Stumped on what to do when it gets damp and gray outside? Click through the gallery for 10 suggestions on how to make even a rainy day a little brighter.
10 Things to Do on a Rainy Day in Sonoma County
Cozy Sonoma Restaurants and Bars for Chilly Days
On chilly, rainy days, when all you want to do is snuggle up by a crackling fireplace, head to these cozy restaurants, bars and tasting rooms in Sonoma County for a comforting meal and drinks. Click through the above gallery or see the list below for details, and share your favorites in the comments.
Stark’s Steak & Seafood, Santa Rosa: This classic steakhouse does cozy in retro style. You’ll get the Bogie-and-Bacall vibe right away. Manhattans, aged whiskies and absinthe are served by white-coated bar staff. The seats are leather and a baby grand sits in the corner waiting to tinkle out a tune or two. 521 Adams St., Santa Rosa, 707-546-5100, starkrestaurants.com
Monti’s, Santa Rosa: This Montgomery Village restaurant is a hot summer spot for wine and Mediterranean cuisine on the patio. During the colder months, a wood-burning rotisserie keep things hot, and gregarious bartenders keep guests in good spirits no matter the temperature. 714 Village Court, Santa Rosa, 707-568-4404, montismv.com
John Ash Front Room, Santa Rosa: The dark, clubby vibe of this hotel lounge is perfect for rainy-day drinks with friends. Cozy leather seats are prime real estate, but bar tables for two are a bit more intimate. 4330 Barnes Road, Santa Rosa, 707-527-7687, vintnersresort.com
El Dorado Kitchen, Sonoma: Escape the hustle and bustle of the busy dining room, and grab a seat in the farm-chic lounge. You’ll be warmed by the fireplace and cutely named cocktails such as the Coda Pendant of rye, apple schnapps, sugar, lemon and Angostura bitters. 405 First St. West, Sonoma, 996-3030, eldoradosonoma.com
The Restaurant at Dawn Ranch, Guerneville: Dawn Ranch’s new restaurant offers a true farm-to-table dining experience, with many of its ingredients grown directly on the property. Warm up by the fire after taking a stroll through the resort’s meadow. 16467 California 116, Guerneville, 707-869-0656, dawnranch.com
Farmhouse Inn, Forestville: Farmhouse Inn houses an upscale, but surprisingly low-key Michelin-starred restaurant. The ambiance is sophisticated yet cozy, the Cal-French cuisine delicious yet unpretentious, the decor chic and the service snappy. And there’s a fireplace. 7871 River Road, Forestville, 707-887-3300, farmhouseinn.com/restaurant.
Drake’s Fireside Lounge, Bodega Bay: Adjacent to the Drakes Sonoma Coast Kitchen at The Lodge at Bodega Bay, this pretty retreat woos with a large stone fireplace framed by gorgeous views of Bodega Head, Doran Beach and the Pacific Ocean. Life is nice when you’re bundled in your favorite sweater, supping on a juicy cheeseburger and sipping on a cocktail. 103 Highway 1, Bodega Bay, 707-875-3525, lodgeatbodegabay.com/the-fireside-lounge
The Matheson, Healdsburg: Enjoy a woodfired pizza fireside at The Matheson’s Roof 106. This buzzy rooftop bar in Chef Dustin Valette’s new restaurant complex has fire pits and a warm ambiance. 106 Matheson St., Healdsburg, 707-723-1106, thematheson.com/roof-106
Ram’s Gate Winery, Sonoma: Feel as though you’re in a mountain lodge while taking in the Carneros views. There are multiple tasting experiences and spaces to enjoy by appointment ($40-$160; some are seasonal and many offer food pairings), and each space is warmed by a roaring fireplace. 28700 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, 707-721-8700, ramsgatewinery.com
Lambert Bridge, Healdsburg: Specializing in Bordeaux varieties, Lambert Bridge also boasts a tasting room featuring a large fireplace, vaulted ceilings and a bar made of a single felled redwood tree. Glass walls provide a view into the barrel room. The Barrel Room Tasting Experience is $75 and includes four hand-selected wines. 4085 West Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, 707-431-9600, lambertbridge.com
Zina Lounge, Sonoma: It’s an unusual set-up, but all the more fun for being so different. Technically, Zina could be called a wine and food pairing, since you sit with an intimate group at a communal table in what is the Zina Hyde Cunningham Winery tasting room in the lobby of the Ledson Hotel on the Sonoma Plaza. The setting is fine-dining posh, trimmed in gleaming wood with a flickering fireplace flanked by leather couches. 480 First St. East, Sonoma, 707-996-9779, zinawinery.com
Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens Tasting Room, Santa Rosa: Visit this winery estate for a tasting of their sustainably-produced wines and a stroll through the gardens. On cold days, cozy up by the fireplace in the tasting room. The Estate Tasting is $35; reservations required. 5007 Fulton Road, Santa Rosa, 800-769-3649, kj.com
Lonnie Hayes, Heather Irwin, Maci Martell, Julie Fadda Powers and Carey Sweet contributed to this article.
