The town of Windsor, located just south of Healdsburg, may not be the first item on Wine Country itineraries but for those looking for off-the-beaten path experiences and locals’ favorites, this is a great place to visit. The state-of-the-art Russian River Brewing Company facility is obviously a big draw for many, but there’s more to Windsor than Pliny.
This is the kind of place that values small, family-owned businesses: in and around the Town Green area you’ll find an eclectic mix of shops selling everything from candy to clothes, restaurants serving up international flavors, and tasting rooms pouring a variety of local wines. In summer, there’s live entertainment outdoors and the town makes the holiday season magical with its lighted Charlie Brown Christmas Tree Grove.
Click through the gallery for some of our favorite things to do in the town of Windsor.
Tasting area at Dutcher Crossing winery in Geyserville. (Dutcher Crossing)
When the mood strikes to jump in the car for a Wine Country getaway, Geyserville might not make the top of the list of possible destinations. But this tiny town, often overshadowed by its famous neighbor Healdsburg, is a hidden gem. Spend a little time exploring and you’ll soon discover Geyserville packs a punch, from top notch wineries and restaurants to charming inns surrounded by vineyards. Click through the gallery to find out how to spend 24 hours in Geyserville.
The safest way to get to the Alamere Falls, according to the National Park Service, is to hike to Wildcat Campground and then to Wildcat Beach. (Eddie Hernandez / Shutterstock)
With California’s propensity for hot and dry weather, it’s no wonder Californians have a natural affinity for water.
In the North Bay, locals flock to rivers, lakes and the coast whenever the weather is halfway decent. During the winter months, when it’s too cold to take a dip, they seek out the region’s waterfalls — some of them well known and easily accessible, others secret and a little more remote.
No matter your waterfall destination, one thing is clear: the North Bay, with its streams and mountainous terrain, is perfectly situated for spectacular shows of cascading water. In Sonoma and Marin counties, you’ll find a wealth of parks and preserves that house these natural wonders — and there are trails for all skill levels to get you there.
Scroll through the above gallery to find out where to go and which trails to hike for waterfall endings that will leave you speechless.
Carson Falls in Mount Tamalpais Watershed. (John Burgess)Dawn Falls in Baltimore Canyon Open Space Preserve. (Courtesy of (Courtesy of Dawna Mirante / @smilinginsonoma)
The Broadway hit musical “Hamilton” is coming to the Luther Burbank Center in Santa Rosa. Sort of.
In a show dubbed “Hamiltunes,” members of the local Young Actors Studio will perform 16 songs from the popular musical over two weekends. The show, which premieres tonight at the Left Edge Studio Theatre, will feature a cast of 17 local children ages 9 to 15.
Fans of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s award-winning musical will recognize all the songs, which are expected to include hits like “My Shot,” “Helpless,” and “History Has Its Eyes on You.” The cast will be dressed in period clothing and will act out parts of the scenes preceding and following each number, which will also incorporate dance choreography.
“It really takes you on a ride with fresh, fun, and witty rapping that everyone loves to sing,” said Director Katie Kelley.
Scene from “Hamiltunes” dress rehearsal. (Courtesy of Young Actors Studio)
The young actors auditioned for “Hamiltunes,” just like professional actors, and have been rehearsing four times per week since early January. They will control the show’s progression, transitioning in and out of numbers and providing context for each song. On occasion, a slide with words or images from the original musical will appear on the wall behind the stage as a way of advancing the plot.
The show runs about 75 minutes with an intermission, featuring eight songs in each act. Because the Left Edge Studio Theatre seats roughly 70 people on four rows, audience members will be close to the action.
In selecting which “Hamilton” songs would make the cut for “Hamiltunes,” Kelley used several different criteria, including which tracks were most popular among the general public, which ones the kids nailed in auditions, and which were her personal favorites.
Oh, and in case you’re wondering: none of the songs have explicit lyrics like they do in the original.
The idea behind “Hamiltunes” evolved over the past few years. Argo Thompson, Artistic Director of the Young Actors Studio, had noticed that many kids, who were auditioning for other shows, would sing songs from “Hamilton.” Together, Thompson and Kelley decided to leverage this passion and create a show that featured songs from the popular musical.
So why is it that “Hamilton” seems to resonate so deeply with kids?
“Hamilton’s story is one many people can relate to,” explained Kelley. “He was a just a normal guy, who rose to prominence. He came from nothing and accomplished so much. Kids are told almost every day in school that with enough hard work and ambition, anything is possible. Hamilton’s legacy inspires people to follow what they believe in, and it brings forward [many of] the conversations that are still relevant today: immigration, equality, women’s rights, and so on.”
Both directors added that the show’s hip hop-style music tends to resonate more with young people than traditional musical theatre treatments. For this reason, Thompson said he expects the audience to sing along. So get ready to be entertained while exercising those vocal cords — don’t throw away your shot.
What: Young Actors Studio presents “Hamiltunes” When: Feb. 7-9 and Feb 14-16; Fridays at 7 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Where: Luther Burbank Center for the Arts. Tickets: $18 – $25; lutherburbankcenter.org.
Valentine’s Day is almost upon us, and…oh no, you don’t have a plan, right? Don’t fret, because there are both fine dining and casual options (like beer and waffles) for every type of couple, gal pal group or squad. Note that you will require a reservation for most, and don’t wait because Valentine’s Day is one of the most popular days to dine out. Click through the above gallery for details.
Recommendations by Kathleen Hill (KH), Heather Irwin (HI), and Houston Porter (HP).
A chicken is on the run. We’re not talking about the feathery, poultry kind but a big hoppy one. And now is your chance to catch it.
