Calistoga Motor Lodge & Spa, originally opened in 1946 as a roadside motel, placed third on the list for its nostalgic design and nature-inspired interiors. The retro lodge is known for its hot springs-fed geothermal pools and modern, 1880s bathhouse-inspired MoonAcre Spa with clawfoot tub mud baths.
The Calistoga Motor Lodge features 97 guest rooms and suites and the onsite Fleetwood restaurant, serving Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. Rooms from $246.
A vintage van parked outside a room at Calistoga Motor Lodge & Spa in Napa Valley. (Courtesy of Calistoga Motor Lodge & Spa)The lounge of The Astro Motel in Santa Rosa. (Courtesy of The Astro)
The Astro Motel in Santa Rosa, built in 1963 as part of a chain of space-themed motels, earned the fourth spot on National Geographic’s list for its modern revival and 1950s-themed interior.
After the turn of the century, The Astro fell into disrepair and became infamous for its seediness. The team behind Santa Rosa’s Spinster Sisters restaurant acquired the motel in 2017 and got to work on an ambitious remodel. The motel became a refuge for fire evacuees later that year during the 2017 wildfires in Sonoma County. The renovated motel officially opened to the public in January of 2018.
Retro decor at The Astro include “white leather banquettes, record players and signs for defunct soft drinks,” according to the National Geographic listing. The motel features 34 rooms and a guest lounge complete with a vintage sound system, a collection of board games and a daily complimentary breakfast from The Spinster Sisters pantry. Rooms from $139.
Calistoga Motor Lodge & Spa, 1880 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga, 707-737-0000, calistogamotorlodgeandspa.com; The Astro, 323 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-200-4655, theastro.com
The longest state route in California, Highway 1 lines the Sonoma Coast along the Pacific Ocean, passing through Bodega Bay, Jenner, Fort Ross and other spectacular and charming spots for a stroll, a meal, some wine or simply taking in the views. Click through the gallery above to read about our favorite stops on a classic Highway 1 road trip along the Sonoma Coast.
John Beck, Heather Irwin, Meg McConahey, Linda Murphy and Grace Yarrow contributed to this article.
Brooks Note guests may choose between three different flights of five wines each, including current releases, single-vineyard offerings, and Pinot Noir-only selections. (Gary Ottonello)
The annual Wind to Wine Festival returns to the historic hay barn at Gambonini Family Ranch on Aug. 10 for an afternoon of sipping, sampling and discoveries.
Hosted by the Petaluma Gap Winegrowers Alliance, Wind to Wine celebrates wines from the windswept Petaluma Gap appellation. The event’s grand tasting includes selections from over 25 local producers, along with wine-friendly bites from the girl & the fig and artisan cheeses from Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company.
Named for a gap in the coastal mountain range that funnels cool wind and fog east from the Pacific Ocean through the city of Petaluma and south to San Pablo Bay, the Petaluma Gap achieved American Viticultural Area (AVA) status in 2017. The AVA is known as a top producer of Sonoma County Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah wines.
Wine flows at Petaluma Gap’s inaugural Wind to Wine Festival at the Sheraton Petaluma on Saturday, August 8, 2015. (Rachel Simpson/For Petaluma Argus-Courier)
“The fog and wind from the Pacific Ocean play a crucial role in shaping the wines from grapes grown in the Petaluma Gap, giving them a distinctive blend of generous acidity and rich textures that linger on the palate,” says participating vintner Tony Lombardi, founder of Lombardi Wines in Petaluma. “The Wind to Wine Festival is a unique tasting because we’re a band of small family wine businesses, eager to connect with people by sharing our stories and wines.”
New at the festival this year is a trio of seated seminars for VIP ticket holders, hosted by local winemakers and vintners such as Garry Brooks of Brooks Note Winery in Petaluma and Randy Bennett of Sojourn Cellars in Sonoma. The immersive workshops include an exploration of the region’s cool-climate white wines, a comparison with the wines of Burgundy, and a deep dive into wines from the celebrated Gap’s Crown and Sangiacomo’s Roberts Road vineyards.
Festival tickets range from $90 for general admission to $145 for VIP tickets, which include early entry and access to one seminar.
