The former 19Ten Bar & Provisions spot on Fourth Street will reopen this summer as Aroma de Cafe. Photo taken June 11, 2025. (Maci Martell / Sonoma Magazine)
The sprawling Railroad Square space previously occupied by 19Ten (and, before that, Jack & Tony’s) will reopen this summer as Aroma de Cafe Brunch.
Owners Luis Rodriguez and Alejandra Bravo say they’ve outgrown their tiny downtown Santa Rosa brunch café at 620 Fifth St. (not to be confused with A’Roma Roasters Coffee & Tea at 95 Fifth St.) and will move to the new location in late July.
The menu will remain the same, with a mix of Latin and American brunch favorites, including a pan dulce (sweet bread) basket, brioche French toast, chilaquiles, smoked salmon lavash wrap, torta Chilanga with chicken and refried beans, and eggs Benedict with guajillo chile and pambazo. The 620 Fifth St. location will remain open until the move.
Aroma de Cafe at 620 Fifth St. in Santa Rosa. The owners will open a new Aroma de Cafe at the former 19Ten space on Fourth Street this summer. (Maci Martell / Sonoma Magazine)Carlos Mojica of Guiso Latin Fusion has created a Latin-Italian fusion menu for his dinner bistro inside the former 19Ten Bar location in Santa Rosa, coming this summer. (Alvin Jornada / The Press Democrat)
At night, the restaurant will be a second home to one of Healdsburg’s hottest young chefs, Carlos Mojica of Guiso Latin Fusion. His new dinner-only menu fuses Mexican, Salvadoran and Italian cuisine.
I was skeptical of the odd mashup, but Mojica’s draft menu for his Aroma Bistro features dishes like pollo en mole ravioli, smoked pulled chicken with red mole in a clarified chicken broth and cilantro, beef birria rigatoni and carnitas pizza with queso fresco and roasted corn. Yes, on all of the above.
No stranger to fusion cooking, Mojica’s Salvadoran-Caribbean cuisine is an impressive mix of Salvadoran family recipes with island twists and elevated gastro-magic — like the Pulpo à la Plancha, a braised octopus tentacle with mojo rojo sauce, cilantro, rice chicharron, burned leek powder and lime foam.
After working in a closet-sized kitchen at Guiso for a decade, Mojica said he’s excited about the full-size prep area with a wood-fired oven.
“I’m also a little afraid of it. It’s huge,” he added.
A bacon, egg and cheese sandwich — or BEC — made on a fluffy plain bagel from a local New York City bagel shop in Brooklyn, New York. (Getty Images / iStockphoto)
It’s been a hot minute since I could call myself a New Yorker, but the BECSPK morning ritual is something I remember well. Shorthand for “bacon, egg and cheese with salt, pepper and ketchup” on a soft roll, it’s a grab-and-go breakfast available at most neighborhood bodegas. It’s the breakfast burrito of the subway-set — and it’s coming to Sonoma County.
This summer, chef Joshua Smookler of Golden Bear Station will launch SPK, a morning-only coffee and breakfast sandwich pickup spot in front of his Kenwood restaurant. The Long Island native grew up with the BECSPK and can’t seem to find anything similar in Sonoma County.
“It’s always wrong when I ask for it,” he said.
A bacon, egg and cheese sandwich — or BEC — made on a fluffy plain bagel from a local New York City bagel shop in Brooklyn, New York. (Getty Images / iStockphoto)
SPK will also offer a Japanese-style omelet on milk bread, and a sausage, egg and cheese roll with katsu sauce.
Fortunately, you won’t have to suffer through burned bodega coffee from Smookler, a stickler for perfection in his morning java. Instead, he’ll serve Intelligentsia coffee, cappuccino, latte and espresso.
Just don’t plan to stick around.
“It’s gonna be fast. You can get it to go or order ahead on an app,” Smookler said.
Wine tasting at Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery in Healdsburg. (Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery)
As the wine industry continues to face headwinds and visitor numbers decline, some winery owners are turning to new revenue streams — including efforts to revitalize their wine clubs.
While wine club shipments have remained steady throughout this downturn, accounting for 48% of direct-to-consumer revenue, local wineries are now grappling with the dual challenge of acquiring new members and retaining existing ones, according to Chris Bitter, senior wine and grape analyst for Terrain (the market research arm of American AgCredit), who spoke at a recent wine marketing and sales symposium in Santa Rosa.
The reason? “About 90% of all wine club sign-ups occur in the tasting room,” said Bitter. And there’s been a drop in tasting room visits.
To meet this challenge, some local wineries are adopting a more modern approach. Top-quality wines remain essential, but younger drinkers often want more than a mailing list and a box of preselected bottles.
The most successful clubs are those that foster personal relationships and allow members to customize their shipments. They also focus on offering personalized experiences, rather than just standard pickup parties with hors d’oeuvres.
Secret suppers, special events
Three Sticks rosé is summertime in a glass (Three Sticks Wines)Shaded chairs at Three Sticks Wines in Sonoma. (Three Sticks Wines)
A recent wine club event at the upscale Three Sticks Wines at the Adobe in Sonoma exemplified this new approach. Members were invited to a rosé reception at the downtown tasting room, followed by a five-course wine-paired dinner at the nearby El Dorado Kitchen.
As guests savored rose-shaped curls of hamachi and ahi crudo with Asian pear and soy-ginger drizzle, Three Sticks co-founder Prema Kerollis spoke about how, with tourism slowing under the current administration, the winery is taking its story on the road.
A “Secret Supper” in October invites members for an exclusive dining experience in Texas — the location will be disclosed just 24 hours in advance. That event is already sold out.
The El Dorado Kitchen gathering, limited to just 20 guests, also got fully booked the same day it was posted.
“As soon as my wife and I heard about this dinner, we grabbed tickets,” said longtime Three Sticks member Bob Brindley, a Sonoma resident and current president of Sonoma Home Winemakers. “These events sell out so fast, I immediately jumped on the website.”
Three Sticks Wines, 143 W. Spain St., Sonoma, 707-996-3328, threestickswines.com
A personal touch
The table is set for a tasting party at Kobler Estate Winery in Sebastopol. (Kobler Estate Winery)From left, Mike Sr. Kobler, Debbie Kobler. Mike Kobler, and Tim Seavy of Kobler Estate Winery. (Michelle Pattee)
Tucked in rural Sebastopol, Kobler Estate is more than a winery — it’s the Kobler family home. Mike Sr. and Debbie Kobler purchased the property in 1987, drawn by its 1870s Victorian farmhouse and surrounding vineyards.
Today, alongside their son and winemaker Mike Kobler, the family focuses on producing small-batch Burgundy and Rhône varietals. These include a fragrant Viognier — just five barrels made in 2023 — and a 2022 Pinot Noir layered with notes of raspberry, rose petal, cocoa and cinnamon, of which only two barrels were produced.
“We keep the wine club small — only 150 members — so we can stay connected and make sure it always feels personal,” Mike Kobler said.
One of the key membership perks at Kobler Estate is shipment customization. “Whether they’re into Rhônes, just whites or a mix of both, they can tailor it to what they actually enjoy drinking,” Kobler said.
Other benefits include complimentary overnight stays in the estate’s guest suites and invitations to private dinners.
