Reyna Yagi of Yagi Sisters Farm Sunday, January 26, 2025. (Chad Surmick / The Press Democrat)
Nearly a decade ago, the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District recognized a shortcoming in its land protection program, which seeks to preserve agricultural land through conservation easements that prevent subdivision and residential development. Agency staff typically worked with large agricultural properties, like dairies, cattle ranches and vineyards — properties more effective to preserve in terms of staff time and cost per acre.
But the approach often meant that the group worked with people who already owned land, often passed down through the generations.
“It meant there were wide ranges of the Sonoma County population that we didn’t have a chance to interact with as directly,” says Mary Chambers, agricultural specialist at Sonoma County Ag + Open Space. “And when you look at how inequitably land ownership is distributed in the U.S. and in Sonoma County — I think it’s like over 95% of farmland in the U.S. is owned by white people.”
Assessing the soil at Longer Table Farm in Santa Rosa, Jan. 27, 2025. (Chad Surmick / The Press Democrat)
Chambers says those numbers allowed the group to reflect on how their work is limited when they work only with existing landowners. They decided to seek out other tools to create opportunities for new landowners when farmland is being sold.
In 2024, to target small-scale fruit and veggie farmers, Sonoma County Ag + Open Space launched a new pilot program called “Buy-Protect-Sell.” Modeled on a similar program in San Mateo County, the idea is “to have more equitable land access to smaller farm property,” Chambers says.
Interested Sonoma County farmers are submitting applications to the program this spring. Later this year, the county agency aims to buy a piece of property, probably between 5 and 50 acres, and secure a conservation easement on the land, and possibly a covenant to the deed to encourage row-crop farming. The agency is also exploring adding an affordability covenant, something Ag + Open Space has never tried before, that would prevent the land from being flipped for a higher price.
Ariel Patashnik, left, Amy Ricard and Bill Keene of the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District navigate an old logging road in Howlett Forest, Monday May 1, 2017, near Annapolis. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat) 2017
By the end of 2025, one farmer will be selected, based on need and contributions to the community, to purchase the new property at a much cheaper price than they could access on the open market.
For Sonoma County Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, the program is the culmination of principles she’s advocated for since being elected to the board in 2017. Working with then-Ag + Open Space general manager Bill Keene, she was trying to find a way to support small farmers. “It felt like it took forever to actually get the policy across the finish line, and now it’s ‘go time,’ which is exciting.”
If the pilot program succeeds, look for more Buy-Protect-Sell projects down the road.
“I hope this becomes a staple of the Ag + Open Space District,” Hopkins says.
A cheeseburger and fries from Superburger. (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat)
Sonoma County boasts some of the best cuisine around — thanks in part to our bountiful agriculture industries and world-renowned chefs. It’s no surprise, then, that several local eateries have received such resounding acclaim to warrant opening additional locations.
While national megachains like McDonald’s, Starbucks and Taco Bell may come to mind when thinking of fast food franchises, a business only needs at least two locations to be considered a chain. Plenty of establishments in the county fit the bill, many of which have become entrenched as local staples that we couldn’t imagine our cities without.
Check out our list below of popular chain restaurants that started right here in Sonoma County. Click through the above gallery for a peek at some of our favorite dishes at each restaurant.
Five or more locations
Mary’s Pizza Shack
New York City native Mary Fazio opened her first pizza shack in the county in 1959 with her Italian father’s original recipes and a goal to provide delicious, home-cooked meals to family and friends. Today, Mary’s Pizza Shack has 10 locations (pared down from 17) across Sonoma, Napa and Solano counties — all owned and operated by third and fourth generations of Fazio’s family. In September of 2024, Mary’s Pizza Shack Corporation announced it filed for bankruptcy, though its press release stated it would not be closing any locations.
The long-established local pizza chain made Bite Club’s list of best pizza in the county for its family-friendly atmosphere — kids can even craft their own pies. Try out a variety of Mary’s offerings with friends and family (how Fazio would have wanted it) with the “Mary’s BIG Spaghetti and Pizza Meal Deal” for $64.95, which comes with a medium, two-topping pizza, a family-sized dish of spaghetti with two giant meatballs, a half loaf of garlic bread and a choice of two large salads or soups.
Locations in Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, Petaluma, Sonoma, Windsor, Napa, Fairfield and Vacaville. maryspizzashack.com
El Roy’s
After forming a successful Marin County taco truck in the early aughts, siblings Yvette Vega and Roy and Fernando Cabrera moved their operation to Petaluma and established a new brick-and-mortar restaurant, opening in 2016. El Roy’s Mexican Grill became an instant hit, along with its now-five local taco trucks, which were voted the “best taco truck” in the county several years in a row by The Press Democrat readers.
The trucks, including El Roy’s Express Mex, are cleverly located in high-trafficked areas, like the Petaluma Fairgrounds and on Roseland’s Sebastopol Road, beckoning passersby with its roasted al pastor and bright orange facade. Shrimp burritos and tacos dorados are fan favorites. On the heels of the closure of El Roy’s Petaluma restaurant in January, El Roy’s announced its new brick-and-mortar restaurant in south Santa Rosa will open soon.
France natives Jean and Anne Costeaux bought a 1920s-era French American bakery in Healdsburg in 1973, changing its name to Costeaux French Bakery. Karl and Nancy Seppi purchased the bakery from them in 1981 with a vision to expand, and Jean taught them the art of bread baking. Ever since, Costeaux French Bakery has been featured in food and travel magazines around the world and won several Harvest Fair medals for its sourdough baguettes, French macaroons, princess cake, the famed cinnamon walnut bread and more.
Along with the original bakery and cafe on Healdsburg Avenue, Costeaux locations include a bakery inside Big John’s Market in Healdsburg, Costeaux On The Go at the Sonoma County Airport and its newest outpost in Petaluma in the Hotel Petaluma. The Seppis’ son, Will Seppi, launched Costeaux’s sister bakery Tía María, named after his aunt Mary who helped his parents start the Costeaux bakery, in 2019 in Roseland. The Mexican panaderia (bakery) menu includes conchas, bolillos, churros, sandwiches and its signature cuatro leches cake.
Locations in Healdsburg, Santa Rosa and Petaluma. costeaux.com
At Costeaux French Bakery in Healdsburg. (Mariah Harkey / Sonoma County Tourism)
Three to four locations
Bianchini’s Sandwich & Salad Market
When Bryan Crane’s mom and step-father, Steve and Deborah Bianchini, were ready to retire from their just two-year-old delicatessen, Crane started working there and decided to purchase the business with a goal to extend its healthy offerings to the greater community. The first Bianchini’s store opened on North McDowell Boulevard in Petaluma in early 2009, and a second store in Santa Rosa opened in 2013. Another Petaluma location opened up in 2016 on South McDowell.
The popular deli boasts a wide variety of salad and sandwich offerings — and customers can create their own or opt for grab-and-go meals and refreshments. There are over a dozen specialty sandwiches to choose from, such as the hotly requested roasted turkey breast with avocado and pesto or the loaded Veggie Delight with house spread.
Born and raised in Mexico, Salvador Cruz left the cabinetry business after 20 years and founded his ice cream business in 2010 on Stony Point Road in Santa Rosa to share his favorite childhood flavors with the community. After two years of success in Roseland, Cruz opened a second location in Petaluma. The third and fourth locations, both in Santa Rosa, followed in 2014 and 2018.
As Fruta expanded, so did its quality cold dessert offerings, including paletas, bionicos, milkshakes, mangonadas, aguas frescas, acai bowls and more. There are also savory dishes, such as esquites and the spicy Takislocos — Takis chips with jicama, cucumber, cueritos (pickled pork rinds) and Japanese peanuts, all sprinkled with tajin and drizzled with chamoy, lime juice and Valentina hot sauce. Our “best ice creams in the county” roundup lists Fruta’s unique and traditional flavors, like mamey, membrillo, rose petal and chongo zamorano. Fan favorite flavors include coconut, guava, strawberry and arroz con leche.
Dean Biersch, a founding partner in Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant in Palo Alto, branched out and opened his tavern/beer garden concept in Sebastopol in 2008. HopMonk Tavern — which has three locations in the area and also owns the 1920s-era Twin Oaks Roadhouse in Penngrove since 2016 — is known for its craft beer, modern pub grub and regular live music performances.
If you’re stopping in for more than a German-style brew, might we recommend the Nashville hot fried chicken? Spicy, juicy fried chicken is dressed with bread and butter pickles, mayo and lettuce between toasted brioche buns, resulting in a mouthwatering union of textures and flavors. The nachos, sliders and samosas are also great dishes to share.
Locations in Sonoma, Sebastopol and Novato. hopmonk.com
At Hopmonk Tavern in Sebastopol. (Sonoma County Tourism)
Mombo’s Pizza
The late pizzaiolo Fred Poulos founded Mombo’s Pizza in 2002 in Santa Rosa, conveniently located near Santa Rosa Junior College, where it’s been feeding authentic New York-style pizza to hungry students for over 20 years. Popularity skyrocketed, and a second location opened in 2005 in Sebastopol, closer to where Poulos lived. Andrew Peletz, who started as general manager of the two pizza shops, purchased the restaurants from Poulos a few months before his death. Peletz opened a long-awaited third Mombo’s in 2022 in Healdsburg, and a fourth location opened later this summer in Cotati.