Wind to Wine Festival, Gambonini Ranch, 7325 Old Lakeville Road No. 3, Petaluma, petalumagap.com
Oakville Grocery store on the Healdsburg Plaza (Courtesy of Oakville Grocery)
The idea of green eggs and ham has always struck me as something best left for Dr. Seuss after trying several well-meaning efforts from creative chefs. But a Turkish egg version with ham from Journeyman Meats, green goddess yogurt, dukkah spices, crushed pistachios and a jammy egg could easily persuade me to try it in a box, with a fox or pretty much anywhere.
Chef Beryl Adler, the owner of Acorn Cafe in Healdsburg, is spilling the tea on forthcoming dishes on his breakfast, brunch and lunch menu. The cafe, located in the 124 Matheson St. building that housed Oakville Grocery for 25 years, is slated to open in late summer (fingers crossed for August, Adler said).
Tiramisu French toast with brioche from Santa Rosa’s Goguette Bread, mascarpone sabayon (a rich cream sauce) and a scoop of Black Oak coffee ice cream from the forthcoming Acorn Cafe in Healdsburg. (Acorn Cafe)
Also on the menu are tiramisu French toast with brioche from Santa Rosa’s Goguette Bread, mascarpone sabayon (a rich cream sauce) and a scoop of Black Oak coffee ice cream; a bacon Benedict with brown butter Hollandaise; a fried chicken sandwich with housemade teriyaki sauce and pickled vegetables; as well as lemon pancakes and an acai bowl. The restaurant will also bake scones and muffins daily.
The interior of the former Oakville Grocery has been completely remodeled, with more windows and expansive indoor seating, in addition to the much-loved patio seats with a view of the plaza.
“The whole purpose of me wanting to open this cafe is to create a space where my wife can come after dropping my daughter at school and grab a beverage with friends,” Adler said.
Keeping with the family theme, the green eggs and ham dish is a nod to his 3-year-old, the chef said, though the ingredients are decidedly not nursery school fare.
Green eggs with ham with a Turkish twist from the forthcoming Acorn Cafe in Healdsburg features ham from Journeyman Meats, green goddess yogurt, dukkah spices, crushed pistachios and a jammy egg. (Acorn Cafe)
“There’s nowhere really on the plaza for breakfast,” he said, noting that, while there are bakeries and coffee shops, a dedicated sit-down cafe has long been lacking.
After Acorn Cafe closes at 5 p.m., Adler hopes to create a community space inside the building for pop-up restaurants.
“It’s for entrepreneurs who dream of opening a restaurant, so rather than committing to a lease, they can test the waters here,” he said. (Healdsburg has long been a prime spot for new restaurant concepts, with places like Molti Amici, Maison Healdsburg Wine Bar and other tasting rooms serving as launchpads for entrepreneurial chefs.)
Adler previously worked at the W Hotel in Seminyak, Bali, and Ritz-Carlton locations in Half Moon Bay and Grand Cayman in the Caribbean. While coming up with the concept for Acorn Cafe, he created the in-house menu at Black Oak Coffee Roasters in Healdsburg (324 Center St.). The Ukiah-based coffee company, however, is not part of the Acorn ownership team.
“This little acorn fell from their family tree,” he said of his time working for Black Oak owner Jon Frech.
In addition to serving Black Oak coffee, Acorn Cafe will have beer and rosé on tap.
At Monti’s restaurant in Santa Rosa. (Sonoma County Tourism)
Recently, I reached out to readers asking for their restaurant recommendations and questions. You didn’t disappoint.
In fact, I got so much great feedback, I started adding a reader question to my Bite Club column. (Bite Club is published in The Press Democrat on Sundays and on sonomamag.com weekly.)
Bite Club reader Marie S. asks, “What’s going on at Monti’s in Montgomery Village?”
Monti’s restaurant at Montgomery Village will return later this summer. (Courtesy of Stark Reality Restaurants)
Mark and Terri Stark’s longtime Santa Rosa restaurant closed in late March for a remodel and menu update. The refreshed interior will include a new kitchen, as well as new flooring, furniture, bar tops, bathrooms and expanded patios. Watch for lots of Mediterranean blue and yellow, with rattan finishes.
