The Jack London Village is a charming village tucked away in wine country. This village in Glen…read moreEllen has artisan shops, restaurants, wine tasting rooms, and more! It's fun to shop in the shops, enjoy a wine tasting, or enjoy a leisurely meal at one of the restaurants in the village. Jack London Village is a historic place that was preserved over the years. I love that it has a water wheel and a creek that runs through it, making it a peaceful place to visit and spend time exploring. It has an relaxed and artistic vibe to it. There is a large parking lot with plenty of parking, which is convenient. This village considers what is across the street park of the village as well so there is plenty to explore. I have only ate at one of the restaurants so far at the village (The Mill) so I'm looking for forward to exploring the other restaurants there soon. The Mill has incredible food, the shops are adorable, and there is so much to love at the Jack London Village.

One of the most beautiful places I've ever been to it's quiet, calm, very romantic. The food is…read morealways great. We went to a fundraiser for his darkest Society and had a blast.

Our tour guide David was very knowledgeable and kind. Even though it was his first time riding with…read moretwo Shih Tzu dogs, he gave us an amazing experience throughout our trip. Communication with Oliver was excellent, and Jessie also called us a day prior to ensure everything would run smoothly. We had a wonderful time and truly appreciated everyone's hospitality and professionalism.

I booked this tour to have some fun on my girls trip with my sister…read more Our sidecar tour was absolutely fabulous. Jesse picked us up went above and beyond helping us with our bags. We drove through the country side and through a beautiful park. Then we toured the town of Sonoma. Next Jesse made us amazing reservations for our wine tasting. We had a gorgeous view and took our time tasting several wines. Finally we took a drive through the actual vineyards with some great photo ops. Jesse could not have been nicer or a better guide. I did a lot of things while in the bay area/wine country and I have to say this was by far my favorite. Five stars all the way!!!

The city of Sonoma is a perfect place for a getaway and a place that I personally love for so many…read morereasons. I personally prefer Sonoma County more than Napa Valley because it is so charming and has a small town feel that I love. It feels less crowded and more laid back, which I also love. The Sonoma Plaza is in the heart of town and this area is very quaint and charming. This is a perfect area to sip and stroll, shop, enjoy the amazing restaurants, and/or to enjoy a picnic. The city of Sonoma is also great for both foodies and wine lovers. The vineyard views in this town are also absolutely gorgeous. There are lots of amazing wineries if you enjoy wine tasting. There are lots of farm to table restaurants that are amazing as well as events throughout the year that are fun to partake in. You can also take a hot air balloon ride and soar above the vineyards. There are spas if you are looking to relax and this is an excellent spot for a girls getaway. If you enjoy hiking, there are lots of places to enjoy within a short drive. There is also the Sonoma Overlook Trail which is an easy loop that offers panaramic views of the town and the valley below.

I love this small town for a quick getaway. I like it much better than neighboring Napa which is…read morejust a short drive from here. Napa has evolved into a much more commercial and bougie destination that I can see the glaring changes each decade brings. I mean I will still visit the Napa area, but if given the choice, I will take Sonoma any day. I've been preferring this wine valley over on Hwy 12 versus the one on Hwy 29. The actual town of Sonoma is very quaint with good California history in its tow. And I don't find it as pretentious as Napa and their neighboring appellations like Yountville and Calistoga. I have stayed in small hotels, camped, hiked, wine tasted and dined at many places in or nearby Sonoma. And on every visit, I always make an effort on spending some time near their main square where there are several beautiful parks with shady mature trees, beautiful rustic buildings, lots of great places to eat/drink and just people watch. A great local gem for a getaway where I don't have to significantly travel. Been in my back pocket since the early 90s. And still madly in love with it. Trust.

