Treehouses on the Sonoma Coast

Salmon Creek Ranch, a working ranch with a treehouse that will soon be rented out. Rope bridges leading to the treehouse. (Chris Hardy)
Salmon Creek Ranch, a working ranch with a treehouse that will soon be rented out. Rope bridges leading to the treehouse. (Chris Hardy)
Salmon Creek Ranch, a working ranch with a treehouse that will soon be rented out. Rope bridges leading to the treehouse. (Photo by Chris Hardy)

From 50 feet above the ground, in a treehouse known as the Eagle’s Nest, there is a rare view of a very special part of Sonoma: the forest canopy nestled in the coastal range above Bodega Bay.

With no sound except for the rustling of leaves and occasional raven’s caw, one can, when the wind blows just right, hear the roar of waves crashing on the shore 2 miles to the west. In the distance to the north, an opening in the canopy reveals a gently sloping meadow, part of Bodega Pastures, where Hazel Flett raises sheep for meat and wool.

The Eagle’s Nest is located on the 400-acre working farm known as Salmon Creek Ranch, founded by John and Lesley Brabyn in 2007. Best known for its duck eggs, goat meat and grass-fed Scottish Highland beef, Salmon Creek Ranch is certified organic and gently maintained.

Salmon Creek Ranch, a working ranch with a treehouse that will soon be rented out. One of the campgrounds on the property. (Chris Hardy)
Salmon Creek Ranch, a working ranch with a treehouse that will soon be rented out. One of the campgrounds on the property. (Photo by Chris Hardy)

“We want to leave the forest and the forest floor in as good or better shape than when we arrived,” Lesley said of the land she loves. There are a few campsites (reservations required) in a large meadow, a spectacular natural foxglove hedge on one of the property’s winding pathways, and an on-site farmstand, yet the property is neither manicured nor manipulated. The Brabyns and the animals they care for live lightly on the land.

The Eagle’s Nest is a short, pleasant walk from the heart of the ranch, where Anatolian shepherd dogs watch over the ducks and goats. In a spacious kennel adjacent to the little farmhouse where the Brabyns live, Lesley breeds champion salukis, dignified, long-legged dogs with keen eyesight and blinding speed. Undulating pathways weave through fragrant bay laurel trees, ferns, immense redwoods and towering Douglas firs, with a deciduous tree here and there sporting a coat of vibrant green moss as a gentle mist falls.

Salmon Creek Ranch, a working ranch with a treehouse that will soon be rented out. Lesley Brabyn with her flock of goats . (Chris Hardy)
Salmon Creek Ranch, a working ranch with a treehouse that will soon be rented out. Lesley Brabyn with her flock of goats . (Chris Hardy)

Suddenly, the treehouse is there, its iron-red spiral staircase and two wavering footbridges overhead. From below, the swaying bridges seem frighteningly high and terribly fragile. But the staircase that leads to them is solid steel and the bridges are outfitted with equally strong steel cables. It’s not for those afraid of heights, although the Brabyns said engineers who inspected the treehouse deemed it, the staircase and bridges as structurally sound.

The treehouse stands much as it did the day the Brabyns arrived, but renovations will transform it into a beautifully appointed retreat that guests can book by next spring, possibly sooner. The Eagle’s Nest was built by brothers Jay and Guy Holland and their father, Jack Holland, in the 1980s, at about the same time the brothers launched their high-end leather goods company, Mulholland Leather, in Berkeley. Their products range from money clips, wallets and travel bags, to furniture and interiors for L.L. Bean Range Rovers. At the time, the nest was a posh gentlemen’s lair furnished with goods from the company including cozy chairs made of hand-glazed saddle leather.

 Salmon Creek Ranch, a working ranch with a treehouse that will soon be rented out. Lesley Brabyn feeding the cattle. (Chris Hardy)
Salmon Creek Ranch, a working ranch with a treehouse that will soon be rented out. Lesley Brabyn feeding the cattle. (Chris Hardy)

During the day, it served as an o‡ce, a place to catch up on paperwork while absorbing the spectacular view. In the evenings, the men entertained friends with Scotch on the rocks, and steaks marinated in vodka and cooked on a tiny propane grill attached to the deck’s railing. The grill remains today.

The octagonal hideaway is constructed of steel, cedar, canvas, leather and glass around an enormous Douglas fir that stretches beyond the treehouse’s corrugated aluminum roof. A 100-square-foot deck wraps around the northern half of the structure, with two sets of French doors, one on either side of the tree, that open into the 150-square-foot interior. Each panel of the octagon has a large window, and when the canvas coverings are raised and secured with leather belts, there is a sense of expansiveness, as if you’re nestled into the vast forest itself and not a tiny dwelling.

Salmon Creek Ranch, a working ranch with a treehouse that will soon be rented out. Jocelyn Brabyn herding ducks. (Chris Hardy)
Salmon Creek Ranch, a working ranch with a treehouse that will soon be rented out. Jocelyn Brabyn herding ducks. (Chris Hardy)

As plush as the nest once was and surely will be again, it’s not currently wired for electricity and there is no running water, bathroom facilities nor heat. The Hollands used lamp oil for light and heat, but installing a small solar panel is an option for the Brabyns.

The spiral staircase, close in color to the Golden Gate Bridge, was built and installed by Stocklin Iron, a Santa Rosa company that makes about 400 staircases a year. The Eagle’s Nest staircase is anchored by several feet of concrete set deep into in the forest floor.

The Range Rover connection runs more deeply than just a treehouse and the men who built it. As a real estate agent was showing the property to the Brabyns, she mentioned that Range Rover held training sessions at Salmon Creek and that the land had hosted a Range Rover Trek event in 1999. As she spoke, she didn’t know that John is a Range Rover aficionado. After countless off-road adventures that included learning to fix the vehicle in many out-of-the-way locations, he launched a website, rangerovers.net, in 1997. What began as a hobby, a way to share his expertise with other Range Rover owners, grew into a successful commercial venture. The site, which he sold several years ago, thrives, with nearly 10,000 daily visits and more than 1 million page views each month.

Salmon Creek Ranch, a working ranch with a treehouse that will soon be rented out. Lesley Brabyn walks across one of the rope bridges to the tree house. (Chris Hardy)
Salmon Creek Ranch, a working ranch with a treehouse that will soon be rented out. Lesley Brabyn walks across one of the rope bridges to the tree house. (Chris Hardy)

An engineer by profession, he is the CEO of Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute in San Francisco. Lesley earned a psychology degree from Stanford University and founded the Asthma Education Council, which she headed for more than a decade. Today, she manages the ranch. Their son, Trevor, recently received a master’s degree in history from the University of Michigan and plans a career as a college professor. Their daughter, Jocelyn, the face of Salmon Creek Ranch at farmers markets, is working on a master’s in anthropology at Sonoma State University.

Once the Eagle’s Nest is ready for visitors, they will be treated to a parade of wildlife from the forest below to the skies above. For several years, the Audubon Society has included Salmon Creek Ranch in its Christmas bird count, with more than two dozen species identified. When it comes to life on the ground, mice, rats, gophers, snakes, bobcats, coyotes, badgers, foxes, mountain lions, deer and more make their home here. Every fall, a great blue heron arrives and lingers for a few weeks, feeding on gophers.

The Brabyns did not purchase the property directly from the Hollands, but rather a subsequent owner. For several decades, the land was leased for cattle grazing, though it had once been a working dairy.

Because of its out-of-the-way location, the treehouse is easy to overlook, and, if you’re not an adventurous, natureloving sort, you might not find a reason to traverse the staircase and footbridges. The nest so easily could have begun a long process of entropy, had the Brabyns not happened upon the place. Call it coincidence, serendipity, synchronicity or even magic — something about the land that would become Salmon Creek Ranch called to the Brabyns.

After living in Mill Valley in Marin County for more than 20 years, they had grown restless. Both came from farming families and they wanted land, they wanted a ranch. After searching the world, including in John’s native New Zealand, they found their little patch of Sonoma paradise in Bodega.

“It’s a very special place,“ Lesley said as she led the way across the footbridges and down the staircase to the forest floor. “It has everything we could ever want and we feel so very blessed to be here.”


Salmon Creek Ranch, 1400 Bay Hill Road, Bodega, 707-876-1808, salmoncreekranch.com

Six Ideas for Outdoor Fun After Dark in Sonoma County

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A new school year is just around the corner, timed to the gradual winding down of summer, the arrival of cooler temperatures and (hopefully) rain. But don’t despair. Warm summer nights still beckon, offering some of the best outdoor adventures of the year.

Swim under starlit skies at a pool on the grounds of an opulent Geyserville winery.
Glide across Tomales Bay, each stroke of the paddle sparking a magical glow in the water.
Or do as Ginny Fifield did last August, and go stargazing at remote Modini Mayacamas Preserves east of Healdsburg. “The stars just fill up the sky. It’s beautiful. Stunning,” Fifield said.