Barndiva Returns to Its Roots in Healdsburg
Kitchen changes and the loss of their Michelin star in 2024 have occurred since this writing.
When a Michelin-starred chef makes you a hamburger, it’s reasonable to expect the best hamburger of your life (or at least a top five).
At Studio Barndiva in Healdsburg, celebrated chef Erik Anderson delivers with The Gallery Burger, a Gruyere-stuffed patty (also known as a Juicy Lucy in the Midwest), pillow-soft sesame bun, pickles and caramelized onions atop a pool of Bordelaise sauce, made with red wine and lots of butter.
It’s simple, it’s complex, it’s goofy, it’s fancy. I loved everything about it.
But a question that nagged me at the newly opened Studio Barndiva: Why is a chef awash with critical accolades cooking hamburgers?
The answer is that the longtime restaurant is returning to its roots as a gathering space promoting ecological literacy, art, nourishment and the covenant of reciprocity. I have no idea what that means, exactly, but the owners say they’re ready to simplify.
“We’ve been proud of everything we’ve done over the 20 years we’ve been here, but we’re trying to get back to what makes us happy. We have always put an emphasis on sourcing locally. By expanding our menus in new directions, this will allow us to reach even more local farmers growing unusual things,” co-owner Lukka Feldman said in January.
It was an unexpected move for the restaurant to cast aside its elaborate multicourse menu for an a la carte menu that riffs on the McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish sandwich, creamy tikka masala and crispy chicken Paillard as some of its mainstays.
The restaurant also moved its dining room to the more expansive art gallery next door. The original restaurant is reserved for private events.
In 2022, I experienced an astounding meal at Barndiva that included goat cheese croquettes with lavender honey, a dehydrated tomato surrounded by basil gelee and August Sun Gold tomatoes, and a trout bathed in saffron sauce.
It was worthy of a Michelin star, which Barndiva has been awarded for three consecutive years.
But Michelin stars are a funny thing. They create huge expectations from destination diners, crippling pressure for chefs and, sometimes, a loss of the restaurant’s core audience, who are priced out as menus get more and more elaborate. Stars can be greedy monsters that consume everything in the quest for inclusion in the French restaurant guidebook.
It’s also worth mentioning that Healdsburg is awash with stars and tweezer-perfect food, making it even more challenging to stand out.
“We have always believed that the reason people go out to dine is not a fixed star, Michelin or otherwise. We all long to return to tastes that trigger happiness and memory, to be excited by new food experiences, step into a room filled with music and engaging conversation. On the simplest and most profound level, the sound of other humans having vibrant food and drink experiences gives us agency to enjoy ourselves more fully in the world,” read a blog on Barndiva’s website.
Putting those words into action, the Barndiva team hosted discussions in November and February around consumer waste with thought leaders Julia Marsh of Sway, a compostable seaweed packaging company; Beth Rattner of the Biomimicry Institute; and Toby Corey of Cruz Foam, an environmentally sustainable solution to Styrofoam.
The event featured 3D-printed terracotta cups from GaeaStar, filled with craft cocktails from Barndiva’s resident mixologist, Scott Beattie. Future discussions are in the works.
Just weeks into the transformation, the agri-chic gallery, with open rafters, ambient statement chandeliers and casual bistro seating (as well as a large communal table) is consistently booked.
Diners are noticeably more local, wearing fleece and boots rather than silk and heels. Service is smooth and attentive but with far fewer servers and staff. You’re as likely to have a cook — possibly even chef Anderson — deliver your meal as a server.
The question remains how the affably earnest Barndiva Gallery will balance a personality-driven menu from Anderson with a more casual a la carte menu, dramatically lower price points and a local vibe.
It’s a bold U-turn for the Barndiva leadership team, but I think one that suits it.
Best bets
Goat Cheese Croquettes, $12: Crispy bites that ooze with warm goat cheese and tomato jam. A drizzle of sweet, floral honey. Perfection.
