Stephanie Holmes, left, Emmett Hanlon and Judy Holmes walk along a trail in Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, in Guerneville, on Tuesday, August 13, 2013. (Christopher Chung/ The Press Democrat)

Trail of the Week: Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve

Wintertime visitors to Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve in Guerneville are as likely to spot colorful galoshes as hiking boots as they trek along the family-friendly trails that wind among the towering redwoods within this majestic state park. Although several moderate and strenuous trails can challenge more advanced hikers within the 805-acre reserve, families with toddlers […]
Russian River Brewing Company's Vinnie Cilurzo, with wife Natalie, is a semifinalist for Outstanding Wine, Spirits or Beer Professional in the James Beard Foundation Awards.

2016 James Beard Award Semifinalists Announced

Two Sonoma County men were among semifinalists announced Wednesday for the James Beard Foundation’s 2016 restaurant and chef awards. Russian River Brewing Co.’s Vinnie Cilurzo of Santa Rosa and Littorai Wines’ Ted Lemon of Sebastopol were among the 20 making the cut for Outstanding Wine, Spirits or Beer Professional. About two dozen Bay Area restaurants […]
On Saturday and Sunday, fancy felines will strut their stuff at a cat show being held at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. (Christopher Chung/ The Press Democrat)

Things to Do in Sonoma County This Week

  Written by Crissi Langwell and Dan Taylor for the Press Democrat. Looking for some fun this weekend? Here’s what you have to look forward to. This Saturday, amateur to professional builders will construct elaborate structures out of donated cans of food at the annual Canstruction event at Coddingtown. Plus, all weekend long is the […]
The 50's are back in style at the Santa Rosa Barber Shop. Owner Eric Gardea runs pomade through the hair of Cody Garzini. (JOHN BURGESS / The Press Democrat)

The Barber is Back in Sonoma County

Men are flooding back to barbershops, lured by the prospect of a clipper cut and beard trim in the company of other men. Changing hairstyles have provided some of the fuel. Salon-driven ‘70s feathered hair styles and ‘80s mullets have been replaced by the fades and pompadours that are the specialty of old-school barbers, delivered […]
Sonoma County Regional Parks allows leashed (six feet or less) and licensed dogs at all parks. Keep clicking through the gallery to see where else you can take your dog in Sonoma County.

Guide to Dog-Friendly Places in Sonoma County

Love to explore and travel, but don’t know if the pup can go, too? See the gallery above for different dog-friendly spots in Sonoma County with four sections: beaches and parks, shopping, wineries and hotels and inns. Did we miss any places? Let us know in the comments.

Eye Candy: Sonoma Doctor Seeing Vision of Chocolate

Written by Heather Irwin for BiteClubEats. Eye Candy Chocolatiers: Chocolate is Dr. Sonja Schluter’s happy place.  The Sonoma ophthalmologist spends her days working with patients facing serious vision problems, primarily glaucoma. So her off-time passion for making beautiful chocolate truffles has become an outlet of beauty, precision and, of course, deliciousness. But after 20 years practice […]

Things to Do in Sonoma County This Week

Whether you’re in love or you’re ready to mingle, we have a whole list of fun things for you to do this weekend. Learn about the birds and the bees, and the lemurs and the giraffes at the annual Wild Jungle Love tour at Safari West. Also happening this weekend is the Cloverdale Citrus Fair, […]
Cinnamon French toast made from Village Bakery brioche topped with butter, fresh whipped cream, organic raspberries and real maple syrup with sparkling wine and a cappuccino at Estero Cafe in Valley Ford. (Alvin Jornada / The Press Democrat)

3 Valentine’s Day Brunch Recipes from Sonoma County Chefs

This Sunday, instead of going out for a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner, you can treat your sweet babboo to something a little different: an intimate breakfast in bed, complete with fresh squeezed juice and coffee. And, if you take the time to source your ingredients from local farms and producers you’ll get points for the […]
Capt. Steve Baxman has been saving lives and fighting fires on the Russian River for the past 45 years. (JOHN BURGESS / The Press Democrat)

Monte Rio Fire Captain Steve Baxman Has Seen It All

Steve Baxman makes friends the hard way. “I still have people stop me on the street and thank me for something I’ve done,” he says. As a member of the Monte Rio volunteer fire department for the past 45 years, Baxman has rescued so many people he can’t remember them all. “But I’ll say, ‘Give me […]

Sonoma County Winery Tasting Rooms to Visit This Winter

  Winter is quiet and contemplative in Sonoma, a time when grapevines go dormant and the wines from the 2015 harvest are at rest in cellars. The countryside can be beautiful, dark golden and gray, without a grape leaf in sight. It’s a fine season to stop in at wineries, which are apt to be […]