365 Things to Do in Sonoma County

Welcome to 365 Things to do in Sonoma County

SUNSET FROM MY BEDROOM WINDOW

I am always on the lookout for new experiences and adventures here in Sonoma County.

Join me as I share my longtime favorites and new discoveries with you, one a week (sometimes twice) until we get to 365. It's a big undertaking, but there is just so much to share about the bounty of Sonoma County.

As a real estate agent in Sonoma County for nearly thirty years, I've driven every little backroad and then some. I'll be blogging about all the best hikes and walks, viewspots, cocktails, outdoor adventures, restaurants, events and more.  I'm hoping that you can take advantage of all the homework I've done.

So if you just found us...bookmark the blog! If you find it interesting or useful, give us a like on Facebook...or better yet, pass it along to your friends.

Enjoy!

Spend the Afternoon in Jenner

A few weeks ago, we were in the mood for a little coast time (which we almost always are).  We decided to head out to Jenner, park, and just take the afternoon as it happened.

We parked near Cafe Aquatica and enjoyed a coffee on the riverfront deck looking out over Penny Island and the mouth of the river.  Bookmark this in your brain if you are looking for a great riverside picnic spot.

From there we headed up Willing Drive and explored the uphill neighborhood on foot for about 45 minutes.  

We passed what looks to be some future entrances into the new Jenner Headlands Open Space.  This 5600 acre property runs 2.5 miles up the coast from Jenner to the Russian Gulch.  The town of Jenner and countless others fought and worked for this for decades.

It is not yet open to the public for solo hiking, but you can join one of the regular guided hikes.  See the link below.

We hiked out of the neighborhood and then explored the beach down in front of River's End.  

Happy hour was underway, so we stopped in for a glass of wine to cap our afternoon.

If you can, go on a weekday when it's quiet.  You'll feel like a local.

Jenner is just north of the intersection of Highways 116 and 1.  

Sonoma Land Trust Guided Hikes in the Jenner Headlands here

Shiloh Ranch Hike in Windsor

We hike in Shiloh Ranch Park in Windsor on a regular basis. There are five or six combinations you can put together from the 3 miles of trails. The trails range from lush wooded creekside to butt-busting ridge climbs. If you are able, incorporate one of the ridge trails into your hike.

This is the reward:

This was taken from the pink overlook marker near the center of the trail map you can download below.  If you enlarge the photo and squint, you can see one of the ever-present early morning hot air baloons.  It will also give you a sense of scale...this view is outrageously majestic.

Any of the trail options can take you to the pond trail, which skirts the old cattle drinking pond near the back of the 850 acre property.  Great spot for a picnic.  Unless it's a busy weekend, you'll likely have the place to yourself.  

You can see how secluded it is from the overhead shot:

If you have a county park pass, you can park at the lot near the north trailheads, which has restroom facilities and group picnic tables.  If free parking is your thing, you can park off the road in a shady spot right at the south trail head.

Shiloh Ranch Regional Park, 5750 Faught Road, Windsor, CA

More information here

Trail Map here

Sonoma County by Airplane! from Santa Rosa

We recently were asked by a friend if we'd like to join him on a Groupon that was about to expire.  Turns out it was for a scenic tour by four-seater plane of the Russian River Valley. Score!

We met our pilot at the North Coast Air terminal at the Sonoma County Airport.  After a brief safety rundown, we were belted in and taking off.

We were lucky enough to get a clear early spring morning. We took off and were immediately treated to sweeping farmland and vineyard views, quickly giving way to the Russian River snaking through the redwoods.

We followed the river down through Guerneville and Monte Rio. In no time we hit the mouth at Jenner and were speechless at the real life version of those beauty shots you see of the California coastline.  Seeing it from that bird's eye perspective just defies explanation and pales to a still shot.

After the awesome trip up the coast, we headed back inland. One highlight of that leg was the hidden Buddhist temple in the hills above Salt Point State Park.  You almost can't believe it's really there.

The rest of the route inland was a real treat, since most of what you see isn't accessible by public roads.  After a glimpse of the edge of Lake Sonoma, we were back at the airport and on the ground.

It can be thrilling to experience Sonoma County like a tourist.  An incredible birthday or anniversary present.  Or even just a random Tuesday.

North Coast Air website here

Sonoma County Food & Farming Project

I'm happy to be able to share this great new program. It's called the Sonoma County Food & Farming Project.  I'm honored to be a sponsor, along with Redwood Hill Farm & Creamery, Ag Innovations and The Press Democrat.

 Over the course of one year, the SCFFP will share the stories of a new generation of attentive farming in Sonoma County, that is often overshadowed by the area’s larger agricultural and tourism industry centered on wine production. By partnering with Ag Innovations Network and The Press Democrat, it aims to increase awareness of and engagement with the community food system for Sonoma County residents  by actively promoting a dialogue of diverse perspectives from within the community.

The SCFFP will host three public forums throughout the year followed by a total of 36 professionally produced videos about all aspects of food and farming in Sonoma County, airing first on The Press Democrat website to encourage feedback and interaction.

The program kicks off with its first public forum on Wednesday, May 23rd from 5-7:30 pm at Forchetta/Bastoni in Sebastopol.  There will be a panel of about an hour long followed by a mix and mingle.  Some pretty great and interesting folks have attended in the past.