“Every now and then, we’ll also do a private barrel with someone we’ve built a deep relationship with — usually a Syrah or Viognier,” Kobler said. “It’s not something we offer often, but when it feels right, it’s a special project to share. That’s the upside of staying small — we can say yes to the really meaningful stuff.”
The winery currently operates on an allocation basis, with a waitlist for club membership.
“Wine clubs are more important than ever,” Kobler said. “With so much shifting in the industry, having that direct connection to people who care about what we do keeps us grounded.”
The outdoor terrace at Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery in Healdsburg. (Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery)Wine tasting at Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery in Healdsburg. (Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery)
Gary Farrell Winery has welcomed guests to its hillside Healdsburg estate since 1998, though founding winemaker Gary Farrell released his first vintage Pinot Noir back in 1982.
This spring, the winery — now owned by the Sonoma-based Vincraft Group — introduced a new “Sonoma Subscription” service. Members can select their preferred styles and delivery frequency for signature Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. The flexible model breaks from traditional clubs by letting customers opt out of fixed selections.
“Wine lovers today are looking for more flexibility and personalization in how they enjoy wine, with a low-key investment that fits their lives, not the other way around,” said estate general manager Stephanie Wycoff. “Subscription members still receive preferred (club-style) pricing and access to small-lot wines that rarely leave the winery. But they can order on demand or skip a shipment entirely.”
A basic subscription includes four bottles every two, four or six months for a flat rate of $150. The flexible format also opens access to limited wines like the 2022 Durell Vineyard Sonoma Valley Chardonnay and the 2021 Rochioli Russian River Valley Vineyard Pinot Noir.
“In today’s evolving market, programs like this are essential,” Wycoff said. “They help us stay connected to our loyal fans while offering something they value — freedom and choice.”
Gary Farrell Winery, 10701 Westside Road, Healdsburg, 707-473-2909, garyfarrellwinery.com
Salt & Straw will open at Santa Rosa’s Montgomery Village on June 20. (Salt & Straw)
With summer sun coming on strong, the new Salt & Straw ice creamery at Santa Rosa’s Montgomery Village is one of June’s most anticipated openings. The grand opening is scheduled for Friday, June 20.
The Portland-based scoop shop is all about surprising fans with out-of-the-box flavors like Sea Salt Caramel Ribbons, Honey Lavender, Arbequina Olive Oil, and Salted Malted Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough.
Its ever-changing monthly specials offer even more unexpected combinations. In June, featured flavors will include wild-foraged berry pie (with double-baked pie crust folded in), wildflower honey and lemon chess pie, and a savory Gruyère and tomato custard tart.
Vanilla and chocolate are always on the menu, but why be boring?
Russian River Brewing Company’s Supplication Ale is featured in a brewers series collaboration with Portland-based Salt & Straw Ice Cream. The ice cream made with Manchego cheese, sour cherry marmalade and Supplication-infused ribbons of fudge is sold at Salt & Straw locations and at Russian River’s flagship Windsor brewpub. (Salt & Straw)
Last year, Salt & Straw teamed up with Russian River Brewing to create a beer-infused ice cream using the brewery’s Supplication Ale. The ice cream included ribbons of chocolate fudge that Salt & Straw owner Tyler Malek infused with the ale, swirls of sour cherry marmalade and manchego cheese.
“It’s a bizarre mixture but totally works,” said Russian River Brewing co-owner Natalie Cilurzo last June.
The grand opening will kick off 11 a.m. Friday. Nearby Avid Coffee will provide cold brew samples in the morning and local musician Brie Page will be performing from 6-9 p.m.
Salt & Straw joins several new food and beverage tenants at Montgomery Village. Mendocino Farms opened in May. Upcoming additions include Fieldwork Brewing, Sprinkles Cupcakes, Blue Bottle Coffee and Sweetgreens. Opening dates for those businesses have not yet been announced.
Oakland residents Jude Bermeo, left, and Christine Olivo float down the Russian River, Tuesday, June 4, 2019 in Monte Rio. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat) 2019
Looking for things to do this summer in Sonoma County?
We’ve got you covered with what is possibly our most exciting list so far: get ready to swim, dance, float, bike, hike, eat, stargaze and wine taste your way through summer.
Savor the Sunset
Paradise Ridge Winery continues its traditional Wednesday night parties: Wine & Sunsets. Every Wednesday through July (with the possibility of more events to be scheduled), guests are invited to the winery’s hillside amphitheater for a night of music, wines by the glass (or bottle) and gourmet food trucks. Tickets are $20-$30. 4545 Thomas Lake Harris Drive, Santa Rosa, 707-528-9463, prwinery.com
Take to the Town Green
Every Thursday from June to September, folks bring their chairs early to reserve a spot on Windsor’s quaint Town Green for the annual concert series and activities. As summer heats up, so do the music, farmers market and family-friendly lawn games. Vendors have food, booze and cool lemonade to keep you full and hydrated until dusk. 5-8 p.m. 701 McClelland Drive, Windsor, townofwindsor.com
Send the Kids to Camp
It’s a Santa Rosa rite of passage to send your kid to Camp Wa-Tam for a week of old-fashioned fun canoeing on Lake Ralphine, learning ridiculous camp songs, making lanyards, eating Popsicles, and getting good and dirty. Popular with the elementary-school set since the 1950s, the program has kept to its simple roots, making it a wonderfully anachronistic portal for kids more familiar with Snapchat than their own backyards. In Howarth Park, through Aug. 12, srcity.org. Note: If Camp Wa-Tam reaches capacity, there is a wealth of other summer camps available for kids.
Celebrate the 4th
The Summer at the Green concert series opens with a bang on July 4 as the Santa Rosa Symphony joins forces with the Transcendence Theatre Company for an evening of sassy show tunes and patriotic classics. The popular Independence Day event at the Green Music Center offers an array of old-fashioned family fun, including kids’ activities, picnicking on the lawn and a fireworks spectacular at dusk. Families are encouraged to arrive at 4:30 p.m. to take advantage of the Kids Zone and to set up their picnic spread. Concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $26-$76; lawn tickets for kids under 12 are half price. 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park, 707-664-4246, gmc.sonoma.edu
Watch a Flick Outdoors
As part of downtown Santa Rosa’s free Summer On The Square series, movies will be played on a massive LED screen in Courthouse Square starting at 6 p.m. on select Thursday nights through Sept. 1. Movie snacks, beer and wine from local producers will be available for sale, and attendees are encouraged to order takeout from a local restaurant to enjoy during the movie. This year’s movie lineup includes: “Lilo and Stich” (June 23), “El Libro de la Vida” (June 30), “Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” (July 14), and “In The Heights” (July 21). Summer On The Square also includes a music series at 5:30 p.m. on Thursdays and family activities and entertainment on select Fridays. Courthouse Square, Santa Rosa, downtownsantarosa.org/summer
Outdoor Films for theKiddos
Windsor kicked off its free Family Movies on the Green series in early June, featuring children’s movie screenings on the Town Green that will continue every Tuesday (except July 1) through Aug. 5. The movie lineup includes “Moana 2,” “Despicable Me 4” (in Spanish with English subtitles), “Toy Story,” “Field of Dreams” and more. Films start 15 minutes after sunset. For more information and movie dates, visit townofwindsor.com.