Mombo’s sells thin-crust pizza whole or by the slice, following New York pizza tradition, along with salads, fries, wings, pasta and desserts. Local favorites include the Mombo Pesto pizza, made with the house’s award-winning pesto sauce, and the Mushroom Cloud pizza with mushroom, onion, garlic, parmesan and pillows of ricotta. Don’t miss the fried raviolis, meatball subs and gelato.
Locations in Santa Rosa, Sebastopol and Healdsburg. mombospizza.com
Acme Burger
After several years cooking French cuisine in high-end restaurants, Culinary Institute of America-trained Todd Kniess moved to Sonoma County and opened Acme Burger in 2019 in Cotati. Using local ingredients, such as Sonoma Mountain Beef and Willie Bird turkey burgers, the quality of Acme Burger’s fare exceeds expectations of what one would predict from an affordable, casual eatery.
In just a few years, the local chain opened up a second location in Santa Rosa in 2021 and a third location at a former gas station in Petaluma in 2022. In September of 2024, Petaluma got its second Acme location, located in the former Flamez Grill.
Another “Best Burger” lister, Acme’s Sonoma Beef Burger is a classic — sporting a fresh seared patty, house sauce, lettuce and tomato between Franco American Bakery sesame seed buns. Make it a combo with a side of shoestring fries and a classic milkshake.
Formerly known as Lala’s Creamery, this go-to Petaluma ice cream parlor opened up additional locations in Forestville and Healdsburg in 2023. (The Healdsburg location also houses Iggy’s Organic Burgers— because what’s more down-home American than burgers and ice cream?)
Angela’s gets a shout-out in our best ice cream lineup for its traditional banana splits as well as more unique flavors like lavender, Earl Grey tea, mojito sorbet and “Pigs in a Cream Blanket.” Our dining editor calls the Iggy burger (at Healdsburg location only) “a delicious take on a classic smash burger.”
Lavender Angela’s Organic ice cream is served in a sugar cone at Iggy’s Organic Burgers on the plaza, Friday in Downtown Healdsburg June 30, 2023. (Chad Surmick / The Press Democrat)
Amy’s Drive Thru
Petaluma-based organic food producer Amy’s Kitchen introduced an all-vegetarian fast food concept to the county when it opened Amy’s Drive Thru in Rohnert Park in 2015, reenvisioning what drive-thru fare could entail. The menu at Amy’s includes pizza, burritos, soups, salads, veggie burgers and other fast food staples, in addition to fan favorites like mac and cheese.
Amy’s veggie burger boasts the title of the “best non-meat burger” on our list of best burgers in the county. For vegans with a sweet tooth, the drive-thru also offers non-dairy shakes and cinnamon rolls. Amy’s currently has three locations, including inside the San Francisco Airport.
Locations in Rohnert Park, Corte Madera and San Francisco. amysdrivethru.com
Restaurateur Mike Atallah and his son Yazen opened their first Cafe Mimosa in Rohnert Park in May 2019, just a month before Atallah closed down his popular Adel’s Restaurant on Santa Rosa’s College Avenue. By early 2020, Atallah opened a second Cafe Mimosa in the renovated Adel’s space, which he purchased in 1986. The modern, brunch-focused eatery quietly opened a third branch, on North McDowell Boulevard in Petaluma, in 2021.
The cafe’s bottomless weekend mimosas and tempting selection of eggs Benedicts and breakfast hashes lend to it being among the best brunch spots around. The fresh berry-topped French toast and chilaquiles in salsa verde also get rave reviews.
Locations in Petaluma, Rohnert Park and Santa Rosa. cafemimosaaa.com
Smoked Salmon Benedict with champagne hollandaise, rosemary house potatoes on an English muffin with a mimosa sampler-from left, mango, blackberry and strawberry-from Cafe Mimosa in Rohnert Park. (photo by John Burgess/The Press Democrat).Cobb Salad with chicken, egg, avocado, smoked bacon, cherry tomatoes, blue cheese and organic mixed baby greens from Cafe Mimosa in Rohnert Park. (photo by John Burgess/The Press Democrat).
Acre Pizza
An offshoot of the old Acre Coffee (now Avid Coffee) — in connection with San Francisco-based Acre Gourmet — owner Steve DeCosse switched gears in February 2020 to open a pizza parlor. The first Acre Pizza opened in The Barlow in Sebastopol, and its New York and Detroit-style pies made with high-quality, local ingredients were a hit. Just a few months later in May, the Acre Coffee on Petaluma Boulevard reopened as an Acre Pizza. After almost a year of construction, a third location opened in Cotati in 2023.
Acre’s deep-dish, Detroit-style pizza received a nod on our best pizza roundup for its crispy crust and melty cheese topped with house marinara. Other favorites include the NY Potato Pizza, with thinly sliced potatoes and leeks and three kinds of cheese, and the Detroit Ranch: pesto and ranch dressing layered over smoked chicken and Sonoma County Meat Co. bacon.
Locations in Petaluma, Cotati and Sebastopol. acrepizza.com
HenHouse Brewing Company
Shane Goepel, Scott Goyne and Collin McDonnell founded HenHouse Brewing in January 2012, first releasing its hand-crafted beers at the Petaluma Market and then on draft at several taprooms. HenHouse began partnering with Petaluma Hills Brewing Company on North McDowell Boulevard in 2014, and it wasn’t until 2016 that HenHouse opened its own brewery and tasting room on Bellevue Avenue in Santa Rosa.
By 2018, the HenHouse founders obtained a lease to operate a taproom at the shuttered (as of 2017) Petaluma Hills location, which they call the “Palace of Barrels.” Already garnering a cult-following at this point, HenHouse opened its third location in Fairfax in 2022, only for it to close late last year. Luckily for Marin County beer lovers, HenHouse’s “Record Room” taproom opened on Grant Avenue in Novato last year and has been receiving high praise.
HenHouse’s limited-release Big Chicken IPA is highly anticipated each year, while its original Oyster Stout, one of the brewery’s earliest and most eclectic ales (brewed with whole oysters), is available all year-round. To complement your frothy lagers, each taproom hosts a lineup of rotating food trucks, including Galvan’s Eatery, Red Horse Pizza and Streetside Asian Grill.
Collin McDonnell, Co-Founder and CEO of Henhouse Brewing Co., in their Santa Rosa brewery and tasting room (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Grateful Bagel
Five people from different parts of the country came together in 1981 to open the Grateful Bagel on Mendocino Avenue in Santa Rosa — Linda Altman, Joan Rashti, Robert Wilson, Michael Kessler and Laurie Winkler. Kessler and Winkler were from the East Coast, according to the first review of the bakery in The Press Democrat on April 17, 1981, and they missed the bagels they were accustomed to. In a year, the bakery was distributing its bagels to delis and grocery stores from San Francisco to Fort Bragg.
By the mid-’80s, the Grateful Bagel had opened a second shop in Sebastopol and a third in east Santa Rosa. A fourth location opened on Keller Street in Petaluma in 1994. Since then, the Petaluma bakery has closed and the Santa Rosa ones changed locations, to Fourth Street and Corporate Center Parkway, but the quaint location in Sebastopol, on 300 S. Main St., is still going strong.
One can’t go wrong with a bagel sandwich for a filling breakfast or lunch. Popular bagel sandos here include the Wild Boar with ham, egg and cheese, and the Loxy Lady with lox, capers, cream cheese, tomato and onions. The cheesy pizza bagels are delightful, whether you take it with a simple cream cheese schmear or stuff it with meat and veggies.
French expats Louis and Alexandra Zandvliet originally opened their bakery in Santa Rosa in 2021 with funds from a Kickstarter campaign. The boulangerie was a wild success, and the couple expanded to Sebastopol in 2023, replacing the former Red Bird Bakery, and then to Petaluma in 2024.
Not only does the bakery have some of the best croissants around, it also offers a lineup of éclairs,cream puffs, butter and ham baguettes, olive bread and dozens of other sweet and savory treats.
Locations in Santa Rosa, Sebastopol and Petaluma. sarmentine.com
Superburger
What started off as a small burger shack on the corner of College and Fourth streets in Santa Rosa in the early 1950s ballooned into one of Sonoma County’s most enduring and treasured burger chains. Superburger now has three locations in the county, churning out char-grilled beef to the masses — though it still crafts made-to-order hamburgers and old-fashioned milkshakes just as it has done for over half a century.
The establishment’s namesake standard, the Cheese Superburger, beats a Big Mac any day — with eight ounces of fresh ground beef under a bed of crisp lettuce, tomatoes, red onions and pickles between toasted local bakery buns. And its St. Helena Ave. Burger, towering with onion rings and thick-cut smoked bacon and drizzled with original barbecue sauce, made it on our list of the best burgers in the county. Don’t forget the crispy shoestring fries and variety of hand-spun milkshakes.
The St. Helena Ave. Burger from Superburger in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Two locations
Old Chicago Pizza
Founded in 1977 and opened the following year by owner Bill Berliner, the Old Chicago Pizza on Petaluma Boulevard North has been serving Chicago-style deep dish pizza for over 40 years. Old Chicago opened a second location in 2020 in Petaluma, a delivery and take-out outpost, located on North McDowell Boulevard.
The deep dish pies earned Old Chicago a spot on our best pizza in the county roundup, and the pizzeria also offers thin crust and new double crust pizza, favored by many locals on Yelp. The pesto garlic bread is another all-around favorite, best accompanied with a personalized deep dish while seated in the 1870s-era flagship building.
