to create a mural that represented various aspects of Latino culture. The Cloverdale mural reads “Saludos from Cloverdale” and includes lowriders, a quinceañera and a large cactus. It serves to include and uplift Cloverdale’s Hispanic community.201 N. Cloverdale Blvd., Suite B, Cloverdale
Andrew Beale, Alexandria Bordas, Mary Callahan, Sofia Englund, Martin Espinoza, Ricardo Ibarra, Mayra Lopez, Derek Moore, J.D. Morris, Angela Ramirez, Eloísa Ruano González, Lorna Sheridan, Chris Smith and Mary Jo Winter contributed to this article, originally published in 2020 and since updated. For more information about local murals and street artists, visit Artstart, Creative Sonoma and Santa Rosa Urban Art Partnership.
Blanca Molina, an artist and graphic designer in Sonoma County. (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat)
Blanca Molina sits in Tía María bakery in Santa Rosa’s Roseland neighborhood, studying her latest project on her iPad. At a table behind her, two women chat over cups of coffee, their conversation framed by a bright pink backdrop adorned with pops of orange florals and a bouquet of conchas sprouting from a café de olla that reads, “May your cafecitos be strong and your chisme be juicy.”
“Chisme means gossip,” explains Molina of the mural she created for the bakery this spring — one that might make you ponder: Does life imitate art, or does art imitate life?
For Molina, that philosophical question matters less than creating something that brings a smile to someone’s face. “Spreading joy and happiness with my art has always been my number one goal,” she says.
And she succeeds. Her creations are vibrant, bold, and lush. Describing herself as a “Latina maximalist,” Molina embraces a “more is more” approach. “I always want to add more pops of color, more movement. Make it busy, but clean. Organized chaos, I guess,” she explains.
Blanca Molina paints a section of a mural in downtown Cloverdale, Wednesday Aug. 21, 2024, that highlights the community’s Latino culture. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)
At its core, Molina’s art represents a yearning to capture the life her family left behind when they immigrated to California from Jalisco, Mexico, when she was 5 years old. “I kind of missed out on my culture by not being over there, so the only way I could connect to it is by drawing things that are important to the Mexican culture,” she says.
Molina is especially drawn to pink and orange hues, colors significant to Día de los Muertos, which also happens to be her busiest time of year. She recently completed a Día de los Muertos project for Lush Cosmetics, creating packaging that will be released this autumn.
The imagery of sugar skulls and brujas (witches) — inspired by the holiday — features prominently in her artwork and has brought her considerable attention. But her work also incorporates American influences. “I grew up here, so I do use a lot of Spanglish,” she says of her designs.
After her family settled in Napa, Molina, her parents, and her two siblings moved to a property in Alexander Valley where her father managed a vineyard. She worked at the nearby Jimtown Store during college and credits the store’s owner at the time, Carrie Brown, with influencing her artistic approach. “She’s very colorful in her way of putting foods together. It influenced my art down the line,” Molina recalls.
A collection of stickers featuring Blanca Molina’s art. They are a popular and portable way for people to display her work on cars, water bottles and laptops. (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat)
A career graphic designer, Molina learned early on, while a student at Healdsburg High School, that creativity can be a powerful tool for tackling tough topics. “Sometimes, the topics weren’t even that interesting to me, but I knew I had to do a poster and the poster made me more excited about it.” Some teachers even complimented her ability to make “boring” subjects more engaging.
Even now, with her use of vivid colors and joyful artwork, she manages to broach subjects like immigration, feminism, and self-actualization with a sense of humor — albeit with a subversive spin, but only in the nicest way possible. “I don’t like to say negative things, I like to spread positivity,” she says of her images with messages like “The immigration community is beautiful” and “The future is female.”
Molina’s message of joy and positivity flourishes for all to see in her artwork. Her murals, largely concentrated in the Roseland neighborhood, are public-facing art. In addition to the one at Tía María, another at nearby HenHouse Brewing reads, “con cerveza, no hay tristeza.” Molina says, “It sounds better in Spanish,” but translates it roughly to “with beer, there is no sadness.”
A mural by Sonoma County-based artist Blanca Molina at Henhouse Brewing Company in Santa Rosa. (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat)Artist Blanca Molina’s colorful mural, which translates to “live and enjoy life,” continues to bring smiles to those who pass by Sazón Peruvian restaurant on Sebastopol Road in Santa Rosa. (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat)
Her first design, “vivir y disfrutar,” painted in 2022 on the side of Sazón Peruvian restaurant, means simply to “live and enjoy life” — a reminder, perhaps, to the sometimes harried drivers on busy Sebastopol Road to slow down and take it easy.