Sundown is when things can get really interesting. Following are just a few of the many possibilities for exploring the dark.

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Nighttime Kayak Tours

Late summer is one of the best times to observe the strange and wonderful sight of organisms glowing in the waters of Tomales Bay. The phenomena, known as bioluminescence, is caused by chemical reactions, most commonly in single-cell algae known as dinoflagellates.

“When you dip your paddle into the water, they light up. If you take a stroke, it creates eddies and becomes swirls of light. It’s endless entertainment,” said John Kelly, director of conservation science at Audubon Canyon Ranch’s Cypress Grove Research Center.

Several companies offer nighttime kayak tours of the bay to enjoy the spectacle. They include Blue Waters Kayaking, (415) 669-2600, and Point Reyes Outdoors, (415) 663-8192.

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Full-Moon Hike at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park

Sugarloaf will be the setting Aug. 18 for a full-moon hike that circles the Vista trail loop, a distance of approximately four miles. Hikers are asked to meet at 6:15 p.m. at the park’s day-use parking lot. Bring a flashlight or headlamp, bug spray, a trail snack, water bottle, camera and layers to keep warm when the sun goes down. Cost is $10.

For more information, visit: www.sugarloafpark.org

Sunset and moon rise illustration Mount St. Helena from Ida Clayton Road.

Modini Mayacamas Preserves Stargazing Event
On any given day, the 3,000-acre Modini Mayacamas Preserves feels much farther removed from the city of Healdsburg than the 15-mile distance by car would suggest.

At night, however, the landscape feels like a world apart.

Naya Barretto of Windsor took part in last summer’s stargazing event organized by Audubon Canyon Ranch, which owns the preserves. She and her family, including two young stepsons, drove up to the lookout spot along winding Pine Flat Road. Stepping out of their car, the family was greeted by the sound of coyotes howling.

“It was a really cool experience, like being in their environment,” Barretto said.

The event was timed to the Perseids meteor shower, and members of the Sonoma County Astronomical Society were on hand with high-powered telescopes. Fifield, who is a volunteer hike leader for Audubon Canyon Ranch, had never seen Modini at night prior to meeting up with the stargazers.

“Because there is so little light up there, it opens up the universe,” she said.

David Self, a resource ecologist for the nonprofit agency, is leading a full-moon hike at the preserves Aug. 17. Hikers will summit Red Hill and then journey back along the mile-and-a-half trail, the path illuminated by moonlight.

For more information, visit meetup.com/Friends-of-the-Modini-Mayacamas.

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Swimming Under the Stars

For a different kind of underwater experience, Francis Ford Coppola Winery in Geyserville hosts Swimming Under the Stars.

As the moon rises over Alexander Valley, guests lounge poolside or take dips in the heated pool. The adults-only event costs $40 and tends to sell out quickly, said Rick Toyota the winery’s director hospitality.

For more information, call 857-1471 or visit francisfordcoppolawinery.com.

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Robert Ferguson Observatory Star Party

The Robert Ferguson Observatory at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park also offers a variety of stargazing opportunities, including a night sky summer series focused on constellations, stars and deep sky objects.

The observatory will be open the night of Aug. 27 for a public star party.

For more information, visit rfo.org.

Bouverie Preserve Twilight Hike

Closer to civilization, volunteers will lead a twilight hike Aug. 12 at Audubon Canyon Ranch’s Bouverie Preserve near Glen Ellen. Hikers will explore a mixed evergreen forest, flower-carpeted oak woodland and rugged chaparral. Distances range from 2 to 5 miles.

For more information, visit auduboncanyonranch.org.

10 Outdoor Activities to Try Out in Sonoma County

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Yes, Sonoma County is a world-class wine and food destination, a mecca that’s more than a match for Bordeaux, Burgundy and that valley just to the east that seems to get an undue share of attention. But Sonoma is greater than the sum of its wineries and restaurants.

The natural largesse of the land provides stellar outdoor recreational opportunities in the air, on land and at sea. So get out there. Burn some calories, get the heart pumping and stimulate the senses by exploring the Sonoma you may not know.

1. SKYDIVING

The best views of Sonoma County aren’t from the top of Mount Hood, or along Highway 1 between Jenner and Gualala. They’re from the open door of a small plane circling above the Cloverdale Airport at 12,000 feet.

Below, vineyards, grasslands and oak forests form a tessellated pattern of Kelly green, viridian and umber, and the Russian River cuts a sinuous path to the sea. To the south, Mount Tamalpais and the San Francisco skyline are visible. Lake Sonoma is just to the west, and beyond that are redwood forests that end at the cusp of the blue Pacific. Clear Lake, smooth and serene, lies to the northeast, and far to the north the shining white summit of Mount Shasta can be seen.

skydiving

It’s a splendid vista, and one that demands some appreciative contemplation. But you don’t have time for that, because you’re harnessed to some guy who insists on leaping out of the plane, and then you’re plummeting in free fall toward the terrain you were admiring just milliseconds ago, and the wind is roaring in your ears and buffeting your face, and maybe you can be forgiven if your adrenaline redlines and you howl like a banshee.

Not to worry, though. The person you’re clipped to is a consummate skydiving professional, and such tandem jumps are as routine to him as walking the dog is for the rest of us. Following the instructions you received prior to boarding the plane, you bend your knees, keep your feet up, maintain a stable position, and — you’re flying.

That’s the distinct impression, anyway.

Actually, you’re falling to the ground like one of the balls Galileo dropped from the Tower of Pisa, but you feel as if you’re soaring like a mighty albatross. It’s an uncanny illusion, one that’s broken only when your jumpmaster deploys his parachute, you’re snapped back into the realm of gravity and descend gently to the drop zone.

Enjoy the rush enough to try it on your own? Sign up for accelerated free-fall instruction that will have you making your first solo jump after an eight-hour course. Prices for tandem skydives range from $169 to $249, depending on the altitude of the jump.

220 Airport Road, Cloverdale, 888-667-2259, norcalskydiving.com 

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2. HANG GLIDING AND PARAGLIDING

Of course,  there are ways to truly soar like a bird, no engines or rotors required. Hang gliding and paragliding are both avidly pursued by a relatively small but dedicated cadre of Sonoma adventure enthusiasts. In large part that’s because the Sonoma Coast has the sports’ prerequisites in abundance: bluffs and reliable onshore winds.

Gliders need the bluffs from which to launch themselves cleanly into the void, and the wind to push them aloft. From that point, assuming the necessary skills, it’s simply a matter of coasting from one updraft to the next to maintain altitude. Truly epic flights are possible: Scot Huber of the Sonoma Wings Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club soared in his hang glider from Mount St. Helena to Red Bluff, literally 108 miles as the crow — and humans — fly.

practice paragliding at Doran Beach Regional Park on Tuesday morning
Paragliding Practice at Doran Beach Regional Park. (Photo by John Burgess)

That said, you just don’t strap on a harness beneath a wing and launch yourself into space. Hang gliding and paragliding practitioners are true pilots, but no government certification is required; the sport is self-regulating. Still, lessons are, for obvious reasons, essential. Many gliding associations offer tandem flights, a great way to determine whether the sport is for you.

The main difference between hang gliding and paragliding is the construction of the wings. Hang-glider wings are fixed, and paragliders have flexible, parachute-like wings. Paragliders are easier to master than hang gliders, but hang gliders offer superior flight performance.

Website sonomawings.com has information on sites, conditions, meetings, membership, equipment dealers and lessons.

Zoe Ingram rides a zipline through the redwoods at Challenge Sonoma Adventures Ropes Course in Glen Ellen. (Photo by Christopher Chung)
Zoe Ingram rides a zipline through the redwoods at Challenge Sonoma Adventures Ropes Course in Glen Ellen. (Photo by Christopher Chung)

3. ZIP LINES

You can plummet like a peregrine falcon while skydiving and soar like an eagle in a biplane. So how about juking through the trees like a goshawk? Sonoma Canopy Tours in Occidental provides the means. The company offers two-and-a-half-hour guided tours of the canopy of west county’s magnificent redwood forest. Take it as gospel: Hurtling through the redwoods at treetop level at 25 mph is far different than merely strolling through them.

Originally developed as a means for conducting research in rainforest canopies, zip lining has grown into a popular recreational pursuit. It provides a significant jolt of adrenaline, but unlike solo skydiving, whitewater kayaking or rock climbing, it requires no real training, as long as a qualified guide is present. Simply follow instructions, clip onto the line, and, well, zip.

Sarah Chou, an intern with the Careers in Science program, lets out a yell as she careens down a zipline at the ropes course in Eldridge, near Glen Ellen.
Sarah Chou lets out a yell as she careens down a zipline at the ropes course in Eldridge, near Glen Ellen. (Photo by Christopher Chung)

Sonoma Canopy Tours maintains seven zip lines, one more than 800 feet long. Visitors can also cross two skybridges, rappel from an 80-foot redwood, and climb a spiral tree-branch staircase. There are packages: Day Flight, Night Flight and Challenger. Completing the Day Flight course is recommended before signing up for the more demanding Challenger, but not required. The Night Flight course provides an arresting experience of the nocturnal forest and a rare perspective of a night sky largely unaffected by light pollution. Guides point out the constellations.