Nan Taylor Mishkin, who died in 2010, started Omelette Express in Railroad Square in 1977, and it quickly became a Santa Rosa tradition. Her son Don Taylor has been owner and manager of the establishment since 1987. After 30 years of success in the Railroad Square district, Don and his wife Laura opened up a second location in Windsor. In 2018, they opened a restaurant in Santa Rosa’s “Sister City” Jeju City, on South Korea’s Jeju Island.
The local breakfast and lunch staple has nearly two dozen omelets to choose from on its menu, or you can customize your own, always served with country potatoes and local, fresh baked bread. If omelets aren’t your thing, the menu also includes French toast, eggs Benedict, corned beef hash, burgers, salads and sandwiches.
Marne Dupere and Mike Morisette opened their charming, modern-rustic Plank Coffee shop in 2012 in Cloverdale, offering specialty roasted coffee and organic fare from local farmers. Seven years later, the pair opened their second location in Healdsburg, a cozy, plant-laden spot on Dry Creek Road.
For a quick pick-me-up, a house-roasted Americano and fresh baked pastry (the vegan orange cake pleases just about everyone) is a sure bet. If you have time to linger in the natural setting, enjoy a hearty vegetarian breakfast sandwich with a seasonal latte or organic tea.
Coffee from Plank Coffee in Healdsburg. (Plank Coffee)
Crooked Goat Brewing
In 2016, a group of six friends took their home beer-brewing hobby and turned it into a full-fledged brewery and taproom when they opened Crooked Goat Brewing in The Barlow. The Sebastopol brewpub soon became a dedicated hangout spot for people to enjoy a craft beer flight during a trivia night or while listening to live music on the weekends. Crooked Goat added a second taproom in 2022 in Petaluma, where the crew of co-founders originally started crafting their brews in a small space behind Pete’s Henny Penny.
The Bee Beard honey ale and Grapefruit Ibex IPA are just a few of the favorite beers on tap here. Food at the Sebastopol taproom includes fare from Acre Pizza, Osito Style Tacos and The Farmer’s Wife, plus housemade snacks like jerky and pretzels. At the Petaluma location, patrons can order meals from Acme Burger and Stefano’s Pizza.
Ozzy Jimenez, former Healdsburg mayor, and his partner Christian Sullberg began their endeavor into the dessert scene in 2011 with Moustache Baked Goods in Healdsburg, known for its delectable, scratch-baked cupcakes. Riding the momentum of their bakery’s success, the pair opened a pie and ice cream concept, Noble Folk, in 2014 on Matheson Street. Specializing in pie à la mode and eclectic ice cream flavors — like black sesame, Thai tea and lemon lavender — the shop became a favorite among locals, who excitedly welcomed a second location in 2018 in Santa Rosa.
The unique, rich flavors of Noble Folk’s ice cream alone is reason enough for the shop to lead the pack in our list of best ice cream in the county. And yes, its pie is also on our list of best local pies — try the Dutch apple for a traditional treat, or the peanut butter mousse pie in an Oreo crust for something to please your inner child. Fun, gourmet cupcakes are also still a part of the mix.
After five years of running the Sub Zero Ice Cream franchise spot that she opened in The Barlow in 2013, Jacki Wilson pivoted to fashion her own ice cream shop in 2018, focusing on naturally flavored frozen concoctions. Located in the same Sebastopol hotspot, Wilson’s Two Dog Night Creamery was a hit among those who liked the liquid nitrogen-frozen desserts they came to know and love from Sub Zero, as well as the new flavors and organic, dairy-free offerings. A second location opened a short time later, by 2019, in Windsor’s Bell Village shopping center.
The creamery gets a shoutout in our best ice cream roundup for its smooth, gelato-style ice cream and seasonal flavors using local ingredients, such as the Summer Yuzu or the vegan Key Lime. Favorite classic scoops include the Coffee Heath Bar, Banana Foster Crunch, Mint Oreo and the traditional banana split.
“Strawberry Letter” ice cream cocktail at Nimble and Finn’s. It’s strawberry sorbet with vermouth, elderflower, and champagne, May 18, in Santa Rosa’s Railroad Square (Chad Surmick / The Press Democrat)
Nimble and Finn’s
Sisters Leandra Beaver and Jazmin Hooijer first started hawking artisanal ice cream from a pushcart freezer in 2012, soon supplying local weddings and events with creamy desserts and winning medals at the county’s Harvest Fair. After about three years, the sisters opened their first ice cream shop inside the historic Bank of Guerneville, bringing their tasty, organic innovations to the Guerneville Bank Club. Nimble and Finn’s opened a second location a few years later in Santa Rosa’s Railroad Square district, meanwhile expanding its offerings to ice cream cakes and ice cream cocktails.
Lively flavors like Whiskey Butterscotch and Lavender Honeycomb earned Nimble and Finn’s a spot on our local best ice cream lineup — not to mention the boozy, summertime Strawberry Letter, with Champagne, vermouth, strawberry sorbet and elderflower. The charming shop also offers pie, cookies, floats, ice cream sandwiches and even upscale grilled cheeses.
The first Cafe des Croissant opened on Fourth Street in Santa Rosa by Kenneth E. McGee in 1983, according to public legal notices in The Press Democrat at the time. A second location opened on Marlow Road in 1987, and a third on Lomitas Avenue in 1989. The cafe eventually expanded to Sebastopol, a drive-thru in Rohnert Park and an outpost in Santa Rosa’s Roxy Theater. Since then, ownership has changed hands and all but two of the locations have closed — including the Roxy spot being turned into Nana’s Cafe in early 2024. The Lomitas Avenue and Sebastopol locations remain.
Cafe des Croissant has won local Harvest Fair awards for its flaky croissants and unique muffins, such as ginger or cappuccino. The almond and cinnamon walnut croissants are standouts. The cafe also offers bagels, salads, paninis and breakfast egg sandwiches.
Kevin Munroe, left, and Barb Lang dig weeds at the Garden Volunteer Day, on the first Friday of every month, at the Laguna Environmental Center in Sebastopol. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Earth Day, celebrated annually on April 22 since 1970, is dedicated to raising awareness about environmental issues and inspiring sustainable action to protect our planet.
This year, local cities, nonprofits and businesses across Sonoma County are offering a variety of ways to get involved and make a difference — from eco-friendly festivals and wildflower walks to plant sales and volunteer days in community parks.
Here’s how you can celebrate Earth Day in Sonoma County.
Events
Sonoma Valley Cleanup Day, April 19
Sonoma County Regional Parks is partnering with Rotary Sonoma Springs, Homeless Action Sonoma and Sonoma Ecology Center for two volunteer creek cleanups at Sonoma’s Larson Park and Maxwell Farms Regional Park. Tools and snacks will be provided, but guests are asked to bring their own water, dress in layers and bring sun protection. The cleanups will be from 8:30 a.m. to noon, April 19. To volunteer for the creek cleanup at Larson Park, register here. To volunteer for the creek cleanup at Maxwell Farms, register here. Larson Park, 329 DeChene Ave.; Maxwell Farms, 100 Verano Ave., Sonoma, parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov
Nuestra Voz founder Alejandra Cervantes prepares the Larson Park community garden for spring planting in Boyes Hot Springs. There will be a volunteer creek cleanup at Sonoma’s Larson Park on April 19 to honor the upcoming Earth Day. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)Sonoma Garden Park is a working farm and education center. Along with community garden plots, a native plant nursery and labyrinth, it is a natural hidden gem in Sonoma. Guests sit in the community garden section while visiting Thursday, June 8, 2023. (Chad Surmick / The Press Democrat)
Earth Stewardship Volunteer and Fun Day at Sonoma Garden Park, April 19
The Sonoma Ecology Center will host a free volunteer day from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 19 at Sonoma Garden Park. The event will offer the community an opportunity to get their hands dirty helping in the garden until 11:30 a.m., followed by fun nature-inspired activities and an egg hunt. No experience is necessary. Participants should wear closed-toe shoes and bring garden gloves. RSVP for the event here. Sonoma Garden Park, 19996 Seventh St. E., Sonoma, sonomaecologycenter.org
Earth Day Open House at Laguna Environmental Center, April 19
Join the Laguna Environmental Center for an Earth Day open house from noon to 3 p.m. at the center. The event will include a guided tour of the center’s native plant garden, at 1 or 2 p.m., along with a native plant sale. There will also be opportunities for bird-watching on the observation deck and a last chance to see the art exhibit, “Sonoma Impressions,” at Heron Hall Art Gallery. Activities for children include a play area with a living willow tunnel and a nature-inspired craft station. Reservations are not required, but donations are welcome on Eventbrite. 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa, 707-527-9277, lagunafoundation.org
Kevin Munroe, left, and Barb Lang dig weeds at the Garden Volunteer Day at the Laguna Environmental Center in Sebastopol. The Laguna Environmental Center will hold an Earth Day open house from noon to 3 p.m., April 19. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)Sugarloaf Ridge State Park will host two Earth Day wildflower walks, on April 19 and April 22. (Darryl Bush / For The Press Democrat)
Earth Day Wildflower Walks at Sugarloaf, April 19 and 22
In collaboration with Sonoma Ecology Center, Sugarloaf Ridge State Park will host two Earth Day wildflower walks. The first — from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., April 19 — will join Certified California Naturalist John Lynch on a stroll along Vista Trail’s manzanita forests and seasonal pond via Lower Bald Mountain and returning to the White Barn (the starting point) on Meadow Trail. Sugarloaf’s evening wildflower walk, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., April 22, will also meet at the White Barn for a 2-mile hike with 250-foot elevation gain. Tickets are $10 for general admission, $5 for youth 12-17 and free for children under 12. Purchase tickets for the April 19 event here and for the April 22 event here. Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, 2605 Adobe Canyon Road, Kenwood, 707-833-5712, sugarloafpark.org
