Sure, you can spend the winter months hunkered down at home, but Sonoma County is positively brimming with experiences that warm both body and soul. Whether you soak up the sunset at a riverside sauna, get crafty at a maker space that’s a haven for building community, or lose yourself while browsing for a new page-turner at a snug, pint-sized bookstore, it’s all about doing what delights you.
Our cozy list will help you slow down, connect to the analog world, and savor these quiet days of winter.
From the team of Tina Caputo, Jennifer Graue, Heather Irwin, Dana Rebmann and Nate Seltenrich.
Madeira House
Close enough for a quick escape, but far enough to feel remote, new boutique hotel Madeira House shines a spotlight on the wild beauty of Jenner.
“Once you get on property and start walking down the stairs, all of the hustle and bustle of life starts to fade away and you get to be one with nature,” says Jacqueline Gonçalves, co-founder of Madeira House and owner of Moksa Design Studio.
Steps from the Russian River—with stellar views of splashing harbor seals and river otters—Madeira House began as a fishermen’s cabin more than a century ago, evolving through time into a trio of riverfront cottages that became part of Jenner Inn. Reimagined by a group of friends and hospitality veterans, Madeira House debuted late last summer.
All but one of the 11 accommodations feature expansive windows that frame the Sonoma Coast like a piece of living art. Subdued color palettes, combined with finds from nearby antique shops, artisan ceramics, and hardwoods, complement the land rather than compete with it. Plentiful balconies and a firepit circled by Adirondack chairs in the seaside garden ensure you’ll feel a world away from it all.
“It’s such a peaceful experience, to be a part of something without really having to do anything except to put the phone down and be present,” says co-owner Arthur Moretti. 10625 Highway 1, Jenner. themadeirahouse.com
Cloverdale Nursery
Cloverdale Home & Garden has plenty to make sure your home is perfectly hygge, but this nursery and gift store is plenty warm and inviting itself. On a sunny winter day, dream of the growing season ahead as you wander the garden center out back, where you might be greeted by their friendly flock of hens. Inside, you’ll find Starlight the cat, who keeps a sleepy but watchful eye over a carefully curated selection of garden tools and locally made or fair-trade home goods that speak to the owners’ ethics and aesthetic. They frequently host maker and food pop-ups, too, so there’s always a chance to discover something new. 216 S. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale. 707-894-6654, cloverdalenursery.info
Russian River Brewing Company
It’s been seven years since Russian River Brewing Company, with much fanfare, opened the doors to a new 85,000-square-foot brewery, taproom, and restaurant in Windsor. No one will confuse this impressive testament to the popularity of Russian River’s beers with a neighborhood pub—but that’s still an apt description of the world-class brewer’s original joint, a cozy, friendly (and by this point, hallowed) spot on Fourth Street in downtown Santa Rosa. Pliny the Younger’s annual release draws devotees from far and wide, but the rest of the time it’s ours. 725 Fourth St., Santa Rosa. 707-545-2337, russianriverbrewing.com
Pearl brisket
Brisket isn’t hard to make, it’s just hard to make well. Chef Brian Leitner’s Levantine-spiced version gets a long, lazy braise with cumin and garlic until it’s fork-tender and absolutely deserving of a slow clap. Served over cloud-soft scrambled eggs with roasted squash and pistachio tahini, it leans more Persia than pitmaster. Pearl’s Eastern Mediterranean and North African vibes (with a wink of Southern France and Spain) mean every dish arrives with a sunny, warm disposition, from the bubbling baked-egg shakshuka to the meatball tagine swimming in saffron rice, ginger, and quince broth. 500 First St., Petaluma. 707-559-5187, pearlpetaluma.com
Småstad Coffee Roasters
