Rendering of the new Charlie Palmer Appellation Hotel in Petaluma. (Appellation)
Chef Charlie Palmer has announced plans to develop a culinary-focused 93-room hotel with a 190-seat restaurant and rooftop bar in downtown Petaluma. If approved, the 66,500-square-foot, five-story luxury property would be located at the corner of Petaluma Boulevard South and B Street. The new hotel project is a collaboration between Palmer’s recently-launched hospitality group, Appellation, and EKN Development Group of Newport Beach.
The news comes just months after Appellation announced another ambitious hotel and retail project in Healdsburg with a restaurant and rooftop bar. The company, co-owned by Palmer and Christopher Hunsburger, also has projects in Pacific Grove and Sun Valley.
Calling Petaluma a “foodie destination within a foodie destination,” Palmer’s hospitality group said food demonstrations, artistic presentations and nods to the region’s sustainable farming practices would be part of the visitor experience at the hotel.
“We intentionally designed this hotel to pay homage to the integral role that food and wine play in Petaluma,” said Ebbie Nakhjavani, CEO of EKN Development Group, in a press release.
Palmer, who is a Sonoma County resident and James Beard award-winning chef with 16 restaurants from coast to coast, said that he had been looking for an opportunity in Petaluma for years as “an emerging culinary destination in the region.”
In recent years, the once-sleepy dairy- and egg-producing area has surged onto the world stage with one of the country’s most recent AVAs (American Viticultural Areas), the Petaluma Gap, and has attracted talented chefs, including Stephane Saint Louis and Steven Vargas of Table Culture Provisions, Jevon Martin of Street Social and Roberth Sundell of Stockhome restaurant. Chef Tony Najiola’s Central Market also is a Petaluma food destination.
Palmer opened Healdsburg’s iconic Dry Creek Kitchen in 2001 and has eponymous steakhouses in New York, Reno, Las Vegas and Napa.
Breakfast at Farmhouse Inn’s Farmstand in Forestville. (Aubrie Pick)
Take a look ahead at the new year, with our weekend-by-weekend, month-by-month collection of favorite seasonal experiences—from mushroom expeditions in January to wildflowers-potting in April to our favorite way to do pumpkins in October. Your expert guides? The Sonoma Magazine team and members of the newsroom at our sister publication, The Press Democrat, where insider knowledge of the community we share is a matter of pride.
Click through the above gallery to view some of the experiences.
January
A Classic Drive
The two-lane stretch of Sonoma Highway, 22 miles from Santa Rosa to downtown Sonoma, provides the setting for a perfect Saturday afternoon. The drive encapsulates the beauty and the breadth of Sonoma County: our vineyards and wineries (a tasting inside the wine caves at Deerfield Ranch is perfect on a misty winter day); roadside shops and restaurants (including Salt + Stone in Kenwood, one of my favorites)—even taking in the scars of previous fires, still visible on the hillsides. The drive is a bucolic break from the everyday that soothes the spirit and settles the mind. -Richard A. Green
Bodega’s Hidden Galleries
In the compact town of Bodega, a few minutes inland from the coast, the Sonoma County Artisans’ Co-op Gallery shows 50 local artists—some newbies, others widely known, including Carolyn Jarvis’s plein-air seascapes and Randy Snyder’s raku pottery. In 2023, the gallery will focus on a cluster of artists working in a specific genre every other month. The historic Bodega Art Gallery, once an 1850s blacksmith shop, offers a rotating display of artists’ work, as well as jewelry, antiques, and the requisite Alfred Hitchcock T-shirts and Tippi Hedren posters. Chef Mark Malicki’s Casino Bar & Grill, which isn’t a casino at all, is the place to eat. -Kathleen Coates
Mushrooms (non-edible ones!) sprout from the moss at Salt Point State Park.( Kent Porter/The Press Democrat)
Winter’s Bounty
At Salt Point State Park in Jenner—the only legal spot to forage for mushrooms in Sonoma County—20 miles of hiking trails invite you to seek out some of California’s finest fungi, including some edible and many non-edible, pretty-to-look-at specimens. To navigate the 6,000-acre park, we recommend foraging with an expert guide or two, like Julie Schreiber and David Campbell of Mycoventures, who offer seasonal group forays. You’ll learn mushroom ID techniques, proper handling tips, collecting etiquette and more. -Sarah Doyle
Hiking and High Tea
Enjoy the crisp, cool air of the new year with a walk on the Joe Rodota Trail in Sebastopol. The flat trail is perfect for all types of recreation, from walking and running to biking and roller skating. Leave your car in public parking near Hopmonk Tavern before joining the trail for an enjoyable out-and-back jaunt. Don’t forget to make reservations at Muir’s Tea Room for a warm-up pot of tea with a spot of vegan tea sandwiches and cookies afterward. The tea shop, dedicated to the late environmentalist John Muir, is the perfect place to warm up after a cold winter’s walk. -Amie Windsor
Warm up with a cup of tea after a cold winter’s walk. (Beth Schlanker/The Press Democrat)
February
Exploring the Estero
The go-to kayak stretches around these parts are the Russian River and Tomales Bay, for good reason. For something quite different, try Estero Americano. If you’re not familiar with our esteros, it’s the Spanish word for “estuary,” a brackish waterway that rises and falls with the tides. Estero Americano meanders through dairy land and offers an absolute riot of bird life—egrets, herons, Canada geese, osprey. Name the bird, it’s probably here, and the narrow estuary gives you close-up views. Note that the put-in can be a little hard to find. On Highway 1 in Valley Ford, look for Dinucci’s Italian Dinners, head southwest on Valley Ford Estero Road, then hang a left on Marsh Road and immediately look for what appears to be a long dirt driveway down to the water. Figure out where the ocean is, and paddle in that direction. Oh, one additional caution: This is not a trip for a hot summer day. You won’t be in shade for one minute. Estero Americano is perfect for a chilly morning in the wet season, when the hills are green and the birds are particularly abundant. -Phil Barber
Off-the-Beaten-Path Wines
Sonoma County is home to over 400 wineries, but some of the best discoveries come in industrial areas, away from heavy tourist traffic, where small-scale owner/ winemakers find affordable production space. Among these hidden gems is Santa Rosa’s Carol Shelton Wines, where the very personable owner herself often leads the tastings. Shelton is known for single-vineyard Zinfandels, including her Monga Zin, a particular highlight. After, head to rebuilt Coffey Neighborhood Park to stretch out on the grass and watch the dogs romp, then hit Juanita’s Mexican Restaurant on Mendocino Avenue for quesabirria tacos or one of their specials listed on the wall. -Colin Atagi
Curvy Coast Drive
A drive up Highway 1 from Bolinas to Jenner is a perfect way to spend a dreary winter day. It’s perfect if you’re feeling broody, contemplative, romantic, or just want to be reminded of the splendor along the North Coast. Dotted with great pullouts boasting spectacular views, I love to stop and pop out and stare for a few minutes here and there before escaping back to the warmth of the car, with an obligatory break in Bodega Bay for seafood. An out-and-back hike along the steep Sea to Sky Trail at the Jenner Headlands Preserve is an ambitious end to the afternoon. -Marisa Endicott
Green Up
Plants make for some of the best gifts, especially coming out of winter, when the world could use a little more green, and especially for Valentine’s Day, when I’ve likely already had my fill of sweets. In Petaluma, Flourish boutique boasts cheeky valentine cards and a whole wall of indoor plants, including my favorite variegated philodendrons, with leaves in the shape of hearts. (They propagate easily—just snip off a cutting and put in a bud vase to share the love with a friend.) Nearby, the Panorama Trail at Helen Putnam Regional Park has views of oaks just beginning to unfurl tiny leaves. From the park, it’s less than 10 minutes back into town, which means I can make it back in time for happy-hour oysters at The Shuckery. -Abigail Peterson
A small stand of trees provide shade for cows at the Jenner Headlands Preserve, near Jenner. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)
March
Spring’s Best Cheese
A hands-on cheese making class at The Epicurean Connection in Sonoma will lead you through the making of 2-plus pounds of a delicious crème de ricotta, which students get to take home. Cheese expert and instructor Sheana Davis will also lead students through a tasting of several different local artisan cheeses. Either before or after class, the back patio at Sunflower Caffé, filled with flowers and plants, is a lovely place to kick back with a glass of white peach sparkling wine and eggy French toast with bacon. The Plaza is yours to explore for the rest of the day—perhaps try a flight of wine at Corner 103, named one of the best tasting rooms in the country. –Mya Constantino
Sugarloaf Ridge Wildflowers