Reservations are required. Day and Challenger flights are $99 for adults and $69 for those 10-17 ($109 and $79, respectively, on weekends). Seniors zip for $89 on weekdays and $99 on weekends. Night Flights are offered Friday through Sunday, at $99 for all ages.

6250 Bohemian Highway, Occidental, 888-494-7868, sonomacanopytours.com

biplane

4. BIPLANE RIDES

If jumping out of an airplane seems extreme, yet a bird’s-eye view of Sonoma is still appealing, a biplane ride might be just the ticket. Biplanes fly low and slow, and their open cockpits afford unparalleled visibility. Plus there’s something about the radial engine coming to life with a stuttering cough, and feeling the plane shed the surly bonds of earth, that harkens pleasantly to the golden age of aviation between World Wars I and II and is deeply thrilling.

The man to talk to about biplane rides is “Diamond Bob” Berwick of Coastal Air Tours at Skypark Airport in Sonoma. Berwick takes clients up in his lovingly maintained Travel Air, a rugged little craft designed and produced by aviation demigods Walter Beech, Clyde Cessna and Lloyd Stearman.

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The Travel Air was state of the art for high-end passenger service in 1926, and it is as much a feature of Coastal Air Tours as the stunning panorama of Sonoma Valley, the Mayacamas and San Pablo Bay that scrolls beneath the plane during flights. Berwick adjusts his flight plans to passenger desires, offering everything from 30-minute transits over the valley to extended customized flights.

The standard half-hour Wine Country Tour costs $175 for a single passenger; a second passenger flies for $95. Customized tours start at $175. Berwick also offers an Over the Moon package for $875 per couple, which includes a 30-minute flight, wine tastings and a gourmet picnic.

Sonoma Skypark Airport, 21870 Eight St., Sonoma, 415-609-7273, coastalairtours.com

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5. HIKING

Walking is the most basic of physical exercises, and perhaps also the most enjoyable — at least when you’re exploring Sonoma’s public lands. There are 52 regional and state parks in the county, protecting a total of 57,204 acres and supporting 175 miles of trail. The terrain varies from coastal prairie to redwood forest, flowerspangled grasslands to oak savanna. It’s all beautiful at all times of the year, making a pair of hiking boots a prerequisite for anyone eager to explore Sonoma.

Sugarloaf
View in Sugarloaf Ridge State Park. (Photo by Alvin Jornada)

In Sonoma Valley, two parks in particular warrant exploration: Sugarloaf Ridge State Park and North Sonoma Mountain Regional Park and Open SpacePreserve. Conveniently located near Kenwood, Sugarloaf encompasses the eponymous ridge and a generous portion of the surrounding wildlands. The park’s 5,100 acres afford a near-wilderness experience, with 25 miles of trails wending through mixed hardwood forests, beneath dramatic rock outcroppings and across oak savannas and open meadows.

During spring and early summer, the wildflower displays on the upper-elevation meadows can be extravagant, and the views are always spectacular. The park also harbors a seasonal 25-foot waterfall on the headwaters of Sonoma Creek, best viewed during winter and early spring. The trails are negotiable for any reasonably fit person, and range from easy to moderate. Wildlife is abundant, including black-tailed deer, wild turkeys, gray foxes, coyotes, bobcats and cougars.

2605 Adobe Canyon Road, Kenwood, 707-833-5715, sugarloafpark.org/activities/hiking. Day-use fee is $8 a car ($7 for seniors).

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North Sonoma Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve. (Photo by John Burgess)

Across Sonoma Valley and southwest of Sugarloaf Ridge lies Sonoma Mountain. Though much of the mountain is in private hands, a long and complex negotiation involving key land acquisitions and easements recently resulted in the opening of the county’s newest public holding, the North Sonoma Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve.

The park’s centerpiece is a 4.5-mile trail that skirts the flank of the mountain at a gentle grade, traversing a variety of ecosystems: deep redwood forest, bay-laurel and blackoak woodlands, open meadow and seasonal wetlands. As with Sugarloaf, it supports robust wildlife populations, and its woodlands are a favorite venue for birders, especially during the fall songbird migration.

5297 Sonoma Mountain Road, Santa Rosa, 707-565-2041, parks.

Visit our outdoors section for some hiking inspiration or click on “parks A-Z” in the drop-down menu for an alphabetical list. Parking fees are $7 a vehicle.

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6. CAMPING

The interior regions have their share of campgrounds — Annadel State Park, Liberty Glen Campground at Lake Sonoma, the Austin Creek Recreation Area, even a KOA Campground in Cloverdale. Yet when it comes to camping here, it’s really about the coast.

Seven public campgrounds are strung along Highway 1 from Bodega Bay to Gualala, all managed by the Sonoma County Department of Regional Parks or the California Department of Parks and Recreation. All are highly recommended, simply because they have the nonpareil Sonoma Coast in common. All provide easy access to fine beaches, craggy and dramatic headlands, and superb trail systems.

Moreover, the coast is the traditional getaway for locals during those summer and early fall days when a high pressure ridge settles over the inland regions and temperatures spike to three digits. It’s always cooler at the coast, and if the fog is rolling in, it can be downright chilly. For that reason, gear should include varying layers of clothing for each camper; temperatures can and do shift rapidly.

Sonoma County campers enjoy the sunset on the Sonoma Coast. (Photo by John Burgess)
Sonoma County campers enjoy the sunset on the Sonoma Coast. (Photo by John Burgess)

By most reckonings, the best time for coastal camping is mid-September through October. The summer crowds have dispersed and the weather generally is optimal. Coastal upwelling usually slackens by September, so daytime temperatures are mild and evenings crisp. Advance reservations are essential, particularly on weekends throughout the red abalone season, April through June and August through November.

The California Department of Parks and Recreation manages campgrounds at Sonoma Coast State Park and Salt Point State Park. The Sonoma County Department of Regional Parks oversees Gualala Point Regional Park, Stillwater Cove Regional Park, Doran Regional Park and Westside Regional Park.

State parks reservations: $35 a night.
Regional parks reservations: $35 a night.

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7. MOUNTAIN BIKING

Sonoma is mountain biking country. Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, North Sonoma Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve, Shiloh Ranch Regional Park near Windsor and Joe Rodota Trail between Santa Rosa and Sebastopol offer excellent opportunities on varied terrain.

But one park stands out from the rest, a destination for the most dedicated and mudspattered- fat-tire fanatics: Annadel State Park. It’s not solely Annadel’s size: 5,000 sprawling and lovely acres of woodland, chaparral and grassland, with a good-size lake thrown into the mix. Nor is it its easy accessibility, on the eastern outskirts of Santa Rosa. Nor is it the whopping 35 miles of trails. It’s the entire package.

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There are some fairly long ascents at Annadel, but nothing to make a reasonably experienced rider cry “uncle.” Many of the trails, however, are technical and extremely rocky. It pays to pay attention, particularly on descents.

6201 Channel Drive, Santa Rosa, $7 parking fee per vehicle. (The park can also by accessed for free by hikers and bicyclists at several other points.)

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8. SHORE FISHING

If you’re camping at the coast, or day-tripping at the beach, you might as well bring along some tackle. Sonoma’s offshore waters are renowned for salmon, rockfish, halibut and, far offshore, albacore, but the inshore fishing can be equally productive.

Cast off the beach at Salmon Creek near Bodega Bay for redtail and calico surf perch. Most people use surf-casting gear, but freshwater spinning reels and rods also will work, and the lighter tackle adds to the thrill of catching these moderate-size, fighting, delicious fish.

You’ll need enough weight on the line to keep the bait close to the bottom; piling worms, shrimp and sand crabs (which you can dig right where you fish) work well. Avoid squid, cut anchovies and clams as bait. Don’t throw out a shoulder trying for a long cast; surf perch tend to swim close to shore, near the first line of breakers. Fish the rip currents, identifiable by V-shaped breaks in the whitewater. The rips stir up the bottom, exposing small crustaceans and mollusks, drawing the fish.

A cooler sits full of salmon after a day of sport fishing on the "New Sea Angler" in Bodega Bay. (Photo by Beth Schlanker)
A cooler sits full of salmon after a day of sport fishing on the “New Sea Angler” in Bodega Bay. (Photo by Beth Schlanker)

Want to hook something with more heft? Seek out the rocky headlands and coves for cabezon, kelp greenling, lingcod and grass rockfish. Surfcasting rod and reel, heavy line and substantial weights are called for, and be prepared to lose tackle in the rocks. Squid is a good choice for bait, as it’s rugged and stays on the hook in rough conditions.