This local gathering place brings a bit of Swedish “fika” to Sonoma. Fika may sound like some kind of trendy coffee drink, but it’s actually an essential cultural ritual. In Sweden, fika is a break in the day when friends, family, or co-workers slow down and recharge with coffee or tea and a sweet treat. Småstad (pronounced “SMOH-stahd”) has you covered, with soul-warming drinks like the Sweater Weather Latte—a blend of espresso, oat milk, and cinnamon—and a variety of tempting pastries. 981 Broadway, Sonoma. 707-939-1906, smastadcoffee.com
Poet’s Corner Bookshop
Bookstores by their nature have cozy vibes baked right in, but Poet’s Corner Bookshop, a petite purveyor of print, is extraordinary. At just 250 square feet, this Duncans Mills shop is unofficially the county’s smallest bookstore. Owner Stephanie Culen describes it as “small but mighty, like a little chihuahua.” With such a small space, Culen focuses on keeping a well-curated selection of gently used books—including some rare finds—plus new volumes, with a preference for Sonoma County authors. Although the shop has a devoted local following, Culen says she caters to many coast-bound campers and vacationers who left their beach reads behind. 25195 B St., Duncans Mills. 707-503-8865, bookshop.org/shop/poetscornerbookshop
Dane Cellars
Wine tasting inside a giant wine barrel is a unique experience, and at just under 200 square feet, Dane Cellars’ tasting room is also one of the coziest. Winemaker Bart Hansen jumped at a chance to open his own tasting room two years ago when he saw the historic, 14,000-gallon tank in Glen Ellen for rent. Belly up to the handmade bar or kick back in a chair while Hansen pours some of his handcrafted Sonoma Valley wines and let him regale you with the fascinating history of the old-growth redwood tank. “What I love most about wine is that it evokes conversation,” he says. “The wine tank is a great place for that.” 14300 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen. 707-529-5856, danecellars.com
Cafe Citti gnocchi
The gnocchi Bolognese at Cafe Citti is like a hug on a plate. Chef Luca Citti has perfected the art of these pillowy potato dumplings using the method that his family and his wife Linda’s family taught them. Gnocchi has been a fixture at the couple’s restaurant for 35 years—first in Kenwood and now at their new Santa Rosa location. While you can get the gnocchi with any kind of sauce you like—pesto, Alfredo, or porcini cream sauce, for instance—tossed with ragu Bolognese, it’s the ultimate in comfort and the Cittis wouldn’t have it any other way. 2792 Fourth St., Santa Rosa. 707-523-2690, cafecitti.com
Russian River Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence bingo nights
Each month, about 200 people pack into Santa Rosa’s Veterans Memorial building for a raucous evening of glittery good times at the Russian River Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence bingo nights that do double duty to build and support the community. The flamboyant drag queens have hosted bingo nights for more than two decades to benefit a different local charity each month and the alcohol-free themed events almost always sell out up to a month in advance. Themes for 2026 include K-Pop Demon Hunter and Charlotte’s Web bingo, and guests (18-and-up only) are encouraged to dress to impress. 1351 Maple Ave., Santa Rosa. rrsisters.org
Cast Away Yarn Shop
Brick walls, bright windows, high ceilings, and exposed rafters: Cast Away Yarn’s 4,000-square-foot space in Santa Rosa’s Railroad Square could easily feel a bit too big. But with so much colorful yarn everywhere, stacked high on white shelves, entering the shop is more like slipping on your favorite sweater. “The atmosphere feels cozy with all the wool,” says owner Justine Malone. “It’s insulating and muffles sound.” What better setting, then, for sitting at a shared table with like-minded folks to knit, crochet, needle felt, bead, embroider, or mend while sipping tea and snacking on cheese, crackers, and fruit? Knit Night is free from 5-7 p.m. every third Thursday. 100 Fourth St., Santa Rosa. 707-546-9276, castawayyarnshop.com
On Thursdays We Knit
There’s something about fiber arts that invites connection and conversation. Here are some other Sonoma County yarn shops that stitch together community with weekly groups:
Purls of Joy, 461 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg. 4:30-7:30 p.m. Thursdays, noon to 3 p.m. Sundays. purlsofjoy.com
Fiber Circle Studio, 113 Kentucky St., Petaluma. 4-6 p.m. Thursdays, noon to 2 p.m. Sundays. fibercirclestudio.com