They’re tiny but tenacious, spreading out in vast swaths or hiding amid the spring greenery. Sugarloaf Ridge is a particularly fertile place to search for spring’s wildflowers. The vast state park above Kenwood has everything from penstemon and trillium to golden fairy lanterns and lupine. Several of the trails here are rigorous, but the Canyon-Pony Gate Trail loop is a moderate choice. Two miles will take you through a redwood grove with starflowers and other spring greenery. Ready for a bite? Tips Roadside awaits at the bottom of the mountain with cold pints and comfort food. The fried Brussels sprouts, with enough to share, are the stuff of dreams, and don’t miss the beignets. -Meg McConahey
Freshman-Sophomore Girls run with Spring Lake in the background, at Montgomery High School’s Viking Opener Invitational held at Spring Lake Regional Park in Santa Rosa. (Darryl Bush/For The Press Democrat)
Cheer Young Athletes
You don’t have to have a child in a high school athletic program to appreciate the joy and wonders of sport. And you don’t have to have been a coach to understand that volunteers are always needed to pull off events. Around here, opportunities abound. How about signing up to help put on the Big Cat track meet March 4 at Santa Rosa High School? It’s the unofficial start to the spring track and field season and a huge highlight of local talent (email carriejoseph1@gmail.com for details). Cross-country more your style? How about volunteering to be a course monitor at September’s Viking Opener Invitational Cross Country meet at Spring Lake in September? It’s called course monitoring, but truth be told, there is a heavy emphasis on cheerleading. No better way to spend a Saturday. -Kerry Benefield
London’s Fantasy
Sonoma County is home to many public parks, but none more famous than Glen Ellen’s Jack London State Historic Park. A visit to the novelist’s vintage white-clapboard cottage, shows the office and adjacent sunroom where London wrote many of his later books and short stories. Abundant hiking trails within the park reveal London’s life as a farmer and early conservationist, with a revolutionary-for-its-time pig barn and a 100-year-old dam. The House of Happy Walls, where London’s widow, Charmian, lived after the author’s death, is now a recently-revamped museum. Back in town, head to the Fig Café to polish off an excellent burger. -Kienan O’Doherty
Sunlight streams down on a rhododendron at Hidden Forest Nursery near Sebastopol. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)
April
Nursery Crawl
For Earth Day, Bay Area gardening geeks know that Sonoma County is the best destination for a nursery crawl. Clear your trunk, lay down a tarp and head out for a plant lover’s dream day. Start at The Nursery at Emerisa Gardens in Santa Rosa for quality perennials, grasses, and shrubs. Then explore the enchanting 7-acre display gardens at Sebastopol’s Hidden Forest Nursery for blooming azaleas, rhododendrons and camellias. Stock up on tools, seeds, and starts at Harmony Farm Supply and Nursery. Then refuel for an afternoon of planting at Hole in the Wall, serving an all-day breakfast fit for a farmer, with the veggie-stuffed Gardeners Omelet. -Meg McConahey
High-Design Tasting
Last summer at The Donum Estate, a biodynamically farmed Pinot Noir and Chardonnay house in the Carneros region, Berlin-based designers Studio Other Spaces completed an art installation housing a high-end tasting experience like nothing else. The new Vertical Panorama Pavilion has a swirl of rainbow-hued glass panels arching overhead, like an otherworldly Easter bonnet alighting to rest in the middle of the vineyard. Beneath the dome, the riot of color brings to mind an explosion of spring wildflowers, an optimism reflected in the complexities of the wine. A tasting held inside the pavilion is a once-in-a-lifetime splurge, but other tasting options here offer views of the installation along with tours of the art collection and sculpture garden. After, try downtown Sonoma’s Tasca Tasca, where a satisfying snack of Portuguese tapas for two runs about $30. -Abigail Peterson
The Vertical Panorama Pavilion at The Donum Estate. (The Donum Estate)
Gothic Mansion
General Mariano Vallejo founded the town of Sonoma and was involved in California’s transition from a territory of Mexico to becoming part of the U.S. His beautiful two-story Carpenter Gothic home was built in 1852 on land the Native Americans called “crying mountain,” which Vallejo translated into Latin as “Lachryma Montis.” It’s decorated in 1850s Victorian style, almost as if the Vallejo family still lives there. Or maybe they are, in spirit? On one of my visits, a locked closet doorknob vigorously rotated back and forth without having been touched. After your visit, an adjacent bike and walking path leads to the Sonoma Plaza, where El Dorado Cantina has delicious to-go duck confit tacos. -Yovanna Bierberich
Whales Head North
In late April and early May in particular, the peninsula at Bodega Head, part of Sonoma Coast State Park, is a great place to see gray whales during their migration back from Baja California to Alaska. They swim north along the coast just offshore, providing great viewing opportunities without having to leave land. Look closely and you might catch some mothers and their calves. –Marisa Endicott
Natural Escape
Riverfront Regional Park in Healdsburg is a beautiful spot for all kinds of outdoor excursions, but one of my favorites is kayaking in the park’s two lakes. Nestled along the Russian River off picturesque Eastside Road, the park feels like a true escape to the natural world. There’s leisurely fishing plus plenty of birds and other wildlife to spy through the trees. Beforehand, the best way to kickstart a day of kayaking is to grab a big breakfast—crepes, pork buns, pastries, or egg sandwiches— at the Saturday morning Santa Rosa Farmers Market at Luther Burbank Center for the Arts. -Emma Murphy
Riverfront Regional Park in Healdsburg. (Mariah Harkey)
May
Latino Heritage
Southeast Santa Rosa’s Taylor Mountain Regional Park is perfect in May, with native oaks and rigorous uphill hikes that will get your heart racing. After, the nearby Mitote Food Park, a hub of Mexican food trucks in the heart of Roseland, is a celebration of local heritage. Try the fresh mango ceviche at La Victoria or succulent mushroom tacos at Gio Y Los Magos. Linger for a lively fiesta fueled by local bands and dancing. For the Aztecs, the word “mitote” means a round dance or a community celebration– and that’s exactly what you’ll find here. -Alana Minkler
Forgotten History
It’s known as Sonoma County’s ghost town, but the truth is that Wingo is neither haunted (as far as we know) nor deserted any more. Back in the day, Wingo—in the marshlands south of Schellville – was accessed only by rail and by boat. The small cluster of houses, many now being fixed up by locals, all have docks on Sonoma Creek, which connects to a network of sloughs. For a 5.5-mile round-trip hike, start at Larson Family Winery on Millerick Road and follow along as the road turns to gravel. At some point, you’ll convince yourself you’re lost, but keep going and eventually Wingo will appear like a hallucination. When you get back, why not return the favor to the Larsons and taste some of their wines? Then head east a short way on Highway 121 to Lou’s Luncheonette. Order whatever you’d like for lunch, but you’re missing out if it isn’t the spicy chicken and waffles. – Phil Barber
The town of Wingo in Sonoma County. ( John Burgess/ The Press Democrat)
Plein Air Painting
Sonoma County is just as full of artists as it is of interesting landscapes and places to paint. A surface and some paint or sketchpad and pencils are all you need to jump into outdoor, or “plein air,” painting. On any given weekend, you might find artists with easels set up on the beach, in downtown Petaluma or at local parks, capturing the scene. But you don’t have to paint alone. Local parks like Pepperwood Preserve occasionally offer classes led by artists who teach how to paint natural settings, and professional and amateur artists meet for regular outdoor painting sessions through groups such as Ready, Set, Sketch!. -Antonie Boessenkool
Steam Power
Sturgeon’s Mill is a working museum and turn-of-last-century lumber camp on the outskirts of Sebastopol. Steam whistles, sputtering engines, and buzzing saws help volunteers tell the fascinating history of this mill, which for 50 years supplied redwood lumber to the area. Kids will love seeing draft horses and blacksmiths at work, and it’s a real treat for everyone to watch an enormous redwood get turned into planks of lumber. The only catch? It’s only open four weekends a year, typically in May, June, September, and October. Before you go, fill up with a hearty breakfast at Willow Wood Market Café in nearby Graton. -Jennifer Graue
Head West Marketplace at The Barlow in Sebastopol. (Head West Marketplace)
Blue Ridge Kitchen at The Barlow in Sebastopol. (Shwetha Kotekar)
June
Artisan Shopping
The Barlow is a fun place to be whatever the season, and I often take out-of-town visitors there for dinner at Blue Ridge Kitchen or cocktails at Fern Bar. But in summer I like to wander in the sunshine and see what I find during the Head West Marketplace, on the second weekend of each month, March to December, where artisans and vendors sell all sorts of colorful and creative things like pretty jewelry and soft blankets. The focus is on small-batch, locally sourced items, which always leads to finding something special for someone special. -Antonie Boessenkool