Her newest mural design, debuting this summer, is mobile — a bus in Napa Valley will be fully wrapped in her artwork, incorporating, among other things, vineyards, a vineyard worker, and a woman holding a glass of wine on one side. On the other, orange poppies and the California bear appear — in this iteration, with a pair of monarch butterfly wings. (The bear on the California flag was inspired by a bear named “Monarch,” one of the last California grizzlies in captivity.)
Although all her murals are impressive, none are so precious as to be tucked away in an intimidating gallery or hushed museum. The medium is the message: This is art for everybody.
Blanca Molina’s mural stands on the corner of N. Cloverdale Boulevard and W. Second Street for its unveiling in Cloverdale on Sept. 20, 2024. (Abraham Fuentes/For The Press Democrat)
The mural in Molina’s new hometown, Cloverdale, which was unveiled last year, was a turning point for how she approaches projects. Through a series of meetings organized with Kimzin Creative, community members gave input about meaningful images to include. The themes they selected were incorporated into letters that spell out “Cloverdale” for a 60-foot mural on the side of the Encore Dance Theater on Cloverdale Boulevard.
To create a mural, Molina photographs the wall, then uses its exact dimensions for her design. In her home office, she creates a digital image on a computer with a giant screen that allows her to easily see her more detailed work.
When it’s time to turn virtual into reality, she uses a laptop to project the outline of her design onto the wall, then traces it, quickly, sometimes in chalk, sometimes with paint. For large projects, like the Cloverdale mural, she projects a quadrant at a time, carefully piecing it together.
Muralist Blanca Molina prepares to complete a mural in downtown Cloverdale, Wednesday Aug. 21, 2024, that highlights the community’s Latino culture. From left, background are Marta Cruz, Tim McDonald, Bob Scott, Sara Hagen and Laura Arreguin. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)Staff of La Familia Sana from left to right; Laura Arreguin, Jade Weymouth, Andrea G, Christina Rosas, Maria De Jesus Ferreira, Mayra Arreguin and Blanca Molina (center), muralist, stand in front of Molina’s mural during its unveiling in Cloverdale on Sept 20, 2024. (Abraham Fuentes/For The Press Democrat)
When it came time to paint the Cloverdale mural, the community got to help — a first for Molina. She describes her work as a “very color-by-numbers kind of style,” which helps on projects where people bring varying degrees of artistic experience or, perhaps, none at all. But just because it’s easy to paint, it doesn’t mean it’s easy to design.
Creating the template, she says, is where the real work lies. “Coming up with something that other people can do, that’s where it gets tricky.” But for her, the work is worth it because that collaboration allows people to experience a deeper connection to the art. “People would go to the flower they painted, and they’ll show their family, ‘Oh, I painted that flower.’”
Now, when a business or organization asks her to create a mural, she encourages them to consider involving others. “If you bring customers in (to help), they’ll become even more loyal customers,” she says. “It’s just a beautiful feeling. It brings more positivity to that business.”
Living so close to the Cloverdale mural, Molina finds a lot of satisfaction seeing people — including city council members — take photos in front of it. “It’s like a warm hug.”
The Tomato Bruschetta Pizza from Psychic Pie Thursday, May 12, 2025, in Sebastopol. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Sure, tomatoes are available year-round, but is there anything more delicious than red, ripe cherry tomatoes or super-sweet Sungolds right off the vine?
The summer-only bruschetta pizza at Psychic Pie pairs first-of-the-season local tomatoes with their herbal bestie, basil, atop an award-winning Roman-style sourdough pizza crust.
The Tomato Bruschetta Pizza from Psychic Pie Thursday, May 12, 2025, in Sebastopol. The pizza includes summer tomatoes, a drizzle of golden balsamic vinegar and a sprinkle of aged Estero Gold Reserve cheese. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
“Sungolds have become super-popular. That’s my favorite variety I always try to mix in there,” says Leith Leiser-Miller, Psychic Pie’s co-owner along with her husband, Nicholi Ludlow. “The bruschetta pizza makes me think of something simple that’s refreshing and filling and delicious that I can eat outside.”
A glistening drizzle of golden balsamic vinegar and a sprinkle of aged Estero Gold Reserve cheese connect the dots on this tasty seasonal slice.