Roadhouse Coffee
Take shelter from cold, blustery mornings on the bay with a cup of strong coffee and a muffin at Roadhouse Coffee. Perched above busy Spud Point Marina, it opens at 5:30 a.m. for early birds or returning crab boats. Books, local artwork, and stringed instruments adorn the walls, making it one of the homiest coffee shops in the county. Order the local favorite, cinnamon-spiced Mexican Mocha, with the buttery, crumbly blueberry coffee cake. 1580 Eastshore Road, Bodega Bay. 707-360-8856, instagram.com/roadhouse.coffee.bbay
Nightingale Breads cinnamon roll
Not too big, not too small, but just right. Nightingale Breads’ original cinnamon roll is the Goldilocks of essential treats for cozy mornings. Swirls of cinnamon are tucked inside fluffy challah bread, along with raisins and nuts with a drizzle of frosting. Not a raisin or nut fan? They’re also available without, or baklava-style with cardamom and rose water. They’re only available on Saturday mornings, so set your alarm or pre-order before they sell out. And they will sell out. 6665 Front St., Forestville. 707-887-8887, nightingalebreads.com
Gaige House
Warm your soul and every inch of your being while soaking in a deep granite tub in one of the nine ryokan-style suites at Gaige House in Glen Ellen. Afterward, curl up in a Coyuchi robe by the gas-burning fireplace or perhaps don a classic yukata kimono and geta or zōri slippers while sipping sake and munching on Yoku Moku, rolled butter cookies from Japan with a delicate vanilla taste. The meditation deck, tucked into a secluded corner of the property along gurgling Calabazas Creek, offers a serene place for meditation or yoga, but don’t forget to pack your swimsuit. The hot tub and pool are heated year-round. 13540 Arnold Dr., Glen Ellen. 707-935-0237, thegaigehouse.com
Auteur Wines
Baby, it’s cold outside, but who cares when you’re snuggled up next to a warming fireplace with a glass of Pinot Noir, watching the fog roll across the vineyards? Auteur’s gorgeous Russian River Valley tasting room, near Forestville, offers panoramic views of vines and redwoods through wall-sized windows, plus a covered terrace to keep you warm and dry on drizzly days. And did we mention the delicious and oh-so-expressive single-vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay? 10520 Wohler Road, Healdsburg. 707-766-0222, auteurwines.com
Upstairs Art Gallery
Healdsburg is filled with spacious, sleek art galleries that are certainly worth a look, but the Upstairs Art Gallery in a loft above Levin & Company bookstore is a homey, hidden gem and gentle respite from the bustle of the plaza. Explore paintings, jewelry, and ceramics from 16 local artists. One of the artists is always on hand to welcome you. Be sure to browse the bookstore downstairs then grab a cinnamon-sugar doughnut muffin from Downtown Bakery & Creamery next door for a cozy-day trifecta. 306 Center St., Healdsburg. 707-431-4214, upstairsartgallery.net
Goblin Bros. Games & Gear
Lest you think all game playing happens online these days, look no further than Goblin Bros. Games & Gear for proof that board games—along with good old-fashioned game nights—are back in a big way, but at a game store rather than around the living room coffee table. Opened by four friends in Petaluma in 2021, Goblin Bros. was soon bursting at the seams and expanded in 2024 to Santa Rosa’s Railroad Square. While the Petaluma location has an outdoor gaming space, the Santa Rosa store offers an upstairs mezzanine with plenty of gaming tables—perfect for the chilly, rainy winter months—plus a secret hideaway, the 19th-century-themed nautilus room, for private, game-fueled parties. 129 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-608-4171 or 133 Kentucky St., Petaluma, 707-780-2048. goblinbros.com
Gather
Winter is the time to hunker down, get crafty, and try something new. Just think of the possibilities! You could bake sourdough, blend tea, make cheese, pour candles, mix botanical bitters, ferment miso and koji, knit hats and scarves, mend clothes, even make a broom. But how? Skip the YouTube tutorials and head to Gather, Sebastopol’s new “practical arts” headquarters that offers a wide range of classes and workshops to teach, support, and equip the crafty DIYer.