Newlyweds Jade and Michael Solis kiss after getting married at the Rivertown Revival in Petaluma, California, on July 19, 2014. (Alvin Jornada / For The Press Democrat)
Let Loose for a Good Cause
What started over a decade ago as a simple gathering of Burning Man sculptors, DIY boat racers and local folk musicians has evolved into the full-fledged fringe festival known as Rivertown Revival. You can get married, showcase your shipbuilding skills, listen to local music or just dress up as your favorite mariner. The event is a fundraiser for Friends of the Petaluma River. Wear comfortable shoes. Corsets optional. July 18-19. Steamer Landing, Petaluma, rivertownrevival.com
Plunk Down in a Park
On six Sunday evenings in summer, enjoy Live at Juilliard, a series of free concerts from 5-7 p.m., this year starting on July 27 and ending Aug. 31. In the golden light of dusk, show up and plunk down on the grass, get dinner from one of the food trucks, lie back and soak in the season. With a mix of family clans, retirees in lawn chairs, kids running around with streamers and dancers up near the stage, it’s a one-size-fits-all summer ritual. 227 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa, srcity.org
Take In a Show Alfresco
Set in the Field of Dreams in downtown Sonoma, Transcendence Theatre’s Broadway Under the Stars brings the world of Broadway to the heart of Sonoma Valley for an evening of song, dance, food and — of course — wine. This summer’s remaining lineup includes: “Broadway’s Best Night Ever,” a medley of iconic show tunes; “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” a Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical about the life and times of King; and “Ladies of Broadway” with stories and songs from lifelong Broadway performers. Before every Transcendence Theatre show there’s a massive picnic where guests can enjoy local food, wine and live music. 151 First St. W., Sonoma, 877-424-1414, transcendencetheatre.org
Take the Waters
Morton’s Warm Springs in Glen Ellen is a true summertime gem. To be clear: This is not a hot springs spa, but it’s a wonderful place to spend a sunny afternoon. The property features two mineral pools, a wading pool for kids, picnic and barbecue sites, plus lawn games and pingpong. Day-use fees range from $18-$30. Open every day except Mondays until the end of August. 1651 Warm Springs Road, Glen Ellen, 707-833-5511, mortonswarmsprings.com
(From left) Siblings, Carter Gardea, 9, Sophia, 7, and Camille, 12, jump into the pool at Morton’s Warm Springs in Glen Ellen. (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat)
Feast at the Fair
Whether you’re here to show a goat, ride the Ferris wheel, eat a corndog, or some combination of all three, the Sonoma County Fair is part of every summer. There’s no shortage of ridiculously fattening food options, roller coaster adventures, animal-petting opportunities and fist-pumping music — but nothing beats finding a comfortable spot in the shade and watching the fairgoers stroll by. Aug. 1-10 (closed Aug. 4). Sonoma County Fairgrounds, 1350 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa, sonomacountyfair.com
Share in Some Squeeze-box Love
Polka may be dead, but the accordion lives on. Every summer, fans of the squeezebox pile into La Plaza Park to play their hearts out at the Cotati Accordion Festival. The event commemorates the late Jim Boggio, who played with Polka King Frank Yankovic for years. Students, amateurs and pros are all as welcome as the many curious passersby. The event ends with everyone joining in for a group round of “Lady of Spain.” Aug. 16-17, tickets $20-$40, free for children 15 and under. cotatifest.com
Bliss Out in a Vineyard
The concert series at Gundlach Bundschu Winery is a year-round specialty that’s best enjoyed in the summertime. The unique venue — a century-old redwood barn — draws big names like indie rockers Mac DeMarco and Built to Spill. Tickets are sold out for the September MJ Lenderman and the Wind concert, but there are still tickets for the Bright Eyes show Aug. 27 and the Built to Spill concert Nov. 22. Bring a blanket, grab a bottle of wine from the barn stand and bliss out in the vineyard under the summer sky. 2000 Denmark St., Sonoma, 707-938-5277, gunbun.com
Spruce Up Your Tuesdays
For an evening of food, music and community spirit, check out Healdsburg’s Tuesdays in the Plaza, 5-8 p.m. every Tuesday through August. Local food vendors will be on-site to provide delicious fare, and an eclectic array of bands — spanning genres from folk rock to electric soul — are lined up to perform each week. A complimentary bike valet service will be available each week for concertgoers. Healdsburg Plaza, ci.healdsburg.ca.us
Sip and Listen at Lagunitas
The beard and beer set know all about the Lagunitas Amphitheater, an intimate show space on the unlikely industrial grounds of Lagunitas’ brewing facility in Petaluma. The lineup this year includes La Lom, The Heavy Heavy and more names to be announced. Tickets are free and become available at noon randomly. Anyone who spends $20 at the Petaluma taproom can get exclusive access to VIP tickets, which include a meet-and-greet with the band. The proceeds from shows this year will go toward a charity of the performing artist’s choice. Follow @lagunitaspetaluma on Instagram to stay up to date with the concert series. 1280 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma, lagunitas.com
Ride the River
Floating the Russian River is a summertime must, but how best to approach a float trip is a matter of some debate. Our best bet? Kicking the day off at Forestville’s Steelhead Beach and ending at Sunset Beach. While the 2-mile stretch doesn’t look like much on a map, at the river’s sluggish summertime pace, the route takes a good four hours. To avoid full parking lots or the need to leave a car at each beach, take the Regional Parks River Shuttle, which costs $5 for an all-day shuttle pass and travels from Santa Rosa to Forestville. Don’t forget the sunscreen, and be sure to bring enough liquids to stay hydrated. 9000 River Road, Forestville, parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov
Looking down on a woman floating on a inflatable circular raft on the Russian River in Monte Rio, California. (Ron Koeberer / For Sonoma Magazine)
Get Sporty
Looking for a more active outing on the Russian River than the classic float? Try Kayaking and Stand Up Paddleboarding. Burke’s Canoe Trips in Forestville is the go-to option for your kayak and canoe rental needs, but several outposts catering to stand-up paddleboarding have sprung up. Try Rubicon Adventures or SUP Odyssey in Forestville — or Russian River Paddleboards in Windsor for those interested in spending a day upriver.burkescanoetrips.com; rubiconadventures.com; russianriverpaddleboards.com
Hit the Bar at Stumptown
Looking for a beer or a burger after that Russian River float trip? There’s no better place to quench your thirst than Stumptown Brewery in Guerneville. Just outside of downtown, the bar features a patio with a river view and access to the beach below. In the summertime, it opens up its beach bar, and patrons are welcome to bring their dogs, so long as they remain on leash. It’s cash only, so come prepared. 15045 River Road, Guerneville, 707-869-0705, stumptown.com
Drink sangria Under the Stars
The enclosed dining space behind Healdsburg tapas restaurant Bravas certainly isn’t a secret, but it’s become a sanctuary for locals who snap up the best seats on summer nights for drinking sangria, eating plates of Iberico ham and enjoying the casual vibe. 420 Center St., Healdsburg, 707-433-7700, starkrestaurants.com
The pool area at Francis Ford Coppola Winery in Geyserville. (Francis Ford Coppola Winery)
Join the Pool Party
Pair a pool day with wine tasting at Francis Ford Coppola Winery, which sports a spacious tasting bar and two luxurious (and family-friendly) swimming pools. The best plan is to go early, get your swim on, then linger all day. You can order food from the on-site restaurant, slip inside to check out movie memorabilia and do a tasting, then head back outside for bocce or a nap. The oasis fills up quickly on weekends so consider a weekday visit. Pool access is only obtained through the rental of a cabine (starting at $325 for non-members). 300 Via Archimedes, Geyserville, 707-857-1471, francisfordcoppolawinery.com
Play Beach Bum for the Day