Mt. Lassen Trout Rillettes, $16: This is where Anderson’s talent shines. A petite ramekin of shredded trout lightly capped with fat and dotted with egg yolk jam and chives. Rectangles of toasted brioche, buttery and warm, are perfect utensils for getting the rich, silky spread into your face.
Crispy Chicken Paillard, $24: It’s not the chicken Paillard I was expecting. I’m still searching for as juicy, lemony, caper-y and soul-satisfying a Paillard as Chef Ralph Tingle’s Bistro Ralph version. It might even be worth swapping out something similar on the Barndiva menu, knowing how beloved the now-gone Bistro Ralph was to locals. But Anderson’s version takes a different angle, with hyper-crispy breading, a tingly green chermoula and garlicky drizzles of tahini. The pounded chicken is supple and delicious.
The Gallery Burger, $21: When $25 burgers barely get a blink lately, this version is a steal of a deal. Juicy ground beef studded with fresh thyme and the Gruyere (as mentioned earlier) is just brain-explodingly good. The addition of Bordelaise takes it over the top, though on a second visit, the pool of sauce was more of a small puddle. Boo. Order a side of thin frites to sop up the gooey cheese and sauce you’ve dripped everywhere.
Tikka Masala, $30: You first notice that it’s not that weird traffic cone orange color, a good start. Creamy, spicy and beautifully seasoned with plenty of cumin. Served with lemon rice, cooling raita (cucumber yogurt dip) and paratha. It’s hard to do Indian cuisine without a tandoor oven, so the paratha was a bit oily.
Turkish Bazlama & Hummus, $10: Whoever makes this Turkish flatbread (similar to pita or naan) is a genius. It’s served steaming, tender and warm, perfectly paired with a simple hummus and quality olive oil.
The drinks
One of the big draws for Barndiva Gallery is the crafted cocktail menu from Scott Beattie. Where his mind-bending craft cocktails were a nice add-on to the wine program at the former Barndiva, here, they shine brightly as a main event. There can be a bit of sticker shock on some, like the $24 Winter Manhattan made with Ransom bourbon, High West double rye, Italian vermouth, vanilla bean, bitters, Seville orange oil and octogenarian farmer Ken Gradek’s Sonoma County Asian pears.
It is the best Manhattan you will ever have, lead by warm spice and citrus, smooth bourbon and sweet Amarena cherries. Instead of hitting you square in the jaw with boozy heat, Beattie’s cocktails make a surprising first impression (wait, that’s not what I expected); move into a complex middle (yes, that’s familiar, but somehow different); and rewards you with lingering finish (oh, yes, that’s very nice). They’re long sippers, not gulpers.
The Belly Rub Shrub, $18, is made with turmeric spirit, raw turmeric shrub, ginger, markut lime oil and bitters. Round slices of pickled beets hugging the glass give Yayoi Kusuma vibes. Plus, you can pretend it’s healthy.
Best of all is the Philmaitai, $24, with three types of rum, lime, Orgeat and a coconut fat wash. Beattie can explain the science, but it starts with a reserved hit of rum and barely there lime, quickly blooming into a familiar tropical Mai Tai flavor that’s sweet but not too syrupy and finishing with a light flavor of almond and coconut milk.
All of the drinks can be made nonalcoholic without losing the intensity using zero-proof spirits. A well-crafted list of wines by the glass or bottle rounds out the program, and for a limited time, there’s a supersecret cocktail menu with simple martinis, margaritas, gin fizz and a Japanese high ball with Hojicha tea for just $12 each.
Studio Barndiva is at 237 Center St., Healdsburg, 707-431-7404, barndiva.com. Open for dinner Thursday through Sunday. Reservations are highly recommended, although there is limited walk-in seating.
‘This Is My Calling’: Forestville Guitar Maker Is One of the Most Talented in the Country
This article was originally published in Sonoma Magazine in 2021.
To understand Maegen Wells’ devotion to building guitars, it helps to know three things: One, she named her dog Lulu, short for lutherie, the art of making guitars. Two, she has a tattoo on her left arm of a blueprint for an archtop guitar. And three, her retirement plan comes in the form of rare wood, specially cut in sections that will allow her to make a one-of-a-kind custom guitar every five years until she hangs up her chisel.
“This is my calling,” she says. “It wasn’t a choice at all.”
Wells picked up her first guitar at the age of 7 and began writing songs at 9, dreaming of becoming the next Lisa Loeb. But it was an epiphany at 17, when she first held a Taylor guitar, that led the 32-year-old Michigan native to head straight out of high school to the Galloup School of Lutherie.