But that’s only part of Gather’s mission, says Erin Hillmer, who along with friend and co-owner Jen Koelemeijer—both of whom live in town with their families—opened the shop on Main Street last April: “We really wanted to build a community around it. I love the idea of third spaces where you can go and meet your neighbors.” To that end, they also host a regular Handmade and Homegrown Happy Hour every third Friday. January and February classes, meanwhile, cover fiber arts, fermenting and cheesemaking, and planning the spring garden. 122 N. Main St., Sebastopol. 707-827-8376, gathersebastopol.com
Art Play Cafe
Part coffee shop, part indoor playground, part art studio, Art Play Cafe is a colorful community gathering spot that works as a third space for the toddler set, but you don’t have to be pint-sized to appreciate the warm, welcoming vibe. Opened late last year by “two moms on a mission,” Kate Greenspan and Elena Kaljian, the café offers a wonder-filled space for kids to engage in active, creative play, art projects, and sensory activities while their adults enjoy coffee, pastries, and time to connect with other families. Although a boon to parents in the winter months when weather wreaks havoc on park playdates, it’s quickly become a favorite hangout on even the finest of days. 146 Kentucky St., Petaluma. 707-242-7424, artplaycafe.com
Brew open mic nights
Brew, a café serving coffee and craft beer in downtown Santa Rosa, has become an important community gathering space since opening 11 years ago. One of the best ways to experience the warmth of that connection is at Brew’s weekly open mic nights. Every Tuesday from 5-8 p.m. folks gather to watch others sing, play guitar, recite poetry, tell jokes—however they choose to participate. First-timers need not worry: The crowd has your back. According to open mic participant and supporter, Christina Panza, the evening “is one of the coziest, most supportive, heart-warming events in the county that I have ever experienced.” 555 Healdsburg Ave., Santa Rosa. 707-303-7372, brewcoffeeandbeer.com
Goatlandia’s Bottle Babies Breakfast Club
Videos of frolicking baby goats frequently break the internet, but the virtual cuteness is no comparison to experiencing it in real life at Goatlandia’s Bottle Babies Breakfast Club. The Sebastopol farm-animal sanctuary founded by Deborah Blum rescues baby goats from dairies, then raises them on bottles before they’re sent to local grazing companies to munch their way through brush and overgrowth to help reduce fire risk. The program is funded through $250 donations, which covers admission to Goatlandia for up to four guests for a private one-hour session of bottle-feeding and cuddling the rescued kids. The sanctuary plans to have a newly rescued group of babies early in the year, and reservations can be made online. 1567 Cunningham Road, Sebastopol. 707-541-6216, goatlandia.org
Sundrop Sauna
Alex Zelaya knew exactly what kind of a sauna experience he wanted to bring to Sonoma County: one inspired by a memorable session years ago in Finland, the birthplace of sauna culture. Finnish locals invited him into their lakeside sauna, a converted shack atop a fishing dock, followed by a plunge into the cold waters below. “This was so different from what I had experienced in the U.S.,” Zelaya says. “There was this element of being outside, surrounded by nature, and of being with other people in a social atmosphere.” Sundrop Sauna captures much of the same magic. An open-air mini-resort on the banks of the Petaluma River with broad views over the meandering slough, across peaceful tidal wetlands, to the wooded slopes of Olompali State Historic Park, it offers a bliss-inducing spa experience imbued with natural light and a fresh breeze. Launched last year by Alex and his wife, Ashley, who live in Forestville with their young son, Sundrop promotes togetherness with a sauna accommodating up to eight and a central lounge area adjacent to the outdoor shower and cold-plunge tub, all in view of the river. Sweat, endorphins, and conversation flow freely. 5684 Lakeville Hwy., Petaluma. sundropsauna.com
Retrograde Coffee Roasters
Baristas Danielle Connor and Casey Lanski founded Retrograde Coffee Roasters in 2014 as a way to get back to the basics: coffee and community. Along with small-batch specialty coffees, the café serves up a heaping helping of kindness. Through FEED Sonoma, Retrograde supports local farms as a pickup location for subscribers’ fresh produce boxes. The owners also promote local artists with colorful displays that adorn the café walls. Be on the lookout for a satellite Retrograde café, coming soon to Barn 5400 in Petaluma where their coffees are roasted. 130 S. Main St., Suite 103, Sebastopol. 707-827-8065, retrograderoasters.com
Chad’s Soup Shack