Poke-poling is a specialized subset of rock fishing practiced by a handful of savvy aficionados along the Bodega Bay breakwaters and in protected coves during low tides. The gear is simple: a bamboo or fiberglass pole that has about 6 inches of tough wire leader and a big hook affixed to the end. Put a big gobbet of squid on the hook, and then gently stick the rod tip into holes and crevices among the rocks, where the dark water surges back and forth. Big monkey-faced eels (blennies, as biologists call them) and cabezon lurk there. Hauling a big fish through a small crack in the rocks is always an interesting exercise, but can have great rewards.

A valid California fishing license is required. Regulations for taking rockfish are complicated and change from year to year, so check current rules before fishing. The coast is beautiful, but it also can be unforgiving. People have died when swept away by large “sleeper” waves, so always keep an eye on the water when fishing from shore.

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9. KAYAKING

Sonoma has some of the best sea kayaking in the country. Period. Launch sites are abundant, and it’s easy to set up a shuttle on Highway 1. Leave one car at the takeout, drive a second vehicle to the putin, and you’re set.

Then there’s the paddling environment: the wild and gorgeous Sonoma Coast. Paddling offshore parallel to the swells, you’re just another marine mammal. You’ll have plenty of company: harbor seals, sea lions, even a gray whale or two during the spring and fall migrations. And then there are the cormorants, pelicans and various gulls, all wheeling around the kayak, skreeking and mewing. Impressive as they are when viewed from the shore, the numerous sea stacks are magisterial when approached at sea level, with white and aquamarine waves curling against their mussel- and barnacle-encrusted flanks.

People float down the Russian River by various methods of transportation towards Johnson’s Beach in Guerneville. (Photo by Alvin Jornada / The Press Democrat)
People float down the Russian River by various methods of transportation towards Johnson’s Beach in Guerneville. (Photo by Alvin Jornada)

Sea kayaks range from sit-on-top beamy craft to sleek, maneuverable closed-cockpit boats fitted with foot-operated rudders. Anglers and beginners prefer the first, while experienced paddlers often opt for the second. Any of the coastal parks are good places to launch and/or take out. Some paddlers undertake two- or three-day expeditions, paddling down the coast from one park to the next, stopping occasionally to jig for rockfish for the evening meal.

Sea kayaking is exhilarating, and occasionally a little dicey. Connect with experienced paddlers before heading out, or sign up for commercial training and tours.

More information at sonomacounty.com/sonoma-listings/kayakingcanoeing

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10. SURFING

The renowned point and reef breaks of Southern California and Hawaii create sculpted waves that can be ridden with — if not ease — skill and guts. But Sonoma’s surf mostly manifests as bonecrunching, closed-out beach breaks or chaotic wave trains slamming against the headlands.

And there are fearsome creatures to consider. Sonoma’s abundant seal rookeries draw great white sharks, the region’s No. 1 marine predator. A good rule of thumb is to avoid surfing any area where pinnipeds are present. It’s wise to keep clear of Goat Rock near the mouth of the Russian River for this reason, although the site does produce good waves with some regularity.

Nate Buck walks through the sand dunes by his home in Salmon Creek to go out for a surf session. (Photo by Conner Jay)
Nate Buck walks through the sand dunes by his home in Salmon Creek to go out for a surf session. (Photo by Conner Jay)

Locals harbor secret spots where the waves can be good under specific conditions. But as a rule, access is difficult and inside connections are necessary to know where and when to go, and how to get there.

There are two Sonoma spots, however, where access is easy and the waves are often, but not always, surfable: Salmon Creek Beach in Bodega Bay and nearby Doran Beach. Salmon Creek can degrade to frightening close-outs with big swells and onshore winds, but it sometimes produces lovely waves when offshore winds are from the east-southeast. Doran Beach is a good beginner’s beach when swells are moderate.

Bill Blaze, of Sebastopol, walks up the beach after surfing at Salmon Creek Beach. (Photo by Christopher Chung)
Bill Blaze, of Sebastopol, walks up the beach after surfing at Salmon Creek Beach. (Photo by Christopher Chung)

The best things about both beaches are the locals. Sonoma surfers tend to be easy-going, friendly and generous, unlike surfers in many areas to the south where the competition for each wave is fierce. There’s no “my wave” mentality here. More often than not, the attitude is, “After you.”

So Sonoma.

Salmon Creek Beach, Bodega Bay,  Doran Regional Park, 2011 Doran Beach Road, Bodega Bay, 707-875-3540, parks.

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How to Start a Wine Cellar

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Perfect wine storage was not uppermost in my mind when I moved into my first house on Nov. 1, 1973. But what I serendipitously had fallen into was a pitfall I did not know existed, a malady that has no known cure.

The house was on a hillside; the garage, below the living quarters, had a small door at the rear. Behind the door was nothing but the under-structure and the bare dirt of the hillside.

I had previously begun a rudimentary wine collection with two cases, so I purchased some circular terra cotta drainage tiles, pushed them into the earth under the house and put one bottle inside each tile.

And thus began a project that might best be explained in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: wine collecting.

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Collecting wine can be as addictive as any other mania and can lead to all sorts of problems. Men seem more prone to this than women, but one woman I knew was so dedicated to her collection that it nearly caused a divorce.

Is wine collecting something that sounds appealing? If you are among them, here are a few tips.

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Constantly cool temperatures are essential. About 55 degrees is ideal year-round. Sixty in winter and 72 in the summer does not work. Wines simply age too quickly that way.

Keep all natural-cork finished wines on their sides. Screw-capped bottles and sparkling wines with real corks should be stood upright.

The cork in any natural cork-finished wine that reaches 10 years old may deteriorate or dry out. The two-pronged Ah-So cork extractor works better than the waiter’s corkscrew for such wines, and the new Durand cork-puller system is a good investment if you have a lot of older wine.

Don’t try to age inexpensive wine. Poor quality wine doesn’t get better with age. However, some closeouts can be found that deliver great flavors, such as dry riesling.

Buy only wines with which you have some experience. Not everyone will appreciate older barolos or petite sirahs.

Don’t assume all expensive wines will be great in a decade. Some are made for early consumption. Aging them is a waste of money and time.

Things to Do in Sonoma County this Weekend

THINGS

Looking for something fun to do? Here’s what you can look forward to this weekend. Get your apple fix this weekend at the Gravenstein Apple Fair. Enjoy some good old fashioned river fun at the Healdsburg Water Carnival. Place your final bets on the last day of this year’s Horse Racing at the Fairgrounds. All this and more is in our list of things to do.


FRIDAY, Aug. 12

Wags, Whiskers & Wine Gala: This Friday, join Trentadue Winery in Geyserville for an evening of wine, food, animals and more. The annual event includes auctions with impressive prizes, live music, a gourmet dinner and more. The event starts at 5:30 p.m., and tickets are $175. Find out all the details at trentadue.com.

Romeo & Juliet: We Players presents Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, running this Friday through Sept. 25 at Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park. The outside matinees offer a 360 degree sphere of performance, and is timed with the sunset. Tickets are $45-$80. Find out more at weplayers.org.

An Author Walks Into a Bar: Come to Jamison’s Roaring Donkey this Friday at 7 p.m. to meet author Drew Magary, the author of “The Hike.” If you buy a book at this Copperfield’s sponsored event, your drink is free. In Magary’s fantasy novel, he incorporates the world of classic folk along with elements from video games for a journey propelled by heart, imagination and survival. Find out more at www.copperfieldsbooks.com.

Movies in the Park: Grab the family and a picnic blanket for an evening under the stars in front of the big screen. Howarth Park presents “Hotel Transylvania 2” as this Friday’s pick for Movies in the Park. The event starts at 7:30 p.m., with the movie beginning at dusk. The movie is free, and there will be food to purchase from local vendors. Find out more at pd2go.net/HowarthMoviesInThePark.

Big Fish: Based on the novel and screenplay by Daniel Wallace, Spreckel’s Theatre Company presents “Big Fish,” the story of a traveling salesman who is also a charismatic teller of tall tales. The show runs Aug. 12-28, and tickets are $16-$26. Find out all the details at www.spreckelsonline.com.

Jazz on the River: Every Friday night, the Peter Welker Sextet performs just outside Graffiti in Petaluma, playing jazz from 6-8 p.m. The no cover event features music by Deborah Winters, Randy Vincent, Mel Martin, Chris Amberger and Peter Welker. Find out more at peterwelker.com.

Petaluma Library’s Summer Booksale: This weekend, add to your book collection when Petaluma Regional Library holds their seasonal book fair, offering a trove of great reads at a bargain. Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. is Children’s Sale Day. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., all books are half off. More sale days Aug. 17-20, and new books are added daily. Find out all the details at sonomalibrary.org.