The Russian Riverkeeper will host an Earth Day cleanup of the Lower Russian River Watershed from 9-11 a.m., starting at Sunset Beach off River Road in Forestville. All supplies will be provided and there will be free parking available. Sign up online. Sunset Beach, 11403 River Road, Forestville, russianriverkeeper.org
The Russian Riverkeeper will host an Earth Day cleanup of the Lower Russian River Watershed on April 22, starting at Sunset Beach off River Road in Forestville. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)
Earth Day at Montage Healdsburg, April 22
Montage Healdsburg will host two Earth Day events April 22. At 11 a.m., the resort’s outdoor recreation hub Compass Sports will host a hike starting among heritage oaks at the 155-acre Healdsburg Ridge Open Space Preserve. Reservations are required and exclusively available to resort guests. The hike is $55 per guest. Book online. At the resort’s Spa Montage, there will be an Earth Day sound bath meditation experience starting at 4:30 p.m., available to resort guests and those 16 and older. The transformative wellness session will include reflective journaling. Reservations are required; book online. 100 Montage Way, Healdsburg, 707-979-9000, montage.com/healdsburg
Earth Day Bioblitz with Sonoma Land Trust, April 22
Sonoma Land Trust will host an “Earth Day Bioblitz“ from 4-6 p.m. on the Santa Rosa Southeast Greenway by Montgomery High School. The event will kick off with a brief orientation, followed by a presentation from guest speaker Sarah Reid, who will demonstrate how to use the iNaturalist app and share tips for capturing great photos for species identification. Afterward, participants are invited to explore the Greenway, photographing and documenting the nature they discover. The event is free, but space is limited — reserve your spot on Eventbrite. Southeast Greenway, 1370 Yulupa Ave., Santa Rosa. 707-526-6930, sonomalandtrust.org
Earth Day Trash Cleanup in Windsor, April 22
To help protect local creeks and the Russian River, the Town of Windsor’s Storm Water Quality Program will host two free community trash cleanup events from 4-5:30 p.m., April 22. One event will start at the corner park near Victory and Hembree lanes, and the other at the picnic tables near Market Street and McClelland Drive. Meet at one of the designated locations to pick up safety vests, trash pickers, gloves and bags. Participants will receive a free gift and snacks. Sign up for the Victory and Hembree cleanup on Eventbrite, and for the Market Street and McClelland Drive cleanup on Eventbrite. Windsor, 707-838-5385, stormwater@townofwindsor.com
Sonoma State University’s Biology Graduate Students Club will host an Earth Day plant sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., April 22-24, in the Darwin Lobby. A variety of plants will be available, including some hand-grown selections from club members and offerings from local shops. 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park, sonoma.edu
Earth Day in the City of Sonoma, April 22-26
Sonoma’s 55th annual Earth Day celebration will include a “Hidden Gems” Photography Contest and a Green Business of the Year Award to recognize a sustainable local business. Winners of the photo contest and Green Business of the Year Award will be announced April 22. One of Sonoma’s Earth Day community events includes a film screening of the documentary “The Last of the Nightingales” from 1-2:30 p.m., April 26, at Sebastiani Theatre (476 First St. E.). The City of Sonoma website has virtual learning activities for people to test their ecology knowledge. Sonoma, 707-339-2534, sonomacity.org
Climate Action Night at SRJC, April 24
Santa Rosa Junior College will host its annual Climate Action Night from 5-7 p.m. April 24 in the Bertolini Student Center. The event aims to educate the public on taking action for local ecological sustainability and climate justice. College and high school students will present in a science fair-style format, sharing information and helping attendees learn how to contact elected officials in support of environmental legislation. Topics will include agricultural composting, climate-friendly transportation, geothermal energy development and more. RSVP for Climate Action Night here. 1501 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa, climateactionnight.com
Giraffe family at Safari West in Santa Rosa. Sonoma’s Serengeti will host an Earth Day celebration from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., April 26. (John Burgess)
Earth Day at Safari West, April 26
Sonoma’s Serengeti will host an Earth Day celebration from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., April 26. Enjoy a safari adventure and meet over 40 conservation groups from the Bay Area and beyond on the lawn, where you will learn about California’s flora and fauna. Special guests include members from Pepperwood Preserve, River Otter Ecology Project, Stewards of the Coasts and Redwoods, The Bird Rescue Center of Sonoma County and East Bay Vivarium (who will bring live animals). Guests are encouraged to dress as their favorite animal. 3115 Porter Creek Road, Santa Rosa, 707-579-2551, safariwest.com
Earth Day Festival at Courthouse Square, April 26
The City of Santa Rosa will host its annual Earth Day Festival from noon to 4 p.m. on April 26 at Old Courthouse Square. The free festival will include over 50 exhibitors, kids’ crafts and activities, a beer and wine garden, a live performing arts showcase and local eco-friendly products. Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition will provide free bike parking and local buses will be free all Earth Day. Courthouse Square in Santa Rosa, srcity.org
Volunteers at the City of Santa Rosa’s Earth Day event, this year scheduled for April 26. (City of Santa Rosa)
Circuit Rider Earth Day Celebration, April 27
Local nonprofit Circuit Rider will host an Earth Day celebration from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., April 27, at its Ecological Center in Windsor. The event will include educational workshops and hands-on activities, such as native plant potting and DIY bee houses. There will also be refreshments as well as a raffle and silent auction to support youth-led ecological projects. Email karina.zappa@circuitridercs.org to learn more or RSVP. 9619 Old Redwood Highway, Windsor, 707-838-6641, circuitridercs.org
Volunteer
Sonoma County is home to a wealth of parks, preserves, and environmental organizations that offer volunteer opportunities year round. Tasks range from trail restoration to litter cleanup and invasive plant removal.
Here’s where you can volunteer your time this Earth Day — and beyond — across the county.
Daily Acts: Petaluma-based nonprofit with a holistic approach toward environmental health with a mission to inspire transformative action to create climate resilient communities. 707-789-9664, dailyacts.org/volunteer
Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation: Santa Rosa nonprofit focused on restoring and conserving the Laguna de Santa Rosa and surrounding wetlands. 707-527-9277, lagunafoundation.org/volunteer.html
LandPaths: Santa Rosa-based organization dedicated to fostering a love of the land in Sonoma County through stewardship and outdoor experiences. 707-544-7284, landpaths.org/participate
Pepperwood Preserve: Santa Rosa biological preserve with a mission to inspire conservation and care of the earth through science. 707-591-9310, pepperwoodpreserve.org/volunteer
Russian Riverkeeper: Healdsburg-based nonprofit dedicated to protecting the Russian River. 707-433-1958, russianriverkeeper.org/volunteer
Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District: Ag + Open Space works to protect the county’s open spaces, agricultural lands and natural resources. 707-565-7360, sonomaopenspace.org/get-involved/volunteer-patrol
Sonoma County Conservation Action: Grassroots political organizing group working to ensure there’s environmental representation in Sonoma County government. 707-571-8566, conservationaction.org/get-involved
Sonoma County Regional Parks: More than 50 parks and beaches across the county offering camping, hiking and biking trails, bird watching, horseback riding, swimming and fishing to the public. 707-565-3356, parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov/learn/support/volunteer
Sonoma Land Trust: Santa Rosa-based nonprofit organization working to conserve scenic, natural, agricultural and open landscapes for the future generations of Sonoma County. 707-526-6930, sonomalandtrust.org/outings
Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods: Nonprofit environmental organization working with California State Parks in the Russian River District to cultivate land stewardship, establish environmental education programs and restore local natural habitats. 707-869-9177, stewardscr.org/volunteer-opportunities
Find more local organizations and nonprofits to volunteer with or donate to on the Sonoma County Conservation Council’s directory of environmental groups.
Celebrate Earth Day in your own backyard by planting native plants to connect with nature and aid pollinators. There’s an abundance of farms and nurseries in Sonoma County where you can get plants and seeds, gardening supplies, boxes of sustainably sourced produce and more.
The entrance to the Spyglass treehouse in Occidental. (Jayson Carpenter)
Nestled among towering redwoods in western Sonoma County, the Spectacular Spyglass Treehouse in Occidental has earned the title of California’s most wish-listed Airbnb, part of the vacation rental platform’s roundup of top-trending stays in each U.S. state.
Perched high in the forest canopy, the Spyglass Treehouse — designed and built by Artistree Home — offers guests the rare chance to sleep among the redwoods without sacrificing luxury.
The one-bedroom retreat features a king-size bed, high-speed Wi-Fi, floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic forest views, a cedar hot tub and an indoor infrared sauna.
The Spyglass treehouse in Occidental brings guests up close to the forest. (Jayson Carpenter)
Inside, the treehouse incorporates reclaimed wood, handcrafted furnishings and modern amenities, including a fully equipped kitchenette and rainfall shower. Each guest is welcomed with spa slippers, silk eye masks and gourmet chocolates. Guests can also opt for the “Cozy Night In” package, which includes spa bathrobes, hot chocolate and a bottle of organic Sonoma County red wine or Champagne.