This Thursday, Feb. 6, marks the eighth annual release of Henhouse Brewing Company’s Big Chicken double IPA. As we speak, Bay Area beer enthusiasts are getting ready to seek out the rare bird.
Like Russian River Brewing Company’s Pliny the Younger, Big Chicken is a limited- and controlled-release beer. Unlike “Younger,” which is available during a two-week period each February, Big Chicken is only available up to three days in February. The beer’s unusually high hop content (twelve pounds per barrel) makes it a fragile brew that perishes fast — this is the reason it is brewed, kegged and tapped in a single day.
“Big Chicken is the extreme of our focus on freshness,” said Henhouse Brewing Company’s president Scott Goyne. “Beer is a far more perishable product than most folks realize — hop flavor and aroma degrade fast — so it’s important to drink hoppy beer in its short window of freshness.”
The coveted brew usually runs out within two days, which leaves only a small window to get a taste. Its limited availability only adds to its allure, as is the case with Pliny the Younger, a publicity stunt both Russian River Brewing Company and Henhouse Brewing Company have leveraged to their advantage.
This year, Big Chicken will be available at HenHouse’s Santa Rosa and Petaluma taprooms, Feb. 6 to Feb. 8. Both tasting rooms will be open 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday. (There is a two four-pack per person, per day allotment, as well as two 14-ounce pours per person, per day).
Big Chicken will also be available in the following locations:
Calling all lovebirds. These Sonoma County boutique hotels offer a mix of ambiance and amenities that is sure to keep the spark alive. Pair your stay with heart-pounding hikes, gourmet breakfasts in bed, and invigorating massages, and you’ve got yourself a real romantic deal.
Russian River Brewing Company owner Natalie Cilurzo offers a test of Pliny the Younger to the photographer before the release in Santa Rosa on Friday. (JOHN BURGESS / The Press Democrat)
Santa Rosa, the urban center of Sonoma County, may not be the first item on Wine Country itineraries but, to the savvy visitor, this North Coast city offers more than meets the eye.
This is the kind of place where natural bounty serves as a muse for utopian dreams, where sleepy residential streets hide ambitious farm-to-table kitchens, abandoned buildings are resurrected as art galleries, and the corner coffeeshop turns nightlife hot spot with craft beers on tap, all to the rhythm of Americana and bluegrass. Best of all, Santa Rosa can easily be explored by bike or by foot.
Click through the above gallery to explore (some of) the best Santa Rosa has to offer.
The Taqueria Molcajetes crew with Guy Fieri in 2018. (La Prensa Sonoma)
One of the owners of Guy Fieri favorite Taqueria Molcajetes (recently featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives) is taking over the former La Cantina in Rincon Valley. The large space, which features a full bar, is undergoing a brief rehab and should open sometime in mid-February as Los Molcajetes Bar and Grill. It’s a huge leap forward from the modest strip-mall spot, and we’re hoping they’ll have some of the same great Mexican food. Watch for the opening at 6599 Montecito Blvd #130 in Santa Rosa.
(Find more Guy Fieri favorites in Sonoma County here).
More dining news
Another Cafe Des Croissants has opened in Bennett Valley at the former Molly’s Bakery. It’s the fifth Sonoma County location for the local bakery famous for their freshly-made croissants. 2700 Yulupa Ave., #17, Santa Rosa.
And, moving into the former Pamposh space (52 Mission Circle, #110, Santa Rosa) is Cielito Lindo Mexican restaurant. No word on opening yet.
Winter cocktails Mixologist Kilo Munoz serving a Spirit Works Barrel Gin Old Fashioned The grain-to-glass operation within SebastopolÕs The Barlow, run by Ashby and Timo Marshall, Spirit Works does everything in house, from milling the grain to creating the mash to distilling its gin, vodka and sloe gin on site and aging some of it in barrel. Its gin is made from Hard Red Winter wheat infused with juniper berries and then a mix of botanicals, some of them traditional, some inspired by whatÕs possible in California, a bit of coriander, citrus and cardamom in the propriety blend for sure. With its Barrel Gin, wintery overtones of oaky darkness add depth and complexity to the citrus-laden botanicals. It goes down easy, simply, over ice, with bitters. 2 ounces Spirit Works Distillery Barrel Gin 2-3 dashes Angostura bitters sugar cube soda
Get spirited at the Wine Country Distillery Festival!
Sipson Spirits will be available at the event. (Heather Irwin)
You can taste these purveyors (and 11 more) of the very best Wine Country (and the North Bay) have to offer at the second annual Wine Country Distillery Festival on Feb. 8 at the Flamingo Hotel.
Hold onto your shot glass, because these aren’t bottom shelf guzzlers. They’re small-batch spirits often made with local ingredients, meticulous blending and aging and plenty of NorCal chutzpah to get clean, lively flavors.
Truffles from Fleur Sauvage will be available at the event. (Heather Irwin)
Other vendors include vodka pioneer Charbay, Humboldt Distillery, Rapscallion Spirits, Bodega Bay Rum, Falcon Spirits, Tamar Distillery, Raff Distillerie, Ginny’s Gin, Alley 6, Jaxon Keys, Barber Lee, Great Women Spirits, Straight Edge and No. 2009 Gin.
There also will be a host of other craft beverages like King Floyd’s bitters, Fick’s Hard Seltzer, Jardesca apertif and Monarch bitters. There’s more than just booze, though, with Sonoma Creamery, Renegade Food, Panizerra Meat and Fleur Sauvage chocolates and food trucks from Dino’s Greek Food, Jam’s Joy Bungalow and Wing Man.