John Simmons, age 12, right, and his sister Katherine, age 8, compete in the second round of the apple pie eating contest at the Gravenstein Apple Fair in Sebastopol, California, on August 8, 2015. Gravenstein Apple Fair
John Simmons, age 12, right, and his sister Katherine, age 8, compete in the second round of the apple pie eating contest at the Gravenstein Apple Fair in Sebastopol. (Photo by Alvin Jornada)

SATURDAY, Aug. 13

Gravenstein Apple Fair: The 43rd annual event takes place Aug. 13 & 14 at Ragle Ranch Park in Sebastopol, with live music, local food, cider, microbrews, family fun and more. $8-$20. Kids 5 and under free. www.gravensteinapplefair.com

Healdsburg Water Carnival: Enjoy a day of mermaids, rubber ducks, a giant swan and more when the Healdsburg Water Carnival comes to the Russian River this Saturday. From 11 a.m. to 5 pm., enjoy old-fashioned revelry at Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach. Bring your swimsuit and enjoy a day of water fun. Find out all the information at pd2go.net/HburgWaterCarnival2016.

City Kids Festival: This Saturday, low-income families are invited to Juilliard Park in Santa Rosa to help get their kids ready for school. The event will include free backpacks and school supplies, plus food, activities and more. Registration is required to receive backpacks and supplies. The event begins at 10 a.m. For more information, visit srmission.org.

Mutts & Models Fashion Show: Strutting the runway this Saturday at the Santa Rosa Plaza are some adorable dogs with stylish humans. Julie Nation Academy is partnering with Sonoma County Animal Services, showing off the latest fashions for back-to-school shopping along with dogs and puppies available for adoption. The show starts at 2 p.m. at Center Court. Find out all the details at pd2go.net/muttsmodels2016.

Swing Dancing Under the Stars: Dance the night away at Francis Ford Coppola Winery in Geyserville in a night of wine, food and dancing in their outdoor Pavillion. This Saturday, live music will be performed by rockabilly swing band Lost Dog Found. Come at 6 p.m. for lessons, then dance 7-10 p.m. Cost for this 21-plus event is $25-$30 per person. Find out more at francisfordcoppolawinery.com.

ugo Herrera races Es Mi Cielo across the finish line in front of the pack to take first place during the first day of horse racing at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa, Thursday, July 30, 2015. (CRISTA JEREMIASON / The Press Democrat)
Horse racing at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa coming up on Sunday. (Photo by Crista Jeremiason)

SUNDAY, Aug. 14

Last Day of Horse Racing at the Fairgrounds: The fair might be over, but the horses are still racing. Grab a seat and bid on your favorite horse before the races end for the season. Tickets are $3-$5, or more for specialty seating. Find out more at sonomacountyfair.com.

McKenna Faith: Nashville country musician from Ukiah, ‘Sundays in the Park’ season finale, 6-8 p.m. Sunday, Todd Grove Park, Ukiah. Free. 463-6231, cityofukiah.com.


OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS… 

Friday, Aug. 12

‘The Plot Against Shakespeare’: Sonoma County playwright David Beckman’s new play, ‘Shakespeare in the Cannery’ performance, 7 tonight, Railroad Square, Santa Rosa. $5-$28. shakespeareinthecannery.com.

‘Official Blues Brothers Revue’: Wayne Catania and Kieron Lafferty, 8 tonight, House of Rock, Santa Rosa. $45-$60. 791-3482, rockstaruniversity.com.

‘The Taming of the Shrew’: Raven Players’ production of Shakespeare’s classic battle of the sexes, 8 tonight, Bear Republic courtyard, Healdsburg. $10-$25. 433-6335, raventheater.org.


Saturday, Aug. 13

‘Desi Comedy Fest’: South Asian comedy festival, 11 comedians, 7 p.m. Saturday, Muscardini Cellars, Kenwood. $30-$35. 933-9305, muscardinicellars.com.

‘Nice Work If You Can Get It’: Musical comedy, Summer Repertory Theatre season closer, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Burbank Auditorium, Santa Rosa Junior College, Santa Rosa. $18-$25. 527-4307, summerrep.com.

Men of Worth: Celtic musicians James Keigher and Donnie Macdonald, 8 p.m. Saturday, Cinnabar Theater, Petaluma. $25-$30. 763-8920, cinnabartheater.org.

‘Exposure: The Female Nude in Photography’: Opening exhibit of 120 photographs, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Art Museum of Sonoma County, Santa Rosa. $7-$10. 579-1500, sonomacountymuseum.org.


Sunday, Aug. 14

McKenna Faith: Nashville country musician from Ukiah, ‘Sundays in the Park’ season finale, 6-8 p.m. Sunday, Todd Grove Park, Ukiah. Free. 463-6231, cityofukiah.com.

Rabia Chaudry: Author of ‘Adnan’s Story’ in conversation with Press Democrat columnist Chris Smith, 2 p.m. Sunday, Copperfield’s Books, Petaluma. Free. 762-0563, copperfieldsbooks.com.

Zulu Spear: World music, ‘BBQ on the Lawn,’ 4 p.m. Sunday, Rancho Nicasio. $20. (415) 662-2219, ranchonicasio.com/music.


Monday, Aug. 15

Blind Pilot: Indie folk band, 4:20 p.m. Monday, Lagunitas Brewery, Petaluma. Free, reservations full, wait list. 769-4495, lagunitas.com.


Tuesday, Aug. 16

Scott Stapp: ‘The Voice of Creed,’ alternative rock, 8 p.m. Tuesday, Mystic Theatre, Petaluma. $33. 765-2121, mystictheatre.com.

Mother Truckers: Rock band, ‘Tuesdays in the Plaza’ outdoor concert series, 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Healdsburg Plaza. Free. ci.healdsburg.ca.us.


Wednesday, Aug. 17

Jeff Beck & Buddy Guy: Premier guitarists, 8 p.m. Wednesday, Luther Burbank Center, Santa Rosa. $79-$149. 546-3600, lutherburbankcenter.org.

The Pulsators: Rock ’n’ roll dance band, ‘Peacetown Summer Concert Series,’ 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, Ives Park, Sebastopol. Free. 823-1511, peacetown.org.


Thursday, Aug. 18

Erik Castro: Conversation with ‘Harvester’ photojournalist, 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Christie Marks Fine Art Gallery, Santa Rosa. Free, call for reservations. 695-1011, christiemarksfineart.com.

Caravanserai: Music of Santana, ‘Rockin’ the River’ outdoor concert series, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Guerneville Plaza. Free. rockintheriver.org.

Gator Nation: Zydeco/Cajun music, ‘Farm Nights Concerts,’ 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Windsor Town Green. Free. 838-1260, townofwindsor.com.

‘Guitar Ancestors’: History talk and performance by Dominic Schaner, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Museums of Sonoma County, Santa Rosa. $15. 579-1500, sonomacountymuseum.org.


Friday, Aug. 19

Silk Road Ensemble: Classical music with Yo-Yo Ma and 16 other artists, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 19, Weill Hall and Lawn, Green Music Center, Rohnert Park. $25-$125. (866) 955-6040, gmc.sonoma.edu.

‘Drawing the Tiger’: ‘Best of the Fest’ summertime film series, 7 p.m. Aug. 19, Sebastopol Center for the Arts. $12. sebastopolfilmfestival.org.

‘Animal Crackers’: Marx Brothers’ comedic mayhem, opening night, 8 p.m. Aug. 19, 6th Street Playhouse, Santa Rosa. $15-$38. 523-3544, 6thstreetplayhouse.com.

BeauSoleil: Cajun dance band, ‘Friday Night Live’ outdoor concert series, 7 p.m. Aug. 19, Cloverdale Plaza. Free. 894-4410, cloverdaleartsalliance.org.

Volker Strifler: Blues, rock and Americana, ‘Funky Fridays’ outdoor concert, 7 p.m. Aug. 19, Hood Mansion, Santa Rosa. $10. 833-6288, funkyfridays.info.


Saturday, Aug. 20

Trevor Noah: ‘Lost in Translation’ with the ‘Comedy Central’ host, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 20, Weill Hall and Lawn, Green Music Center, Rohnert Park. $25-$75. (866) 955-6040, gmc.sonoma.edu.

Cotati Accordion Festival: Weekend festival opener, accordion music, vendors, food, 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Aug. 20, La Plaza Park, Cotati. $15-$19. (888) 559-2576, cotatifest.com.

Dixie Giants: New Orleans jazz, KRCB ‘Concerts in the Garden’ series, 4-6 p.m. Aug. 20, Chroma Gallery, Santa Rosa. Free. 293-6051, chromagallery.net.

Sonoma County Veg Fest: Vegetarian/vegan food, speakers, entertainment, films, kids’ activities, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 20, Luther Burbank Center, Santa Rosa. $5. 540-1760, socovegfest.org.

Kingsborough: Santa Rosa-based rock ’n’ roll and blues band, 9 p.m. Aug. 20, HopMonk Tavern, Sebastopol. $10. 829-7300, hopmonk-sebastopol.ticketfly.com.

Pop Rocks: Cover band, ‘Rockin’ Concerts’ series, noon-3 p.m. Aug. 20, Village Court, Montgomery Village, Santa Rosa. Free. 545-3844, mvshops.com.