Whether it’s bisque, stew, chowder, or broth, soup is a warm blanket for your soul, and Chad’s Soup Shack owner Chad Holmes knows it. His farm market and catering business is built around filling soup bowls with his short rib chili, French onion, pork pozole, and butternut squash creations. But it’s his biscuits and gravy that really crank up the internal thermostat on chilly market mornings. Technically, it’s more soup-adjacent, but Holmes jokingly calls it “sausage soup with biscuit croutons,” and honestly, no one’s arguing. Saturdays at the Santa Rosa Community Farmers’ Market at Farmers Lane Plaza. chadssoupshack.com
Bricoleur Vineyards
No need to hit the slopes to have an après-ski experience. Bricoleur Vineyards has introduced Après Bricoleur, a pop-up exclusively for the cozy season. This intimate tasting for up to six guests happens in a greenhouse outfitted with woolen decor from Pendleton that will make you feel like you’re in a mountainside lodge. Sip Bricoleur’s acclaimed Chardonnay and Pinot Noir cocoa paired with a menu of alpine delights like fondue, raclette, and French onion soup, then finish with a Cabernet hot cocoa. The tastings are $150 per person and run Fridays to Sundays through the end of January. 7394 Starr Road, Windsor. 707-857-5700, bricoleurvineyards.com
Golden Bear Station
With candlelit tables, faux-fur throws, and hospitality warmer than a pan of brown butter, Golden Bear Station oozes coziness. The menu at this Kenwood roadside restaurant shifts with chef Joshua Smookler’s latest fascinations, but expect luxurious cuts of duck, beef, and pork tinged with Italian and Korean flavors. 8445 Sonoma Hwy., Kenwood. 707-282-9148, goldenbearstation.com
Osmosis Day Spa and Sanctuary
It may not sound luxurious, but a cedar enzyme bath at Osmosis Day Spa and Sanctuary will do wonders for your well-being while keeping you nice and toasty. This singular spa experience is great any time of year, but especially in the winter months. Sink into a wooden tub surrounded by a warm and fragrant mix of ground cedar and rice bran while soaking in the views of the surrounding Zen garden. The spa’s founder learned about the Japanese tradition while living abroad in the mid-1980s; the Freestone locale is reportedly the only spa outside of Japan to offer the experience. 209 Bohemian Highway, Freestone. 707-823-8231, osmosis.com
The Madrona
It’s easy to be charmed by winter days when your vantage point is one of the light-filled parlors at The Madrona. Built in 1881 as a private residence (and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987), its grandeur got the ultimate glow-up when the Healdsburg estate was purchased in 2021 by renowned interior designer Jay Jeffers. Modern, eclectic decor mixed with antiques original to the estate create an endearing feeling of whimsy. Yet, with just 24 rooms spread across 8 acres, a quiet enchantment resonates, whether wandering through the orange orchard, lingering by the firepit, or lounging on a balcony overlooking the hills of Dry Creek Valley. 1001 Westside Road, Healdsburg. 707-395-6700, themadronahotel.com
Sonoma Valley Woman’s Club mah-jongg
Mah-jongg has exploded in popularity, especially in Sonoma, where an enthusiastic teacher has turned dozens of people onto the tile-based game with origins in 19th-century China. Laurie Gilmore Sebesta began offering mah-jongg lessons to friends at her kitchen table, but outgrew the space as more people wanted to learn and play. She now teaches the fast-paced game at the Sonoma Valley Woman’s Club on Tuesdays. For seasoned players there are games at the club every Wednesday. Sebesta says besides being a fun game, mah-jongg is an “opportunity to share friendship… and lots of conversation and laughter.” 574 First St. E., Sonoma. 707-341-6375, sonomavalleywomansclub.org
Petaluma Pottery
Inside a bright and airy pottery studio in downtown Petaluma’s maker-friendly warehouse district, creativity travels like a current: through an artist’s hands into soft, earthy clay or between individuals at work on different stages of disparate projects united by a common medium. Petaluma Pottery offers a wide range of classes, workshops, and events to help bring people together, including eight-week wheel-throwing and hand building classes and its popular two-hour “date nights” for pairs of aspiring potters to practice wheel throwing in a friendly, fun environment. 301 Second St., Petaluma. 415-272-9997, petalumapottery.com
Volunteer trail work
They say chopping your own firewood warms you twice—once while you work, and again when you burn it. Volunteer trail work is even better. Whether cutting new paths or maintaining or improving existing ones, you’ll put in a good day’s effort while improving access to the great outdoors for yourself and hundreds, maybe thousands of friends and neighbors. Regular trail work opportunities abound throughout Sonoma County, from our regional and state parks, supported by nonprofits like Redwood Trails Alliance and Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods, to private lands managed by Santa Rosa-based LandPaths. Find opportunities at parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov/learn/volunteer and landpaths.org/participate.