The menu will focus on contemporary Mediterranean dishes and keep fan favorites like the lamb burger, pizzas and rosemary fries, but it will also add some homemade pasta and grilled fish. Monti’s staff are working at the Starks’ other restaurants during the renovation. The 20-year-old restaurant is slated to reopen in late July.
Meadowood Napa Valley, the Michelin-recognized resort in St. Helena, has announced the appointment of Alejandro Ayala as executive chef.
The longtime kitchen staffer, who rose from dishwasher to top toque, will oversee Meadowood’s Forum restaurant and Terrace cafe. Forum, open to the public, is a relaxed breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch eatery serving California-inspired dishes with Mexican influences. The Terrace is a seasonal outdoor cafe only open to Meadowood guests.
But what happened to chef Christopher Kostow, who led The Restaurant at Meadowood to three Michelin stars before it was destroyed in the 2020 Glass Fire? While the fine dining restaurant is being reimagined and rebuilt, Kostow has opened The Charter Oak in St. Helena, reopened Ciccio in Yountville and created a casual Jewish deli, Loveski, at the Oxbow Market.
Kostow has confirmed he will remain on the team as The Restaurant at Meadowood is rebuilt, though there is currently no timeline for reopening.
Stacy Allegro, left, Scott Lane, Dillon Clower and Cameron Lane participate in the Kenwood 4th of July Hometown Parade, in Kenwood, on Monday, July 4, 2016. (Christopher Chung/ The Press Democrat)
Looking for something to do for the Fourth of July? This year, Sonoma and Napa counties will host parades, firework shows, outdoor barbecues and more.
Fireworks will be available to view in Sebastopol, Windsor, Rohnert Park, Petaluma and Sonoma.
Check out our roundup below of July Fourth weekend celebrations planned for Sonoma and Napa counties.
Sonoma County
Wednesday, July 3
Sebastopol: The Sebastopol Kiwanis club will host the annual “3rd of July Fireworks and Music Extravaganza” with live music from The Soul Section, School of Rock, DJ Chris W and more along with a flag ceremony and fireworks show. The event will be held at the Analy High School football field. Lawn chairs are welcome, camping chairs are prohibited. Gates open at 5 p.m. with firework show being the last event at 9:30 p.m. $17 with early bird tickets available until June 30. $20 general admission. $5 for youth ages 6-11, free for kids 5 years and or younger. 6950 Analy Ave., sebastopolkiwanisclub.org
Windsor: Celebrate Independence Day with the Town of Windsor’s “Windsor Kaboom.” This event will have live music, food, activities for the family and a fireworks show to end the night at Keiser Park. The event will benefit children’s programs through the Active 20-30 Club. 4-10 p.m. $10 for those 13 years or older. $5 for those ages 3-12. Free for anyone under 3. 700 Windsor River Road, windsorkaboom.com
Cloverdale held its first Fourth of July parade on the 150th anniversary of the founding of the town on Monday, July 4, 2022. The third annual Fourth of July Parade in downtown Cloverdale will be held at 10 a.m. on July 4, 2024. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat) (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Thursday, July 4
Cloverdale: Attend the third annual Fourth of July Parade held in downtown Cloverdale. Parade starts at 10 a.m. on West Third Street, making its way down to Railroad Boulevard. The event will be accompanied with live music, parade floats, food and drinks. Free. East First Street and Cloverdale Boulevard, cloverdalechamber.com. Cloverdale has suspended all sales and prohibited use of fireworks due to extreme fire danger.