The bathroom in Artistree’s Spyglass treehouse in Occidental boasts an infrared sauna (pictured) and a deck with a cedar hot tub. (Jayson Carpenter)Artistree’s Spyglass treehouse in Occidental is outfitted with a cedar hot tub overlooking the forest. (Jayson Carpenter)
The treehouse accommodates two guests, with nightly rates starting at $770, depending on the season and availability.
The Spyglass Treehouse is minutes from forest and coastal hikes, charming restaurants and quirky art galleries. For those seeking a similar stay, a sister property — the Sonoma Spyglass — is located nearby in Sebastopol.
To learn more or book a stay, visit the Spyglass Treehouse listing here.
A classic muffuletta sandwich by Bayou On The Bay during the Petaluma Music Festival’s 11th annual Mardi Gras Party at Lagunitas Brewing Co. Taproom and Sanctuary in Petaluma Tuesday, March 4, 2025. (Erik Castro / For The Press Democrat)
Following a strong start on April 16 and 17 with their Gumbo and Grits Get Together, their April 30 and May 1 dinners will feature Cajun tamales. Look for ongoing dinners that will (hopefully) include their farmers market mainstays, such as gumbo, po’boys, beignets and Cal-Cajun twists like blackened catfish tacos, barbecued mac and cheese and Bayou burgers.
The dinners are from 5-8 p.m. at 208 Davis St. in Santa Rosa. Follow chefs Bradley and Mandy Wildridge at instagram.com/bayou.onthebay.
Bradley Wildridge of Bayou On The Bay. The popular Cajun pop-up will be hosting dinners at Marla in Santa Rosa. (Erik Castro / for The Press Democrat)A new Mi Pueblo restaurant will open at the former Sonoma Burger in Sebastopol in May. The restaurant is part of a familiar chain of Northern California Mexican restaurants in Cotati, Petaluma, Santa Rosa and Windsor. (Alvin Jornada / For The Press Democrat, 2013)
New Sebastopol Mexican Spot
A new Mi Pueblo restaurant will open at the former Sonoma Burger in May. Located at 173 Pleasant Hill Ave. N., the restaurant is part of a familiar chain of Northern California Mexican restaurants in Cotati, Petaluma, Santa Rosa and Windsor. No opening date has been announced.
The Wurst restaurant in Healdsburg. (Heather Irwin/The Press Democrat)
Navigating the Healdsburg food scene can be perilous for new restaurant owners. Locals have strong feelings about the lack of affordable, family-friendly restaurants in the upscale tourist mecca, while restaurant owners face steep rents and skyrocketing food costs that can easily break them.
The new owners of The Burrow (formerly The Wurst) are trying to straddle the line with their forthcoming restaurant — and after seeing a draft of the menu, things look hopeful.
David Baeli and his wife, Elise (a Healdsburg local), are transforming the longtime burger and sausage palace into a casual café with approachable yet inspired appetizers, salads and sandwiches, a handful of entrées and a weekend brunch menu. The couple also focuses on a strong craft beer selection with “only independent-certified brewers.”
The outdoor seating area at Healdsburg restaurant The Wurst off Matheson Street. The Wurst will become The Burrow in May. (Sonoma County Tourism)
This isn’t their first restaurant rodeo. David Baeli co-owned Hops and Hominy in San Francisco, known for its Southern-style cuisine (now closed). The couple moved north for a more family-centered life and now have a 3-year-old (the chief taste-tester for the kids’ menu). Baeli hopes to open the new restaurant in May. Follow their progress at theburrowhb.com or instagram.com/theburrow_healdsburg.
The Wurst will continue as a catering operation under former owner Melissa McDowell. Stay tuned for more details. 22 Matheson St., Healdsburg.
Ellen Cavalli of Tilted Shed Ciderworks will pour new releases at Petaluma’s Cider Circus. (Tilted Shed Ciderworks)
The circus is coming to town — but instead of trapeze artists and animal acts, this show features local craft ciders alongside big top-style entertainment, from circus-themed kids’ activities to a roller-skating clown.
“We love that cider is such an important and unique local product,” said Emily Weber, who co-founded the event with Nina Kravetz. “We just wanted to offer a new festival that has a different focus and give the cider makers a place to really shine.”
Natural wine and cider festival founders Emily Weber, left, and Nina Kravetz. (Marielle V. Chua/Courtesy Big West Wine Fest)
Cider Circus will showcase dozens of minimal-intervention ciders from Sonoma County and beyond, including North American Press, Old World Winery, Eye Cyder and Two Shepherds. The festival will have a family-friendly carnival vibe, with performances by Tumbleweed the Clown and Ears of Maize, plus juggling, face painting, music and food, from carnival fare to fresh oysters. Plus, The Floathouse will offer kayak and paddleboat rentals.
Bottles of Eye Cyder in Sebastopol on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)Ellen Cavalli of Tilted Shed Ciderworks will pour new releases at Petaluma’s Cider Circus. (Tilted Shed Ciderworks)
Windsor’s Tilted Shed Ciderworks is working on a new cider to debut at Cider Circus, and owner Ellen Cavalli will be pouring her famous nonalcoholic Gravenstein cider at the festival. To Cavalli, Cider Circus isn’t just a fun day out. Supporting local cider producers is a great way to help keep Sonoma County’s apple farms in business — more important now than ever, she said, as local growers face the impending departure of Manzana Apple Products, the region’s last apple cannery.
“As the Sonoma County apple community continues to experience daunting challenges, I think it’s even more crucial that the public prioritize supporting local cider producers, so that we can help keep our apple industry alive and thriving.”
Tickets for Cider Circus are $45 at bigwestwinefest.com. Starting in late April, you can also snag tickets for Big West Wine Fest, which returns to Guerneville’s Solar Punk Farms June 14-15 and typically sells out quickly. If you’re a fan of small-production natural wines, don’t wait too long to opt in.
Strawberry galettes from baker Lee Magner of Sonoma Mountain Breads, available on Sundays at Valley Swim Club in Sonoma. (Lee Magner / Sonoma Mountain Breads)
You might expect pastries this incredible to be served at a fancy restaurant in the city. But in Sonoma, such treasures can be found each Saturday at an indie-minded farmstand along a winding two-lane mountain road.
Baker Lee Magner of Sonoma Mountain Breads got his start selling sourdough to his neighbors and recently launched a second retail setup on Sundays at Sonoma’s Valley Swim Club. For these pretty spring galettes, Magner macerates Stony Point strawberries in brown sugar, then lays them on a bed of almond cream in a rustic whole-grain dough. A final sprinkling of turbinado sugar brings extra crunch.
Strawberry galettes from baker Lee Magner of Sonoma Mountain Breads, available on Sundays at Valley Swim Club in Sonoma. (Lee Magner / Sonoma Mountain Breads)
“This project has been such a great way to be catapulted into the beauty of what Sonoma County has to offer,” says Magner, who this spring will also be baking pistachio-praline French pastries and savory miso-roasted spring-onion bear claws — “like elevated sour cream and onion potato chips,” Magner says.
At Valley Swim Club, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sundays. 18709 Arnold Drive, Sonoma. For info on the Saturday farmstand, sign up at sonomamountainbreads.com.
Produce at Tenfold Farmstand in Petaluma. (Tenfold Farmstand)
Nothing beats meeting your farmer at their place of business. At a roadside farmstand or on a local farm tour, you can learn about soil health, paint with watercolors, or maybe even feed the goats. Here’s our ultimate guide to where to head and what to seek out this spring.
Tomato Central
Farmer Lazaro Calderon has been growing on the 6-acre downtown Sonoma plot known as The Patch for 25 years — it’s a must-visit for summer’s heirloom tomatoes. 250 Second St., Sonoma. 707-849-7384, instagram.com/thepatch_sonoma
Demonstration Farm
Veronda-Falletti Ranch an urban demonstration farm owned by the City of Cotati, is launching a new vegetable garden this year, with lots of opportunities for the community to participate — from volunteer days to composting classes to sheep-shearing demonstrations and a farm education program for the under-12 set. The farm produces fresh eggs, blackberries, figs and pears. 175 West Sierra Ave., Cotati. 707-6645347, sandyloam.org
Guests visit the Dry Creek Peach and Produce farmstand and chat with owner Gayle Sullivan west of Healdsburg, Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. The farmstand is located on the Sullivans’ property. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)Dry Creek Peach and Produce owner Gayle Sullivan puts peaches on display on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023, west of Healdsburg. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
World-Famous Peaches
Tuck this one away for summer: the organic peaches atDry Creek Peach & Produce outside Healdsburg are the best around. It’s worth the trip to buy straight from the farm, which opens Wednesdays at noon and often sells out.2179 Yoakim Bridge Road, Healdsburg. drycreekpeach.com
A Legendary U-Pick
Front Porch Farm
This organic produce and flower farm is nestled along the Russian River, just 10 minutes from downtown Healdsburg. Founded in 2010 by Peter and Mimi Buckley, the 110-acre farm emerged from the couple’s desire to leave the corporate world and embrace meaningful, hands-on work.
“Using your energy to grow food and flowers is engaging at every level,” Peter says. “Science, community, beauty and wonder are all at play… In the time of AI, the mysteries of soil biology and plant physiology remain [yet] to be fully understood.”