Just driving along Highway 1 on a hot summer day, windows down and music on, is enough to make anyone’s day. But even better than that? Pulling off into one of Sonoma Coast’s many beach coves, picnic in hand. Our favorite is Russian Gulch, just north of Jenner. Rip currents are strong here, so swimming isn’t recommended, but the dramatic 120-foot cliffs bookending the beach make for a nearly unparalleled view. For easier access (and a beach option with sand), we recommend Wright’s Beach to the south. 18794 Shoreline Highway, Jenner, parks.ca.gov
Take a Flying Leap
What’s the best view in Sonoma County? From the door of an airplane, 9,000 feet up. Celebrate that summertime freedom by free-falling with Cloverdale’s NorCal Skydiving. As you fall, you’ll take in views stretching from the Pacific Ocean all the way to the Sierra Nevada (if you can focus on the view, that is). If you’re going to jump out of a plane, it might as well be on a clear summer morning over Wine Country. 220 Airport Road, Cloverdale, 888-667-2259, norcalskydiving.com
Catch a Wave
The best way to experience the picturesque water along the Sonoma Coast is to dive right into it. And doing that is made so much simpler with a little help from the folks at the Bodega Bay Surf Shack. Visitors can choose between a group lesson ($109) or a private session ($145), with both lasting about 2.5 hours. The shop also rents skimboards, boogie boards, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. 1805 N. Highway 1, Bodega Bay, 707-875-3944, bodegabaysurf.com
A Mangonada made by Teresita Fernandez at La Michoacana in Sonoma. The drink consists of blended fresh mango with ice, swirled chamoy sauce, topped with mango chunks and tamarind candy and a tamarind stick. (Christopher Chung / The Press Democrat)
Elevate Your Ice Cream Flavors
If you’ve never had a mangonada, hibiscus paleta or elote ice cream, you’ve missed out on one of the best things Wine Country has to offer. La Michoacana in Sonoma (18495 Highway 12) serves up frozen treats like spicy mango slushies, fresh fruit Popsicles and dozens of flavors of ice cream inspired by the Mexican state of Michoacan. Find other great ice cream spots here.
Look Up
When darkness falls on Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, things are just getting started at the Robert Ferguson Observatory. With the nonprofit’s summer night sky classes, there’s no better excuse to head up the mountain. Classes can be taken individually or as a series and are designed for all levels of stargazer. Each presentation lasts about 90 minutes, during which attendees will learn about different summer constellations and their associated myths. After class, check out the stars through the observatory’s telescopes. 2605 Adobe Canyon Road, Kenwood, 707-833-6979, rfo.org
Climb into a Shell
Fitting yourself snugly into your rowing shell, you and your hardy crew set off, gliding inches from the water’s surface with each coordinated stroke. Seated in front, a coxswain keeps the rhythm. In no time, everyone has worked up a sweat. Rowing is a terrific cardio and upper-body workout — and few places are better suited to the sport than the Petaluma River. The North Bay Rowing Club offers learn-to-row programs for adults and camps for kids. Private lessons and equipment check-out for the more experienced can be booked year-round. 699 Second St., Petaluma, northbayrowing.org
Make a Splash on Spring Lake
Throughout the summer, an inflatable playground gently floats on the surface of the lagoon at Spring Lake — that is until hordes of kids start jumping, bouncing and climbing on the slippery maze of trampolines, bridges and slides. If all that bouncing isn’t your thing, there are areas for swimming, paddleboarding and wading for the tots. Parking is $7, admission to the water park is $10 and admission to the lagoon for swimming is free. One-hour rentals for kayaks and paddleboards are $12 per rental, and online reservations are recommended. Spring Lake Regional Park, 393 Violetti Road, Santa Rosa, parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov
Cool Down in a Cave
When the mercury climbs above 90, swan dive into a wine cave. The natural earth walls keep the temperature poised between 55 and 60 degrees in the 12,000-square-foot cave at Hamel Family Wines in Sonoma. The cave is a highlight of three tastings and tours, including a chance to sample unreleased wines from the barrel, taste current vintages with a culinary accompaniment, or savor your sips in a private room within the cave. The tour is $95 per person, or $150 ($125 for members) if you reserve a personalized experience. By appointment. 15401 Sonoma Highway 12, Sonoma, hamelfamilywines.com
While the Charles M. Schulz Museum is a favorite destination year round, it’s an especially nice spot to cool off during the dog days of summer. This season, you can join in the fun with the “Peanuts” gang as the museum exhibits fond, sun-soaked memories of summer camp in the Strip Rotation Gallery. Other summer exhibits include: “Paperback Peanuts,” “Memorable Moments: Celebrating 75 Years of Peanuts” and “Nice Shades! Beyond the Lines in Peanuts.” 2301 Hardies Lane, Santa Rosa, 707-5794452, schulzmuseum.org
Go Glamping
AutoCamp Russian River, a “glamping” resort in a Guerneville redwood grove, marries a wilderness escape complete with barbecue pit to the indulgence of a boutique hotel with spa-like bathrooms and luxe linens. Accommodations range from nostalgic Airstream trailers to luxury tents scattered around a midcentury modern clubhouse stocked with board games, morning coffee and a cozy fireplace. 14120 Old Cazadero Road, Guerneville, 707-604-6103, autocamp.com. Find more local glamping spots here.
Start Your Engines
Whether you drive a Camaro, a Ford Focus or a Volvo wagon with a baby seat in back, you too, can be a smoking badass on the asphalt. You don’t need a muscle car for Drags and Drift at Sonoma Raceway on Wednesday nights. Just show up and take your lane for a shot of hot adrenaline delivered with screeching tires, a slip with your time and speed, and maybe a trophy. You can also test your drifting skills sliding sideways through a special course or take a spin at the Doughnut Pad. $20-$60. 29355 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, sonomaraceway.com
Pitch a Tent in the Perfect Spot
Between the secluded ocean cove west of Highway 1 and the fern-filled redwood canyon that beckons from the east, the 210-acre Stillwater Cove Regional Park is a gem. The park’s 23 inland campsites offer quick access to the sheltered beach, a popular spot for kayaking, picnicking and tidepooling. More than three miles of trails include a blufftop walk and vista point, as well as lushly forested Stockhoff Creek and Canyon Trail loop options. Reservations required. 22455 Highway 1, parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov
Make a Great Ascent
For a quick, lung-punching mountain bike loop in Trione-Annadel State Park, leave your car in the Newanga Avenue parking lot and head east on the fire trail that follows the path of Spring Creek. At the first bridge, keep right to stay on the wide trail; cross the second bridge and you are now on Canyon Trail that leads to Lake Ilsanjo. Keep the lake on your left and take Canyon to Warren Richardson Trail, which will bring you to the Channel Drive parking lot. Channel Drive Trail runs parallel to the road — ride it until the trail ends at the ranger station. Back on the road, take a hard left up Violetti Road and a quick right into Spring Lake Regional Park, returning to the parking lot. Finish off your day with a beer and bite at nearby bike pub, Trail House. parks.ca.gov
Appreciate Nature with the Kids
Nonprofit LandPaths offers fun and easy ways for the family to get in tune with nature, such as its Let’s Read Outside series where kids (geared toward children 5 and younger) and their families can read bilingual, nature-themed books together in the garden at LandPath’s Bayer Farm in Santa Rosa. Reading sessions are held 10-11:30 a.m. every Friday through summer (except July 1). Kids can also play in the garden, make nature-themed arts and crafts, and learn about earth’s various critters. In partnership with Redwood Empire Food Bank, LandPaths distributes free lunch for youth 18 and younger through August, noon to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. LandPaths also offers plenty of summer camps for kids and teens.landpaths.org
Meanwhile in Marin
For those willing to venture across the Sonoma-Marin county line, check out these can’t-miss options:
On moonless nights, tiny flickers of light can be seen in the waters of Tomales Bay. The quasi-magical sight only happens when tiny bioluminescent organisms living in the bay are disturbed. The best way to experience the phenomenon is during a nighttime paddle. Blue Waters Kayaking offers Bioluminescence Tours all summer for groups of all sizes. 415-669-2600, bluewaterskayaking.com.