Pride Month
Guerneville has been described as the de facto Fire Island of the West Coast, making it a great place to kick off Pride Month in Sonoma County. Take a trip to the charming, redwood-filled city that boasts creative cuisine and hospitable locals. A soft Bavarian pretzel and crisp German lager from Bröt are the perfect fuel for strolling the downtown area. Fill your day people-watching and exploring the community’s niches—Russian River Books & Letters is a great gathering space—then unwind with a nightcap at Rainbow Cattle Co., one of the county’s few LGBTQ+ bars. -Bryce Martin
Jennifer Lux dances during the Sonoma County Gay Pride Parade in Guernevill. (Beth Schlanker/The Press Democrat)
Chef Crista Luedtke squeezes a lemon on a plate of roasted cauliflower, pureed chickpeas, and topped with roasted figs, chopped green olives, pine nuts, and parsley at her restaurant Brot in Guerneville. (Beth Schlanker/The Press Democrat)
Petaluma Stroll
As the summer warmth calls for longer evenings, spend the day meandering through bustling historic downtown Petaluma. Stroll to Stellina Pronto, a quaint Italian cafe, for an iced coffee and sweet brioche bun to start your journey. After, head off to Petaluma’s streets to explore the small boutiques and antique shops along Kentucky Street. Keep your eyes peeled for street art hidden in alleyways. Snap a photo or three, then head to the riverfront to cross the old railroad bridge and rent a paddleboat from the new Floathouse rental center. End the day on a killer note with live music at the graffiti filled Phoenix Theater, where local skateboarders practice tricks during downtime. – Mya Constantino
Hilltop Sculptures
In a region filled with wineries, Paradise Ridge is an absolute gem. Built in the Fountaingrove neighborhood on 155 hilltop acres overlooking the Russian River Valley, the main building was lost in the 2017 wildfires but has been gloriously rebuilt. One of the winery’s enduring attractions is Marijke’s Grove, which displays more than 20 large-scale outdoor sculptures. The Empyrean Temple, a dramatic wooden structure, was built on-site and meant to travel to Burning Man, until the pandemic had other plans. After exploring the art, head to Willi’s Wine Bar, also lovingly rebuilt after the fire, where baked oysters, roasted beets, filet mignon sliders, and mushroom mac & cheese are some of the headliners, along with flash-fried calamari with orange chile gremolata and roasted bone marrow. -Dan Taylor and Marie McCain
Peaches in July. (Sonoma County Tourism)
July
Steampunk Style
It’s the season for live music festivals, and one of the best is the old-timey Rivertown Revival in Petaluma’s Steamer Landing Park, on the McNear Peninsula. This year’s event, the 12th annual, takes place on July 22 and 23. Celebrate “The Greatest Slough on Earth” with some two dozen musical acts plus works from local artists, like Burning Man’s Reared in Steel, as well as the ever-popular $5 weddings. Rivertown Revival is a benefit for the Friends of the Petaluma River, working to celebrate and conserve the beloved local waterway. -Dan Taylor
Just Peaches
Each summer, The Pharmacy restaurant in Santa Rosa celebrates the arrival of peach season by serving one of Sonoma’s best sandwiches: a triumphant trio of fresh peaches, mozzarella, and bacon, resting on a bed of arugula and sandwiched between housemade ciabatta. Pair this ultimate peach BLT with an outing to Dry Creek Peach & Produce outside Healdsburg. Here, you can purchase delicious, just-picked peaches and peach jam from the farm stand, which supplies fruit to famed restaurants like Chez Panisse. -Sofia Englund
The Boys of Summer
As far as ways to spend a summer evening, there aren’t many better options than taking a trip to historic Recreation Park in Healdsburg to watch a Prune Packers game. The Packers are a collegiate summer league baseball team comprised of some of the best up-and-coming young talent from around the country. Not only could you be watching players who will soon be up in the big leagues, but you’ll be doing so in one of the best venues in Northern California. It’s baseball in its purest form and always a treat. Before or after a game, it’s an easy call to stop by The Wurst downtown for sausages and hot dogs or Taqueria El Sombrero for an Al Pastor super burrito. – Gus Morris
Doran’s Secret Side
When sweltering summer days call for a coastal escape, dodge the traffic jam at Doran Beach, drive around Bodega Harbor on Westshore Road, and head to Campbell Cove instead. This chill little stretch of sand near the Bodega Bay trailhead is a great place to wade, kayak, and tidepool. Since it’s in a protected cove, the winds aren’t as brisk and dangerous waves are few and far between. While the kids fly kites or bury each other in the sand, adults can relax and bask in the smug satisfaction of having a secret beach hideaway. On the way home along Highway 1, pull into Fishetarian Fish Market, where sandy, sun-kissed guests are welcome and fill up on chowder or some of the best fish tacos on the coast. -Jennifer Graue
Fishing in the City
The allure of getting back into bed fades quickly once I splash water on my face and start thinking about spending my Saturday catching largemouth bass, crappie, and bluegill in the lake at Nagasawa Community Park, in the Fountaingrove neighborhood of Santa Rosa. A 6-foot-6 lightweight fly rod and barbless hooks make the little guys seem bigger than they are, and my inexpensive kayak allows me to get near areas of the pond where green reeds and dead tree branches offer perfect fish cover. A reliable source tells me the bass are most active in July. -Martin Espinoza
From left, Kalei Yamanoha, Jessie Andra Smith and Nathan Rivera, of the band Nathan & Jessie, perform during the 28th Annual Cotati Accordion Festival at La Plaza Park in downtown Cotati. (Erik Castro/for The Press Democrat)
August
Accordions Unite
When anyone mentions accordions, I instantly flash back to my Ohio youth and Saturday evenings with my parents watching Lawrence Welk. Little did I know that every August, tucked in La Plaza Park in Cotati, the world-famous Accordion Festival rolls around. It’s been a three-decade tradition, this outpouring of affection from thousands who gather to enjoy an eclectic array of musical styles. What? You’re unaware there’s more than polka? Over the weekend, you’ll hear zydeco, blues, rock, Mexican conjunto, swing, country and western, and more played by some of the world’s most accomplished accordion stars. Sorry, Mr. Welk. My August Saturday nights are now reserved for a rousing evening of accordions and good friends. See you there August 19-20. -Richard A. Green
A Foodie Day in the Springs
Busy travelers headed to Sonoma on Highway 12 often breeze through the Springs, a collection of unincorporated towns that include Boyes Hot Springs, El Verano, Fetters Hot Springs and Agua Caliente. Once a popular tourist destination for its rejuvenating thermal pools, the area is making a triumphant return as a culinary destination. Brightly painted buildings by artist Rico Martin highlight vintage stores and family-owned Latino markets. Make your first stop Sonoma Eats at the Barking Dog Roasters for mole enchiladas, shrimp tacos, and giant burritos. Nearby El Molino Central makes tortillas from scratch daily—their ahi tostadas with chipotle mayo are outstanding. And further south, you’ll find La Michoacana ice cream shop with dozens of flavors of ice cream, paletas, and bionicos (fruit bowls). In the evening, the Los Magos food truck, a local favorite, pulls up to the Wine Country Auto Center. -Heather Irwin
A Mangonada made by Teresita Fernandez at La Michoacana in Sonoma. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)Vegan and Al Pastor Tacos at Sonoma Eats restaurant in Sonoma. (Heather Irwin / The Press Democrat)
Apples Arrive
August is Gravenstein season—Sonoma’s home-grown hero apple, and it’s hard to imagine anything better than a late summer day revolving around good food and small farms in West County. Rural apple orchards line the backroads off Gravenstein Highway, including at Hale’s Apple Farm, a local favorite still run by the Hale family. Start with Gravensteins (or, later in the season, the tart Pink Lady apples) right from the trees at Hales, then drive back into town for some of the best ramen around at Ramen Gaijin, followed by drinks at Third Pig or the new natural wine bar The Redwood. Back at home, use some of your apple harvest to bake a crisp—the best way to wrap up the day.– Lonnie Hayes
Share the Harvest
Play farmer for a day with Farm to Pantry, a local nonprofit that gleans unused produce from local farms, wineries, and private properties throughout the county. Headed by Food Network celebrity chef, Duskie Estes, you’ll help bring in fresh food that would otherwise rot on the vines. Depending on what’s ripe, volunteers spend about three hours wielding fruit pickers, plucking kale, wrangling olives, or piling peaches and packing their haul into boxes. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to see first-hand the fruits of your labor at a drop-off or distribution point. Most food goes directly to families or to one of the many partners who distribute or process the food for locals. No experience is necessary, and you’ll get that rosy glow of doing good. -Heather Irwin