After apprenticeships with Reverend Guitars in the Midwest and veteran luthier Tom Ribbecke in Healdsburg, she moved to Forestville, where she now lives in a grove of redwoods near the Russian River.
Meet Maegen Wells and fellow Sonoma County luthier Bruce Sexauer in this video, produced by Joshua Dylan Mellars for NorCal Public Media.
Sheltering at home during the Covid-19 pandemic allowed Wells a rare chance to skip her annual tour of guitar conventions and focus solely on creating in her workshop, a lower-level sanctuary in her house that was once a speakeasy during Prohibition (and still has the bar footrest to prove it).
Wells also crafts mandolins, but her passion lies in the archtop guitar— the wide, hollow-body six-string with an arched top instead of a flat one, known for its super-rich clarity from note to note. It’s what you might picture when you hear a Wes Montgomery or George Benson jazz guitar solo. But they’re also prevalent in rock, rockabilly, and country.
Wells’ guitars emerge from a range of woods: mahogany, ebony, maple, walnut, sapele, and koa, and sell for around $9,000 each. When Wells picks up a piece of wood, the first thing she does is scratch it. “That’s when the conversation begins,” she says. “The entire time, me and the wood and the tools are talking. The tools are kind of the translator between me and the materials.”
While working with a hand plane to carve the top, she can hear and feel the pitch change with each carve. It will be at least “another 400 steps” until she strings and strums the guitar for the first time.
With over a decade dedicated to her craft, it now takes about 250 hours to make a guitar, and “a lot of Buckethead,” she says, name-dropping the eccentric guitar virtuoso she often listens to while working in the shop.
A few years ago, Wells scored six sets of wood from an East Coast dealer who stumbled on a rare Honduran mahogany tree in Southern Mexico that bore a flamed “fiddleback” pattern. The pattern was so distinct and unusual, it became known simply as “the Fiddleback Tree” and all the wood sold out quickly. Wells made her first guitar from the tree in 2018 and sold it for $13,000. Her plan is to make a guitar from the tree every five years until she retires, waiting 10 years to make the final installment.
“By the time I’m 60 and I finish that last guitar, it will be bittersweet,” she says. “But it will represent my life and how I evolved as the wood evolved.
Bonchon’s Korean Fried Chicken in Petaluma Is Worth the Hype
Bonchon: A Korean fried chicken chain (launched in Korea in 2002), is the latest entrant into the local fast-casual game.
Sonoma County is an island when it comes to fast-casual franchises.
Certainly, we’ve welcomed many of them in recent years, from Five Guys to Chipotle and the recently opened Shake Shack, but fortunately, locally owned restaurants still have the upper hand. And that’s a good thing.
But a straightforward burger can be a relief after a steady diet of tweezer food and overly earnest menus. You don’t have to ponder it; you just eat it. And while I admit to a mixed history of breathlessly overhyping spots like Sonic (drinks rock, burgers not so much) and under-appreciating a solid entrant like Habit Burger (I don’t get it), I’ve picked a winner.
Bonchon: A Korean fried chicken chain (launched in Korea in 2002), is the latest entrant into the local fast-casual game.
As I write this, I am being powered by leftover pickled daikon and pork buns.
I first tried their ultra-crispy wings, drumsticks and nuggets a few years ago in the South Bay. If you’re a fan of the sweet, sticky, garlicky-glazed Korean fried chicken genre, you’ll understand the hype. Paired with sauces including creamy cucumber wasabi, spicy Korean sauce, Japanese mayo and good old Ranch, you’re talking about some seriously crave-worthy poultry.
But that’s not where the menu ends.
The bulgogi, a marinated beef and onion dish, is a contender on its own, but as a topping for French fries (add melted cheese, a spicy mayo drizzled and green onions) it’s even better.
Don’t miss the pork steamed buns. These little pillows of bao have a crisp slice of pork belly, coleslaw, spicy mayo and katsu sauce.
Another favorite was the Korean doughnuts, two big twists of fried dough slathered with cinnamon sugar, served with a “sweet cream” dipping sauce that tastes remarkably similar to condensed milk.
Bonchon staff are still getting the hang of frying up chicken to order, and service can be slow, but put on your patient hat, and you’ll be pleasantly rewarded.
447 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma, bonchon.com.
