Sure, you can spend the winter months hunkered down at home, but Sonoma County is brimming with experiences that warm both body and soul.

A tiny Sonoma restaurant has earned a rare James Beard semifinalist nod, standing alone in a year crowded with big-city names. Here’s who was nominated.

For the coast's annual Chowder Day, a dozen Sonoma County restaurants will fire up their giant kettles and dish out samples of their finest chowder.