French toast at Farmstand in Forestville. (Aubrie Pick)
September
Revel at the River
River Road, as it winds its way from Highway 101 past Guerneville, is a glorious drive in early fall, as recently-harvested vineyard blocks begin to turn colors, matched by the hues of the surrounding trees. Taste wines in the beautiful red hop barn at Martinelli Winery, where Sonoma agricultural history is on full display—the family has been growing grapes in the Russian River Valley for over 135 years. Further west is the charming Farmstand restaurant, the more casual sister to the Michelin-starred Farmhouse Inn. If you snag the first seating at breakfast, you might just have the café to yourself as you choose between brioche French toast or a breakfast bowl of black-eyed peas and a poached egg. (Lunch and dinner are also served for the not-so-early birds.) After your meal, you’re not far from Steelhead Beach, pretty even in early fall when river levels are expected to be lower. If you’ve got the energy for one more stop, make it Korbel Winery, which, like Martinelli Winery, dates back to the 1880s. -Allison Gibson
Artistic Byways
You don’t have to be a gallery regular to appreciate Sonoma County Art Trails—four days of open studios over two consecutive weekends beginning in late September. Scores of juried painters, ceramicists, jewelers, and others show off their work in private studios, offering the opportunity to see pieces both old and new and ask questions about the artistic process. Many of the artists have intriguing workspaces, and they enjoy engaging with visitors – whether or not a sale is likely. Most offer a range of price points, so don’t be intimidated. To help you plan your route, the Sebastopol Center for the Arts publishes a color catalog of participating artists each year, but each artist’s work is represented by a single piece, so check out individual websites as well to decide which studios to visit. You could easily fill two weekends! -Mary Callahan
Among the Redwoods
My fear of heights would normally be a reason to turn away from many outdoor activities, but one thing that doesn’t trigger it is ziplining. My birthday weekend was spent zipping along a 1,500-foot-long zipline through tall redwoods and growing sequoia trees on a Sonoma Zipline Adventures tour. Maybe it’s the tour guide “dad jokes” that came with learning about the forest or the delicious bruschetta at the nearby Union Hotel in Occidental afterward that distracted me from my fear—but it’s but it’s one of the few activities involving heights that doesn’t give me wobbly legs. -Sara Edwards
Sonoma Zipline Adventures in Occidental. (Sonoma Zipline Adventures)
Build Trails
Sonoma County has some of California’s most splendid and stunning parkland, but all those open space acres depend on trail crews to keep them accessible. Volunteers play a key role, and the Redwood Trails Alliance, a coalition of outdoor enthusiasts, is dedicated to putting your helping hands to good use. Circle the fourth weekend of the month on the calendar as they are sure to have a work day planned to mark Public Lands Day. Fellow volunteers make for fast friends and good buddies for your next hiking or biking adventure. You’ll also come away with the satisfaction of giving back to places that make Sonoma County and its surroundings so special. Afterwards, head for Trailhouse, Santa Rosa’s parkside pub, to wash down your good work with one of the local beers on tap. Bonus: No need to change out of your grubbies. -Brett Wilkison
Press Cider
August through October, you can make your own cider at the Sebastopol Community Apple Press. It’s run by Slow Food Russian River at the Luther Burbank Gold Ridge Experiment Farm in Sebastopol and has been operating since 2014. Volunteers and donations are welcome, but there’s no charge to use the press—just bring apples and containers. Nearby farms have apples for sale, including landmark Gold Ridge Organic Farms, which also sells their own line of olive oil, plus yummy caramels and shrubs from Little Apple Treats. Afterwards, continue the apple theme with a stop at The Barlow for a pint of the hard stuff at Golden State Cider and a warm apple melt sandwich with cheddar cheese and a drizzle of wildflower honey from The Farmer’s Wife. -Marisa Endicott
Fresh squeezed apple juice at Tilted Shed Ciderworks near Forestville. (Kent Porter/The Press Democrat)
October
Ridgetop Drive
I may be an outcast for life after letting folks in on one of the best kept secrets in Sonoma County: Coleman Valley Road. This ribbon of roadway, which begins in Occidental and ends at the coast just a few miles north of the town of Bodega Bay, is a beautiful fall drive, with ocean views for miles from the top of the ridgeline as you wind past pastures with sheep and cows and llamas in plain view—sometimes even blocking your car. Begin a lazy Saturday on the way into Occidental at Marimar Estate, where owner Marimar Torres’ shows off her Catalan heritage with tastings that pair Spanish wines with housemade tapas. Then follow Graton Road to Occidental to pick up the start of Coleman Valley Road. Just remember… mum’s the word. -Peg Melnik
Bike the Geysers
Feeling adventurous? Capable of fixing a flat on your own? Consider a spin, in that case, on remote but gorgeous Geysers Road. While a 42-mile loop is available for the exceptionally fit, we recommend an out-and-back from Cloverdale—preferably after caffeinating at downtown’s Plank Coffee. Roll east on First Street, which becomes Crocker Road, then left on River Road, which merges after a mile or so with Geysers. Riding this rugged byway ensures some suffering—you’re going gradually uphill, into the Mayacamas —but also kaleidoscopic changes of scenery: alpine meadows, shaded ravines, the century-old Geysers Road truss bridge around Mile 7, where the serious climbing starts (and where my wife and I prefer to turn around). Back in Cloverdale, replace those calories with soft serve ice cream at Pick’s Drive-In or heartier fare at Zini’s Diner, with the best French fries in the county. -Austin Murphy
The Best Way to Do Pumpkins
For a fall event that captures the warm-hearted spirit of harvest and the chill of Halloween, it’s hard to top the annual Pumpkins on Pikes event at Petaluma’s Tara Firma Farms, traditionally held the last two Saturdays of October. Imagine the awe-inspiring visual impact of a horde of pumpkins carved by attendees, then lit from within and mounted on pikes as tall as 7 feet high—it’s like witnessing the arrival of a haunted legion. The goal of the farm and institute is to increase public awareness of where our food comes from. Food and drinks are available at the farm, but before you head out, try a grain bowl or a fall lentil salad with roasted delicata squash to go from downtown Petaluma’s Lunchette. -Dan Taylor
Golden Fall
Visit Crane Creek Regional Park in late afternoon’s golden hour as the sun begins to set and the world slowly recasts itself, the nearby vineyards morphing to even brighter orange and red. As shadows lengthen and the landscape begins to glow, follow the trail east of the parking lot, crossing a small wooden footbridge and then skipping across the creek on rocks. Continue up the Sunset Trail to take in the view of surrounding hills and gnarly old oaks. If you’re lucky, you’ll see a bird of prey soaring high in the sky, silhouetted against the setting sun. Fully restored after the hike, warm up with a steaming bowl of udon and a glass of sake at Japanese restaurant Shige Sushi in nearby Cotati. Owner Shige Mori brings the flavors and philosophy of his native Japan to the cozy dining room, enveloping guests in the warmth of the season. -Sofia Englund
Golden hour at Crane Creek Regional Park. (Sonoma County Tourism)
November
Tribute to Sparky
Tucked away in a quiet corner of Santa Rosa is the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center. Like its namesake, the structure is architecturally modest and subtle. But inside is one of the most dynamic collections of its kind in the world, featuring many of Schulz’s 17,897 original “Peanuts” drawings. Yes, you’ll see a lot of Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, and the whole schoolyard gang of friends. But dig deeper and you’ll find letters, photographs, and tribute artwork from noted cartoonists who were inspired by the man called Sparky. It’s a frequently evolving museum that, yes, pays tribute to Schulz. But it also transports us back to our youth, while illuminating the emotions, failures, inadequacies, joys, unrequited love, and determination we experience as adults. -Richard A. Green
Dillon Beach Waves
As an unskilled but addicted surfer, I spend early winter trying to pick off waves while dodging the fierce swells that thrill braver and more talented Northern California waveriders from October into the winter months. When the waves at Salmon Creek get heavy, fast, and rise above my head, I like Dillon Beach. It helps that the last 7 miles in from Valley Ford are stunning countryside, especially after the great green-up. Get there early on a Saturday to grab a spot in the parking lot, but plan to hang around, especially if you and a friend snag a first-come, first-serve firepit. -Andrew Graham