Grove of Old Trees
With their sheer size and age, ancient redwoods are inherently monumental, almost inconceivable. Yet the Grove of Old Trees, containing a mix of old-growth and second-growth (post-logging) redwoods amidst an understory of tanoak and ferns, is particularly intimate and relatable, too. Privately owned and maintained by passionate stewards, it’s situated atop a high ridge along a narrow road in the middle of a neighborhood not far from downtown Occidental. With less than a mile of trail inside its 50-acre footprint, the park encourages slow, quiet contemplation—not necessarily gawking then moving along, but communing with the entire milieu. 17599 Fitzpatrick Lane, Occidental. landpaths.org/grove-of-old-trees
The Stavrand Russian River Valley
Even on the stormiest of days, a feeling of warmth permeates The Stavrand Russian River Valley. A registered historic landmark, the property was built in the 1920s as a home for Guerneville banker Ralph “Rooster” Belden and his family. Reimagined in 2021 with tranquility in mind, many rooms feature indulgences such as fireplaces, freestanding bathtubs, and outdoor cedar hot tubs, but the estate’s nearly 6-acre backyard plays a starring role in the magic that unfolds here. In a time where it’s oh-so-hard to relax and unwind, The Stavrand’s towering redwoods, century-old fruit trees (planted by Belden), and massive river rock fireplace seem to do the trick. 13555 Highway 116, Guerneville. 707-869-9093, thestavrand.com
Mini Cat Town
There’s nothing like a sleepy, purring kitten to give you the warm fuzzies. At Mini Cat Town at Santa Rosa Plaza you can enjoy cuddling and playing with rescued kittens and cats. There are no cages or crates here—just carpeted cat towers and comfy couches for lounging while you get all the snuggles you can enjoy. Each visit lasts 30 minutes and costs $15 for ages 12 and up, or $10 for 11 and under, with fees going to the San Jose-based nonprofit for food, medical care, and ongoing rescue efforts. For those who make a love connection with one of the adorable felines, they’re up for adoption with applications available on Mini Cat Town’s website. Volunteers are also needed. 1071 Santa Rosa Plaza, Santa Rosa. minicattown.org
Howard Station Cafe
Housed in the original Occidental train station, Howard Station Cafe oozes warm, small-town charm. The worn wood floors of this stately Victorian could tell a thousand tales (including that this rural cafe is recently back under Negri family ownership), but it’s the morning pastries and brown sugar lattes that deserve your attention. The kitchen stops serving biscuits and gravy, Benedicts, and pancakes at noon, but the rest of the morning menu runs all day. Try to snag a sunny window seat (or a porch perch with your pooch) and a brown sugar latte for peak Sunday-morning vibes. The egg sandwich stuffed with hash browns and cheddar on a brioche roll is messy-wonderful, and the Reuben special is destination-worthy. Looking for something lighter? The garlicky beans and greens with fresh-squeezed juice are a solid choice. 3611 Bohemian Hwy., Occidental. 707-874-2838, howardstationcafe.com
VN Flavor
Though it may be the most subjective of soups, pho is a cold-and-flu-season essential on the Left Coast (sorry, matzo ball). The steam alone—anise, cardamom, ginger—from Nouly Chhem’s fortifying beef bone broth at VN Flavor feels like a sick-day tonic. Not into pho? Go for the husband-and-wife duo’s wonton egg noodle soup: an 8-hour chicken broth, pork-stuffed wontons, and soft egg noodles that are a bear hug in a bowl. 90 Raley’s Towne Centre, Rohnert Park. 707-843-7585
The Velvet Chapter Bookshop
If your idea of a perfect night is curling up with a steamy novel, The Velvet Chapter Bookshop is the place to go for the latest releases in the romance and fantasy genres. This intimate space in The Great Petaluma Mill has an alluring charm, with dark walls and an ornate chandelier that beckons you to settle into one of the plush velvet chairs and start reading right there. Owners Gabriela and Matthew Porter are all about building community and often host book release parties, trivia nights, and craft events (bedazzled book covers anyone?) so romantasy fans can connect with like-minded bookworms. 6 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma. 707-775-9374, thevelvetchapter.com
Sip n’ Stitch
What could be cozier than gathering with like-minded crafties to knit, crochet, embroider, and connect? Sip n’ Stitch began in 2024 with two longtime friends who began meeting at local cafés to work on craft projects. Their circle soon expanded and a club was born. Meetups happen the second Friday and last Saturday of each month at cafés and community spots across Sonoma County. The vibe is casual, and all ages and skill levels are welcome. If you love to chat while you craft, this is the club you’ve been yarn-ing for. sipandstitchsociety.com
The Warm Puppy Café
The late Charles M. Schulz wrote “Happiness is a Warm Puppy,” but it can also be found at The Warm Puppy Café inside Redwood Empire Ice Arena (aka Snoopy’s Home Ice). Nothing can knock the chill off frosty fingers and noses after a skate session like a cup of creamy hot cocoa topped with a swirl of whipped cream. Or take a lunch break, grab a table next to the giant stone fireplace, and enjoy a lunch of the ultimate winter warmer—the Charlie Brown-approved Good Grief Grilled Cheese with a cup of tomato soup. 1667 W. Steele Lane, Santa Rosa. 707-546-7147, snoopyshomeice.com
Sonoma Film Club
Documentary filmmaker Conor Hagen launched Sonoma Film Club last year, inspired by his work on the board of the Sebastiani Theatre Foundation.