There’s no better place to take in the sunset over drinks than Nick’s Cove restaurant (plus cottages) at the north end of Tomales Bay. Built right on the shore, it offers perfect sunset views over Hog Island and the Point Reyes National Seashore beyond. While the real draw is an outside cocktail — on the patio or by the boathouse at the end of the restaurant’s long dock — even the view from inside is spectacular. 23240 Highway 1, Marshall, 415-663-1033, nickscove.com
Asparagus Salad with local strawberries, whipped feta, espelette, almonds and lemon curd citronette from Poppy restaurant Thursday, June 12, 2025, in Glen Ellen. (John Burgess / Press Democrat)
Halfway through 2025, I’m ready to go out on a limb and name one of the year’s best Sonoma County restaurant openings: Poppy.
The newest branch on The Girl & The Fig’s family tree, the restaurant is the culmination of founder Sondra Bernstein and John Toulze’s 25 years of travels through the backroads of rural France.
And though Sonoma County is newly awash in French cuisine — with the additions of restaurants like Petaluma’s Bijou and Brigitte Bistro, Healdsburg’s Lagniappe and Santa Rosa’s Augie’s — Poppy captures the fresh, honest simplicity of French countryside cooking, using seasonal ingredients and classic techniques.
While that may sound like a familiar refrain, I find that too many American chefs tend to overcomplicate things, layering sauces, seasonings and garnishes instead of just letting a perfect strawberry, stalk of asparagus or piece of fish stand on its own.
Gobs of good butter don’t hurt, either.
Asparagus Salad with local strawberries, whipped feta, espelette, almonds and lemon curd citronette from Poppy restaurant Thursday, June 12, 2025, in Glen Ellen. (John Burgess / Press Democrat)
Time to change
“It’s a return to where we started. Simple, ingredient-driven food,” said Toulze, managing partner of Poppy and The Girl & the Fig restaurant and catering.
For more than 25 years, the groundbreaking Cal-French Sonoma restaurant Toulze and Bernstein established in 1997 has reliably served their signature fig and arugula salad, moule frites, flounder Meunière and destination-worthy peach panzanella with pork belly.
These days, The Girl & The Fig practically runs itself, Toulze explained. Locals and visitors have their favorites and the menu rarely changes outside of seasonal specials. Toulze has handed over the kitchen to longtime chef Jeremy Zimmerman and Bernstein stepped back from business operations in 2021.
The duo has also launched several spinoffs over the years, including the Suite D event space, the Fig Rig food truck, the Estate restaurant at the former General’s Daughter and the Fig Café, which has now been transformed into Poppy.
“It had a wonderful run,” said Toulze of the Fig Café. “It was time to change.”
Poisson Cru Frais, a kampachi tartare, chili-citrus crema and fried pumpkin seeds from Poppy restaurant Thursday, June 12, 2025, in Glen Ellen. (John Burgess / Press Democrat)
The new vibe
During a brief closure last winter, Toulze and his team refreshed the space, opening part of the kitchen to the dining room, installing cozy window banquettes (the best seats in the house), painting the molding a smoky gray and adding natural elements like bamboo-patterned wallpaper.
Though I’m rarely wowed by restaurant art, Bernstein has created stunning AI-assisted illustrations of wild California poppies that reinforce the restaurant’s sense of place in Sonoma Valley.
The Fig Café’s eclectic menu of mussels, pizzas and burgers has been replaced by dishes like crispy roast chicken, sumptuous seasonal salads, and fresh poached eggs with morel mushrooms that feel deeply rooted in both Southern France and Sonoma County.
Toulze is now a constant presence in the Poppy dining room, greeting longtime customers and carefully directing the flow of service during these formative early weeks.
“This is what keeps you going after 30 years — it’s being motivated by creativity, food and creating an experience for guests,” he said.
Not everything is perfect yet — and that’s to be expected. The menu is evolving constantly, shaped by customer feedback, seasonal ingredients and how each dish lands with diners.
“One customer says it was the worst trout they ever had, and another says it’s the best,“ Toulze remarked with a shrug, taking it all in stride.
Truite du Mont. Lassen with romano beans, fingerling potatoes, romesco sauce and toasted almonds from Poppy restaurant Thursday, June 12, 2025, in Glen Ellen. (John Burgess / Press Democrat)
A bold statement
I’m going out on a limb to call Poppy a top contender for Best Restaurant Openings of 2025 (the list comes out in late December) because of a handful of dishes already defining it as a restaurant to watch — a perfect spring salad, a crave-worthy roast chicken and a standout bread service.
I visited twice (with a third trip planned) and was surprised by how much the menu had evolved in just a week — a mix of tiny transformations and major improvements that felt exciting and unexpected.
With a clear mission, a strong team and a passion for ingredient-driven French cuisine, Poppy is off to a promising start.
Best bets
Service de Pain with Shaved Parisian Ham from Poppy restaurant Thursday, June 12, 2025, in Glen Ellen. (John Burgess / Press Democrat)
Lean into the Pain: A good baguette isn’t hard to find — but a great one, with shaved Parisian ham, is my personal grail quest. Poppy’s Service de Pain, or bread service, fills my cup and then some. The wheat stalk-shaped pain d’epi ($5 half, $9 full) is a natural pull-apart for dipping into housemade cultured butter, creamy duck liver ($8), bone marrow ($6), country pate ($8) — or all of the above. The housemade ham ($16) is worth the splurge for its delicate, fat-laced ribbons of meat.
Asparagus Salade ($18): Spring on a plate. Mild asparagus spears, tart-sweet Watmaugh strawberries and lemon curd dressing form a color wheel of flavor that checks every box for me. The ingredients will change with the seasons, but this visual stunner will be a favorite food memory for years.
Poulet Rôti ($32): “I can make better chicken at home” is a familiar diner refrain — and usually true. Not here. This airplane cut (boneless breast and drumette) comes with crackling skin, juicy meat and a rich jus made with nutty vin jaune (yellow juice from Savagnin grapes). Perfection.