Sunday, Aug. 21

Broadway Under the Stars: ‘Dance the Night Away’ closing night, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 21, Jack London State Historic Park, Glen Ellen. $42-$134. (877) 424-1414, transcendencetheatre.org.

Foreverland: Michael Jackson tribute band, ‘Dance on the Lawn,’ noon-3 p.m. Aug. 21, Chateau St. Jean Winery, Kenwood. Free. 257-5784, chateaustjean.com.

‘Music in the Vineyards’: Ariel Quartet, chamber music, Beethoven program, 5 p.m. Aug. 21, Inglenook Winery, Rutherford. $60. 258-5559, musicinthevineyards.org.

The Brothers Comatose: Folk, bluegrass and Americana band, 7 p.m. Aug. 21, Long Meadow Ranch, St. Helena. $35-$45. 963-4555, longmeadowranch.com.

Dean Grech: Jazz guitarist and vocalist, 1-4 p.m. Aug. 21, Village Court, Montgomery Village, Santa Rosa. Free. 545-3844, mvshops.com.

Huey Lewis & The News: Rock ’n’ roll band, 5 p.m. Aug. 21, Rodney Strong Vineyards, Healdsburg. Sold out. 431-1533, rodneystrong.com.

Create a Relaxing Zen Space in Your Backyard

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I have a lot of fun in my backyard – barbecuing, playing with the kids, hosting dinner parties. But sometimes, when the workday is done and the house is in chaos, I just want to step outside, catch my breath and relax – alone. This is why I decided to add a zen space to my backyard.

Modern zen gardens usually serve as an addition to a larger yard, offering a peaceful corner for quiet reflection. Sand, pebbles, rocks and simple lines are used to create a sense of simplicity while water features, moss, bamboo, pruned miniature bushes and trees, please the eye and calm the senses.

Here is some inspiration for how you can create your own zen space and information about where to find zen essentials in Sonoma County:

Sand

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Well maintained and carefully raked patterns in sand play a central part in zen gardens. The lines are meant to mimic the ripples found in water, while the stillness of the sand inspires a feeling of tranquility. The raking itself can offer relaxation and aid meditation.

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Rocks are added to the sand in careful arrangements to create a miniature landscape representing either hills or islands. The way the sand interacts with the rocks is important; the direction of the lines will suggest the way water would interact with these elements. (Image via HotThemes)

Get this zen accessory: Smith Harold & Son Inc. (707) 963-7977

Rocks & Boulders

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River rock and gravel can be used in place of sand to create a more permanent zen garden without having to worry about the sand being perfectly raked. The meditation garden at Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary in Freestone incorporates a small waterfall feature running through the rocks. A waterfall is said to represent how the universe always changes but, at the same time, stays the same.

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If you have a large backyard, boulders can be used to represent mountains, or add an organic sculptural element. According to zen philosophy, a boulder represents being unmovable in the face of adversity or difficult times. (Image via wallpapers.com)

Get this zen accessory: Ramm Rock and Landscape Supply, (707) 528-6067

Statuary & Decoration

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Outdoor sculptures, such as stone pagodas, Buddha statues, and abstract sculptures, can help transform your zen garden into a meditative space by separating it from the rest of the backyard. (Image via Design Toscano)

Get this zen accessory: Pottery World (916) 624-8080

Koi Ponds

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In Japan, raising and breeding Koi is considered an art form, and when they’re added to a zen garden they serve as a reminder of life in motion and transition. (Image via Albright Aquariums)

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While Koi ponds are absolutely gorgeous, a few things need to be considered before deciding to have one installed in your backyard. First, if you have a small backyard, it may not fit: the ideal size for a Koi pond is considered to be over 1,000 gallons and at least three feet deep. Second, the fish themselves can be costly. While smaller fish may not break the bank, larger and more mature fish can cost thousands of dollars. And third, the pond must be carefully maintained, and there’s also the worry of backyard predators. If you have cats or raccoons visiting your yard, a Koi pond may not be a good idea.

Get this zen accessory: Bridge Way Koi, (707) 494-2609

Bamboo

Path to Japanese Meditation Garden at Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary in Freestone on Saturday, September 29, 2012. (Crista Jeremiason
Path to the Japanese Meditation Garden at Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary in Freestone. (Photo by Crista Jeremiason)

Bamboo forests are common in Japan – the plant is appreciated for the way it will sway in the lightest breeze, while still being deeply rooted in the ground. It is difficult, if not impossible, to remove it completely. This sturdiness has inspired the zen saying, “Bend but don’t break. Be flexible yet firmly rooted.” (Image via homestyler.com)

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Bamboo fences can be used to separate the Zen garden from the rest of the yard, creating a more private space for meditation. (Image via Zillow)

Get this zen accessory: Jungle Bamboo & Palm Nursery, 707 794-8292

Moss

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Moss is a tenacious plant that occurs naturally in some zen gardens. It is also placed purposefully on rocks to represent tranquility and gentleness – the softness of the moss provides a counterpoint to the hardness of the ground and rocks. (Image via Wikimedia)

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Moss is also an ideal addition for tiny, desktop zen gardens. (Image via MossStoneGardens.com)

Get this zen accessory: King’s Nursery, (707) 542-4782

Bushes & Trees

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While traditional zen gardens are devoid of plant life, modern gardens incorporate plants such as miniature cedar, Japanese maple or bonsai trees. The Wildwood Nursery in Kenwood is host to 250 different Japanese maples, 50 varieties of dogwoods, and companion plants. The Wildwood gardens showcase a variety of different plants, which can serve as inspiration.

This Redwood Bonsai will be exhibited at the 33rd Bonsai Show in Santa Rosa on Aug 20-21. (Photo by Don Van Dyke)
This Redwood Bonsai is part of the collection exhibited at the 33rd Bonsai Show in Santa Rosa on Aug 20-21. (Photo by Don Van Dyke)

Looking for local inspiration for your zen garden (or simply some tranquility)? I highly recommend visiting the Meditation Garden at Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary in Freestone, Quarryhill Botanical Garden in Glen Ellen, the Wildwood Maple Tree Nursery in Kenwood and the Redwood Empire Bonsai Society Show in Santa Rosa (August 20-21). 

The Top 10 Fall Colors and Outfits to Match Them

Pops of vibrant colors – like this bold Aurora red – anchor the dominant fall color, blue. (Photo Courtesy Pantone
Pops of vibrant colors - like this bold Aurora red - anchor the dominant fall color, blue. (Photo Courtesy Pantone
Pops of vibrant colors – like this bold Aurora Red – anchor the dominant fall color – blue. (Photo Courtesy Pantone Color Institute)

Every season, just in time for the highly anticipated New York Fashion Week, Pantone Color Institute releases a selection of 10 colors that are expected to be popping up everywhere – from fashion and beauty to home décor. 

The new blue Pantone Riverside shade takes precedence in the fall collections. (Photo Courtesy Pantone Color Institute)
The new blue Pantone Riverside shade takes precedence in the fall collections. (Photo Courtesy Pantone Color Institute)

For Fall 2016, the blue family dominates the Pantone color palette. Led by an “Airy Blue” shade and a cool, calming and strong “Riverside Blue,” these blue hues are inspired by the desire for “tranquility, strength, and optimism.” Earth tones and pops of vibrant color also appear throughout the palette.

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Pantone Fall Color 2016 Cheatsheet:

  • Airy Blue – blue sky
  • Aurora Red – rich jewel-like
  • Spicy Mustard – exotic golden
  • Dusty Cedar – dark rose pink
  • Bodacious – purple
  • Sharkskin – grey
  • Riverside – blue grey
  • Potter’s Clay – rich brown
  • Lush Meadow – emerald green
  • Warm Taupe – beige

Check out the fall collection colors from some of our favorite designers, available at Montgomery Village in Santa Rosa and online:  

TALBOTS Fall 2016

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Gramercy Wool Coat in Plush Camel $299
Perfect Cashmere Turtleneck in Dark Palomino $159
Edgemont Floral Pencil Skirt in Dark Peacock $99
Eri Pointy Toe Pump in Light Acorn Suede $149
Fall Berry Necklace in Acorn $79.50
Waterweave Wrap in Camel $159

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Twill Double-Cloth No-Close Jacket in Roma Red $169
Country Tweed Collarless Shirt in Roma Rose $89.50
Flawless Five Pocket Boyfriend in Coastal Wash $89.50
City Scene Scarf in Ivory $59.50

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Mira Pointy Toe Kid Suede Flat in Scotch Pine, Bright Orchid, or Rustic Gold $109
In Leopard $119

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Double-Faced Flyaway Moto Jacket in Autumn Grape $249
Zigzag Print Merino Sweater in Indigo Blue $89.50
Flawless Five Pocket Boyfriend in Coastal Wash $89.50
Mira Pointy Toe Flat in Sour Lemon $109
Crossbody Suede Bag in Violet Berry $119
Turn-Lock Bangle in Begonia or Indigo $34.50
Waterweave Wrap in Navy $159

WHITE HOUSE BLACK MARKET Fall 2016

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Trophy Jacket in Rosso $150.00
Pleated Shell in Rosso $68

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Suede Moto Jacket in Whiskey $398

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Floral-Print Woven Blouse in Black/Rosso $98

J. JILL Fall 2016

Smooth fit Straight Jeans from J. Jill

Smooth Fit Straight Jeans in Deep-Sea Wash $109

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Versatile Open-Front Cardi in Scarlet $69
Shirred Back Tank Dress in Scarlet $69

Airy Blue Light Linen and Rayon Pullover from J. Jill

Light Linen and Rayon Pullover in Breeze $69

CHICOS Fall 2016

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Striped Tee Midi Dress in Blue Combo $109

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Lace-Up Denim Popover in Deep Delray Wash $99

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Mikayla Coil Bracelet in Indigo $39

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Malaysia Paisley Print Palazzo Pants in Multi $99.00

Snoop and Martha Are Smoking in the Kitchen

Snoop and Martha are hosting a new diner party show this fall on VH1

A love of herb has brought together Martha Stewart and rapper Snoop Dogg for a new television series called “Martha & Snoop’s Dinner Party” this fall. And we don’t mean oregano.