The beer menu is written on a large chalkboard behind the bar at Crooked Goat Brewing, in Sebastopol, on Wednesday, October 12, 2016. (Christopher Chung/ The Press Democrat)
Beer has come a long way from the days when the only choices available were light or regular. In the past two decades, the flavors and styles on tap have grown into a booming industry that now satisfies patrons thirsty for fruity saisons, triple IPAs and barrel-aged sours.
Craft beer, once a niche market for a community of homebrewers and beer aficionados, has spilled out across the nation in record numbers. As of 2024, there are over 9,700 breweries in the country creating unique and flavorful concoctions of hops, malt and yeast.
Sonoma County, and Santa Rosa in particular, reigns supreme in this golden age of beer with riches in the form of world-renowned craft breweries. With an ever-growing number of first-class beer venues to choose from, it can be hard for beer-lovers to plan their Sonoma suds adventures. For first-time visitors wondering where to start, we present a sampling of our favorite local breweries below. Cheers!
Will Poole, right, and his son Russ Poole enjoy some craft brews at HenHouse Brewing Company’s tasting room in Santa Rosa. (Alvin Jornada / The Press Democrat)
HenHouse Brewing Company, Santa Rosa/Petaluma
For beer aficionados, a handful of craft breweries make Sonoma County stand out – among them is HenHouse. HenHouse co-founders Collin McDonnell and Scott Goyne founded the brewery in 2012, and sold bottled beers exclusively at the Petaluma brewery. Four years later, they opened a Santa Rosa taproom; an industrial space featuring free popcorn and the Red Horse Pizza food truck out front.
Now in its 13th year, HenHouse continues to churn out the kind of ales, sours and stouts that attract beer snobs from near and far. Their HenHouse IPA and Chemtrails IPA are two of the best IPAs we’ve tried and the limited-release Big Chicken DIPA is one of the most sought after brews made in Sonoma County.
322 Bellevue Ave., Santa Rosa; 1333 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma, henhousebrewing.com
Randall Behrens, front left, of Windsor, with Aaron Carpenter of Healdsburg, front right, toast with friends at Cooperage Brewing’s new location in downtown Santa Rosa, Friday, Dec. 20, 2024. (Darryl Bush / For The Press Democrat)
Cooperage Brewing Company, Santa Rosa
Cooperage founder, head brewer and Orange County transplant, Tyler Smith has turned a decade of brewing in a garage into one of the premier craft breweries in one of the premier craft brewery locations in the world.
The brewery, located in an industrial warehouse, has become a favorite destination for beer enthusiasts looking for unique and well crafted pale ales — The Wyatt Terp is a must-try for IPA lovers. Cooperage also features food trucks for the hungry, a giant projector screen for sports fans and an arcade machine with joystick classics for those looking for some old-school fun. Just last year, Cooperage opened a second location in downtown Santa Rosa.
981 Airway Court, Suite G, and 575 Ross St., Santa Rosa, 707-293-9787, cooperagebrewing.com
Fraser Ross pours a beer for the Friday crowd at Fogbelt Brewing Company in Santa Rosa. (Conner Jay/The Press Democrat)
Fogbelt Brewing Company, Santa Rosa/Healdsburg
Founded in 2013 by Paul Hawley and Remy Martin, Fogbelt Brewing Company is another reason why Santa Rosa is repeatedly named a top of craft beer destination. Like the name of the brewery, Fogbelt’s brews pay tribute to the North Coast — each flagship beer is named after a coastal redwood tree.
From the crisp Atlas Blonde Ale to the robust Armstrong Stout, beer flights connoisseurs will not be disappointed with what’s on tap. The brewery is also host to one of the best brewery kitchens we’ve encountered: try the fish tacos with pickled radish and chipotle crema. In 2022, the brewery opened Fogbelt Station in Healdsburg.
Customers enjoy craft brews, conversation and live music at Moonlight Brewing Company in Santa Rosa on Thursday, July 18, 2019. (Alvin Jornada / The Press Democrat)
Moonlight Brewing Company, Santa Rosa
Moonlight head brewer Brian Hunt is old school. Hunt was crafting brews before there was even a craft beer industry, and his Moonlight Brewing became the first microbrewery in Santa Rosa when it opened in 1992.
The Moonlight brewery process relies on a no-frills approach: sight, smell and taste determine when a beer is ready and barley, grains and herbs make up the main ingredients. A sip on a Moonlight beer will bring you back to a time when the beer world was not dominated by hoppy IPAs; and the San Francisco-style, black lager “Death and Taxes” will make the previously pure join the dark side, for sure.