Saturdays are for Football
I know I’m supposed to tell you about some amazing vista where you can hike down to the sea and whales swim up and eat out of your hand as bald eagles circle above, but… I’m really into sports, so on Saturdays I prefer watching college football at Ausiello’s 5th Street Bar & Grill in downtown Santa Rosa. You can get a booth with your own TV, plus the beer is cold and the burgers are tasty. Owner Armand Ausiello has an outstanding array of vintage sports memorabilia (you could spend 20 minutes just in the bathroom looking at all the cool stuff), and he’s so accommodating that he once honored my request to dedicate a whole TV to a meaningless NHL game even though everyone in the place was watching the baseball playoffs. Did I mention the beer is cold? -John D’Anna
Leaf Peeping
Morning fog settles over the trees at Healdsburg’s Riverfront Regional Park, pulling one’s attention skyward. From the parking area, you’re led briefly through a grove of redwoods before the trail opens up onto a wide main path—the perfect Thanksgiving weekend stroll, no hiking boots needed. The 2.18-mile main loop is flat yet rewarding, providing views of Lake Benoist and tunnels of trees with piles of leaves at their base. At the north end of the trail, a short path leads to a beach along the Russian River. Back at the car, you’re just a few minutes’ drive away from a slice of Old Grey Beard pizza, with spicy Italian sausage and hot honey, at PizzaLeah in Windsor. -Madison Smalstig
Fall color along the Russian River. (Sonoma County Tourism)
December
Lake Sonoma
It’s too hot a hike for the summer, but early winter is perfect for the solitude of Lake Sonoma. The 4-square-mile reservoir has several options to take you along the water or into the beautiful coastal foothills. The Little Flat trailhead to Bummer Peak, which climbs nearly 1,000 feet, will give you the full lay of the land and water. You’ll likely meet some equine friends —maybe even some feral pigs—along the route. From the lake, it’s just 15 minutes via Canyon Road to downtown Geyserville, where the vintage-styled Geyserville Gun Club has oysters, buttermilk fried chicken wings, and top-notch cocktails. -Bryce Martin
Swedish Holiday
For anyone who wants to find out what “smorgasbord” really is about, try the real deal at Petaluma’s Stockhome. In December, the restaurant offers the sublime Swedish Christmas Smorgasbord, with dishes that Swedes know and cherish. Reserve ahead to sit in the afternoon winter sun and eat your fill of housemade rye bread, pickled herring, cured salmon, sausages, meatballs, and rice pudding, accompanied by julmust, or Yuletide soda. The meal takes two hours from start to finish, so be sure to come on an empty stomach. After, stroll through the holiday-decorated streets of downtown Petaluma before settling in for a long session at Copperfield’s Books. Only books for Christmas, please. -Annika Toernqvist
Santa Rosa With Kids
Keeping an active toddler (or young relatives visiting for the holidays) happy during the year’s coldest, darkest month can be a challenge, but there’s a two-block smorgasbord of kid-friendly destinations in Santa Rosa that goes a long way to filling the day with fun. At the Children’s Museum of Sonoma County the tot zone has a tree house with a slide and oodles of soft stacking blocks to pile up and knock down. For slightly older kids, the air maze and the ornithopter (a decommissioned helicopter repurposed as a play structure) are tops. From the museum, it’s just a short walk to Snoopy’s Home Ice for skating and hot chocolate at the Warm Puppy Cafe. After, nearby Sea Noodle Bar has spicy beef noodle soup and pad Thai, plus plain noodles with chicken for tots. -Charles Swanson
Winter Coast Loop
Sonoma’s dramatic coast is a welcome destination during those quiet days before the New Year’s holiday. Head west on Highway 12 towards Bodega Bay for a beachfront hike in the chilly winter air. The Bodega Head trail is the popular one, but I like the less crowded loop to Pinnacle Gulch and Shorttail Gulch. Along the drive out, Freestone’s Wild Flour Bread is a must-stop for coffee and scones—try the pear-hazelnut-cardamom— cooked in a wood-fired oven. After hiking in Bodega, head north on Highway 1, then loop east on Highway 116 to the hamlet of Duncans Mills for boutiques like The Poet’s Corner Book Shop and Duncans Mills Tea Shop. A stop for clam chowder or salmon fish and chips at the nearby Blue Heron Restaurant & Tavern carries forward the feel of the coast. -Bill Swindell
Bakery Hopping
It’s the rare soul who doesn’t indulge in sweet treats at the holiday. Costeaux French Bakery in Healdsburg gets in the spirit with enough holiday specials for all your little reindeer, so to speak, plus a collection of over 500 nutcrackers on display. Also right in town, Quail & Condor has exquisite holiday cookies, while Downtown Bakery & Creamery makes traditional Italian panettone and British-style mincemeat tarts. Take a beautiful egg salad sandwich to go from Troubadour Bread & Bistro and head out Westside Road to DaVero Farms & Winery for the new release of their olio nuovo, the extra- peppery seasonal olive oil. Loop back to town the long way, via West Dry Creek and Dry Creek Road, to take in the quiet season in the vineyards. –Abigail Peterson
After what seems like a hundred years (OK, maybe just since last June), Petaluma tiki bar Kapu has finally opened to the public.
Owner Michael Richardson is a longtime tiki bartender and co-author of “Liquid Vacation.” Chef Mike Lutz will helm the kitchen, serving Hawaiian-inspired dishes. The bar has been outfitted with a mashup of faux Polynesian, midcentury, Indian Jones-meets-Blackbeard decor that will perfectly match the tropical drink that will set you on your seat after two sips.
Much of the look comes from professional tiki bar designer Ben Bassham, whose grandfather, designer Eli Hedley, is credited with cultivating the “beachcomber” aesthetic in the early 1940s in Southern California. Decor for Kapu also comes from Oceanic Arts in Southern California, a legendary purveyor of Asian and Pacific Islander crafts that inspired, for better or worse, the tiki craze in the 1950s and ’60s. Stay tuned for more details. 132 Keller St., Petaluma, kapubar.com
More dining news
Pigs and Pinot: Chef Charlie Palmer (Dry Creek Kitchen) will host the 16th annual Pigs and Pinot event March 17-18 in Healdsburg. The tony event features a tasting of 60 highly acclaimed pinot noirs competing for the Pinot Cup award, along with a mind-boggling selection of pork dishes from Palmer, Spoonbar chef Thomas Mulligan, Top Chef’s Bryan Voltaggio and a host of other celebrity chefs. Tickets for the event as well as seminars and dinners are available at pigsandpinot.com.
Award-winning chef Tanya Holland will speak at an event at Barndiva in Healdsburg. (Courtesy of Tanya Holland)
Chefs Duskie Estes, Tanya Holland and Elizabeth Falkner, with Jennifer Reichardt, part of the family behind Liberty Ducks farm, will come together at Barndiva’s Studio B from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday to discuss their latest passion projects.
Holland, who gained international fame with her soulful Brown Sugar Kitchen in Oakland, will discuss her new book, “California Soul,” along with Reichardt, who recently published “The Whole Duck” cookbook.
Chef Elizabeth Falkner will speak at an event at Barndiva in Healdsburg. (Courtesy of Elizabeth Falkner)Chef Duskie Estes, executive director of Farm to Pantry, will speak at an event at Barndiva in Healdsburg. (Erik Castro/for Sonoma Magazine)
Falkner will share stories about her groundbreaking documentary, “Sorry We’re Closed,” the heart-wrenching story of how restaurants around the country dealt with COVID-19. Estes, the executive director of the Farm to Pantry food gleaning nonprofit, will talk about how gleaning millions of pounds of fresh produce has impacted Sonoma County.
The $40 entry fee includes a cocktail, glass of wine and bites from Chef Erik Anderson of Healdsburg’s Michelin-starred Barndiva. Details at barndiva.com.
Niki Onizuka, left, her son Colton Borges, 4, and her friend Julie Nguyen hike together at Crane Creek Regional Park on Monday, March 23, 2015 in Rohnert Park, California . (BETH SCHLANKER/ The Press Democrat)
The recent rain storms have made for a bit of a slow start to this year’s hiking adventures in Sonoma County. But we’ll reap the rewards for all of the wet weather come spring. And, in the meantime, there are gushing waterfalls to visit and paved trails to keep your feet dry. So have those boots ready and click through the above gallery for our standout hiking picks for each month of 2023.
Guests dig into a feast of crab and all the fixings during the 31st annual Russian River Rotary Crab Feed at Shone Farm, in Santa Rosa. (Alvin Jornada / The Press Democrat)
After a late start to the commercial crab season, it’s time to celebrate the arrival of the beloved crustaceans. A plethora of local nonprofits and organizations will be hosting crab feeds throughout Sonoma County in January and February. Some feeds are all-you-can-eat, others feature no-host bars, and most include raffles or auctions benefitting charities. Here are a few crab feed events with tickets still available.