The idea was to raise funds to help preserve and renovate the historic venue while luring people off their couches—away from their streaming services—to rekindle the joy of a communal moviegoing experience.
“There’s nothing like watching a great film in an old historic theater with other people on a big screen,” he says. “There’s just this sort of magic to it, and that magic is kind of disappearing in the modern era.”
Living in Sonoma, Hagen knew wine had to be part of the picture. Each monthly screening includes a pre-film wine reception, with selections thoughtfully and thematically curated by Tanner Walle of Valley Bar + Bottle and Valley Swim Club fame.
“I wanted to share great films and great wine with the public,” Hagen says, “and to get them excited to come out to the theater.” Find out about screenings by following on Instagram @sonomafilmclub. 476 First St. E., Sonoma. sebastianitheatre.org
Upcoming Sonoma Film Club Screenings
Jan. 26: The Big Lebowski
Feb. 23: Jamon, Jamon
March 16: Koyaanisqatsi
Email sonomafilmclub@gmail.com to subscribe to the Sonoma Film Club newsletter.
Nightcap Dessert Bar
With apologies to TLC, there’s something cozy, sexy, cool about late-night lingering over a cocktail and dessert, which is exactly what Barber Lee Spirits’ Nightcap Dessert Bar is for. Launched last fall, the downtown Petaluma distiller offers a late-night menu (open until 10 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday and 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday) of decadent desserts that you can enjoy with—or without—one of their seasonal signature cocktails. Grab your main squeeze and canoodle with a cannoli and a hot buttered rum, or indulge in one of Mad Batter Cakery’s gluten-free cakes, including a chocolate passion-fruit layer cake custom-made for Barber Lee. 120 Washington St., Petaluma. 707-971-7107, barberleespirits.com
Two Trees Tea House
Two Trees Tea House in Occidental isn’t so much a destination as an invitation. Hidden beneath a towering redwood at the edge of town, it’s an oasis of calm where time slips away like morning fog, measured only by empty cups.
Filled with time-worn wood and bamboo antiques, tins of loose-leaf tea and pre-loved tea ware, the space channels the calm, intentional aesthetic of owners Chris Lewis and Adrian Chang, who’ve distilled their global travels and deep respect for ethically sourced tea into 500 square feet of stillness.
For them, it’s a way of rewriting tea’s troubled colonial past and honoring the growers who tend ancient lands, hand-picking and toasting single-origin white, black, green, and red teas while also embracing their west county neighbors.
Everyone is welcome at the pay-what-you-can community tea service, but it’s worth settling in for a guided five-tea Gong Fu tasting with Chang, who threads stories of their tea partners through slow, meditative pours. It’s hard not to fall a little in love—not just with the tea, but with the people and places behind each leaf.
Reservations are required for guided tastings, but anyone is welcome to stop by for a pot of their blended tea. 3597 Bohemian Highway, Occidental. twotreesteahouse.com
Cozy connections: Two Trees Tea House is a true “third space,” hosting a number of community-focused events with a focus on art and music, including a monthly “Drink Tea and Draw” with the Sonoma County Sketchbook Club.
Doran Regional Park
Winter on the Sonoma Coast can be surprisingly sunny and mild. Summer’s fog is well gone, spring’s breeze is yet to come, and daytime highs average in the mid- to high 50s. So while tourists are bundled up somewhere back home, enjoy the coast free of crowds—especially Doran Regional Park, which provides numerous easy access points to your own slice of beach, just a short walk through the dunes. After an epic early sunset, roast marshmallows in a fire pit at the main lot to the sound of crashing waves—or better yet, plan to spend the night at the nearby campground. 201 Doran Beach Road, Bodega Bay. 707-875-3540, parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov
Criminal Pie & Pantry pop-ups
Take an intimate cooking class embraced in the warmth of a licensed home kitchen. Baker Dawn Zaft took a step back from running the bakery she founded, Criminal Baking Co., and now runs Criminal Pie & Pantry pop-ups from her Santa Rosa home. Zaft also hosts classes for 6-8 people featuring all kinds of comfort foods during these colder months, from soups and potpies to her most popular class—scones for serious sconers. Classes start with coffee in her living room before moving to a big wooden table in the kitchen to get down to business. Each class includes a light meal and goodies to take home. hotplate.com/criminalpieandpantry
Goose & Fern