Poutlet Roti, heritage chicken with spring vegetables, wild mushrooms, whipped garlic, and vin jaune jus from Poppy restaurant Thursday, June 12, 2025, in Glen Ellen. (John Burgess / Press Democrat)
Short Rib Confit ($54): This one is worth a conversation. It’s not the fall-off-the-bone braised short rib you’re used to. Instead, the rib is slowly cooked in a water bath, then finished in fat — or “confit.“ The addition of bone marrow and red wine sauce amplifies the beefy, fatty richness to borderline excess — it almost felt like nibbling on a stick of butter. I didn’t hate it, but after an appetizer, bread and wine, it felt like too much of a good thing.
Oeuf aux Champignons ($18): Anything with morels gets my attention. This simple poached egg, served with a ring of parsley, fat morels and mushroom cream sauce, didn’t disappoint. Save some bread to mop it all up.
Poisson Cru Frais ($22): This dish may look like a wallflower, but it’s a flavor bomb. I’m usually against defiling delicately flavored raw kanpachi with anything but a bit of sesame oil or thin grapefruit slices. But here, the addition of chili-citrus crema enhances rather than overpowers the fish. Diced fried pumpkin seeds and ice plant leaves give a satisfying crunch.
Truite du Mont Lassen ($33): Tender Mt. Lassen trout trumps salmon every time in my book. The tender pink flesh mimics the texture of ocean-raised salmon, but with milder flavor and perfect flake. This version is served with nutty romesco sauce, plump Romano beans and fingerling potatoes.
Choux au Craquelin with espresso-chocolate mousse and a dusting of powdered sugar from Poppy restaurant Thursday, June 12, 2025, in Glen Ellen. (John Burgess / Press Democrat)
Choux au Craquelin ($10): We all have that extra dessert pouch in our stomachs, right? This baseball-sized puff pastry is filled nearly to bursting with velvety espresso mousse. Just, yes.
Coming soon: Poppy will launch weeknight prix fixe dinners in the coming months, offering a three-course meal with wine for $65.
Nigiri Sushi and Sashimi Combo at Shige Sushi Japanese Kitchen in Cotati. (Alvin Jornada / The Press Democrat)
When you know, you know. Sushi Kosho is officially the best sushi in Sonoma County.
Now, I don’t say this lightly, because sushi is a lifestyle choice for me — not just a meal. It’s about the warm (hand temperature), perfectly seasoned rice, pristine fish and just-so preparation. With expanded hours and an expanded menu that includes not only nigiri and sashimi, but poke bowls and traditional Japanese entrees, this Sebastopol sushi spot has always been good — but with a new sushi rice recipe, it’s head and shoulders above the rest.
In addition to Sushi Kosho, I have three other best runner-up restaurants for your sushi fix — Shige Sushi in Cotati and Sonoma, Hana Japanese in Rohnert Park and Aishi in Healdsburg — along with more casual sushi stops that offer up solid takes in the raw fish game.
Dining editor’s top picks
Sushi Kosho, Sebastopol
Chef Jake Rand is obsessed with authentic Japanese food and studied for years in Japan. Hands down, his sushi tops my list as perfectly seasoned, perfectly formed and perfectly impressive. Go for the Nigiri “set” with nine pieces of fish and a six-piece tekka maki. The space is comfortable to grab a lunchtime sushi plate or hunker down with a bottle of sake for a lengthier visit. Read full review here. 6750 McKinley St., Sebastopol, 707-827-6373, koshosushi.com
Nigiri set at Sushi Kosho Japanese restaurant at the Barlow in Sebastopol. (Heather Irwin/The Press Democrat)Toki Roll at Shige Sushi Japanese Kitchen in Cotati. (Alvin Jornada/The Press Democrat)
Shige Sushi, Cotati and Sonoma
Shige Sushi in Cotati is a bento-box sized sushi bar with just 22 seats, including the bar. Despite the diminutive size, the Japanese owners have cracked the code on affordable yet luxe Japanese favorites with authentic karaage (fried chicken), spicy poke salad, top-notch nigiri and sashimi and a laundry list of rolls (including plenty of gaijin-style mayonnaise/fried rolls). Open Tuesday through Saturday, closed Sunday and Monday. A large kitchen has expanded Shige Sushi’s offerings in Sonoma. Read full review here. 8235 Old Redwood Highway, Cotati; 19161 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma, 707-933-9331, shige-sushi.com
Sashimi appetizer at Asahi Sushi in Healdsburg. (Nobuyuki Asahi)
Asahi Sushi, Healdsburg
Owner Nobuyuki Asahi grew up in Japan and spent many hours with his grandparents at the famed Toyosu fish market in Tokyo. He insists on both local and imported Japanese fish, mostly seasonal, for his restaurant. The difference in his delicate hamachi, buttery tuna, creamy scallops and velvety Mendocino uni make Asahi one of my top five in Sonoma County. Read full review here. 335 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-395-0487, asahisushiandkitchen.com
Other great sushi spots
Sake 107, Petaluma
Put yourself in the chef’s hands with the five-piece nigiri. Personally, we wish we’d doubled or tripled that. There’s not a stinker in the bunch, but don’t miss the Hokkaido uni, ocean trout (umi masu), sake (salmon) or maguro (big eye tuna). Read full review here. 107 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, 707-241-7580, sake107.com
Melts in your mouth roll at Sake 107 in Petaluma. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)Edwardo Tejeda creates sushi platters at Ume Japanese Bistro in Windsor. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Umé Japanese Bistro, Windsor
Tucked away in Windsor, Umé is the place that sushi connoisseurs talk about between themselves. The sushi is simple, minimal (not blobbed with wasabi or overly seasoned rice) letting the flavor of the fish express itself and sliced generously without being overdone. 8710 Old Redwood Highway, Windsor, 707-838-6700, umebistro.com
Kiraku Sushi & Ramen, Santa Rosa
Impressive “utility” sushi from this relative newcomer in the Santa Rosa Junior College neighborhood, formerly known as Ippinn Sushi & Ramen. By “utility,” I mean Wednesday afternoon California rolls, veggie tempura and tonkatsu ramen with a girlfriend rather than Friday night, once-in-a-blue-moon, break-the-bank sushi with Daiginjo sake. In my world, both are equally important. Kiraku Sushi is a sister restaurant to the nearby Ippinn Udon & Tempura. 1985 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-800-7699, kirakullc.com
A sushi boat from Kiraku in Santa Rosa. (Courtesy Kiraku)
Sushiko, Rohnert Park
With one of Northern California’s top sushi spots — Hana Japanese — just a mile away from this Rohnert Park sleeper, Sushiko has a lot to live up to. But this simple little sushi bar tucked quietly inside a floundering strip mall is getting lots of thumbs up from BiteClubbers who say it’s tops for everyday sushi cravings. 6265 Commerce Blvd., Suite 174, Rohnert Park, 707-585-2774.