At Front Porch Farm in Healdsburg. (Eileen Roche)
With conservation and ecological stewardship at its core, Front Porch grows a diverse range of vegetables, heritage grains, fruit trees, wine grapes and more than 60 varieties of specialty cut flowers. (SingleThread in Healdsburg and Catelli’s in Geyserville both feature floral designs from Front Porch Farm.)
Front Porch sells its produce and flowers at local farmers markets and hosts U-pick events on select open house days on the farm in summer and early fall. U-pick participants can go into the field to select their own flowers, blackberries, tomatoes, fairytale eggplants and other organic favorites. This year, the farm is adding a series of hands-on floral design workshops. 2550 Rio Lindo Ave., Healdsburg. 707-433-8683, fpfarm.com
Nourishing Communities of Color
EARTHseed Farm
Pandora Thomas, founder of EARTHseed Farm in Sebastopol, on Saturday, July 24, 2021. (Beth Schlanker/The Press Democrat)
Pandora Thomas founded EARTHseed, California’s first Afro-Indigenous permaculture farm, in 2021 with a vision to create a place where people of color can reclaim their relationship to the land. The 14-acre farm and orchard honors African ancestral agricultural traditions and the African principle of sankofa — understanding the past in order to move forward. With a deep connection to nature and a focus on community nourishment and education, the organic, solar-powered farm cultivates thousands of fruit trees, along with raspberries and blackberries.
From June to November, the farm is open certain days for U-pick and farm tours. The farm store has seasonal fruits, handmade herbal products, fragrant bundles of sage and lavender, and African baskets. Retreats, group tours and the BlakCamp farmstay experience offer opportunities for engagement and education, prioritizing people of African descent and other communities of color. 3175 Sullivan Road, Sebastopol. 707-829-0617, earthseedfarm.org
Grow Your Own
Miranda Forni harvests Brandywine tomatoes at Forni Farm and Nursery in Santa Rosa, Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)Brandywine and Pineapple tomatoes at Forni Farm and Nursery in Santa Rosa, Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)
Miranda Forni is the fifth generation in her family to farm. Her parents ran a legendary nursery in Calistoga (food critic Mimi Sheraton called her parents’ Great Syrian tomato one of the foundational tastes of her career), and now Forni’s own two daughters help out at her 3-acre business. Forni Farm and Nursery is a destination for healthy, strong veggie starts, spread out on wide tables in the shade of a heritage oak. Forni also runs a gardening camp for kids in summer and a pumpkin patch in fall. Opens for the season March 27. 4000 Barnes Road, Santa Rosa. 707-595-5404, fornifarm.com
Chicken Headquarters
If you have chickens, you may already know about the wonderland that is Sebastopol’s Alchemist Farm, where Franchesca Duval and her family raise rare breeds with love and care. Chicks are available February-September, including Olive Eggers, speckled-egg Welsummers and the farm’s own Alchemist Blues. Duval teaches online classes and hosts a live chat about chicken keeping. The farm isn’t open to visitors to protect the health of the flock, but preorders of baby chicks can be picked up from the farmstand. alchemistfarm.com
Sebastopol’s Alchemist Farm and Garden specializes in laying hens that produce a variety of colored eggs. (The Press Democrat, file)Locally raised produce from Penngrove’s Deep Roots Farm. (Deep Roots Farm)
Lessons in Ag
As a 10-year-old, Christopher Herrera of Deep Roots Farm in Penngrove sold veggies after school in front of his house; now he’s feeding an entire community and engaging the public in the lessons of regenerative agriculture. There’s an honor farmstand plus u-pick days and farm dinners in the field. Last summer, they even hosted a pig roast. 7000 Petaluma Hill Road, Penngrove. sonomafarmfresh.com
From Sheep to Shawl
Windrush Farm
Mimi Luebbermann was looking for a quiet, peaceful place to retreat and write books about gardening when she happened upon an idyllic 25-acre property among the green pastures of rural Chileno Valley. She’d grown up with sheep, and she knew how to knit and spin wool. So, the author reasoned, why not start a sheep farm?
Luebbermann founded Windrush Farm in 1995. With help from her son Arann Harris, she has expanded the operation into an educational hub for children and adults to learn about farm life and fiber arts.
Spring’s rolling green hills at Windrush Farm in Petaluma, where guests can experience farm life and explore fiber arts. (Paige Green / Courtesy Windrush Farm)Guests can explore fiber arts at Windrush Farm in Petaluma. (Paige Green / Courtesy Windrush Farm)
Windrush offers a variety of fiber classes using wool from the farm’s own sheep. Workshops take place in a charming barn-turned-classroom, covering everything from shearing to spinning to dyeing. For the Fleece to Garment series, participants create their own clothing items from scratch and then present them in the farm’s annual spring fashion show.
One year, Luebbermann recalls, a woman even attempted to knit her own wedding dress. “It’s a gala event,” she says. “Everybody brings friends and family, and past students come. It’s a great celebration.” Non-crafty types can book group farm tours to learn about wool production and meet the resident sheep, goats, alpacas, llamas, pigs and chickens. 2263 Chileno Valley Road, Petaluma. windrushfarm.wordpress.com
At Flatbed Farm in Glen Ellen. (Eileen Roche/For Sonoma Magazine)A variety of pickled vegetables for sale at Flatbed Farm near Glen Ellen on Tuesday, July 27, 2021. (Christopher Chung/ The Press Democrat)
Stock the Pantry
Known for their pantry items — pickles, jam, shrubs and syrups — plus fresh flowers, produce and veggie starts, Glen Ellen’s Flatbed Farm also hosts yoga classes and art and wellness retreats. 13450 Highway 12, Glen Ellen. flatbedfarm.com
Giving Back
Created to combat food insecurity in the community, Petaluma Bounty Farm grows vegetables, fruits and flowers on a 3-acre ranch just north of town. The farmstand, open Thursdays from May to December, sells produce and blooms on a sliding scale, and discounts are available to those in need. The nonprofit farm is open to the public for volunteering, field trips, educational programs, gardening events, plant sales and more. 55 Shasta Ave., Petaluma. 707-765-8488, petalumabounty.org
A strawberry at Petaluma Bounty Farm on Shasta Avenue. (Crissy Pascual / Petaluma Argus-Courier)Lavender at Bees N Blooms in Santa Rosa. (Sierra Downey/Sonoma County Tourism)
Lavender Days
Santa Rosa’s Bees N Blooms is probably best known for its lavender maze, at its height mid-May to mid-July. But this 11-acre garden and farmstand also has a strong educational mission, with classes in healthy soils, beekeeping, and building pollinator habitat. 3883 Petaluma Hill Road, Santa Rosa. 707-293-8293, beesnblooms.com
Spiritual Connection
Starcross Family Confraternity Farm
Set on 92 acres in the coastal hills of Annapolis, this organic farm is part of the Starcross Monastic Community. The serene setting is also home to fruit orchards and two expansive olive groves.
Starcross formed in the 1970s when Toby McCarroll, Marti Aggeler, and Julie DeRossi took monastic vows and moved from San Francisco to rural Sonoma County. There, they created a sanctuary for spiritual reflection and sustainable farming while raising foster children.
The community’s focus eventually shifted away from fostering, and now, Starcross supports itself by producing and selling Sister Julie’s Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil and operating a food pantry.
Olive leaf tea, olive oil and blackberry jam at Starcross Family Confraternity Farm in Annapolis. (Courtesy Starcross)
“Farming and caring for our land are constant reminders of how we are all interconnected,” says Starcross operations manager Allison Lovell. “It allows us to live in harmony with the rhythms of the seasons.”
Along with cold-pressed olive oil, the Starcross honor-system farmstand — open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. — sells jams, plum syrup, pickles, dried herbs, and lavender-infused body products. Starcross also hosts weekly meditation circles and invites visitors to explore the grounds on self-guided tours. 34500 Annapolis Road, Annapolis. 707-886-1919, starcross.org
Multigenerational Gem
Oak Hill Farm
Otto and Anne Teller — passionate land conservationists and early adopters of organic agriculture — founded Oak Hill Farm in 1978. Spanning 700 acres in Glen Ellen, the farm now rests in the capable hands of Anne’s daughters Arden and Kate Bucklin, along with granddaughter Melissa Bucklin-Good and her husband Jimi Good.
The garlic haul at Oak Hill Farm in Glen Ellen. (Oak Hill Farm)
“Farming is a long-term investment of labor and money, and the rewards are often in the form of stability, satisfaction, and sustainability, rather than financial,” says Bucklin-Good. “As the benefactor of the investments of previous generations, my husband and I are incredibly grateful to have been able to hit the ground running rather than starting from scratch.”
The family’s Red Barn Store, set in a rustic century-old barn among rolling vegetable and flower fields, offers an array of sustainably grown fruits, heirloom vegetables and flower bouquets — all picked daily — plus handmade wreaths and organic nut butters.