Southern California residents Daniel and Erin Anne Wegman at the Russian River Brewing Company in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Russian River Brewing Company, Santa Rosa/Windsor
What is there to say that has not already been said about this Santa Rosa brewing behemoth? Russian River has won just about every beer award you can win, garnered worldwide fame and sent beer lovers into a February frenzy for the past 20 years with limited-release Pliny the Younger.
While the brewery’s hoppy Plinys (Younger and Elder) are definitely worth a try, the less intense, well-balanced and flavorful Blind Pig IPA should also be included on your beer bucket list. An added, and sometimes overlooked, bonus is the family-friendly atmosphere at the brewery (including a kids menu). But leave junior at home for the annual Pliny pilgrimage, no kid (and few adults) want to wait in line for hours.
Santa Rosa brewery Plow Brewing Co., changed its name to Iron Ox Brewing Co. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Iron Ox Brewing Company, Santa Rosa
Founder Kevin Robinson spent 10 years plowing through the beer and wine industry before he opened his own Santa Rosa brewery in 2015, originally called Plow Brewing Co. until changing the name to Iron Ox in 2020. While Iron Ox may not enjoy the kind of ballyhoo other breweries on this list do, that’s no loss to Robinson; as the brewery website states: “We are not ones to follow the trend or make beer for the masses. We make beer for us.”
Iron Ox brews without chemicals, extracts or finings (a compound agent added to beer to improve clarity or adjust flavor/aroma), making every beer vegan-friendly. The taproom is small and the intimate atmosphere makes this an ideal spot for escaping the crowds while relaxing with a cold one. Order the Sonoma Coast Pils and Steel Share IPA.
3334 Industrial Drive, Santa Rosa, 707-843-4583, ironoxbeer.com
The Shady Oak Barrel House in Santa Rosa on Friday, Oct. 22, 2021. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Shady Oak Barrel House, Santa Rosa
Calling themselves the “The Shady Bunch,” the team at Shady Oak is committed to fostering a family-like vibe at its taproom and beer garden while supporting the community. The brewery plays host to a variety of North Bay vendors, musicians and artists in its large indoor venue. Find an assortment of changing brews on tap, from hard seltzers to classic West Coast IPAs.
Old Possum sources hops from Sonoma County farmers, so guests know they’re supporting local when they dine on barbecue from the kitchen and wash the meal down with a crushable IPA. Standout beers include the Interstellar Stout, Disturbance Pale Ale and Fresh Sonoma IPA.
Maryana Bustamonte serves up a round of samplers at the popular Lagunitas Taproom in Petaluma. (John Burgess / Sonoma Magazine)
Lagunitas Brewing Company, Petaluma
A North Bay staple for the past three decades, Lagunitas continues to impress beer aficionados by producing one-of-a-kind, boundary-pushing interpretations of traditional brews with heavy hitting flavor. Flagship classics include Little Sumpin’, Lagunitas Pils, Aunt Sally, Hop Stoopid and Brown Shugga. Lagunitas’ Petaluma location provides one of the best atmospheres to enjoy a beer with a live music venue, inviting outdoor patio, full kitchen, photo booth and gift shop.
1280 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma, 707-284-1020, lagunitas.com
Canned beers from Old Caz Beer in Rohnert Park. (Old Caz Beer)
Old Caz Beer, Rohnert Park
Just four months after opening a new brewpub in Rohnert Park’s SOMO Village, Old Caz Beer’s One Way IPA took second place at the prestigious Great American Beer Festival. If that isn’t enough reason to visit Old Caz, then its rotating lineup of stellar food trucks are sure to entice. The food trucks that frequent the brewpub include the Japanese-style Shokakko, pizza pop-up Gabacool Provisions and local brothers-owned Galvan’s Eatery. There’s nothing quite like washing down birria tacos with a crisp IPA.
1500 Valley House Drive, Suite 110, Rohnert Park, 707-665-6668, oldcaz.com
Fans of beer and trivia fill the seats on a Wednesday night at Parliament Brewing Company in Rohnert Park on Feb., 15, 2022. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Parliament Brewing Company, Rohnert Park
This family-owned brewery, with beer master Justin Bosch at the helm, has a healthy mix of drafts on tap to match any taste. Some favorites include the crisp Mexican-style lager “Los Tecolotes,” the hazy IPA “Kaleidoscope” and the fruity sour “Berry Pie.” Find coveted local food trucks parked at Parliament every day, such as Shokkako, API Hot Chicken and War Pigs Craft Kitchen.
