Category: Towns

Discover Sonoma County destinations

Wildflowers Blooming in Sonoma County

Written by Mary Callahan for The Press Democrat. It’s early yet, but splashes of color that have recently appeared amid bright grasslands and shaded local woodlands tell of glorious weeks to come, as spring takes hold and this year’s crop of wildflowers bloom into life. Even in a region with the comparatively temperate climate we […]
This photo was shot at 120mm and shows the full perspective of El Capitan, with the amazing isolation created by the angle of the setting sun illuminating Horsetail Falls. (Jim Nevill)

Yosemite Firefall Captured by Bodega Photographer

Written and Photographed by Jim Nevill for The Press Democrat. Photographers from around the world have Yosemite National Park firmly planted on the top of their bucket lists, with the naturally occurring “firefall” phenomenon among the most spectacular events to witness there. This year, between Feb. 15 and 19, I was able to photograph one […]
A sample flight of bears at Bear Republic Brewing Co. in Healdsburg in 2013.

Bear Republic to Open New Brewpub in Rohnert Park

Bear Republic Brewing Co. will expand in Sonoma County by opening a brewpub in Rohnert Park, at the site of the shuttered Latitude Island Grill. The new brewpub will be in addition to its original location in Healdsburg and its new production facility in Cloverdale. It is expected to open within a year. The deal […]

Santa Rosa’s Secret Breakfast Spot

Written by Heather Irwin for BiteClubEats. Shhh. Don’t tell anyone, but we’ve found a secret Santa Rosa breakfast spot. Local cook Damon Gault slings hash from around 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Sunday mornings at Sprenger’s Tap Room (446 B St., Santa Rosa). And by “around” we mean as long as people are eating and his food doesn’t […]

Review of Franchettis Wood Fire Kitchen in Santa Rosa

Written by Heather Irwin for BiteClubEats. Two forks + one bite of polenta cake = friendship on the line. Over a recent lunch nosh-fest my gal pal and I had nearly inhaled a plate of seared polenta with truffle porcini spread, mushrooms, arugula and tiny Peruvian sweet peppers ($14) at the new(ish) Franchettis Wood Fire […]
Slicing beef brisket at the Cochon Volant BBQ Smoke House in Sonoma. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)

Pig out at Sonoma’s new Cochon Volant

The metal flying pig sculpture soaring atop the roof of Cochon Volant BBQ Smokehouse in Sonoma promises pork, as does the name Cochon, which is French for “pig.” And certainly that succulent meat is a hallmark of this friendly little eatery from chef-owner Rob Larman. If the art piece from Glen Ellen talent Bryan Tedrick […]
A collection of gloves from a century ago. Fran Fleet, 'The Glove Lady,' has been repairing baseball gloves out of her tiny Cotati shop for over 40 years. (JOHN BURGESS / The Press Democrat)

Fran Fleet of Cotati Revives Old Baseball Gloves

Written by Bob Padecky for the Press Democrat. The smell of leather and wood fills the room, which is not exactly an atmospheric miracle, considering the room is 10 feet by 10 feet with a 10-foot ceiling. Abner Doubleday would approve, for this is what baseball smelled like and looked like 150 years ago. Intimate, […]

Sonoma Cheese Factory Celebrates 85th Anniversary

Written by Kathleen Hill for the Sonoma Index-Tribune. Sonoma Cheese Factory celebrated 85 years in business on Wednesday, Feb. 17, with members of the founding Viviani family present. New decals decorate the windows, saying Sonoma Cheese Factory was started in 1931. Tom Vella and Celso Viviani used to make cheese together, with Vella’s brother Joseph, […]

Malia Anderson: Santa Rosa Stylist Says to Love Your Curves

Written by Meg McConahey for the Press Democrat. Personal stylist Malia Anderson has one message for her clients: you’re awesome just the way you are. And the more awesome you feel the more awesome you will look. Anderson professionally dresses people. The owner of “Style by Malia,” she helps people find their own personal styles. […]
Stephanie Holmes, left, Emmett Hanlon and Judy Holmes walk along a trail in Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, in Guerneville, on Tuesday, August 13, 2013. (Christopher Chung/ The Press Democrat)

Trail of the Week: Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve

Wintertime visitors to Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve in Guerneville are as likely to spot colorful galoshes as hiking boots as they trek along the family-friendly trails that wind among the towering redwoods within this majestic state park. Although several moderate and strenuous trails can challenge more advanced hikers within the 805-acre reserve, families with toddlers […]