The store is open Wednesdays and Saturdays April through December, and on the first Saturday of those months, Oak Hill offers free, family-friendly guided farm tours, focusing on a different topic each season, from cover crops to farm machinery to local bird populations. 15101 Highway 12, Glen Ellen. 707-996-6643, oakhillfarm.net
Green Mbombo beans from Africa at Four Oak Farm in Santa Rosa. (Four Oak Farm)
Beans from Africa
While not exactly a farmstand, Dan Woloz of Four Oak Farm in Santa Rosa has built a thriving business selling unusual seeds and starts — green Mbombo beans from Africa, harlequin potatoes, crosnes, red sunchokes — online via his Etsy site (etsy.com/shop/FourOak) and at the weekly Sebastopol farmers market. “I’m a collector at heart,” says Woloz. “It’s very interesting to see what nature can produce.” fouroakfarm.com
Art Sundays
Covering 5 acres of the original Barlow orchards in Sebastopol, Emmanuel Farmstead grows apples plums, cherries, peaches, pomegranates, and almonds. Visitors can meet the farm’s friendly mini-horses and try an Art Sunday crafting session, sound bathing and a guided meditation. 1406 Barlow Lane, Sebastopol. 925-683-5454, emmanuelfarmstead.com
Easter Eggs
Petaluma’s Farm Barn is a tiny, rural farmstand operated on the honor system, with duck and chicken eggs, honey, jam and crafts. Owner Debra Shaw has lived on the farm all her life, as has her father, now in his 80s. On April 13, Shaw will host an Easter egg hunt in the fields with hand-dyed eggs, arts and crafts, and visits with the animals. 2910 Pepper Road, Petaluma. 707-318-7495, facebook.com/tworockeggs
On April 13, Farm Barn in Petaluma will host an Easter egg hunt in the fields featuring arts and crafts like hand-dyed eggs. (AlessandraRC / Shutterstock)Gold Ridge Organic Farms owner Brooke Hazen focuses on antique heirloom apples on the Sebastopol property. Photo taken Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Apple Blossoms
Farmer Brooke Hazen’s Gold Ridge Organic Farms has 16 acres of heritage apples (over 75 varieties) and a 70-acre olive orchard. The farm store carries fruit, olive oil, vinegar, and an apple cider syrup that’s delicious on pancakes and vanilla ice cream. April 26 and 27 is Apple Blossom Festival weekend — a wonder of spring sights and sounds. 3387 Canfield Road, Sebastopol. 707-823-3110, goldridgeorganicfarms.com
Schoolhouse to Farm
Tenfold Farmstand is the only farmstand we know of located in a landmark historic schoolhouse — a must-visit in rural Petaluma. Owner Catherine Clark has created a welcoming hub for local farmers and artists, including Instagram-famous baker Mary Denham of Blooms End at Neighboring Fields. Check the website and bring your little ones for art classes, music or story hour inside the schoolhouse. 5300 Red Hill Road, Petaluma. tenfoldfarmstand.com
The 1895 Union Elementary School in rural Petaluma is now a seasonal farmstand and community gathering spot, spearheaded by Tenfold Farmstand owner Catherine Clark. (Tenfold Farmstand)Blooms End at Neighboring Fields, a bakery popup at Tenfold Farmstand in Petaluma. (Tenfold Farmstand)
One-Stop Farm Shop
Rusty Hinges Ranch
This farm just outside downtown Petaluma is on a mission to make it easier for people to access local, regeneratively grown food. Founded in 2018 by Suzanne and Jim Kimbel, Rusty Hinges partners with local farmers and artisan food producers to offer fresh produce, meats, pantry staples, dairy products and other farm-fresh ingredients.
The idea behind Rusty Hinges, says Suzanne Kimbel, is to cultivate a healthier planet and healthier people through the power of real food. “Small farms grow more than food,” she says. “They grow community, connection, and the soul of Sonoma County.”
Rusty Hinges Ranch in Petaluma hosts an open house on the second Saturday of the month. Its farm market is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays. (Rusty Hinges Ranch)Rusty Hinges partners with local farmers and artisan food producers to offer fresh produce, meats, pantry staples, dairy products and other farm-fresh ingredients. (Rusty Hinges Ranch)
Among the ranch’s signature offerings are its weekly Real Meal Bundles, available for pickup or local delivery. Each kit includes seasonal fruits and vegetables, a pastured protein from the ranch or from one of its partner farms, and a recipe for transforming the ingredients into a delicious meal.
On the second Saturday of each month, Rusty Hinges opens to the community for a day of outdoor yoga, clothing swaps, a guest coffee roaster and visits with the farm’s donkeys, chickens, goats and pigs. Families are welcome to picnic and explore. The Rusty Hinges farm market opens on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons each week. 212 Chileno Valley Road, Petaluma. rustyhingesranch.com
Volunteer Movement
Sonoma Garden Park is a community agricultural park with an expanded children’s garden, plus a Saturday farmstand. Drop-in volunteer gardening hours are from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. 19996 Seventh St. E., Sonoma. 707-966-0712, sonomaecologycenter.org/sonomagardenpark
Sonoma Garden Park is working farm and education center. Guests sit in the community garden section while visiting Thursday, June 8, 2023. (Chad Surmick / The Press Democrat)Baby goats at Redwood Hill Farm – Capracopia in Sebastopol. (Eileen Roche/for Sonoma Magazine)
Baby Goats
Spring is baby-goat petting season at Redwood Hill Farm/Capracopia in Sebastopol, where visitors can snuggle up to knobby-kneed newborns on a tour that also teaches about regenerative farming and cheesemaking. A small farmstand offers olive oil, goat milk soaps and flowers. 5440 Thomas Road, Sebastopol. redwoodhillfarm.org
Dried Wonders
Tierra Vegetables
Sonoma County farms are sometimes found in delightfully unexpected locations. Just off Airport Boulevard, not far from the freeway and directly adjacent to a suburban neighborhood, Tierra Vegetables grows an incredible variety of heirloom dried beans and corn, produce, fresh and dried chiles, masa, polenta and more.
Brother and sister Wayne and Lee James founded the farm together in 1980, and for over 40 years, they’ve dedicated their lives to cultivating a unique variety of crops while forging close ties with the community. That deep level of connection became a lifeline after the 2017 Tubbs fire, when the farm experienced a series of setbacks, including a broken well pump and irrigation issues that threatened the viability of their business. That’s when a loyal CSA member stepped in to create a GoFundMe campaign, which quickly raised $70,000 to keep Tierra afloat.
Tierra Vegetables owner Wayne, left, and Lee James in their Santa Rosa barn July 21, 2022. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Though the James siblings — now in their 70s — are in the process of trying to purchase their leased farm property so they can find a successor to take over the business, Tierra Vegetables remains a vibrant part of Sonoma County’s farming scene. “I have now fed a couple of generations of families,” Lee says. “It feels good.”
The Tierra Vegetables farmstand, open Thursdays through Saturdays year-round, features seasonal vegetables from asparagus to zucchini, handmade culinary gifts, and the farm’s acclaimed masa and polenta made from heirloom corn.
Visitors can also take a self-guided tour to learn about Tierra’s sustainable farming practices and environmental stewardship. 651 Airport Blvd., Santa Rosa. 707-544-6141, tierravegetables.com
Farmstead Focused
Achadinha Cheese Company
The Pacheco family of Petaluma’s Achadinha Farms, a top farmstead cheese producer. (Sonoma County Tourism)
This family cheesemaking operation (pronounced osh-a-DEENya) is named for the town in Portugal’s Azores islands where co-founder and third-generation dairyman Jim Pacheco’s grandfather milked cows. Pacheco, along with his wife Donna and their four children, milk 100 Jersey cows — known affectionately as “the girls” — and raise Nubian goats, sheep, and other animals on their 230-acre ranch in Petaluma.
Achadinha is known for its farmstead cheeses, including such offerings as feta in sea salt brine, fromage blanc, and broncha, a cow milk cheese ripened on cypress planks. The diets of the family’s pasture-raised cows, which include nutritious brewers’ grain and yeast from local beer producers, impart subtle differences to the cheeses from season to season, depending on what the cows are eating.
Achadinha Cheese Company’s family farmstead in Petaluma is home to hundreds of goats and dairy cows. (Achadinha Cheese Company)
“If the girls aren’t healthy, they’re not going to produce a healthy product for us,” says Donna Pacheco, adding that the cows consume very little corn. “If they can digest the food they’re eating, we can digest the cheeses they’re producing.”
Book a farm tour to meet Achadinha’s divine bovines and learn more about the family’s cheesemaking process — yes, there is plenty of sampling involved — or sign up for a hands-on class to get a deeper dive into farmstead cheesemaking. 750 Chileno Valley Road, Petaluma. 707-763-1025, achadinha.com
Michelin Dreams
The folks at the Michelin Guide don’t exactly give out stars for farmstands, but what if the farmstand supplies a Michelin-starred restaurant? That’s the case at SingleThread Farm Store in Dry Creek Valley, from renowned chef/farmers Kyle and Katina Connaughton. 2836 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg. singlethreadfarms.com/farm
Chef/farmer Katina Connaughton at SingleThread Farm in Healdsburg. (John Troxell/Sonoma County Tourism)Produce and flowers at Suncatcher Farm in Petaluma. (Patrick Krier/Suncatcher Farm)
The Veggie Shack
Patrick Krier of Petaluma’s Suncatcher Farm originally trained as a sound engineer but found his way to farming after a stint at the Berkeley Bowl supermarket. His brightly painted farmstand (complete with Wendell Berry quote on the sign inside) is open weekends starting in April, with salad mix, spinach, new potatoes, medicinal herbs, and seasonal tea blends. He’ll switch to a 7-days-a-week schedule by summer. 4588 Bodega Ave., Petaluma. instagram.com/suncatcher_farm
Olive Oil and a Fire Truck
The colorful fish on the sign for Cloverdale’s Showa Farm is a nod to the owners’ other passion, raising rare Japanese koi. This Alexander Valley farm, open by appointment for tours and picnics, is known for small-batch olive oil and is home to over a hundred goats, sheep, burros, and other critters. Owner Geoff Peters even has a working fire engine for kids to sit on — what an adventure. 26070 River Road, Cloverdale. 301-6757741, showa-farm.com
The Free Farmstand
It’s an idea we’d love to see catch on: Neighbors in a tight-knit rural community in Penngrove bring extra garden bounty to their local Sharing Stand. Chef Laci Sandoval leads the effort, roping in her two young kids to stock the shelves. It’s like a little free library, but for veggies. Try starting one near you.