Barrel Brothers Brewing Co. in Windsor have diversified their portfolio to include seltzer, nonalcohol beers, canned cocktails and a slushy beer named T.R.E.N.D.S. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat, 2021)
Barrel Brothers Brewing Company, Windsor
Barrel Brothers, like the name implies, is a family affair. The brewery was founded by brothers-in-law, Wesley Deal and Daniel Weber, and their father-in-law, Tom Sather in 2015. Considering themselves akin to alchemists, the family concocts magical potions from water, grain, hops and yeast. Their beers run the spectrum from light to dark. The “Blonde Voyage” Belgian ale makes for an ideal barbecue beverage, while the “Dark Sarcasm” porter is packed with chocolate, mocha and vanilla. Their “Naughty Hops” IPA is brewed with their revolutionary, ‘Hop Spanker’ technology. The Windsor tap room may be on the small side for some, but there are plenty of fresh beers on tap to enjoy.
Kids and pets are welcome at this Windsor brewery’s spacious patio while the adults sip citrusy lagers and rich ales. Among the top picks of brews here is the signature Pepperwood, a saison ale that won a gold medal in the 2024 California State Fair’s Commercial Craft Beer competition. Food trucks pull up to the taproom from 4-7 p.m. most Fridays.
7704 Bell Road, Suite A, Windsor, 707-687-0577, cuverbrewing.com
The beer menu is written on a large chalkboard behind the bar at Crooked Goat Brewing, in Sebastopol, on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2016. (Christopher Chung/ The Press Democrat)
Crooked Goat Brewing, Sebastopol/Petaluma
If you like to wet your whistle with some wheat brew, then Crooked Goat is the place for you. This Sebastopol brewery crafts unique wheat ales infused with flavors from honey, blackberries, raspberries — even bubblegum (featured in the aptly named “Bazooka Joe”). Crooked Goat also boasts a selection of hoppy, high ABV percentage IPAs, such as the West Coast-style “Ibex” and the apricot- and vanilla-infused “Foggy Notion” DIPA. Brewmaster Will Erickson and crew took Crooked Goat from a garage to the 10-barrel system taproom at The Barlow, winning The People’s Choice Award at the Santa Rosa Battle of the Brews in 2015. Crooked Goat opened a second taproom in Petaluma in 2022. This summer through Sept. 13, the Sebastopol location is hosting a free summer concert series every Saturday.
120 Morris St., Suite 120, Sebastopol, 707-827-3893; 110 Howard St., Petaluma, 707-559-5691, crookedgoatbrewing.com
Sonoma Spring Brewing Company, Sonoma
At Sonoma Springs Brewing Company, the only brewery located in the city of Sonoma, there’s an expansive lineup of California and German-style beers. In keeping with the craft beer trend, all Sonoma Springs brews have fun, catchy names: “Pacific Coast Hopway,” “Dreaming Out Loud,” and “Subliminal Gold IPA” are a few examples. With over 20 fresh beers on tap, there’s plenty to choose from at the taproom.
Schoolhouse Beach at Sonoma Coast State Park near Bodega Bay. (Sonoma County Tourism)
Summertime in Sonoma County calls for several beach trips to cool off in the water or sunbathe on the shore while sipping a cold drink.
Scroll on below to find the best beaches in Sonoma County for all your summer waterfront needs.