The two will host an unscripted dinner party with cooking, celebrity guests, and plenty of cannabis-related banter on VH1.

Though it may seem curious that the queen of all things tasteful and the Doggfather are doing their own version of Ebony and Ivory (and Greenery!) around the dinner table, the unlikely couple have a longtime on-air relationship–mostly around discussing the wacky weed.

Several years ago, Snoop appeared on Martha making brownies and mashed potatoes with Stewart, while also explaining the definition of “fo-shizzle”. You can feel the Martha audience looking for celebrity guest Nathan Lane or Clare Danes as Snoop raps about baked goods and jokes about vanilla.

But Martha just eats it up, as cool as a cucumber, and the two were a natural during the Christmas show. “We’re missing the most important part of the brownies,” he says,”Which is?” asks Martha. “No sticks, no seeds, no stems,” he adds, as she cackles. Literally cackles.

Martha is so living the 420 lifestyle.

In fact, the two appeared at a roast for Justin Bieber and rumor is that Martha inhaled backstage. She also supposedly rolls a very tastefully wrapped joint. Snoop and Martha also recently appeared on $100,000 Pyramid, and on Reddit Martha expressed a wish that she and Snoop could be better friends.

Wish granted.

“Martha? Oh yeah, she is smokin’ in the kitchen. And she can cook too,” says Snoop in a promo video. Though it’s no secret that Snoop enjoys a bit of the ganj, well, everyday, he’s recently launched a marijuana lifestyle website called Merry Jane that’s blowing some serious smoke up our skirts. He’s also a producer of a MTV comedy Mary+Jane.

Though Martha Stewart as the poster child for the legalization for medical and recreational marijuana seems a long shot, marrying it with celebrities, cooking and lifestyle bring the message of cannabis normalization to the masses. Even if it comes in a bejeweled case, wrapped in a Japanese furoshiki with a personal notecard and a recipe for pot brownies. Fo-shizzle.

(Comments disabled, because this is a humorous look at the subject of cannabis legalization and celebrity. Personal rants about the pro and cons of cannabis belong in letters to the editor or to your dog, who frankly is tired of listening to you.)

The 6 Sweetest Pastry Chefs in Sonoma County

Robert Nieto of Jackson Family Wines. Nieto has been named one of America's top ten bakers. Heather Irwin/PD
Robert Nieto of Jackson Family Wines. Nieto has been named one of America’s top ten bakers. Heather Irwin/PD

Did you know one of the Top 10 Pastry Chefs in America lives and works right here in Sonoma County? And that his nickname is “Buttercup”? Meet Robert Nieto and 5 other amazing local pastry chefs we love…

Tuile and rhubarb from Robert Nieto of Jackson Family Wines. Nieto has been named one of America's top ten bakers. Heather Irwin/PD
Tuile and rhubarb from Robert Nieto of Jackson Family Wines. Nieto has been named one of America’s top ten bakers. Heather Irwin/PD

Somewhere between the heat of the sun and molten lava is the perfect temperature for pulling melted sugar into lovely candy ribbons. Robert Nieto has the scars to prove it.

Working under a glowing red heat lamp in the Santa Rosa kitchen of Jackson Family Wines, he gingerly tugs at a 200-plus-degree blob of boiled sugar with gentle flicks of his wrist, creating thin wisps of candy that harden almost immediately into curls. In mere minutes, the blob can become a rock, so Nieto works with the intensity of a surgeon, despite the constant pain of his burning fingers.

Macarons and other sweets from Robert Nieto of Jackson Family Wines. Nieto has been named one of America's top ten bakers. Heather Irwin/PD
Macarons and other sweets from Robert Nieto of Jackson Family Wines. Nieto has been named one of America’s top ten bakers. Heather Irwin/PD

The life of a pastry chef isn’t always so sweet.

Nieto is one of several highly trained Sonoma pastry chefs whose mediums are chocolate, sugar, flour, cream and butter. More than bakers, these oft-overlooked artisans are equal parts scientist and artist, working with a precision and intensity demonstrated by the dreamy confections that make a great meal extraordinary.

Unlike a savory pan sauce or piece of meat that might benefit from an added pinch of salt at the end, baking is unforgiving. Pastry and confections are about exact measurements and processes so the soufflé doesn’t fall and the custard doesn’t break into an oily mess. It takes expertise to create a dessert so intriguing that it can stand up to every other course of the meal.

Here are six Sonoma masters of the craft.

ROBERT NIETO
Jackson Family Wines

Robert Nieto, Pastry Chef of Jackson Family Wines. Photo: Heather Irwin
Robert Nieto, Pastry Chef of Jackson Family Wines. Photo: Heather Irwin

PASTRY SUPERPOWER: Chocolate.

CAN’T TAKE OFF THE MENU: Mama Frischkorn’s Caramel Corn (a Jackson Family specialty).

As part of the Jackson Family Wines culinary team, Nieto produces a vast lineup of desserts — from perfect cylinders of chocolate ganache with gold-covered chocolate or butterscotch panna cotta with candy cap mushroom meringue and sweet potato ice cream, to sculptural creations of tuile, mango cream and rhubarb sauce — as well as all manner of breads and pastries featured on menus at the various Jackson Family wineries and tasting rooms.

Robert Nieto of Jackson Family Wines. Nieto has been named one of America's top ten bakers. Heather Irwin/PD
Robert Nieto of Jackson Family Wines. Nieto has been named one of America’s top ten bakers. Heather Irwin/PD

“I’m always looking for the wow factor,” he said. Using geometric shapes, molds and unexpected twists, such as candy ribbons, his plates engage all the senses.

In just about every spare moment (and with the blessings of his bosses), he trains in Chicago for a spot on Pastry Team USA, which will compete in the Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie competition in Lyon, France, in January 2017. Nieto was also chosen one of the top 10 pastry chefs in the country this year by Dessert Professional magazine.

Ganache and caramel from Robert Nieto of Jackson Family Wines. Nieto has been named one of America's top ten bakers. Heather Irwin/PD
Ganache and caramel from Robert Nieto of Jackson Family Wines. Nieto has been named one of America’s top ten bakers. Heather Irwin/PD

As for the nickname he’s learned to love? “Buttercup” was foisted on him by Jackson Family executive chef Justin Wangler after a particularly ungraceful game of volleyball, where Nieto became “Butterfingers.” Over time, it morphed into Buttercup. With a portfolio of work that includes tiny pink macarons filled with cream, statues of chocolate and spun sugar, and pastry so delicate it nearly evaporates to the touch, his nickname suits him.

Taste Nieto’s creations at Kendall-Jackson’s north Santa Rosa tasting room, 5007 Fulton Road, Fulton, 707-576-3810, kj.com/wine-andchocolate- pairing. A wine and chocolate pairing is offered, by appointment, for $25.

DAVID BLOM 
Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn, Sonoma

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PASTRY SUPERPOWER: Jack of all desserts.

CAN’T TAKE OFF THE MENU: Wild strawberries, when in season.

With the competing demands of special-event cakes, dining-room desserts and the Fairmont’s luxe holiday buffet spreads (usually with more than a dozen desserts), Blom is a pastry master by necessity. Named one of the best pastry chefs in America by Chocolatier magazine, he’s been the executive pastry chef at Sonoma Mission Inn for 12 years. His favorite dishes include green tea crème brûlée cake with vanilla-poached rhubarb, and a salted caramel mousse Napoleon.

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Having grown up in a family of bakers, frosting is in his blood, yet he continues to push the boundaries of pastry-making, whether by ingredient or technique.

“Buffet desserts, plated desserts, wedding cakes, special-occasion cakes, bread baking, chocolate work, sugar work, molecular gastronomy, confectionery … you need to be adept at all aspects of the pastry profession in a resort setting,” Blom said.