Healdsburg Sake Crawl Pairs Japanese Rice Wine with Sushi and Small Bites
Here are two food events to look forward to in March:
Healdsburg Crawl: You don’t have to know the difference between Junmai and Daiginjo sake to appreciate the Healdsburg Sake Crawl on Sunday, March 10. Whether you’re a master of ancient Japanese rice wine or just sake-curious, everyone’s welcome. The five walkable stops include sake and small bites at Sushi By Scratch, Asahi Sushi, Taste of Tea, Lo and Behold and Maison Healdsburg. The event, which costs $50 per person, is hosted by Fifth Taste, a San Francisco-based sake importer. Tickets and details at pdne.ws/3uQnyQo.
La Festa della Donna: The Spinster Sisters will host a four-course dinner celebrating International Women’s Day on Friday, March 8. The four-course dinner includes a choice of Risotto Verde with blue shrimp and fava leaves, grilled pork tenderloin with kumquat sauce or roasted cauliflower steak with spiced chickpea ragu. The dinner showcases women wine producers and the woman-led Spinsters Sisters kitchen. Tickets are $85 per person, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Verity SR, Sonoma County’s rape, trauma and healing center. Details at thespinstersisters.com.
We Ordered the Entire Menu at the New Shake Shack in Santa Rosa. Here’s What We Thought
The breathless anticipation over Shake Shack’s first Sonoma County restaurant is finally over, and though it feels like we’re 20 years late for the cultish fandom party, it’s still nice to be invited.
Wednesday, the New York-based fast-casual burger and shake chain opened for a friends and family preview at Santa Rosa’s Montgomery Village. It will open to the public Thursday.
Celebrity chef and restaurateur Danny Meyer opened the first Shake Shack in New York City’s Madison Square Park in 2004 to mass hysteria. In the ensuing years, the brand has continued to gain followers, with more than 400 global locations and an annual revenue of more than $1 billion.
Nationwide openings of the cultish burger bar have caused burger-frenzied fans to line up for hours. More than one couple met in a Shake Shack line, later serving their burgers at their wedding reception. More than 400 people lined up for a special edition David Chang “Shrimpstack” burger in 2015.
I can report that those lined up for the preview were well-behaved and eager to get their hands on some of the much-hyped burgers, cheese fries and hot chocolate cocoa milkshakes, though I was prepared to throw a sharp elbow at anyone in my way, should things get pushy. Fortunately, Sonoma County residents aren’t big on waiting in line for things — especially restaurants — and no one was injured or side-eyed rudely during the opening event.
As a novice to the temple of Shake Shack, my expectations were high. People seriously go nuts for their elementary cafeteria-style crinkle fries, custard milkshakes and potato bun burgers. So, I ordered pretty much everything on the menu, and here’s what’s marvelous and what’s meh at the 14th Bay Area location for the uninitiated.
The Rivalry
First and foremost, Shake Shack isn’t going to be a threat to our beloved In-N-Out anytime soon. Yes, they both have burgers and shakes, they both have a huge fan base, and they are both frequented by self-righteous people who claim they never eat fast food.
Shake Shack’s menu is a short novel compared to In-N-Out’s index card menu. There are roughly 22 items on the Shake Shack menu, plus additional limited-time items like the frozen Hot Cocoa Shake or Korean-style fried chicken sandwich. In-N-Out has four — maybe a few more if you count the secret menu. Shake Shack is a restaurant; In-N-Out is a lifestyle choice. Celebrities don’t go to Shake Shack to celebrate after the Oscars.
The Vibe
Unlike most fast food spots where takeout is the only sane option, you want to hang out here for a while. With plenty of natural light, Kelly green accents, plants and clean wooden table tops, it feels more like a cafe than a burger joint.
The Burgers
Thick Angus beef patties that rival higher-end eateries. The signature Shack Burger is your go-to, with cheese, ShackSauce, lettuce, tomato and a soft potato bun (with just a hint of sweetness). It’s a winner.
The ‘Shroom Burger is a close second. This fat portobello is (surprise!) stuffed with melted Muenster and Cheddar. Immediate yes.
Golden State Double: Only available in the Bay Area; it’s a two-patty, two-cheese, garlic aioli pileup. Too much of a good thing sometimes isn’t, but if you’re a double meat, double cheese kind of person, you’ll love it.
The Alternatives: The menu includes vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. I don’t recommend the gluten-free bun, described by my friend as “grainy.”
The Shakes: Everyone else can pack up their belongings and leave the island when it comes to these frozen custard wonders of ingenuity. Usual suspect flavors, but additional limited edition shakes include coffee and donuts, maple Snickerdoodle and frozen hot cocoa. Or, just skip the shakes and have a big scoop of the frozen custard. The level of creaminess is, well, next level.
