Make the most of the warm summer nights with a drink on a shaded patio.
Lagunitas Taproom and Beer Sanctuary, Petaluma: A well-kept (sort of) secret of the beer-set, this unassuming tap room serves up burgers, flatbread, salads and snacks with some of their most exclusive releases along with everyday ales. 1280 N. McDowell, Petaluma, 707-778-8776, laguintas.com/taproom/petaluma (Jeremy Portje)
Brewster’s, Petaluma: 350 outdoor seats make this an outdoor dining mecca. There’s a full bar along with tons of local beers on tap. A bocce court and special kids’ area keeps everyone happy, plus live music and plenty of space for friendly pets. 229 Water St. N., Petaluma, 707-981-8330, brewstersbeergarden.com (Beth Schlanker)
Taps, Petaluma: Taps offers deck seating, which includes tent-like flaps that can be lowered when the wind kicks up. There is also a healthy supply of heat lamps (for when it, finally, cools off). A few picnic tables are sectioned off from the rest of the restaurant, which makes it possible to bring your dogs along without bothering other diners. 54 E. Washington St., Petaluma, 707-763-6700. -Houston Porter. (Beth Schlanker)
Speakeasy, Petaluma: A small outdoor patio is prime people-watching in the evening. Plus great music at nearby Big Easy and simple but good food. Open late. 139 Petaluma Blvd. N., Suite B, Petaluma, 707-776-4631, speakeasypetaluma.com (Alvin Jornada)
Pub Republic, Petaluma: Great food, an extensive beer selection (available in flights for better sampling), one of the town’s most affordable happy hours, and yes, an outdoor patio. Situated out back, the patio faces a well-maintained creek bed, and for those colder days, has heat lamps. Like Thai River, we rarely dine inside, especially when visiting Pub Republic for brunch. 3120 Lakeville Highway, Petaluma, 707-782-9090, pubrepublicusa.com -Houston Porter
Acme Burger, Cotati: Excellent burgers, a quiet patio, beer and wine. Locations in Cotati, Petaluma and Santa Rosa. acmeburgerco.com (Heather Irwin)
Bird and the Bottle, Santa Rosa: The view of Fourth St. isn't amazing, but this raised patio is the perfect place for a crisp glass of wine and some small plates. You'll likely see everyone you'd like to know at happy hour. 1055 Fourth St. Santa Rosa, 707-568-4000, birdandthebottle.com (Alvin Jornada)
La Rosa Tequileria and Grill, Santa Rosa: A huge patio that's mostly well-covered and has a front row seat to Old Courthouse Square. Grab a cervesa or tasty margarita, eat chips and while away the afternoon with a cool kale citrus salad. 500 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-523-3663, larosasantarosa.com (Beth Schlanker)
Beer Baron, Santa Rosa: One of the best people-watching spots in downtown Santa Rosa, you're right in the action of Courthouse Square. An extensive whiskey collection and local brews along with hearty fare like the Belgian-style duck fat fries, buffalo wings, chicken and waffles and deep fried ice cream. 614 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-757-9294, beerbaronbar.com (Heather Irwin)
Bravas Bar de Tapas, Healdsburg: Outdoor bar seats are a hot commodity for sangria and tapas, but covered tables in the enclosed sanctuary are favorite spots for locals to escape from tourists. 420 Center St., Healdsburg, 707-433-7700, starkrestaurants.com (Heather Irwin)
SingleThread, Healdsburg: Pre-paid dinner reservations are required to get access to the luxe rooftop patio for this three-Michelin-star spot, but the 360 with a glass of bubbly is a stunning part of the experience. 131 North St., Healdsburg, 707-723-4646, singlethreadfarms.com (SingleThread)
Healdsburg Bar and Grill, Healdsburg: Prime outdoor real estate just off the Healdsburg Plaza that's family friendly (there's a gate around the whole patio). Top-notch bloody Marys, a full bar with plenty of vodka and whiskey as well as local beers and wines. Look for the bright orange umbrellas. 245 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-433-3333, healdsburgbarandgrill.com (Healdsburg Bar and Grill)
Francis Ford Coppola Winery, Geyserville: If you can get a seat by the pool, kudos. Grab a snack and a glass of wine and hunker down. Rustic Restaurant, located inside, has a stunning deck that gives a birds-eye view of the vineyards and nearby hills that's so Sonoma County. Coppola recently released a series of spirits dedicated to great women of history, and you'll find cocktails like the Hibiscus Royale with brandy, sparkling wine and hibiscus syrup on the menu. 300 Via Archimedes, Geyserville, 707-857-1485, francisfordcoppolawinery.com (Francis Ford Coppola Winery)
Diavola, Geyserville: Covered trellises hidden in the back of this pizzeria and salumeria makes for a perfect summer spot to quaff wine, eat pizza and contemplate La Nonna's laundry hanging on the line. 21021 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville, 707-814-0111, diavolapizzeria.com (Christopher Chung)
Catelli's, Geyserville: A funky checkered deck quietly surrounded by shrubs is a sanctuary from busy days. Excellent food, local wines exclusively. 21047 Geyserville Ave, Geyserville, 707-857-3471, mycatellis.com (Catelli's)
HopMonk, Sebastopol and Sonoma: Lots of outdoor seating in various nooks and crannies, but the outdoor beer garden is our fave. Lots of beer. Lots of live music. Lots of fun. 230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol, 691 Broadway St., Sonoma, hopmonk.com(HopMonk)
Handline, Sebastopol: The whole restaurant has an indoor-outdoor vibe when large screened windows are pushed aside, but the outdoor patio is super family-friendly with large picnic tables and plenty of room to get the wiggles out. Soft serve ice cream, beer and kefir on tap, plenty of by-the-glass wines. 935 Gravenstein Highway S., Sebastopol, handline.com (Handline)
Crooked Goat, Sebastopol: This dog-friendly patio where beer flows like water has become one of the "it" spots of Sebastopol. Nope, they don't have a kitchen, but you can eat food from nearby restaurants there. 120 Morris St., Suite 120, Sebastopol, 707-827-3893, crookedgoatbrewing.com (Alvin Jornada)
Rocker Oysterfellers, Valley Ford and Bodega Bay: The restaurant and food scene is heating up out at the coast, but the Rocker's patio is always one of the best for cocktails and oysters. There's no ocean view, but it's cool all the same. 14415 Shoreline Highway, Valley Ford, 707-876-1983; 595 Highway 1, Bodega Bay, 707-772-5670, rockeroysterfellers.com
Sweet T’s, Windsor: A wraparound covered porch with the scent of barbecue wafting all around your Texas margarita. We're in heaven with the incredible mixed cocktails and tasty Southern specialties at the re-opened restaurant. 9098 Brooks Road S., Windsor, 707-687-5185, sweettssouthern.com (Heather Irwin)
Russian River Brewing, Windsor: The 195-seat brewpub in Windsor has guided tours, a year-round patio and one-acre pet-friendly area. And lots of Russian River beer. 700 Mitchell Lane, Windsor, 545-BEER, russianriverbrewing.com (Alvin Jornada)
El Dorado Kitchen, Sonoma: Seasonal cocktails on the patio, by the pool. Feel like a movie star in this hotel hideaway. One of my favorite cocktail spots in Wine Country. 401 First St. W., Sonoma, 707-996-3030, eldoradosonoma.com
Dining outside is delightful. But what about when you’re more focused on a few Bloody Mary’s, a cold beer or a tasty glass of rosé with a few nibbles? That’s our idea of summer fun in the sun. Click through the gallery for a few of our favorite family-friendly, sometimes dog-friendly, spots to cool off.