Schedule panelists to date include:  Bradley Christensen, Economic Geographer; Philip Coturri,  Enterprise Vineyards/Organic Wine Grower; Joseph McIntyre, President, Ag Innovations Network; Jamilah Nixon, Chef Proprietor, Forchetta/Bastoni; Roger Praplan, Chef/co-owner La Gare and SRJC Culinary Meat Fabrication Instructor;  Paula Downing, Farmers Market Manager; John Franchett, Rosso Pizzeria and Wine Bar; Steve Sando, Founder & Owner, Rancho Gordo & Barney Aldridge from The Barlow project.

Hope to see you there!

Directions here

Download flyer here

 

Happy Hour at Jack and Tony's in Santa Rosa

Jack and Tony's opened a couple of years ago on 4th Street in downtown Santa Rosa, just steps away from Railroad Square. It has one of the best happy hour programs I've found in Sonoma County.

Every day from 4-6 pm, tap beer, wine by the glass and well drinks are half price. AND all the bar food is half price. We're not talking typical cheap fried stuff. We're talking shrimp ceviche tostadas, mussels with andouille sausage, bacon-wrapped sea scallops and much more. You can certainly order three or four items off the menu and call it an early dinner for two.

We've had pretty great service each time we've been as well. The word is definitely out, so get there early. Seats in the bar are at a premium by 4:30.

Take a look at the bar menu here

Location:  115 FOURTH STREET | RAILROAD SQUARE | SANTA ROSA, CA 95401

Junk Sculpture Tour in Sebastopol

Most of us have seen the giant cow sculpture on Highway 12 between Santa Rosa and Sebastopol...and maybe others of the over 80  junk sculptures from Patrick Amiot around the county.

His work has become beloved and iconic because it transcends just being found or recycled art.  Patrick's work is full of whimsy, wit and life.   The more you digest any particular piece, the more appreciative you become at the clever and unecpected use of materials.

Here's the fun part.  If you are passing through Sebastopol, take a walk on Florence Avenue between Healdsburg Avenue and Bodega Avenue.  It is literally lined with sculptures...almost every house for several blocks.

He lives on the street, and you can usually grab a brochure in front of his house.  You'll know which one it is!

Patrick Amiot website here

Florence Avenue, between Healsburg & Petaluma Aves in Sebastopol

Map to more sculptures here

Water Street Bistro in Petaluma

This little gem of a cafe is sem-hidden.  It's tucked behind the main street shopping district overlooking the river.

It used to have only a handful of tables inside, but I was pleased to see they had expanded into the adjacent space.  The menu is small and very authentically French.  Pastries, quiche, salads.  Everything we had was excellent.  Even the crusty sourdough and sweet butter.

And the coffee...no mass market barista here.  A beautiful latte and perfect Americano.

Sit in or out.  Since that the stretch of old industrial train tracks, back delivery doors and dumpster was transformed into a wonderful promenade, enjoy the riverfront view...and take a stroll.  Take note of the rusted metal structures that conceal all the dumpsters.  Other cities should follow suit.

There is a public parking garage two blocks off Petaluma Boulevard.  Or if you are lucky, you can park right on Water Street.  It's a one way accessible from Washington or mid-block on Petaluma Boulevard.

Water Street Bistro, 100 Petaluma Blvd N

Website here

 

Snow Hiking

We had one of those winters here in Sonoma County recently where we kept seeing white caps on the distant hills. We went for an icy hike up Mt. St. Helena and wondered if there was a spot to get a truly snowy hike. Found it!

Just a few miles over the Sonoma County border into Lake County (technically you have to drive through the upper corner of Napa County is Boggs Mountain Demonstration State Forest.   It's about an hour north of the center of Santa Rosa.

There is a pretty extensive road system through the park, so you really have dozens of trail options if the gates are open (which they were when we were there).  Since the whole place was buried under two to four feet of gorgeous white snow, we just drove in as far as we safely could and set out on foot.

The next time you see white caps on the horizon to the east, treat yourself and zip over to the snowy playground next door.  Just watch out for the trees...

 

Park info here     Trail map here

Wild Flour Bread in Freestone

This bakery in the blink-and-you miss-it town of Freestone has a cult-like following. They can sell up to 900 loaves of bread a day from this remote location, which is about as bucolic and stunning as it gets.

All the breads are sourdough based and baked in their wood fired oven. The varieties are inventive and change often.

They are also famous for their sticky buns, en enormous creation that feels and tastes more old world than what most folks are used to seeing. Another standout are the whipping cream scones.

You can stroll through their organic garden and orchard or just hang out with the crowd of locals, visitors and cyclist who see to be a permanent fixture inside and around the property.

Location: 140 Bohemian Highway, Sebastopol, CA 95472

Website

Antiques in Downtown Petaluma

Downtown Petaluma is such a great place to visit. One of the best reasons is the antique stores...and two in particular...Sienna and Chelsea.

Both have multiple levels to explore and search for anything from rare, expensive furniture to all varieties of collectibles to the just plain odd and wonderful.

It's a satisfying way to spend an afternoon. I'll do another post soon about places to have lunch or dinner while you are in Petaluma.

Location: Main Street in downtown Petaluma (Petaluma Blvd. North)