Forestville: The Forestville Chamber of Commerce will host a Fourth of July kick-off barbecue with lunch and music from noon to 4 p.m. under the oaks. 6990 Front St., forestvillechamber.org
Healdsburg: Join families and kids for the annual “4th of July Kids Parade and Duck Dash,” presented by the Rotary Club of Healdsburg Sunrise and the City of Healdsburg. Free lemonade, hot dogs, snow cones and more. There will be games, duck races and live music from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Healdsburg Plaza. Admission is free. Matheson Street and Healdsburg Avenue, healdsburg.ca.us
Healdsburg: Prune Packers will play the Athletic Edge for a Fourth of July baseball event. All ages welcome. 6 p.m. at Recreation Park. $9 for those 12 years and older. Purchase tickets at tix.com. 515 Piper St., prunepackers.org
Kenwood: Register early for the Fourth of July Hometown Parade at Plaza Park. Runners participating in the Empire Runners Club 3K or 10K footrace will start at 7:30 a.m. Footrace registration prices are $45 for youth under 18 running in the 3K and $60 for adults. $62 for youth running in 10K and $72 for adults. A pancake breakfast at Kenwood Community Church and silent auction in Plaza Park will start at 8 a.m., followed by a parade at 10:30 a.m. and Rotary Shindig with live music, food and drinks at noon. The Rotary Club of Glen Ellen-Kenwood is sponsoring the barbecue and live music. The event will wrap up at 3 p.m. 170 Warm Springs Road, kenwoodparade.org
Petaluma: Join the Petaluma Historical Library and Museum and other community members in celebration of the “4th of July Choral Concert and Bell Ringing.” Enjoy music, history and ringing the historic Korbel Bell. 10-11:15 a.m. Free. 20 Fourth St., petalumamuseum.com
Petaluma: Petaluma Parks and Recreation presents another year of “Stars & Stripes Dogs & Bikes.” There will be a bike parade, dog costume contest, farmers market, jump houses and more. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free. 320 North McDowell Blvd., cityofpetaluma.org
Petaluma: Fireworks will be launched from the Petaluma Fairgrounds creating a show for those watching from surrounding neighborhoods and permitted areas. The Petaluma Fairgrounds will be closed for public safety. Show starts around 9:30 p.m. For more information and to see a map of places to view the fireworks, go to cityofpetaluma.org.
Rohnert Park: Celebrate the Fourth of July with live music, family games, food, drinks, a baking contest, inflatable fun zone, outdoor escape room, robot rumble and eight-person video gaming. Noon to 4 p.m. Free entry. 5401 Snyder Lane, rpcity.org
Rohnert Park: The Santa Rosa Symphony and Transcendence Theater Company will perform at the “4th of July Fireworks Spectacular,” held at Weill Hall and Lawn at Sonoma State University. 7:30–10 p.m. This family friendly concert will be followed by a post-concert fireworks show. Tickets for lawn seating are $40 and $20 for youth. Tickets for outdoor table seating are $80. Indoor seating ranges from $45-$75 depending on seating zone. 1801 East Cotati Ave., sonoma.edu
Sonoma: Watch the parade make its way around the historic Plaza of Sonoma at this year’s “Hometown 4th of July Parade, Celebration and Fireworks Show.” An old-fashioned festival with food, drink and game booths by nonprofit organizations in Sonoma will follow the parade. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free. 453 First St. East, sonomavolunteerfirefighters.org
Guests enjoying picnics and family events on the lawn during the Santa Rosa symphony performance at the 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular at Sonoma State University’s Green Music Center in Rohnert Park on July 4, 2018. This year’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular will be held from 4:30-7 p.m. at SSU’s Weill Hall and Lawn. (Will Bucquoy / For the Press Democrat)
Sunday, July 7
Penngrove: This year marks the 48th annual Penngrove Parade, “The Biggest Little Parade in Northern California,” which will start at 11 a.m. sharp on Main Street in downtown Penngrove. A barbecue, kid’s games and music will follow the parade. No dogs allowed. Outside food and drinks prohibited in Penngrove Park. This event is a fundraiser to benefit community. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free entry. 11800 Main St., penngrovesocialfiremen.org
Napa County
Thursday, July 4
Napa: The Sunrise Rotary Parade will start off at the intersection of Second Street and School Street, making its way downtown with floats, classic cars and more. Parade starts at 9:30. Free to watch. donapa.com
Napa: Wind down at Oxbow Commons after Fourth of July morning events with activities for all ages, like kids’ inflatables and Carnival games, local cuisine, beer and wine, and live performances from local artists. 3-10 p.m. Free to enter. 1268 McKinstry St., fourth-july.com
Napa: Take a break from fireworks with the more eco-friendly “Napa Drone Show.” This show will consist of up to 400 drones flying in formation to create 16 3D displays similar to a fireworks show. Some places to watch the show are Oxbow Commons, First and Third Street Bridges, Veteran’s Memorial Park, China Point, Riverfront Green and Riverfront Promenade. 9:30 p.m. Free to watch. donapa.com
American Canyon: Take part in American Canyon’s 4th of July Parade, Festival and Fireworks. The parade will start at 3 p.m. on American Canyon Road and Elliott Drive and make its way down Elliott Drive towards Amarillo Drive. At the end of the parade, a festival will begin at 4 p.m. with music, free activities and food vendors. A fireworks show will start at dusk with visibility from the Community Park II located on the corner of Donaldson Way and Benton Way. americancanyon.gov.