The Drinks: Soft drinks are available, but the house made lemonade is worth the sugary rush. Try the Yuzu Honey lemonade. There’s also a very brief list of wines.
The Dogs: I’m a hot dog hater, but this split-top, griddled wiener slathered with melted cheese was impressive. Recommended.
The Fries: If you’re a dipper, you’ll love the extra grip these crinkle cuts give ketchup, mayo, honey mustard and BBQ sauce. Cheese fries with bacon are required, but the tiny wooden pitchfork utensil is useless for serious eaters.
Shake Shack is at 2424 Magowan Drive, Suite 1, Santa Rosa, shakeshack.com.
12 Hidden Gems to Seek Out in Santa Rosa
Click through the above gallery to explore some of our favorite hidden gems in Santa Rosa.
Sonoma County boasts an abundance of acclaimed destinations that draw visitors from around the world. From bucolic vineyards to breathtaking coastal landscapes, from Michelin-starred restaurants to five-star luxury resorts, the county and its many attractions are clearly on the tourist map.
But there is still so much more to discover in this region. Santa Rosa is a city replete with many of those charming local gems that are almost hiding in plain sight, from Mexican pastry shops to vintage clothing stores to Italian-American delis to cozy used bookstores. Here is a list of some of our favorite hidden gems in Santa Rosa.
Goguette
If you find yourself yearning to take a quick jaunt to Paris, a visit to French bakery Goguette might be the perfect excursion (no passport or transatlantic flight necessary). Entering the bakery, you are likely to be greeted with a “Bonjour” from the amiable staff as you peruse the cornucopia of freshly baked goods and French custard style ice creams and sorbets. Traditional baguettes and rounds are available Wednesday through Saturday and the bakery rotates its daily specials so that there is always something new to discover. Whether you are hankering for a hearty Miche, a Pain de Mie, Challah, Sablés cookies or a sweet Coup de Coeur, you just might find yourself humming the Marseillaise after a trip to Goguette.
Order online and pick up freshly baked breads 1:30 – 6 p.m. Wed – Sat. 59 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa, goguettebread.com
Bees N Blooms
Located just below Santa Rosa’s Taylor Mountain on Petaluma Hill Road, Bees N Blooms offers a graceful garden sanctuary and convenient retreat from the city center. Lose yourself in the natural tranquility of its lavender labyrinth made of 900 plants arranged in seven concentric circles. The farm is open to the public for everything from art courses to plant sales to tours. The lavender is in full bloom from mid-May to mid-July and that is when the farm’s “Lavender Daze” begin. Starting May 18 and running through July 14, the farm grounds are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. most Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Reservation and admission required for Lavender Daze.
3883 Petaluma Hill Road, Santa Rosa, 707-293-8293, beesnblooms.com.
Canevari’s
Established in 1929, Canevari’s Deli and ravioli factory has been ushering in a delicious Renaissance while staying connected to its century-old roots in the region. The Italian-American deli, which was recently remodeled, continues to serve the mouthwatering classics that keep hungry diners coming back for more. Among some of those tried and true favorites are the BBQ Tri Tip sandwich, the Spicy Pulled Pork sandwich, Meatball Sub, the Italian Sub, and the House Special Lasagna. The famous ravioli meal kits for pick up give you everything you need to quickly prepare an easy and delicious meal at home with your family. Canevari’s also sells speciality items such as tins of Amaretti, jars of olives, and dry pasta.
695 Lewis Road, Santa Rosa. 707-545-6941, canevarisdeli.com
Jeremiah’s Photo Corner
A veritable photographer’s paradise, Jeremiah’s Photo Corner aims to be a one-stop shop for all of your camera dreams. Carrying a variety of film cameras, film, and photography and printing paraphernalia, the shop also has a camera repair and film processing drop off and pick up service. If you’d like to sit for a vintage portrait, you can book an appointment with Jeremiah Flynn Tintype Photography, which is located on the premises.
441 Sebastopol Ave., Santa Rosa. 707-544-4800, jeremiahsphotocorner.com; jeremiahflynn.com/the-tintype-process
Criminal Baking Co. and Noshery
It’s not a crime to enjoy delicious baked goods, but if it were, Criminal Baking might turn us all into outlaws. In addition to its tasty cookies, cakes, pastries, cupcakes, handpies and other baked goods, the Bakery Cafe serves an assortment of savory menu items such as its Sinful Sandos—The Bacon Bandit, the Al Capig, the Garden Thief—all served on locally made English muffins. But if you don’t want to get caught with your hand in the cookie jar, you can also order from their online bakery.