100 Boyes Blvd., Sonoma, 707-9389000, fairmont.com/sonoma

EMMANUEL “MANNY” FIMBREZ 
Madrona Manor, Healdsburg

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PASTRY SUPERPOWER: Molecular gastronomy.

CAN’T TAKE OFF THE MENU: Liquid nitrogen tableside ice cream.

Fimbrez is a confectionery wunderkind. Like the manor’s top toque, Jesse Mallgren, he loves deconstructed dishes that mix whimsy, texture, temperature and flavors in surprising ways.

Unfettered by creating a full dessert menu (his sweets are showcased in the tasting menu), Fimbrez isn’t shackled to brownie sundaes and lava cakes. Instead, his signature is “Peas and a Pod,” a strawberry tart with a pulled-sugar pea pod filled with lemon ganache “peas” rolled in pea powder.

Manny Fimbrez’s “Peas and a Pod”: a strawberry tart with a pulled-sugar pea pod filled with lemon ganache “peas” rolled in pea powder.
Manny Fimbrez’s “Peas and a Pod”: a strawberry tart with a pulled-sugar pea pod filled with lemon ganache “peas” rolled in pea powder.

This kind of science-based culinary play also includes his take on the traditional sour cream cheesecake, with his own version of Dippin’ Dots (tiny beads of ice cream frozen with liquid nitrogen). The hardest thing about being a pastry chef, Fimbrez said, is trying to do justice to the amazing farming community.

Handmade candies by Manny Fimbrez.
Handmade candies by Manny Fimbrez.

“Everyone knows the Lao (Saetern) strawberry stand in Sebastopol has the best strawberries and knows what they taste like, so you always want to showcase his product,” he said.

1001 Westside Road, Healdsburg, 707-433-4231, madronamanor.com

CASEY STONE 
John Ash & Co., Santa Rosa

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PASTRY SUPERPOWER: Kneading dough.

CAN’T TAKE OFF THE MENU: Cheesecake.

With more than a decade on the job at one of Santa Rosa’s favorite dining destinations, Stone knows the four things people really want to see on a dessert menu: something chocolate, something lemon, something comforting and something with ice cream or custard. It’s a pretty simple formula, but Stone has fairy-godmother talent for turning a dish such as chocolate mousse into a fantastical dome of devil’s food cake with vanilla bean-infused syrup, chocolate pearls, bittersweet chocolate mousse and a chocolate glaze.

Casey Stone is known for his gorgeous cheesecakes, including this raspberry version.
Casey Stone is known for his gorgeous cheesecakes, including this raspberry version.

“There are a lot of components to it that you have to have ready before you can assemble them, but it’s super rich and I love it,” said Stone, who is responsible not only for desserts for the restaurant, but also the hotel, event center and catering.

His signature cheesecake gets its golden slippers from Meyer lemons, huckleberries and tangerine sorbet.

He gets his inspiration from local ingredients and produce grown on the property. As for his talent for kneading bread dough? “I like the feel of it and I do it pretty well,” he said.

4350 Barnes Road, Santa Rosa, 707-527-7687, vintnersinn.com

LISA KAUFMAN
Dry Creek Kitchen, Healdsburg

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PASTRY SUPERPOWER: Lemon tarts.

CAN’T TAKE OFF THE MENU: Chocolate peanut butter bar.

The new kid on the block, Kaufman claims she got the job at Charlie Palmer’s Healdsburg restaurant because the other candidate didn’t show up. That, and the fact that the restaurant’s longtime pastry chef, Andrew Di Clementi, was willing to give the recent Santa Rosa Junior College culinary graduate a shot.

Lisa Kaufman's Strawberry Pain Perdu.
Lisa Kaufman’s Strawberry Pain Perdu.

“He saw something in me,” Kaufman said. She was also eager to learn from Di Clementi (now at Palmer’s Harvest Table in St. Helena), Palmer and pastry mentors at his Aureole restaurants in New York and Las Vegas.

Lisa Kaufman’s crème brûlée cheesecake with compressed kiwi and oranges.
Lisa Kaufman’s crème brûlée cheesecake with compressed kiwi and oranges.

Her favorite dessert on the Dry Creek Kitchen menu: crème brûlée cheesecake with compressed kiwi and oranges. The dessert that still eludes her: baked Alaska, a show-stopping dome of cake and ice cream topped with meringue and briefly cooked in an oven.

317 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-431-0330, drycreekkitchen.com

SCOTT NOLL 
Barndiva, Healdsburg

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PASTRY SUPERPOWER: Insatiable curiosity.

CAN’T TAKE OFF THE MENU: Milk & Honey.

Noll’s pre-chef experiences in mechanical engineering and art gave him a foundation for precision baking and creating beautiful dishes.

The owner of a vintage Porsche 912 with the license plate PASTREE, he’s a kitchen veteran with old-school mentors including Joyce Goldstein and John Ash, and current Barndiva chef Ryan Fancher. His personal style is mixing familiar flavors with modern presentations, such as with his butterscotch pudding with a piping of Scotch whisky.

Scott Noll’s “Milk & Honey”: honey-pickled poached pear against honey tea cake near dehydrated “crunchy” milk with honey ice cream sitting on bee pollen.
Scott Noll’s “Milk & Honey”: honey-pickled poached pear against honey tea cake near dehydrated “crunchy” milk with honey ice cream sitting on bee pollen.

One of Noll’s favorites is Milk & Honey, which he calls a “multicomponent surprise package” of dehydrated “crunchy” milk with honey ice cream and honey tea cake, along with a honey-pickled poached pear. A bit of bee pollen under the ice cream completes the concept.

231 Center St., Healdsburg, 707-431-0100, barndiva.com

Photos: Chris Hardy and Heather Irwin

Free Family Films Start Rolling in Howarth Park, Santa Rosa

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Just when families are looking for affordable late-summer entertainment options they haven’t already exhausted, the Santa Rosa Parks and Recreation Department is rolling out its popular annual outdoor series of free kid-friendly films, including the recent hits “Inside Out,” “Zootopia” and “The Good Dinosaur.”

“Movies in the Park,” now in its 10th year, will show family movies every Friday night from Aug. 12 through Sept. 16 in Howarth Park. Screenings start at dusk, approximately 8 p.m. in August and 7:45 p.m. in September.

“Our movie nights in recent years have been wildly popular,” said Adriane Mertens, marketing and outreach coordinator for the recreation and parks department. “Two years ago, when we showed ‘Frozen’ and it had just been out in theaters, that was pretty crazy, but definitely adorable when all the little kids started singing along to all of the songs.”

Attendance at the films averages between 700 and 1,000, depending on the film, Mertens said.

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Families enjoy one of the films being shown at the Movies in the Park series at Howarth Park in Santa Rosa.

“Some families show up a couple of hours in advance of the movie start time to reserve their space in the lawn,” she added.

Families can bring blankets to sit up front and in the center, or chairs for the back of the crowd or the sidelines. Several vendors serve food and drinks at each event.

“We like to come up with experiences that people can enjoy outdoors in the parks,” Mertens said. “It creates a gathering place for families to come together.”


This year’s “Movies in the Park” films are:

Aug. 12 — “Hotel Transylvania 2,” a sequel to the 2012 animated film about a remote high-end resort operated by Dracula (voice by Adam Sandler) and his friends.

Aug. 19 — “Inside Out,” Pixar’s 2015 animated hit about a young girl struggling with her own emotions when her family moves cross-country. Each emotion is personified by a different character in her mind.

Aug. 26 — “The Good Dinosaur,” another animated Pixar film from 2015, imagines a world in which dinosaurs never became extinct.

Sept. 2 — “Minions,” 2015, another animated film that spins off the supporting characters from the “Despicable Me” films, featuring the voices of Sandra Bullock, Jon Hamm of “Mad Men,” Allison Janney of “West Wing” and Michael Keaton.

Sept. 9 — “Hook,” 1991, the one live-action film in the series, stars Dustin Hoffman as Captain Hook and Robin Williams as Peter Pan.

Sept. 16 — “Zootopia,” the fast and funny Disney animated adventure from earlier this year, takes a different look at the cop buddy film formula.

Information: 707-543-3276, howarthpark@srcity.org.


More Family Movies in Sonoma County: 

“Movies in the Park” in Santa Rosa is not the only local family film series this summer.
The popular Windsor Town Green series ended in July, but here are a couple of other choices:

Moonlight Movie Madness presents free outdoor films some Friday nights in the Alex Thomas Plaza in downtown Ukiah, with the “Peanuts” movie showing Aug. 12 and “The Good Dinosaur” Aug. 19. 463-6231. Find more information here.

Reel Kids Love Movies presents family films indoors at the Rohnert Park 16 theater, 555 Rohnert Park Expressway W., Rohnert Park. Admission: $1. The series concludes with “Hotel Transylvania 2” at 10 a.m. Aug. 10-11. Find more information here.