The COVID-19 pandemic was a difficult time for Santa Rosa emergency physician Dr. Omar Ferrari and his family, who were forced to spend a lot of time apart for health and safety reasons.
After that prolonged stressful period, Ferrari and his wife, Brenda, decided a home transformation was in order. They tapped Sonoma-based designer Andrea Halkovich to renovate their Rincon Valley ranch home in hope of creating, in Halkovich’s words, “a tranquil haven.”
“After so much stress from (fire) evacuations and then COVID, I really was motivated to create a space for this beautiful family that was really peaceful,” says Halkovich. “(Now) they feel so much lighter in their home and that is what is so powerful about design. It has such an ability to change us.”
Kitchen. (Luis Costadone)
Halkovick melded Omar’s love of modern minimalism with Brenda’s preference for bohemian and “Japandi” styles (a combination of Japanese and Scandinavian aesthetics).
“I think it is so important for everyone to feel seen and represented in a space. It is what gives us all that sense of home,” says the Sonoma-born designer.
The result is a mix of contemporary simplicity with heavily patterned touches, all guided by Japanese design principles that are visible throughout the home.
In the kitchen, Halkovick took color cues from the Japanese age-old method of Shou Sugi Ban, wherein wood is charred and takes on a gray-to-black hue.
To evoke the Japanese concept of Ma, which values taking pauses, Halkovich put a window above the sink to create visual rest between twin appliance garages. The window overlooks the Ferrari’s outdoor koi pond, creating a connection with nature — the Japanese method of Shakkei (“borrowed scenery”). To restate the indoor-outdoor connection, the kitchen island gets its earthy green color from the pond.
The relaxed space is contrasted with a super-veiny quartzite backsplash that Omar prizes for its “heartbeat”-like appearance.
Powder Room. (Luis Costadone)
More heavy-pattern contrast was added to the powder room via a House of Hackney floral wallpaper. To blend the saturation of color with the rest of the home, Halkovich ensured the black background of the florals was present in the kitchen (on the counters and cabinets) and bathrooms (cladding in the shower). The room’s earthy green wainscoting is pulled from the koi pond and kitchen island color.
The use of several square and rectangular windows and light fixtures provide interest, albeit quietly thanks to their clean-lined geometry. The repetition of shapes creates a pleasing rhythm, as light and shadow are cast onto empty interior spaces of the floors and walls. This was intentional, owing again to the Japanese concept of Ma. A large square window over the tub framing nearby trees doubles down beautifully on Shakkei.
“There is a whole science behind design and surrounding ourselves with nature,” says Halkovich. It has a “very positive impact on our well-being, including reduced stress and stronger immune systems — this really struck a chord with my clients.”
Contact Andrea Halkovich, of Sonoma Interiors, at 707-322-6719, andrea@sonomainteriors.com.
This modern three-bedroom, three-and-half-bathroom situated on ten acres in Santa Rosa is listed for $2,745,000. (Steven Magner)
Situated on 10 acres in the northeast foothills of Santa Rosa is a modern three-bedroom, three-and-half-bathroom for sale. The asking price is $2,745,000.
The 2,800-square-foot dwelling at 7784 Foothill Ranch Road is sleekly designed with slate board and batten siding and a series of single sloped roofs.
The interior benefits from vaulted ceilings and bucolic views. The floor plan is open-concept, with an airy great room that includes the kitchen, dining area and living room.
Other amenities include a wine cellar, a study, and a pool and terrace that’s perfectly perched and minimalist to give focus to the spectacular surroundings of nature.