808 Donahue St., Santa Rosa. 707-888-3546, criminalbaking.com
Treehorn Books
Though certainly not a secret for discerning local bibliophiles, this classic used book store is a literary and cultural oasis in our digital age. Treehorn Books was founded by two Sonoma State graduates in 1979 and features a seemingly infinite collection of literature and nonfiction books, including rare antiquarian books and works that are out-of-print or signed by the author. If you like to read good books, you’ll feel at home in this book lover’s haven.
625 Fourth St, Santa Rosa. 707-596-3845, treehorn.com
Tía María
There is nothing quite like the joy of enjoying a delicious pastry with your coffee. Mexican panaderia y pasteleria Tía María, owned by Costeaux Bakery, serves a delectable array of pastries, cakes and breads that are sure to fill you with true alegría. Located in the Roseland neighborhood, just a couple of minutes drive from Railroad Square, Tía María is known for its tasty conchas, a Mexican sweet bread, and it also serves Bella Rosa Coffee, bolillos, sandwiches, churros and much more.
44 Sebastopol Ave., Santa Rosa. 707-540-9864, tiamaria.world
Brew Coffee and Beer House
If you are a coffee aficionado or a beer enthusiast, Brew is just the spot for you. Whether you choose an espresso or one of the establishment’s many other coffee drinks, a stop at Brew is bound to get your day off on the right note. And when you are ready to unwind later on, Brew serves twelve rotating taps of craft beer and cider as well as wine on tap. An appetizing array of food to accompany your beverage of choice is also available for breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as pastries and baked goods from Village Bakery and Grateful Bagel. This welcoming space also hosts regular open mic and trivia nights, as well as drag bingo and “brew-vie” nights with film screenings and movie snacks.
555 Healdsburg Ave., Santa Rosa. 707-303-7372, brewcoffeeandbeer.com
Hot Couture Vintage Fashion
Vintage fashion is all the rage. And with its copious and well-curated inventory of vintage clothing, Hot Couture is definitely in style. Located near Railroad Square, the store specializes in costume rentals and vintage garments that are sure to make you the belle of the ball. In business for nearly half a century, owner Marta Koehne and her staff are friendly, knowledgeable and know how to help customers find just the right apparel for any occasion.
101 Third Street, Santa Rosa. 707-528-7247, hotcouturevintage.com
Café Frida Gallery
In the heart of Santa Rosa’s artsy SOFA district, Café Frida Gallery offers a menu inspired by French and Mexican culinary traditions. Founders Mamadou Diouf and Mario Uribe wanted the restaurant to be an “artist hangout” and Café Frida Gallery features the work of Sonoma County artists in its welcoming space. On weekends, there is live music and dancing to the beat of diverse musical genres, from salsa to jazz to R&B.
300 South A St., Santa Rosa. 707-308-4344, cafefridagallery.com
Taqueria Molcajetes
This local Mexican restaurant serves authentic food with roots in the culinary traditions of Guadalajara and Michoacan. It’s a gem that is not so hidden anymore, after being featured on Guy Fieri’s television show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. This local taqueria is known for its namesake, the restaurant’s sizzling molcajetes.
1195 W. College Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-544-8280.
Cast Away Yarn
It might be easy to get lost amid the wide selection of materials and supplies housed in Cast Away Yarn Shop. That is if the store weren’t so artfully laid out with everything you might need for weaving, felting and knitting to your heart’s content. For those who are already masters of the craft, the store is sure to feel like a paradise. For those who are still beginners, Cast Away Yarn Shop might just give you the inspiration to tackle that crafting project of your wildest dreams.
100 Fourth Street (entrance on Wilson), Santa Rosa, 707-546-9276, castawayyarnshop.com
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Discover Santa Rosa’s Peaceful Waterway On These Winter Walks
Click through the above gallery to explore the Laguna de Santa Rosa.
When rain falls anywhere in Santa Rosa, Windsor, Rohnert Park, Cotati, or Sebastopol, the water will make its way to the Laguna de Santa Rosa. Sitting at the bottom of the greater Santa Rosa plain, the Laguna is the largest freshwater wetlands complex on the northern California coast. In 2011, it was designated a Wetland of International Importance. Yet how many locals could find it on a map?
