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Mary’s Pizza Shack: With over nineteen classic Italian restaurants in Sonoma County and the surrounding area, Mary's Pizza Shack is one of the best local chains for families. In addition to an extensive kids menu that features favorites like hot dogs, pasta and chicken strips, kids can create their own pizza here. Crayons and activity sheets are brought to the table, and last year the restaurant added "sensory-friendly kits" for children with autism and other special needs, so that they can experience dining out without feeling overwhelmed by their surroundings. Variety of locations in Sonoma County, Napa and Northern California, maryspizzashack.com. (Courtesy photo)
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Sam's for Play Cafe, Santa Rosa and Rohnert Park: Local breakfast diner Sam’s for Play Cafe has a “Kids Eat Free” promotion every Monday and Thursday night. From 4 to 9 p.m., kids can get hamburgers, chicken tenders, and other all-American classics at no cost, as long as adults are with them. And they serve breakfast all day - and we don’t know any kids that don't love pancakes and bacon for dinner. Two locations in Santa Rosa, and one in Rohnert Park, samsforplaycafe.com (Photo by Kent Porter)
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Items on the walls at Sam's for Play Cafe in Santa Rosa. (Photo by John Burgess)
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The Bear Republic, Rohnert Park: The second location for local craft brewery The Bear Republic has an outdoor patio that serves as a playground for both kids and adults. The adult section has shuffleboard, cornhole and a view of the lake. The kids section is located in a separate area with chalk, blocks and other outdoor toys to climb on and play with (we also want to give a shout out to the Healdsburg location which has an outdoor patio next to a grass field, perfect for kids to play in while parents enjoy a craft beer). 5000 Roberts Lake Road, Rohnert Park 94928, bearrepublic.com. (Photo by John Burgess)
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Other kid-friendly breweries in Sonoma County include Cooperage Brewing in Santa Rosa, where they have a variety of board games for kids of all ages; Lagunitas in Petaluma with their large outdoor patio, and Barley & Bine in Windsor, which has a small kid section with toys.
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Palooza Gastropub and Wine Bar, Kenwood: This neighborhood gathering spot serves up good food, Jenga on the patio and a ping pong table. There's live music on most weekends and on Monday nights, kids eat free. The gastropub recently started brewing their own beers, a special perk for parents. 8910 Sonoma Hwy, Kenwood 95452, paloozafresh.com.
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Brewster's Beer Garden, Petaluma: Any place with a large outdoor patio is a great place to bring kids. Add live music on Thursdays and a designated kids area with sandpit, blocks and musical instruments, and you've got yourself family heaven. This beer garden is ideal for any large group with kids old enough to run around while the grownups are catching up. 229 Water Street North, Petaluma 94952, brewstersbeergarden.com (Photo by John Burgess)
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Bocce court at Brewster's Beer Garden in Petaluma. (Photo by John Burgess)
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Volpi's Ristorante & Bar, Petaluma: This old-school Italian has preserved the charm of the general store that previously called their storefront home - there's even a Prohibition Era speakeasy in the backroom. The restaurant has long communal tables with checkered tablecloths - perfect for messy eaters. Family-style dinners include house-made Minestrone, freshly tossed green salad, pasta of the day, and a main entrée with bread and vegetables, ice cream and coffee. A homemade family meal everyone can love. 124 E Washington St, Petaluma 94952, facebook.com/Volpis-Ristorante-Bar. (Photo by Kent Porter)
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Rosso Petaluma: This Italian restaurant encourages kids to "eat what's good for you, play soccer and be nice to your parents." Servers bring kids pizza dough to knead and shape, and then the chef cooks it in a wood-fired oven before it's brought back to the table with homemade marinara sauce for dipping. 151 Petaluma Blvd. South, Petaluma rossopizzeria.com/menu-petaluma (Courtesy photo)
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Papas and Pollo, Sebastopol: This locally-owned Mexican restaurant, located on Highway 116 just south of Sebastopol, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Head over on a sunny day to enjoy the back patio with your kids. They will love the water fountain, play set, toy cars and trucks. Adults of toddlers will love that they have a “Toddler Bowl” on the menu, allowing you to combine three items - including yams, potatoes, black beans, avocado, and cheese - to make a dish that is easy for toddler hands to grab. 915 Gravenstein Ave, Sebastopol 95472, papasandpollo.com (Photo from Facebook/Papas and Pollo)
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Handline, Sebastopol: This Foster's Freeze-turned-sustainable eatery celebrates California food and serves up a kids menu that is not your typical fare: children can choose from the Little Foster’s Burger with pastured beef, Fish & Fries, a Quesadilla with Jorge's cheese, or the Mi Niño with fancy beans, chicken, avocado, and cheese - with an ice cream cone to end the meal, of course. 935 Gravenstein Ave., Sebastopol 95472, handline.com (Courtesy photo).
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Stumptown Brewery, Guerneville: This cash-only brewery, which overlooks the Russian River, is a great place to bring kids. A large outdoor patio, with long picnic tables, allows kids to be kids without you worrying about what everyone else thinks. During summer, children can work off excess energy in the grassy field next to the river. The menu features pub grub like hamburgers, hot dogs, and fries, with BBQ oysters during summer months. 15045 River Rd, Guerneville 95446, stumptown.com. (Photo by Alvin Jornada)
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Spud Point Crab Company, Bodega Bay: For a day on the coast with the kids, Spud Point Crab Company makes a great pit stop. This family-owned small cafe has a view of the bay and serves clam chowder, seafood, sandwiches, chili and hot dogs. Order from the cashier and eat at picnic tables, or take your seafood to go and enjoy on the beach. 1860 Westshore Road, Bodega Bay, facebook.com/Spud-Point-Crab-Co. (Photo by John Burgess)
Parents are people too and deserve a space to decompress with our children in tow. If you dont like kids don’t go to kid friendly restaurants. My kids are far from obnoxious and act better than most adults. Remember you all were children once too.