Best for those who like some space: Blind Beach
Nestled near Goat Rock south of Jenner, this narrow pebble beach offers great views of the ocean and the impressive Arch Rock. It’s the perfect beach sanctuary for those who want to get away from it all while listening to waves crashing against rocks. Highway 1 and Goat Rock Road, Jenner, parks.ca.gov
Blind Beach at Sonoma Coast State Park near Jenner. (Sonoma County Tourism)Tamara Bautista, 3, laughs as she floats in the water at Veterans Memorial Beach in Healdsburg. (Alvin Jornada / The Press Democrat, 2016)
Best for kids/families: Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach
Sometimes it can be difficult to find a beach that’s both entertaining and safe for kids. Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach offers essential summer activities, has lifeguard patrols and provides life vests to loan for free. River’s Edge Kayak & Canoe Trips is located nearby, off Healdsburg Avenue, to help plan your family river excursions. 13839 Old Redwood Highway, Healdsburg, parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov
Best for beachcombers: Schoolhouse Beach
Enclosed by rocky headlands, this beach has a glorious pebble shore and a low tide that sea scavengers will enjoy. The vibrantly colored and ocean-polished small stones and seashells are great for collecting, and the tidepools are teeming with colorful marine life, such as starfish, mussels, hermit crabs, sea anemones and other interesting critters and crustaceans. Viking Strand and Highway 1, Bodega Bay, parks.ca.gov
Schoolhouse Beach at Sonoma Coast State Park near Bodega Bay. (Sonoma County Tourism)Mikos leaps into the air to catch a ball tossed by Ingrid Stearns on the beach at Doran Regional Park in Bodega Bay. (Christopher Chung/ The Press Democrat, 2020)
Best for dogs: Doran Beach
This regional park beach is popular for a number of activities: picnicking, fishing, paddling, bird watching, kite flying and even horseback riding. But perhaps one of its most beloved aspects is that it’s dog-friendly (on a leash, that is). Take your playful pup on a trail through the grassy dunes or wade by the gentle seashore for a memorable time. 201 Doran Beach Road, Bodega Bay, parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov
Best for couples: Sea Ranch
There are six public access trails in Sea Ranch leading to coastal beaches, such as Shell Beach and Stengel Beach (temporarily closed to replace a wooden stairway) with its seasonal waterfalls. But perhaps the best beach for couples here is Black Point, a long sandy cove accessed via a steep wooden staircase. The beach is typically secluded and enjoys beautiful ocean views. Access Black Point Beach via Sea Walk Drive, located off Coast Highway 1, The Sea Ranch, parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov
A beach at The Sea Ranch on the Sonoma Coast. (Sonoma County Tourism)Bill Blaze, of Sebastopol, walks up the beach after surfing at Salmon Creek Beach, north of Bodega Bay. (Christopher Chung / The Press Democrat, 2016)
Best for surfers: Salmon Creek beaches
Both North and South Salmon Creek beaches are popular spots for the local surfing community. On days when conditions are just right, experienced riders can enjoy some powerful swells while navigating gnarly rip currents. It’s also a good place for beginners when the waves are less intense. The sandy bottom of the ocean floor lessens the blows of wipeouts. 3095 Highway 1, Bodega Bay, parks.ca.gov
Best for water activities: Johnson’s Beach
Floating down the river is what summer is all about. This Guerneville beach is perfect for those who want to kayak down the flowing currents or simply relax on the water in inner tubes with a cold drink in hand. Whether you want to paddleboard solo or canoe with a group of friends, there’s no shortage of summer fun here. 16215 First St., Guerneville, johnsonsbeach.com
Mina Housh, 8, and her mother Nicole swim at Johnson’s Beach in Guerneville. (Beth Schlanker/The Press Democrat, 2022)The Big Rocky Games at the Monte Rio Beach brings back good old all-American fun with sack races, rock skipping and ice cream eating contests. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Best for land activities: Monte Rio Beach
While there are plenty of water sports to enjoy at Monte Rio Beach, its shore is superb for landlubbers. Volleyball courts and horseshoe pits are free. There are also barbecue areas to grill by the beach and a food concession stand with summer grub. 20488 Highway 116, Monte Rio, mrrpd.org
Best for animal sightings: Goat Rock Beach
This beach is a great destination for animal lovers. Go birdwatching for gliding seabirds like gulls and sandpipers, catch a glimpse of breaching whales during migrating season and see a colony of Pacific Harbor seals with their pups throughout summer. No dogs are allowed and people should stay at least 300 feet away from the seals, especially during pupping season from March to August. Highway 1 and Goat Rock Road, Jenner, parks.ca.gov
A seal pops its head out of the water at the mouth of the Russian River at Goat Rock Beach near Jenner. (Christopher Chung/ The Press Democrat, 2013)While any beach along the Sonoma Coast can provide excellent sunsets views, Portuguese Beach is the ideal spot to get comfortable and really soak them in. (Yaya Ernst/Shutterstock)
Best for sunsets: Portuguese Beach
While any beach along the Sonoma Coast can provide excellent sunsets views, this is the ideal spot to get comfortable and really soak them in. Whether you’re fishing from the rocky bluffs, strolling on the wide sandy beach or relaxing on the grassy knoll by the parking lot, there’s no bad spot here to watch a stunning, golden sunset over the ocean. Eureka Drive and Highway 1, Bodega Bay, parks.ca.gov