For more information on 7784 Foothill Ranch Road in Santa Rosa, contact listing agent Bob Pennypacker, of Sotheyby’s International Realty, at 707-799-6032, 707-395-0656, 7784foothillranch.com
The Kanzler Estate tasting room in Sebastopol. (Courtesy of Andrew Jess)
In 1992, Stephen and Lynda Kanzler purchased 20 acres in Sebastopol covered with abandoned apple trees and blackberry brambles. They had a dream, but it had nothing to do with wine.
“My parents were accidental farmers,” says Alex Kanzler. “They liked the community, they liked the schools and they built the house.”
As Alex and his sister grew up, his parents debated what might take root in the fields surrounding the family home. After a short stint growing raspberries, and with some advice from a friendly neighbor, Perry Kozlowski of Kozlowski Farms, the family set their sights on wine grapes.
The first of what would grow to nearly 15 acres of Pinot Noir was planted in 1996. There was never a plan to make wine. But when the popularity of Pinot exploded in the early 2000 (remember the movie Sideways?) and local vintners began commanding high scores for wines made from the Kanzler vineyard it was hard not to consider making wines.
The Kanzler family, from left to right: Lynda, Alex, Breauna and Stephen Kanzler. (Courtesy of Andrew Jess)
The moment that made the family finally decide to pursue winemaking was when Stephen Kanzler made a half-barrel of Pinot Noir for his daughter’s wedding, with the vineyards as a backdrop. When the festivities concluded, there wasn’t a drop left.
2004 marked Stephen Kanzler’s first commercial vintage. Not long after, Alex also found his way into the industry, earning his stripes in cellars and tasting rooms near and far. He took over the family winemaking responsibilities in 2011, moving back into the family home, first with roommates, and then with his wife, Breauna, who is from Petaluma.
In the beginning, the couple held tastings on the fly in their kitchen, dining room and eventually beneath a rustic pergola built with the help of some friends. Over time, they moved out of the two-story, four-bedroom family home and into an apartment they constructed over the garage, so they could host farm stays. It was a hustle and, in the middle of it all, they grew a wine club 400 members strong.
“We knew people resonated with the property and we enjoyed hosting people here,” says Alex Kanzler.
The new Kanzler Estate Tasting Room in Sebastopol opens on July 1. (Courtesy of Andrew Jess)
Seven years ago, in December 2017, the couple started the lengthy permitting and legal process to build a tasting room. On July 1, the new modern tasting space, filled with earthy furnishings and California-centric art, will open its doors to the public on the same scenic spot that once boasted a pergola.
“We filled the space with things that really resonate with us and the land,” says Breauna Kanzler. “We want people to feel comfortable and we want this space and the wines to feel approachable.”
Private wine tastings will be offered twice a day by appointment and, at least for now, the plan is for Breauna Kanzler to host all visitors. In addition to a flight of five wines — one rosé of Pinot Noir, one Chardonnay, and a trio of Pinot Noirs — time will be dedicated to walking in the vineyards to help guests connect with the relatively unknown wine growing region.
Private wine tastings will be offered twice a day, Thursday through Monday, at the new Kanzler Estate Tasting Room in Sebastopol. (Courtesy of Yoni Goldberg)
Alex Kanzler is a founding member of the nonprofit Sebastopol Hills Winegrowers Association, along with Ted Lemon of Littorai Wines, John Balletto and Anthony Beckman of Balletto Vineyards, and Joe Rogoway of Rogoway Law Group (a Kanzler wine club member). The group has petitioned to establish a new Sebastopol Hills American Viticultural Area, or AVA.
“We’re kind of stewards of this place,” says Alex Kanzler. “We’re not working up and down the state and we’re not working across a bunch of different varietals. We try to stay at what we’re good at.”
Wine tastings cost $75 at the new Kanzler Estate Tasting Room; appointments are available Thursday through Monday. No kids or dogs are allowed. Enter the code KANZLERVIP in the comment section of the website’s booking request to reserve two wine tastings for the price of one. The offer is valid through 2024.
Farm stays at Kanzler are available for up to eight people. The nightly rate is $1,395, November through February, and $1,905, March through October. A two-night minimum stay is required.