Jan. 21
Crab Feed to Benefit Disabled Veterans, Veterans Memorial Building, Santa Rosa
The Sonoma County chapter of Disabled American Veterans will host its second annual crab feed from 5 to 9:30 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Building in Santa Rosa. The dinner includes crab, pasta, salad, bread, dessert and nonalcoholic drinks. Beer and wine will be for sale. Tickets purchased by Jan. 20 are $10 off. Tickets for adults are $90. Children ages 12 to 17 are $60, children ages six to 11 are $20, and children under five are free. The first 100 people to arrive with prepaid tickets will receive a t-shirt. Find tickets and information about volunteering for the event at dav48sonoma.org/crab-feeds or call 707-595-0324. 1351 Maple Ave., 707-595-0324.
Forestville Chamber of Commerce, Holy Ghost Hall, Forestville
The Forestville Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its crab feed from 5 to 10 p.m. Dinner begins at 5:30 p.m. and includes crab, pasta, salad and bread. Tickets are $65 per person, and can be purchased by calling 707-481-5565. 7960 Mill Station Road, Sebastopol, 707-481-5565, forestvillechamber.org.
Piner High School’s 15th Annual Crab Feed Dinner, Friedman Event Center, Santa Rosa
Piner Athletic Hall of Fame will host its 15th annual crab feed, benefitting the organization and its activities. This event also serves as a reunion for high school staff, students and alumni. A no-host bar with beer and wine will open at 5 p.m., and guests will be able to place bids for a silent auction and purchase raffle tickets. The dinner begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $65 and can be purchased at any of the five Oliver’s Market locations in Sonoma County. You can also mail in payments following instructions at pinerhalloffame.org. 4676 Mayette Ave., 707-571-7420.
World Famous Crab Races, Stumptown Brewery, Guerneville
Stumptown’s unique take on a crab feed starts at 1 p.m. Pick a crab, name it and race it! After the race, enjoy your crab along with salad and bread. Tickets are $35 per person and are available for purchase at bit.ly/3iOWwCX. 15045 River Road, Guerneville, 707-869-0705, stumptown.com.
Petaluma Riding and Driving Club, Petaluma
Dine in (all you can eat) or drive by to pick up your crab feed at the Petaluma Riding and Driving Club. The menu includes crab, homemade pasta, salad, French bread, and homemade dessert. For dining in, doors open at 5 p.m. with dinner at 5:30 p.m. and a no-host bar. For pickup, arrive between 3 and 5 p.m. Dine-in tickets are $77 for non-members, and $75 for members. Pickup is $72 for non-members and $70 for members. Purchase tickets at petalumaridingclub.com. 1820 Skillman Road, Petaluma, 415-420-3808.
Jan. 27
PWC All You Can Eat Crab Feed, Petaluma Women’s Club Event Space, Petaluma
Drive-through takeout or dine-in with live auction. Dine-in is $75 per person and includes all-you-can-eat Dungeness crab, salad, French bread, butter, beer, wine, soda and cake from 6:30 p.m. The live auction begins at 7:45 p.m. Tickets are $120 for “Take-Out for Two,” which includes Dungeness crab, salad, French bread, butter and cake. Pickup is between 3 and 5:30 p.m. For more information, or for purchasing tickets, contact specialevents@petalumawomensclub.com. Tickets can also be purchased at bit.ly/3GPVyya. 518 B St., Petaluma, 707-762-4271.
Jan. 28-29
Gualala Lions Club Feed, Gualala Community Center, Gualala
Starting at 6 p.m., this two-night feed features cracked crab, garden salad, garlic bread and wine. In addition to the food and drinks, guests can enjoy raffle prizes and other fun activities. Make reservations by emailing Richard Ryder at rjryder@sbcglobal.net. Prices TBD. 47950 Center St., Gualala, 707-884-9606.
Jan. 28
The Montgomery Education Foundation, Saint Eugene Cathedral, Santa Rosa
The Montgomery Education Foundation will host their annual crab feed, starting at 5:30 p.m. Dinner includes crab, clam chowder, salad and bread, with a dessert table hosted by Project Grad. Beer, wine and soda will be available for purchase at a no-host bar. There will be an auction, as well as performances by Montgomery High students. Tickets are $60 and can be purchased at bit.ly/3QKSRmi until Jan. 21. 2323 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa,
Rohnert Park Rotary, Sally Tomatoes Event Center, Rohnert Park
From 5:30 to 9 p.m., the Rohnert Park Rotary Club will host its Crab Feed and Seafood Festival. Tickets are available through registration through Jan. 24 and start at $85 a person. Raffle tickets also are available for purchase, starting at $20 for five. Register at bit.ly/3w9mO5M. 1100 Valley House Drive, Rohnert Park.
36th Annual All-You-Can-Eat Crab and Pasta Feed, Friedman Center, Santa Rosa
Doors open at 4:30 p.m. for the annual feed paired with rock ‘n’ roll music, local wines, a silent auction, raffles and other entertainment. The live auction and Scholarship Ask will be conducted with paddles and cheering, while the silent auction will be done via smartphone. Funds benefit local nonprofits, as well as West County high school seniors. Tickets are $100 per person and can be purchased at russianriverrotary.ejoinme.org. 4676 Mayette Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-478-1805.
Cloverdale Lion’s Club 20th Annual “All You Can Eat” Crab Feed, Cloverdale Citrus Fair Exhibit Room, Cloverdale
All-you-can-eat crab, pasta, salad, rolls and ice cream, as well as a silent auction and 50/50 raffle and door prizes. From 6 p.m., guests can enjoy a no-host cocktail hour. At 7 p.m., dinner will be served. Tickets are $70 and can be purchased with cash or check at the following local businesses: Cloverdale Saw and Mower Center, Moe’s Eagles Nest Deli, Roux’s Auto Body and Paint, Citrus Fair Office, or through any Lion member. 1 Citrus Fair Drive, Cloverdale, 707-953-9408, cloverdalechamber.com.
From 5 to 11 p.m., enjoy an all-you-can-eat feed including crab cioppino, marinated crab, shrimp salad, garlic bread and wine. The event also will feature dancing and other fun activities, as well as a raffle and silent auction. Tickets are $75 a person and can be purchased by mailing a check to Forestry Crab Feed, P.O. Box 265, 7960 Mill Station Road, Fulton, CA 95439. Checks should be as follows: Payable to Forestry Crab Feed. forestrycrabfeed.com.
Maria Carillo 25th Annual Crab Feed and Auction, St. Eugenes, Becker Center, Santa Rosa
Doors for the all-you-can-eat feed open at 5 p.m. Dinner includes crab, clam chowder, Caesar salad, bread and dessert, with beer and wine available for purchase. A silent auction kicks off the night, followed by dinner and a live auction at 6:30 p.m., and lastly dessert and entertainment at 8 p.m. Tickets are $70 and can be purchased at bit.ly/3CX2pF6. 2525 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa, mchscrabfeed@gmail.com.
Feb. 11
13th Annual Kenwood Firefighters Association Crab Feed Benefit, Kenwood Fire Station, Kenwood
Kenwood’s Firefighters Association will host a crab feed with two seatings, at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $85 per person and can be purchased at the Kenwood Fire Station between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Call 707-833-2042 with any questions or for help purchasing a ticket. 9045 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood, 707-833-2042.
20th Annual Crab Feed for Kids, Friedman Event Center, Santa Rosa
The Active 20-30 Club – Chapter 1029 “Ladies of the Redwood Empire” will host their 20th Annual Crab Feed Benefitting Kids from 5 p.m. Saturday Feb. 11. Dinner begins at 6 p.m. and includes all-you-can-eat crab, pasta, salad and garlic bread. There will be a silent auction and raffle prizes, plus live band and dancing. Tickets are $70 and can be purchased at eventbrite.com. Friedman Event Center, 4676 Mayette Ave., Santa Rosa.
Dunham School PTO 13th Annual Crab Feed, Hermann Sons Hall, Petaluma
A crab feed for ages 21 and over featuring crab, pasta, salad, bread and dessert. Cocktail hour begins at 5:30 p.m. and dinner is served at 6:30 p.m. In addition to enjoying food and drinks, guests can participate in a silent and live auction. Tickets are $60 per person and can be purchased at bit.ly/3XiY5Z1. 860 Western Ave., Petaluma, dunhamptotreasurer@gmail.com.