It’s almost cruel to tease this not-always-on-the-menu favorite, but the sticky toffee pudding at Goose & Fern is so spectacular that we’re hoping the outcry will encourage the owners to make it permanent. This family-friendly (and family-owned) Brit pub goes out of its way to create beloved tavern standards like fish and chips or Guinness pie spot-on, but the pudding—well, it’s extra-special. You’ll have to wait a few extra minutes for it to warm up, but it comes out piping hot with soft spongy cake, sticky caramel sauce, and crème fraîche on top. 116 Fifth St., Santa Rosa, 707-843-4235, thegooseandfern.com
Three Sticks Adobe tasting room
Three Sticks’ Adobe tasting salon is housed in one of Sonoma’s oldest residences, built in 1842 by the brother of General Mariano Vallejo. Winery owners Bill and Eva Price purchased and restored the historic property in 2012, transforming it into a beautiful and unique tasting room that combines the original adobe design, including the original wood beam ceilings, with a rich, warm color palette and contemporary accents. Settle into one of the adobe’s intimate nooks to enjoy Three Sticks’ vineyard-driven Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines by the flight, or book a curated culinary experience. 143 West Spain St., Sonoma. 707-996-3328, threestickswines.com/the-adobe
Street Social
From the street, the narrow, tiled alley leading to Street Social is easy to miss—part of its charm, and part of the discovery. Inside, the dimly lit, five-table dining room (with a few more seats in the alley and one upstairs) is intentionally intimate, allowing owners Jevon Martin and Marjorie Pier to create a magical experience for each guest. It’s one of the rare places where you can’t really go wrong with anything on the menu, and Martin keeps guests on their toes with a constantly changing lineup of dishes ranging from duck liver tartlets with blackberry jam or chicken confit dumplings to barbecued hamachi collar and pork osso buco. 29F Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma. 707-774-6185, streetsocial.social
Silent Book Club
Some call Silent Book Club a happy hour for introverts. Founded by Santa Rosa resident Amanda Janik two years ago, the club has resonated with dozens of readers who attend the twice monthly meetings to sit together—in silence—ensconced in a book of their choosing. Although one could certainly read at home, the meetings, held at local restaurants or bars, are about cultivating community. Attendees have the opportunity to socialize before and after, but a full hour of the evening is dedicated to silent reading, and many will attest that having these nights on their calendar is a great way to meet their reading goals. A Petaluma chapter also launched last fall. Follow on Instagram: @sbcsantarosa and @silentbookclubpetaluma.
Silent Book Club of Santa Rosa meets from 5:30-7:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of every month at Brew, 555 Healdsburg Ave.
The Sea Ranch Lodge
If you thought the windswept meadows and dancing seas along the Sonoma Coast couldn’t get any more magnificent, tuck yourself into a window seat in a room at The Sea Ranch Lodge. Fog seems to sparkle, haphazard wildflowers seem brighter, and before you realize it, you’ve achieved exactly what you came here for—to slow down. When The Sea Ranch community was conceived in the 1960s the guiding ethos was “living lightly on the land.” The dedication to that nature-inspired simplicity guided recent renovations of the 17-room Lodge. While all accommodations feature light cedar walls and heated bathroom floors, we think the rooms with roaring fireplaces and windows that reach to the ceiling make an especially convincing case to cuddle up and stay put. 60 Sea Walk Drive, The Sea Ranch. 707-579-9777, thesearanchlodge.com
Sebastopol Road tamales and champurrado
There’s a soft stillness in the pre-dawn hours in Santa Rosa. That’s when a handful of vendors along Sebastopol Road turn on the lights in their carts and warm themselves next to steaming pots of tamales and insulated thermoses of champurrado that they serve to an early morning clientele headed to work. The tamales, wrapped in corn husks and then aluminum foil, first warm your hands and then your belly, leaving your hunger and heart satisfied and content and ready to carry on with your day. Find the carts in the heart of Roseland on Sebastopol Road between Dutton Avenue and Stony Point Road.
True West Film Center
Darkened movie theaters with massive screens and immersive sound have captivated audiences for more than a century, and today they represent one of our last bastions of distraction-free, “disconnected” public entertainment. Healdsburg’s brand-new True West Film Center, which opened last October, celebrates the peculiar power of cinema through a unique combination of state-of-the-art technology and intimately sized theaters, with the smaller of its three rooms seating 21 and 27, respectively. Through diverse, curated programming, including first-run Hollywood films and several repertory series, the nonprofit True West Cinemas seeks to offer personally transformative experiences in a communal setting. 371 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg. 707-234-8363, truewestfilmcenter.org