Putting cheese on bread is no novel concept — people have been uniting the two ingredients as far back as ancient Rome. The method of combining them, however, is another story. One of our favorite ways is the grilled cheese sandwich.
One of the first iterations of a grilled cheese came from, you guessed it, France. The French Croque Monsieur, a griddled ham and cheese sandwich, came about in the early 1900s. It wasn’t until a few decades later that the grilled cheese sandwich made a proper appearance in the United States.
Otto Frederick Rohwedder invented the first automatic bread-slicing machine in Iowa in 1928, making the distribution of bread easier and more affordable. During the depression and World War II, Americans in search of cheap, filling meals looked to sliced bread and processed cheese from J.L. Kraft & Bros. Company (later known as Kraft Foods), which had opened its first U.S. plant in 1914. The cheese dream, an open-faced version of the grilled cheese sandwich, became popular during this time.
By 1949, Kraft Foods introduced its individually wrapped Kraft Singles, which American supermarkets began stocking in 1965. It was around this time that people began making closed, toasted cheese sandwiches and the term “grilled cheese” finally made an appearance in print.
A simple yet tasty grilled cheese sandwich is the ultimate kid-friendly meal, but adults shouldn’t have to miss out on all the gooey, cheesy deliciousness. Sonoma County restaurateurs are serving elevated versions of the tried and true classic. Here are a few to try on National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day (April 12) or any day of the year. Click through the above gallery for a peek at our favorite picks.
Grilled cheese with birria on Texas Toast is a menu option at Galvan’s Eatery in Santa Rosa. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
Galvan’s Eatery, Birria Grilled Cheese: Griddled Texas toast piled with melted cheese and stuffed with tender birria. The food truck pops up around Sonoma County. 707-836-5087, instagram.com/galvanseatery
KC’s American Kitchen, Ultimate Grilled Cheese: Cheddar and jack cheeses spill over between parmesan sourdough bread. Add tomato for $1, avocado for $2.50 and bacon or ham for $4.25. For when you’re feeling hungry and nostalgic. 9501 Duvander Lane, Windsor, 707-838-7800, kcsamericankitchen.com
Nimble & Finn’s, Pear and Cambozola Grilled Cheese: Cambozola, kalamata olive and caper tapenade, caramelized onion and pear jam on sourdough, served with housemade pickles. Who knew an ice cream shop could offer such gourmet grilled cheeses? (At the Santa Rosa location only.) 123 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-666-9590, nimbleandfinns.com
Betty’s Fish & Chips, Grilled Crab & Jack Cheese: Dungeness crab and jack cheese on sourdough bread, served with choice of chips or coleslaw. Order with a side of New England Clam Chowder for a truly comforting East Coast lunch. 4046 Sonoma Highway, Santa Rosa, 707-539-0899, bettysfishandchips.com
Cozy Plum Bistro, Pesto Grilled Cheese: Vegan provolone, tomato and pesto (made with pistachios and macadamia nuts) on herb focaccia. Served with side salad. Add half an avocado or get gluten-free bread for $3.15. The premier grilled cheese for vegans. 6970 McKinley St., Sebastopol, 707-823-3333, cozyplum.com
Wild Goat Bistro, Adult Grilled Cheese: Comté and gruyere cheeses, bacon, caramelized shallots and Victor’s secret spread on rustic country bread. Served with side salad or soup. Substitute with vegan cheese for $3. What’s more adult than fancy cheeses mixed with caramelized onions enjoyed on the riverfront? 6 Petaluma Blvd. N., Suite A5, Petaluma, 707-658-1156, wildgoatbistro.com
Sax’s Joint, The Joint Grill: Generous amounts of cheddar, cream cheese and bacon (served triple-decker style). Served with choice of fries, coleslaw, potato salad, mac salad or mac and cheese. Of the handful of grilled cheeses on the menu, this one receives the most praise, as the cream cheese adds a special tangy creaminess to the sandwich. 317 Petaluma Blvd. S., Petaluma, 707-559-3021, saxsjoint.com
The Girl & The Fig, Grilled Cheese Sandwich: Vella Cheese Company Cheddar with tomato confit on sourdough. Served with house chips. Simple but oh so satisfying. 110 West Spain St., Sonoma, 707-938-3634, thegirlandthefig.com
Grilled cheese sandwich from Sunflower Caffe in Sonoma. (Sunflower Caffe)
Sunflower Caffe, Sunflower Grilled Cheese: Fontina, aged cheddar and Vella dry jack butter on sourdough. Served with salad dressed in a French vinaigrette. Enjoy alongside the cream of tomato soup. 421 First St. W., Sonoma, 707-996-6645, sonomasunflower.com
Sonoma’s Best, Bacon Grilled Cheese: Havarti, gruyere, arugula, smoked bacon and apple spread on choice of bread. Best enjoyed with a local wine out back in the garden. 1190 E. Napa St., Sonoma, 707-996-7600, sonomas-best.com
HopMonk Tavern, Grilled Cheese and Ham: Honey-cured ham, dijonnaise and three types of cheese oozing between parmesan crusted bread. Order it with the savory tomato soup for a soothing, classic combo. HopMonk Sonoma, 691 Broadway, Sonoma, 707-935-9100;HopMonk Sebastopol, 230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol, 707-829-7300, hopmonk.com
The Farmer’s Wife, Belly & Jelly: Aged cheddar, Point Reyes blue cheese, apricot conserve, honey lavender bacon and a wildflower honey drizzle. Or go for the Fromage à Trois: Aged cheddar, blue cheese and goat cheese with a wildflower honey drizzle. Talk about gourmet, farm-to-table grilled cheese sandwiches. 6760 McKinley St., Suite 120, Sebastopol, 707-397-9237; 80 Fourth St., Point Reyes Station, 707-827-3306, thefarmerswifeca.com
Tomato soup and a grilled kimchi and cheese sandwich from Lunch Box restaurant in Sebastopol. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
Lunch Box, Kimchi Grilled Cheese: A three-cheese blend with aioli and housemade kimchi on Red Bird sourdough pullman. All sandwiches are served with kettle chips. 128 N. Main St., Sebastopol, lunchboxsonomacounty.com
Society Bakery And Cafe, Grilled Cheese: Three types of cheese (chef’s choice) with herbs on house-baked bread. Make it a soup and grilled cheese combo with the soup of the day. 2661 Gravenstein Highway South, Sebastopol, 707-861-9665, societybakerycafe.com
Valley Ford Cheese and Creamery, V.F. Grilled Cheese: Housemade “Hwy 1” cheese, rosemary ham and kimchi on multigrain sourdough. A creative sandwich with award-winning cheese in a charming, countryside atmosphere. 14390 Valley Ford Road, Valley Ford, 707-293-5636, valleyfordcheese.com
Grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup from Estero Cafe in Valley Ford. (Estero Cafe)
Estero Cafe, Grilled Cheese: Organic cheddar and Estero Gold cheese on Red Bird Bakery sourdough makes for a delicious, locally-sourced grilled cheese sando. Add avocado, bacon or chicken sausage. 14450 Highway 1, Valley Ford, esterocafe.com
Fishetarian Fish Market, Adult Grilled Cheese: Valley Ford Estero Gold and Highway 1 cheeses with grilled onions and fig jam on sourdough. The seafood here is top notch, but the grilled cheese shouldn’t be missed. 599 Highway 1 South, Bodega Bay, 707-504-0164, fishetarianfishmarket.com
For the best no-frills grilled cheese sandwiches (just melty cheese and toasty bread), check out Downtown Bakery & Creamery, Boudin, Cafe Mimosa, The Twins Restaurant and Hole in the Wall.
Downtown Bakery & Creamery, Grilled Cheese: Cheddar cheese on housemade wheat, sourdough or French bread. The ham grilled cheese with housemade aioli and Dijon is also spectacular. At $7, it’s undoubtedly the most affordable and satisfying sandwich lunch in town. 308 Center St., Healdsburg, 707-431-2719, downtownbakeryhealdsburg.com
Boudin, The Great Grilled Cheese: Havarti and sharp cheddar on parmesan-crusted sourdough. 2345 Midway Drive, Santa Rosa, 707-303-4100, boudinbakery.com
The Twins Restaurant, Grilled Cheese: Swiss, cheddar, provolone and Parmigiano-Reggiano on sourdough. 572 E. Cotati Ave., Cotati, 707-242-3075, thetwinsrestaurant.com
Hole in the Wall, Grilled Cheese: Cheddar cheese on toasted sourdough. 972 Gravenstein Highway South, Suite 100, Sebastopol, 707-827-6040, holeinthewallrestaurantsebastopol.com