Toyo, Santa Rosa
Presentation of everything from California rolls to simple Bento boxes are camera-ready, adding to the carefully-cultivated vibe of the spot. Nigiri and sashimi are fresh and spot-on. Rolls run an entire page, with the usual suspects – California, Alaskan, Rock & Roll, to wackier things with tempura and mangos, but we’re especially impressed by traditional vegetable maki with sweet tofu skin, natto, pickled radish or shitake mushrooms. 3082 Marlow Road, Santa Rosa, 707-527-8871, toyorestaurantsr.com
Hamachi Nigiri at Haku Sushi in Santa Rosa. (Beth Schlanker/ The Press Democrat)
Haku Sushi, Santa Rosa
Located in downtown Santa Rosa, perilously near my office, this is my go-to, weekday sushi spot. I won’t lie, it can range from spectacular to lack-luster, but in general, things tend to be trending upward lately. Rolls are a specialty, and the names are worth the price of admission alone. Asking for a “Funny Feeling Down There” or “Silent But Deadly” is kind of priceless, no matter what’s inside. 518 Seventh St., Santa Rosa, 707-541-6359, hakusushi.top-cafes.com
Oishii Sushi, Santa Rosa
Recently a friend told me about this low-profile sushi bar and grill with a special takeout and delivery special — five rolls for $60. Despite my skepticism, they’re the best rolls — especially the Oishii hand roll with shrimp tempura and lobster — we’ve had in the last six months. Hands down. 1950 Piner Road, Suite 110, Santa Rosa, 707-308-4528, oishiisushibarandgrill.com
Tonkatsu ramen, sushi roll and edamame at Raku Ramen in Santa Rosa. (Chris Hardy)
Otoro, Healdsburg
Healdsburg fave for a fast sushi meal. The massive menu includes everything from chef specials and Bento Boxes to sushi rolls and noodle soup. 1280 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-756-3932, otorohealdsburg.com
Bluefish Sushi & Grill, Santa Rosa
Where I take my kids for a big sushi boat dinner. Good quality, reasonable prices. 2700 Yulupa Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-791-7233, bluefishsantarosa.menu11.com
Fig salad with feta cheese and walnuts. (etorres / Shutterstock)
Plump, sweet figs have thrived in Sonoma County since the Mission period. Cyrus Alexander planted fig trees on Rancho Sotoyome lands near Healdsburg in the 1840s and ’50s, and for many years, there was a famous intertwining fig tree — two trees, actually — at Alexander Valley Vineyards. Over the decades, many varieties have thrived here, among them the pale Kadota, Brown Turkey and Black Mission.
The fig is an ancient fruit, cultivated in Egypt and said to have grown in the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Fig trees spread from the eastern Mediterranean to Greece, Italy and France, where dried figs were popular as early as the 1400s.
California produces nearly all of the commercial crop in the U.S. After you’ve eaten your fill of the year’s first figs straight up, they are delicious when made into fresh chutneys or stuffed with blue cheese, wrapped in bacon and grilled. They are also delicious in this easy summer salad, full of refreshing crunch.
Plate with fresh ripe figs. (New Africa / Shutterstock)
Early Summer Salad with Figs, Feta and Scallion Vinaigrette
Serves 4-6
1/2 cup scallion vinaigrette, recipe follows
1/2 head Romaine lettuce, sliced crosswise into 3/8-inch-wide strips
4 to 6 ripe figs, stems removed, sliced lengthwise into wedges
1 handful fresh spearmint leaves, sliced into thin ribbons
4 or 5 fresh basil leaves, sliced into thin ribbons
Freshly ground black pepper
First, make the vinaigrette and set aside.
Put the lettuce, cabbage and parsley into a wide shallow bowl. Sprinkle lightly with a pinch of salt and toss.
Add the onion, pecans, feta cheese and about 2/3 of the vinaigrette and toss again.
Add the figs, mint, basil and several turns of black pepper and gently toss twice.
Drizzle with the remaining vinaigrette and enjoy right away.
Fig salad with feta cheese and walnuts. (etorres / Shutterstock)
Scallion Vinaigrette
Makes about 1/2 cup
4 scallions, trimmed and cut into very thin rounds
2 garlic cloves, preferably fresh (uncured), crushed and minced
2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice, plus more to taste Kosher salt
5 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 tbsp. maple syrup
Add scallions, garlic, lemon juice, and a generous pinch of salt into the bowl of a food processor and pulse several times. Add the olive oil and maple syrup and pulse again. Taste and add a bit more salt or lemon juice, if necessary.
Burger from Lunch Box Sonoma County. The pop-up restaurant is among a handful of local restaurants that have signed on for a space at the new Livery on Main food hall in Sebastopol. Click through the gallery for more. (Courtesy of Lunch Box Sonoma County)
What makes a great burger? Everyone has a different opinion — a fat patty or a smashed one, cooked medium-well or burnt to a crisp, with potato buns or brioche, with cheese or without.
For me, it’s about everything working together in harmony: a little grease dripping down the wrist, sauce on my face, stragglers of shredded lettuce dangling from the bun, and the perfect grind of beef with just a hint of char. Here are some favorite local burgers worth checking out.
Best Americana
Machado Burger
Walk-up windows are a dying breed in the age of drive-thrus, but this 60-year-old neighborhood burger-and-milkshake spot is better than ever. Inside tables are scarce, but it’s just as fun to sit on the curb to eat their messy grilled beef burgers with shredded iceberg lettuce while admiring hot rods at their Sunday rallies. Just don’t get any ketchup on the cars. 406 Larkfield Center, Santa Rosa and 9240 Old Redwood Hwy., Windsor. 707-546-6835, machadoburgers.com
The bacon cheeseburger at Machado Burgers is quite possibly the most perfect burger in Sonoma County. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)The St. Helena Ave. Burger at Superburger in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Best Classic
Superburger
You’ll smell the sweet smoke of flame-kissed Angus burgers as you walk to the door. Keep it simple with the old-school Cheese Superburger, chocolate shake and tater tots. We recommend extra sauce for dipping and plenty of napkins on hand. 1501 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-546-4016, and 8204 Old Redwood Hwy., Cotati, 707-665-9790. originalsuperburger.com
Best Value
Acme Burger
This is the place for great burgers on a budget. The single Acme Burger is just $7.10. Upgrades are à la carte, including fancy cheese, applewood bacon, avocado and even truffle butter. Their awesome sauce, however, is on the house. 1007 W. College Ave., Santa Rosa; 550 East Cotati Ave., Cotati; 701 Sonoma Mountain Pkwy., Petaluma; and 330 Western Ave., Petaluma. acmeburgerco.com
Sonoma Beef Burger with onion rings, fried chicken burger, chili fries and Cajun fries at Acme Burger in Cotati. (Heather Irwin/The Press Democrat)Iggy’s Organic Burgers with duck fat and beef patty, buttery brioche, organic American cheese, ketchup, mustard, onions caramelized with a secret sauce, and pickles are served on the plaza, Friday in Downtown Healdsburg June 30, 2023. (Chad Surmick / The Press Democrat)
Best Burger and a Scoop
Iggy’s Organic Burgers
It’s normal to short-circuit just a little walking into Iggy’s. The narrow Healdsburg storefront is a scoop shop, and a burger restaurant run by a mother-son team. Start with the Iggy, an organic smashburger cooked in beef tallow and topped with local cheddar, pickled onions, and tangy Million Island sauce between two sweet Hawaiian buns. Save room for a scoop of caramel ice cream studded with chocolate-caramel toffee. 109 Plaza St., Healdsburg. iggysburger.com
Best Smashburger
Lunch Box
Though we’re longtime devotees of the diner-style Burger Harn with fancy sauce and shredded iceberg lettuce, the Oklahoma fried onion smash burger’s lacy cheese edges, sweet grilled onions, and drippy cheese can’t be denied. Pair with Dirty Fries topped with smoked bacon, pepperoncini, ranch dressing and garlic confit. 128 N. Main St., Sebastopol. lunchboxsonomacounty.com
Burger from Lunch Box in Sebastopol. (Courtesy of Lunch Box)Farm Beef Burger with Fries and a beer for a casual meal at sunset on the back deck of the Sea Ranch Lodge Restaurant Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, on the northern Sonoma coast. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Best Burger With a View
The Sea Ranch Lodge
The burger is good, but the seascape views on the patio of this windswept coastal lodge are incredible. Stop for a quick bite at the recently renovated lounge and solarium for a refined Sea Ranch Burger served with Fiscalini cheddar and aioli on a brioche bun. 60 Sea Walk Drive, Sea Ranch. 707-579-9777, thesearanchlodge.com
Find more favorite burgers around Sonoma County here.