‘Hot’ Crab Feed Fundraiser, Rohnert Park Community Center, Rohnert Park
In-person or drive-thru crab feed. For in-person, all-you-can-eat ‘hot’ crab and Mary’s Pizza Shack pasta, salad, bread and dessert. For drive-thru, three pounds of ‘hot’ crab, serving of Mary’s Pizza Shack pasta, salad and bread. In-person activities include a mystery wine sale, raffle prizes and a no-host bar. Pick up food between 2:30 and 3 p.m., or dine in with doors opening at 5 p.m. Pre-sale tickets are $75; $85 after Jan. 20. Purchase tickets at bit.ly/3XizByQ. 5401 Snyder Lane, Rohnert Park, 707-584-1415.
All-you-can-eat fresh, home cooked crab, as well as clam chowder, salad, bread, dessert and wine. Dinner seating is at 7 p.m., and guests can enjoy live music. Tickets are $80 per person and can be purchased at crabfeedsebrotary.weebly.com using PayPal. 7960 Mill Station Road, Sebastopol, 707-823-4087.
Feb. 24
Sonoma County Democratic Party, Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Building, Santa Rosa
The Sonoma County Democratic Party will host their 35th Annual Crab Feed featuring crab, pasta by the Pasta King, a silent auction, a no-host bar and more. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for check in and a silent auction. Dinner and the rest of the program follows at 7 p.m. Tickets are $70 and can be purchased at bit.ly/3D0WS07. 351 Maple Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-575-3029, sonomademocrats.org
7/27/2014:A1: DINING DYNAMOS: Mark and Terri Stark in the dining room at Starks Steak & Seafood in Santa Rosa earlier this month. Between 2003 and 2012, the pair opened three restaurants in Santa Rosa and two in Healdsburg, each with its own style. They plan a sixth at the former The Italian Affair in downtown Santa Rosa.
PC: Mark and Terri Stark at Stark’s Steak & Seafood, in Santa Rosa on Tuesday, July 8, 2014. The couple also owns Bravas Bar De Tapas, Willi’s Wine Bar, Willi’s Seafood & Raw Bar, and Monti’s Rotisserie & Bar, and are getting ready to open a sixth restaurant in Sonoma County. (Christopher Chung/ The Press Democrat)
Downtown Santa Rosa will say bonjour to a casual French bistro early this summer, according to restaurateurs Mark and Terri Stark. The couple recently leased the long-empty, former Bollywood space at 535 Fourth St. with plans to serve classic bistro dishes, like steak frites and mussels. The restaurant also will feature a fresh seafood bar, along with wine and cocktails.
Dubbed Augie’s French, the Starks’ new business venture is an homage to Auguste Escoffier, the father of modern French cuisine. The 19th-century chef brought order to the often chaotic restaurant kitchens with a military-style organization of staff. He also codified the five French mother sauces (béchamel, velouté, espagnole, hollandaise and tomato) and wrote Le Guide Culinaire, a French cuisine cookbook often referred to as the culinary bible.
“This is going to be a fun Stark version of a French bistro with Mark’s influence and twists. This isn’t stuffy French, but an eclectic spot with a lively atmosphere,” said Terri Stark. “We love the space, and since Bistro 29 left (downtown), we felt there was a void,” she continued. (Bistro 29, owned by Chef Brian Anderson, closed at the beginning of the pandemic.)
The Starks hope their new restaurant will help energize the downtown area, which has been especially hard hit in the last few years amid parking problems, homelessness and the lack of downtown workers to support the businesses, among other issues. A long list of downtown restaurants have come and gone over the last decade, including Bollywood, County Bench, Fourth Street Social Club, Gerard’s Paella, La Vera, Mary’s Pizza Shack, Parish Cafe, Portofino and Tex Wasabi’s.
“We think it’s time to elevate downtown. We identify restaurant concepts that are needed around here,” said Stark, adding that many of their guests had asked for a French restaurant from the couple.
The Starks spent more than a year considering the space and the concept, which will be their eighth Sonoma County restaurant. They also own Willi’s Seafood and Raw Bar and Bravas Bar de Tapas in Healdsburg, and, in Santa Rosa, Willi’s Wine Bar, Stark’s Steak & Seafood, Bird and the Bottle, Monti’s and Grossman’s, which opened at the beginning of the pandemic lockdown.
Recent rain storms have transformed many regional trails to mud. But this doesn’t prevent us from getting outdoors. Now is a great time to explore local parks with paved trails. Click through the gallery above for a few to visit and please note: Be mindful of fallen or damaged trees, partially flooded areas and other storm-related hazards. Up-to-date information about current park conditions can be found at parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov.
Mercedes Hernandez, center, models Bow N Arrow clothing with her team in the streets of Cotati. (Elise Aileen Photography)
When you’re in your 20s, Sonoma County can sometimes feel a little too quiet. Sure, there are plenty of world-class wineries and top-notch restaurants here. But what if you’re a college student or just landed your first job and you’re looking for a night out, some fun shopping or just a great place to hang with friends?
We’ve tackled this challenge and created a locals’ guide to the best places for 20-somethings in Sonoma County, from beer gardens to night clubs to secondhand shops. Click through the above gallery for inspiration.
Bites and bevs
Hopmonk Tavern: This place is hopping with good food and good vibes. Bar bites, salads, sandwiches, seafood dishes and more are on the menu that’s all $25 and under, with many items in the $10 to $20 range. Their drink options are diverse, from beer and wine to mimosas and yerba mate. There’s more to love here than just the food and drinks: Every week, Hopmonk hosts live music in the beer garden. On Wednesdays, there’s open mic night. And Thursday is trivia night. This is the ideal hang spot. 691 Broadway, Sonoma, hopmonk.com
Fern Bar: Are you swayed by a cute aesthetic? If so, Fern Bar in The Barlow is the place for you. Everything about this bar-focused restaurant is picture-perfect (and Instagram-able). It specializes in garden-to-bar cocktails with local ingredients for the extensive cocktail list and unique drinks like the Kyoto Sour with green tea gin or the Creamsicle with citrus elixirs. Fern Bar also has eye-catching mocktails, such as the Blue Dream made with blue spirulina and coconut cream or the spirit-free “NAgroni.” Everything here, from food to drinks, has a stunning presentation. Come for brunch, lunch or dinner. 6780 Depot St., Suite 120, Sebastopol, fernbar.com
Clover Club cocktail with Junipero gin, raspberry syrup, lemon juice, dry Vermouth, and egg white at Fern Bar in Sebastopol. (Fern Bar)A selection of dishes and drinks from Fern Bar in Sebastopol. (Fern Bar)Blue Dream cocktail with blue spirulina and coconut cream at Fern Bar in Sebastopol. (Fern Bar)
Jaded Toad: Cheap drinks and good food. Sometimes, it’s that simple. Jaded Toad is a great place to grab a bite and a drink or hang out by a fire pit while digging into barbecue, chips and queso, “Sweet and Sexy Fries,” teriyaki wings or ribs. Located on the same street as Sonoma State University, it’s a convenient place for college students. For drinks, go for the spicy margarita or, if you have a sweet tooth, the root beer float. With a casual backyard feel, it’s no surprise to see people tossing beanbags for a competitive round of cornhole. 500 E. Cotati Ave., Cotati, jadedtoad.com
Perch + Plow: This seafood restaurant in downtown Santa Rosa transforms into a club-like bar on the weekend, staying open until 2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The kitchen closes at 9 p.m. while the DJ sets up and servers clear out tables to create a dance floor. Arrive early and get a specialty cocktail, like the Lavender Bliss or Strawberry Cobbler, before dancing the night away. 90 Old Courthouse Square, Santa Rosa, perchandplow.com
A night out at Perch + Plow in Santa Rosa. (Perch + Plow)A night out at Perch + Plow in Santa Rosa. (Perch + Plow)
Sax’s Joint: Some days you wake up with a hankering for a big, carb-filled breakfast. For a weekend pick-me-up, get yourself to this ’50s-inspired diner just outside downtown Petaluma. No matter what you order, it will feel like a comforting hug in food form. Try Mee Maw’s Famous Cinnamon Roll, perfect for sharing. Other menu standouts are the crab cake Benedict and the patty melt. Arrive early to avoid having to wait, especially on weekends. 317 Petaluma Blvd. S., Petaluma, saxsjoint.com
Brewsters: Brewsters Beer Garden combines a fun backyard feel (complete with picnic tables), excellent drinks and Southern-style food with a California twist. Order the brisket poutine or get a little messy with the St. Louis ribs. It’s also family-friendly with board games and cornhole. 229 Water St., Petaluma, brewstersbeergarden.com
Brew Coffee and Beer: Looking for a study nook with a side of coffee, a pastry and nice ambient sound? Brew is just the spot. Open Wednesday through Sunday, this space is cozy and welcoming. They make their own coffee syrups and have plenty of hot drinks to choose from, including seasonal specials that are always tasty. They also offer a variety of beers on tap and occasionally host trivia nights. 555 Healdsburg Ave., Santa Rosa, brewcoffeeandbeer.com
The cinnamon and foam art topping make sipping this Maple Cinnamon Latte a delight at Brew Coffee and Beer House in Santa Rosa. (Lonnie Hayes)
Shop
Punch Clothing: Shopaholics, Punch should be on your radar. Sonoma County may not have the biggest shopping scene for large brands, but this cute downtown boutique carries the ones you love. Try out their selection of Aviator Nation sweat-sets, Agolde denim, Free People sandals and more. Punch has their finger on the pulse of fashion trends, making it easy to find what you want in one place. 711 Fourth St., Santa Rosa; 387 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, shoppunchclothing.com
Opera House Collective: Vintage lovers should check out Petaluma’s Opera House Collective. With a curated selection of secondhand pieces, this is a great place to shop for clothes, jewelry and home decor. It’s well-known in secondhand shopping circles for its substantial collection of denim, with brands like Levi’s and Wrangler. Opera House makes being sustainable and stylish super simple. 145 Kentucky St., Petaluma, ohcliving.com
In The Making: A more upscale shopping destination, In the Making houses the open studios of local artisans Jenn Conner of Pennyroyal Design and Siri Fritch of Siri Hansdotter Jewelry, who specialize in one-of-a-kind leather bags and ceremonial jewelry. Their store also carries carefully selected sustainable clothing, shoes and ceramics that fit the boho-chic vibe of this area. 122 American Alley, Petaluma, inthemakingpetaluma.com
Leather bag from Pennyroyal Design at In The Making in Petaluma.