To be fair, parts of the Laguna have been altered and obscured by decades of development. Sebastopol dumped its sewage there until 1978. Restoration work has been underway since the 1990s, and December 2023 saw the release of the first-ever comprehensive restoration plan for the entire Laguna, designed to guide its continued recovery.
The Laguna system is also naturally heterogeneous and ephemeral, “a collective mix of different wetland habitat types that blend and merge or shrink depending on the season,” says Anne Morkill, executive director of the Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation, a nonprofit that works to protect and improve what’s left of the Laguna. “It’s a whole ecosystem.”
This includes oak savannas, low-lying vineyards and pastures, seasonal and year-round ponds, and various creeks, including Mark West, Santa Rosa, and Copeland, all of which feed into the Laguna’s main waterway– somewhat confusingly also named Laguna de Santa Rosa– which spills into the Russian River near Forestville, its single largest tributary.
When full, the entire complex can transform into a long, slender lake. The Laguna’s ability to slow and retain so much water in turn reduces flooding on the Russian River. “Within a couple of days of those heavier atmospheric river storms, we can see the floodplain taking shape,” Morkill says. “The water levels come up under the bridges, and out in the open fields.”
Such complexity translates to rich habitat for native species. Endangered California tiger salamanders breed in vernal pools each spring; bald eagles and osprey hunt salmon, steelhead, and other fish on the flooded Laguna; and migratory waterfowl traveling the Pacific Flyway announce their arrival in January and February, in sync with the rain. All who depend on the Laguna, including humans, await its transformation every winter.
Winter walks along the Laguna
Southern Laguna Discovery Trail: Trailhead located west of the intersection of Rohnert Park Expressway and Stony Point Road in Rohnert Park. Sonoma County Water Agency, sonomawater.org
Laguna de Santa Rosa Trail: Trailheads located off Occidental Road and Highway 12 in Santa Rosa. Sonoma County Regional Parks, parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov
Laguna Wetlands Preserve: Trailheads off Morris Street in Sebastopol. City of Sebastopol, cityofsebastopol.gov
Laguna Uplands Preserve: Located at the end of Palm Avenue in Sebastopol. Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation, lagunafoundation.org
Local Dining Destination Named Among Best Celebrity-Owned Restaurants in the US
Francis Ford Coppola is widely hailed as one of the world’s greatest filmmakers. So it may come as no surprise that Rustic, the restaurant at the famous Geyserville winery that bears his name, has been ranked among the best celebrity-owned and celebrity-invested dining locales in the United States.
Rustic came in at No. 9 in the rankings, according to a recent study by Q.R. Code Generator based on data compiled from Google Reviews.
Located on the Francis Ford Coppola Winery grounds, Rustic offers diners sweeping views of the Alexander Valley from the restaurant’s outdoor terrace, or cozy indoor seating in the dining room. (Meals can also be ordered to go).
Rustic’s menu items are a veritable director’s cut of the Academy Award winner’s most treasured dishes. Specializing in traditional Italian dishes and international cuisine, the restaurant offers everything from Neapolitan-style pizza to tasty cuts of South American wood-grilled meats from its Parrilla grill.
Among “Francis’s Favorites” on the Rustic menu are Rack of Lamb Madame Bali; Classic Fiorentina Steak (for two); Whole Fish in Salt; and Uncle Mikey’s Sausage Sandwich (from a recipe created by the filmmaker’s Uncle Mikey and his father, Carmine).
Other menu items include Coppola family meatballs with San Marzano tomato and Parmigiano Reggiano; New York Steak with Burbank potato, broccolini and salsa verde; Duck Sugo Spaghetti with braised duck leg, tomato and rosemary; and Crispy Polenta and Mushrooms with clamshell mushrooms, balsamic vinegar, and basil.
The winery produces Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Petite Sirah and Zinfandel among its vintages. And recommended wine pairings can be found on the Rustic menu to accompany some of the restaurant’s most iconic dishes.
Francis Ford Coppola Winery aims to create a family-friendly environment, offering everything from tours of Francis Ford Coppola and Sofia Coppola’s personal archives of filmmaking memorabilia, to wine tasting experiences that include time on the winery’s bocce ball courts, to private cabines for hire next to the winery’s two swimming pools.
Delicato Family Wines acquired the Francis Ford Coppola wine portfolio in 2021, including the Francis Ford Coppola winery in Geyserville. As part of the deal, Coppola received an equity stake in Delicato and a seat on the company’s board.
Rustic, Francis’s Favorites at Francis Ford Coppola Winery, 300 Via Archimedes, Geyserville, 707-857-1471, francisfordcoppolawinery.com