A thoughtful connection to the outdoors and lots of space for cooking anchor the clean-lined, modernist main home. “In many ways, my house is a large kitchen with some bedrooms around it,” Stephen Singer explains. (Eileen Roche / Sonoma Magazine)
There’s a tiny sparrow fluttering and dipping its wings in a small pool of water collected at the edge of the roof that cantilevers over Stephen Singer’s porch in rural Sebastopol. It’s a moment that would have thrilled his young granddaughter, who has just left after an extended visit to the farm, and Singer looks delighted, too.
The wraparound porch overlooks a sweep of olive groves and vineyards in a small, west-facing valley punctuated with blocks of grapes and olive trees. The landscape is full of life: owls hunt for gophers and nest in boxes placed at the side of the vineyards, and ducks and occasionally river otters cavort in the seasonal stream at the bottom of the hill. “I could sit all day and watch the turkey vultures fly around,” says Singer. “They’re beautiful aviators.”
There are few as well equipped as Singer to hear the songs of all this rural bounty and beauty. A restaurateur and wine merchant, he is known for his connection to Chez Panisse, the Berkeley restaurant founded by his former wife, Alice Waters. Singer oversaw Chez Panisse’s wine program for decades, ran a landmark wine shop in San Francisco, and consulted on wine lists for dozens of restaurants while importing rare olive oils from Tuscany. (Paul Bertolli, a colleague at Chez Panisse in the early 1980s, first opened his eyes to the vibrant, fruity qualities of Tuscan olive oils.)
Restaurateur Stephen Singer’s rural property in Sebastopol contains vineyards, orchards and an art studio. (Eileen Roche / Sonoma Magazine)
Singer now focuses his formidable energy on products from his Sebastopol farm, including wines from 6 planted acres as well as two blends of estate olive oil — staples of a gracious spread. “Wine on the table pulses with a sense of purpose,” Singer says. “It makes the table a more beautiful place, and it invites conversation and community.”
Singer is also an accomplished visual artist. His studio takes up the second floor of a corrugated metal outbuilding that houses tractors and field equipment on the ground floor and an acetaia, or vinegar-making operation, above. Singer paints with watercolors, layering dozens of thin washes of color atop the page to explore formal issues of light, space and form. He explains that while he doesn’t paint from nature per se, his work is saturated with reflections of light and color in the landscape.
The labels he created for his estate Syrah and Viognier engage with this interplay: the Syrah has a subtle design in keeping with its dark, complex character, but the Viognier reads exuberant and bright. One imagines the colors on that label in dialog with the character of both the fruit it’s made with and the light, summery foods it might accompany — it’s a “vivid, polychromatic expression,” the artist explains.
Singer paints the labels for his estate wines in his second-story art studio. The colors on the label for the Singer Viognier echo the vibrancy of what’s inside. (Eileen Roche / Sonoma Magazine)
Singer first explored Sonoma County in the 1970s, riding motorcycles and cycling through the hills of west county with friends. When he was ready to make the leap, he became enamored of the idea of raw land, a place where he could realize his own built environment. Singer’s parents had built the house he grew up in, in Oklahoma, and he longed for a spot where he could assert his creativity as they had.
When he purchased the property 23 years ago, it was planted with a few thousand apple trees alongside a couple of simple farm buildings and a doublewide trailer for farmworker housing. With strong ideas for the new home he wanted to build, Singer worked collaboratively with architect Keith Anding to realize the design. The brief was for a modern, light-filled environment that gave the impression of an urban loft, with a similar flow between spaces, but on open land.
“What I really like about hypermodern architecture and design is that it draws you to the experience of the form itself,” Singer says. “As much as the house has a lot of modern elements, it hardly feels severe.”
A thoughtful connection to the outdoors and lots of space for cooking anchor the clean-lined, modernist main home. “In many ways, my house is a large kitchen with some bedrooms around it,” Stephen Singer explains. (Eileen Roche / Sonoma Magazine)
A large space for cooking and conversation centers the design. “In many ways, my house is a large kitchen with some bedrooms around it,” he reflects. The kitchen accommodates large gatherings with multiple chefs around a center island and peninsula that connect to an indoor dining space on one side and an outdoor kitchen on the other. His many years in restaurants informed the functionality.
“One of the things that’s interesting is that people who haven’t spent time in restaurants often think that the optimal efficiency is found in having a lot of space. Well, that’s actually not the case. If the distances are too large, it’s disadvantageous,” he says.
What is important is flow and easy accessibility. Singer uses low trays to corral dozens of favorite oils and vinegars within arm’s reach of the stove, while at the center of the island, ceramic crocks hold wooden spoons, spatulas and tongs. “There’s something about the architecture of my brain — I like to see as many tools and things out on display as possible for efficiency, for remembering what I have to work with.”
The adjacent outdoor kitchen connects through a large door and features an enormous hearth equipped with a Tuscan grill. “Most of the winter weather comes from the south and east, so even if it’s howling rain, this part of the house is protected and I can go outside and grill,” Singer says.
The outdoor kitchen connects through a large door and features an enormous hearth equipped with a Tuscan grill. (Eileen Roche / Sonoma Magazine)
In June, the vineyards and olive groves come alive with the lush energy of the season, a sense of fertility and vitality, Singer says. “It’s a truism of painting that green can take over a painting. So in early summer, when you have all this green like you do here, you can’t keep it out. It feels like a welcoming presence, a waking up of your connection to the outdoors.”
From the porch, he can take in developing clusters on the vines and boysenberries and Santa Rosa plums in the garden. He also often sits on the porch at night to listen to the singing of the frogs in the creek and gaze at the sky. “When it’s moonlit, you can see the vineyards, and when it’s not, you can see the stars,” he says.
Though he has been in the wine business for 44 years and has farmed grapes on this site for two decades, Singer is still realizing new chapters in his relationship to wine. He recently relaunched under a new name, Singer Wine, and is focusing on smaller, high-quality releases. Learning to farm this land has been an introduction to a whole new canon of knowledge, he says, as he absorbed the character of the site and began to fully realize its promise.
In June, the vineyards and olive groves come alive with the lush energy of the season, a sense of fertility and vitality, Singer says. (Eileen Roche / Sonoma Magazine)
“One of the things that farming — especially organized, sustainable farming, where you’re not bluntly trying to impose your will — is you have to learn the systems. Not just how to accommodate them, but how to work within them. It’s another way of saying that it’s about trying to find a certain highly functional state of equilibrium. And that means also recognizing a system of balance and a relationship to all the other animals.”
“Having the opportunity to recognize all these different creatures — ducks, river otters, turkey, deer. It’s really fun to feel that we get to share this neighborhood.”