Stacked rings from Siri Hansdotter Jewelry at In The Making in Petaluma.
The Next Record Store: “Sucka-free since 1983” advertises The Next Record Store, where you can indulge in the vinyl culture while supporting a small local business. The shop, previously The Last Record Store, has an old-school vibe and any genre of music you’re looking for. The employees are happy to point you in the right direction for your musical needs or bond over appreciating the real-deal record experience in a world of music streaming. 1899 Mendocino Ave., Suite A, Santa Rosa, the-next-record-store.square.site
Bow & Arrow and Friends: If you’re looking for a one-stop-shop for all things fashion, beauty and self care, this is it. The co-op boutique, owned by Mercedes Hernandez, houses over 20 vendors who rotate stock frequently to stay up-to-date with the seasons and new trends. From candles and dried flower bouquets to vintage jeans and the perfect going-out top, this place has you covered. Everything for sale here comes from local businesses. 8200 Old Redwood Highway, Cotati, bownarrowclothing.com
Mercedes Hernandez, center, models Bow N Arrow clothing with her team in the streets of Cotati. Courtesy
Ereloom: This rustic store on the Healdsburg Plaza, with tall ceilings and brick walls, is owned by Merete Wimmer and her son, Bjorn, who curate “the best of American menswear.” The focus is on finely crafted clothes that will stand the test of time and make you look dapper while wearing them. 110 Matheson St., Healdsburg, ereloom.com
Healdsburg Running Co.: Healdsburg Running Co. calls itself “America’s Wineiest Running Store.” This is not just a shop for all things running, but also a community for local runners. They host free fun runs every week, with themes such as “Running Ladies Night.” Even better, they also run for local charities (the running events are beginner-friendly). Find information on upcoming races can be found online or in the store. 333 Center St., Healdsburg, healdsburgrunningcompany.com
Play
Buffalo Billiards Pool Hall: One of the few places open late (even on weekdays) in Sonoma County, Buffalo Billiards is a cheap and easy spot to have fun, play pool and enjoy bar food and drinks. There are plenty of pool tables, and it’s $10 an hour to rent one. And you can choose what songs they play with the jukebox app Touch Tunes. 246 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, buffalobilliards.net
Rise Cycle Co.: When you feel like breaking a sweat, Rise Cycle offers indoor cycling, barre and bootcamp classes. With low lights and the latest hits playing over the speakers, this gym has a nightclub vibe. Choose from 45-minute options or a full hour cycle class. They pride themselves on being beginner-friendly, so don’t be shy! 510 Farmers Lane, Santa Rosa and 2200 Petaluma Blvd. N., Suite 600, Petaluma, risecycleco.com
Salmon Creek Beach: No, our beaches aren’t like those in Southern California and, yes, the water is pretty frigid. But visiting Salmon Creek is still the perfect spontaneous day trip, when the weather allows. Buying a deli sandwich from Oliver’s on the way out is part of the routine, as is getting salt water taffy from Patrick’s on the way home. Bring some music, sweatshirts and blankets. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch one of the stunning sunsets from the cliffs. 3095 Highway 1, Bodega Bay
Victory House and Epicenter: Bowling, axe-throwing, pool, laser tag, a trampoline park, arcade games — you won’t get bored here. You might think this is more a family destination, but we would argue it’s also great for a night out with friends. If hunger strikes, don’t fret because you can order food and drinks from Victory House. Recurring events include trivia nights, karaoke, paint parties and live music. 3215 Coffey Lane, Santa Rosa, visitepicenter.com
Vine Burgers: Chef James Byus III has included not only beef burgers on his menu, but lamb (shown), turkey, chicken, a pork and bacon blend, Cajun ground tuna, salmon and a piled-high crab cake “burger,” along with his signature fried pickles and cherry peppers, garlic fries and shakes. 3579 Industrial Drive, Santa Rosa, 707-536-9654, vineburgers.com. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Chef James Byus really doesn’t want to cook you a well-done burger at his Santa Rosa restaurant, Vine Burgers.
He will, of course. But it pains him to see the high-end beef, pork and lamb he’s sourced locally, ground locally and carefully dressed with a variety of housemade aiolis turn into a dry, gray hockey puck.
“Vine Burgers isn’t just a regular burger joint. I want to make the best burgers in town,” he said after serving a generous Calistoga beef burger ($15), cooked medium (slightly pink in the middle) and dressed with fresh lettuce, onions, tomato and crisp applewood-smoked bacon. A toasted brioche bun, with a light smear of chipotle barbecue sauce and melted cheddar, soaked up the juices.
“We’re slowly weeding out the well-doners,” he joked, referring to customers who refuse to eat burgers with any pink in the middle.
The Real Hamburger (Pork) with a side of Grilled Broccolini from Vine Burgers in Santa Rosa Wednesday, January 11, 2023. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Byus, who opened his off-the-beaten-path burger and wine restaurant in early 2021, has worked in kitchens since childhood, starting with his parent’s Maryland bakery.
“I grew up in a bakery. I remember sleeping on the flour bags,” he said. As a young chef, he set his sights on restaurants like Legal Sea Foods, a Boston-based seafood restaurant known for its crab cakes, lobster and local fish.
He pays homage to those crab cakes with his version at the restaurant, made with fresh crab from Costarella Seafood in San Francisco and baked rather than fried. The Crab Cake Sammy ($24) is topped with mustard aioli. It’s a solidly built sandwich that needs nothing else, although you can get it garnished with gold leaf atop a beef burger patty with Gruyere and bacon, if the mood strikes you ($50).
James Byus III and Maria Vera at Vine Burgers in Santa Rosa. (Heather Irwin/The Press Democrat)
Other menu items include a lamb burger with feta sauce ($16), ground tuna burger with Cajun seasoning ($18), salmon burger ($15), chicken burger ($15), turkey burger ($15) and pork and bacon burger ($15, add sauteed onions and glazed mushrooms for an extra $1.50).
Don’t miss the just-as-awesome sides like fried Brussels sprouts with garlic butter and bacon ($8), fried pickles ($8) or street corn ($7) with mayonnaise, crème fraîche and Parmesan cheese.
But Byus also wants to get you excited about pairing some wine with that burger.
In addition to his cooking chops, Byus is a wine connoisseur who spent nearly a decade in the wine industry, first on the East Coast and later in Sonoma and Napa.
“I just fell in love with wine. The three things I truly love are food, wine and people,” he said, adding that many local winemakers have come in to try his burgers.
“I want to bring burgers up and wine down, making them both really good and approachable,” Byus said, referring to his gourmet-style burgers and well-curated list of local and international wines.
Though hiring staff has been an ongoing challenge, Byus’ wife, Maria Vera, has been helping him with restaurant service and weathering the long hours and challenges of owning a fledgling restaurant.
“People have no idea what it takes to get here. But we’ve just seen so much love,” Byus said.
Vine Burgers is located at 3579 Industrial Drive (near the old Kmart) in Santa Rosa; 707-536-9654, vineburgers.com. Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