Sonoma County is diverse compared to the small Napa Valley. One can enjoy the vineyards of the…read moreSonoma Valley, see the Sonoma Plaza (the largest Spanish plaza in California), St. Francis Solano in Sonoma (the youngest mission), the redwoods along the Russian River, Luther Burbank's experimental gardens in Santa Rosa&Sebastopol, go to a yerba mate factory/cafe in Sebastopol (as well as a Japanese Buddhist temple), a raw vegan restaurant in Healdsburg... and the spectacular Russian settlement of Fort Ross out by Jenner. In Sonoma, one can indeed see Russia from one's front porch. In Sonoma County, one can go to an ashram, a Buddhist temple built in Chicago for the World's Fair, meditate in an otherwise bland office building, and go to a Zen Center atop Sonoma Mountain. Jack London called Sonoma County home. Some have speculated that his spectacular Wolf House was burnt down because of his socialist views (his capitalist dystopia in "The Iron Heel" has been cited in the OWS protests) There is the Petaluma Adobe, the largest adobe in California, that lasted only a decade. The only Revolutionary War veteran buried on the West Coast is at a cemetery outside of Sonoma. Other than Detroit, Cotati is the only city with a six-sided plaza. Sonoma County has PLENTY to offer locals&tourists!

Sonoma is the new Napa, the relaxed Napa…read more I prefer to call it- Nuevo Boho Gourmo ( New Bohemian Gourmet)

A group of us visited Anaba Wines one morning for a friend's birthday. I was surprised to see…read morepickleball courts there - I've never seen that at a winery before! I don't play, but it seems like a fun option if you're into it. Since the winery had just opened when we arrived, it was still pretty empty and we easily found parking and an outdoor table to sit at. The back patio was gorgeous, especially on a sunny day with clear blue skies. It's spacious with plenty of seating and there was even enough room for the pup we brought with us to roam a bit. Our wine steward (unfortunately I don't recall his name right now) was super friendly, conversational, and helpful, and he made sure we stayed on schedule because we had somewhere to be afterward. We all did wine tasting and each wine was really good. We also ordered some bites - the olive oil was so good that a few of us bought bottles to take home. The fuller food options we saw at other tables also looked good. Overall, a great experience at Anaba and I look forward to returning for a future visit.

Pickleball and Wine Tasting? Oh yeah, oh yeah…read more Grub? Sure. Pricey? A bit. Mic drop...

Obsidian Ridge Winery has been one of our favorite wineries for years, and it continues to impress…read moreevery time we visit. We were first introduced to them back when they had their tasting room at Cornerstone Gardens in Sonoma. The setting there was incredibly welcoming--especially with our three young kids at the time--and between the atmosphere and the wines, we were hooked from the start. The wines are consistently outstanding. Their Lake County lineup really stands out, and the Volcanic Estate Cabernet has been a go-to in our house for years--it's always been reasonably priced and somehow overdelivers every single time we open a bottle. On the other end of the spectrum, the Half Mile is more of a special occasion wine for us, and it never disappoints. Winemaker Alex clearly knows what he's doing--his reds are fantastic across the board. The Cabernet, Petit Verdot, and Malbec from that volcanic Lake County fruit are bold, expressive, and incredibly well made. We've been wine club members for years now, which says a lot. Great wines, great people, and a place that's been part of our family's wine journey for a long time. Highly recommend.

Great location and wonderful service. Was not my favorite wine tasting, but it was still a pleasant…read moreexperience overall.

Had a great dinner last night at Red Grape. I started with the Gorgonzola salad lots of pecans,…read moregrapes, and fresh Fuji apple slices. The garlic bread was spot on, and the Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo was absolutely amazing rich, and perfectly cooked. Service was excellent. I was greeted right away by a very friendly hostess, and the overall atmosphere had a really nice vibe. Comfortable, welcoming, and just a great place to enjoy dinner. Definitely looking forward to going back.

This place in downtown Sonoma is such a solid stop. The indoor space is really nice and spacious,…read morethe service was good, and the food was honestly amazing. The pizzas are thin and crispy, exactly how I like them. We ordered two: one with mushrooms and truffle, and another with corn and serrano peppers. Both were so good, no notes. Great vibe, great prices, and a perfect spot to hit after wine tasting Highly recommend

Salumeria Ovello has become one of those places I look forward to having all week long. The smell…read moreof fresh warm focaccia coming out of the oven, simple ingredients that actually taste fresh, and sandwiches that somehow feel both light and deeply satisfying at the same time. Simple ingredients done really well; fresh meats, crisp vegetables, soft bread straight from the oven. It's the kind of lunch that reminds you how good simple food can be when the ingredients are quality. The owner and staff always seem genuinely happy to be there, and it gives the whole place such a warm and welcoming feeling. They also have little Italian drinks, snacks, and specialty goodies that make it fun to grab something extra alongside your lunch. It's a smaller little shop, so I recommend taking your sandwich to go and eating over at the Sonoma Plaza. Such a special little spot in Sonoma.

I was doing a day of exploration in Sonoma --- mainly the missions --- and arrived somewhere…read morein-and-around Vallejo House. As I was heading back to the square (where there is an abundance of restaurants), I didn't want the busyness of the scene; thankfully, I got on Instagram, typed "good eats in Sonoma", and BAM! Salumeria Ovello popped up on my feed, and thank goodness it did! An easy 4-minute walk from Vallejo House, Salumeria Ovello is owned by Andrea, who is a Michelin-star chef from the area of Piedmont, Italy. Having been to Italy twice this past year alone, I remember quite well the quality and taste of the classed Italian Sandwiches. The worker who served at the counter was very helpful, and within the restaurant --- there are just a few seats. I'd say, 3 tables with two seats at each table. For my food, I decided to order the Massimo --- which is on "sliced Focaccia, and has sun dried tomatoes, stracciatella di burrata, prosciutto cotto, basil pesto and crumbled taralli (crackers)". Each sandwich is made fresh-to-order, and you can taste the quality. Each ingredient worked together in harmony, and to satisfy the americani in me, I definitely enjoyed the taralli in the sandwich --- reminded me of putting chips in my sandwiches in school. While I waited, Andrea also brought out some slices of salami for me to try --- free of charge, which was very kind of him to do. All in all, if you want to get away from the busyness of the Mission Square, take a 4-minute walk to Salumeria Ovello, and you'll find a little piece of Italy in Sonoma! Ciao tutti!

My go-to when visiting Sonoma! The outdoor patio area is so relaxing. The tastings are casual and…read moredon't feel rushed. I always grab a few bottles of Picpoul and Pinot Noir to bring home. Cochon is on the square, so there are plenty of other small businesses nearby to explore.

What a lovely tasting bar in the heart of Downtown Sonoma! It's quaint and clean, and is decorated…read morewith photos of the vineyard and the family who owns it. You feel the warmth when you walk in. Carlo was a very kind and charming tasting room manager. He knows the wines, grapes and regions very well and captivates you with each story of the bottle he is pouring. He even explains the glassware. There are 3 different wine flights to try and you can taste by the class. The bar can also accommodate a flight that suits your preference. I was looking for an all red flight, and Carlo happily created one for me that I would for sure enjoy. For Designated Drivers, there are two non-alcoholic sparkling wines from Italy to try so no one feels left out. The tasting menu has light bites to complement the wines such as a charcuterie board, cheese plates, and chips. Carlo lets you know what goes well with the wine you're having. And for after tasting, a variety of coffees. The wines I tried were all delicious. I purchased 3 bottles. (Note: You can ask for a "dump bucket" but you don't need one because the wines are very good.) 1. Old Vine Rosé - So good and very popular that they have it on tap! 2. Whole Hog - A delicious Rhône! 3. Eleve Cabernet - drinks like a Bordeaux. When in Downtown Sonoma, please stop by and give them a try. It's a nice break from shopping or a good place to sit and chat with friends for the afternoon.