Kenwood Village, Sonoma Valley, California

For our booked guests, here are some answers to questions we often get about the immediate neighborhood:

Is there an easy wine tasting tour we can take by foot from the house?

If you want to leave your car keys at the house, you can take a walking tour of three terrific wineries in the immediate neighborhood that exhibit diverse approaches to winemaking and beautiful grounds.  You can do this tour in less than 2 hours if you'd like.  Or linger at each place, bring a picnic (see below) and take up a whole afternoon. 

Note that this tour requires about five minutes of walking on Highway 12.  The highway is only a 2-lane road, and there is a wide shoulder, but please make sure that you don't wander into the road once you've had a couple of glasses!  The side-road portions are much more pleasant. 

From the house, walk South for a few minutes on Highway 12 and turn left on Adobe Canyon Rd.  Landmark Vineyards will be on your left.  Landmark features lovely grounds and a terrific selection of wines from vineyards throughout the different regions of Sonoma. 

After Landmark, walk a few minutes further up Adobe Canyon Rd. and you will see La Rochelle Winery on your left.  This is a smaller, family-owned winery producing limited editions of premium Pinot and Chardonnay grown from small-lot, single vineyards. 

From La Rochelle, walk back down to Sonoma Highway, turn left, and walk a minute or two to Goff Road.  Turn left and walk for a few minutes to Chateau St. Jean, with its beautiful, Mediterranean gardens and lovely collection of single-vineyard wines.  Like a slice of Europe dropped into Sonoma Valley. 

From Chateau St. Jean, you can head back to the house, or else stroll into Kenwood Village (a few minutes' walk South) to get some gelato or eat lunch or dinner.  (There are several other places to taste wine in the village itself...remember to be careful walking back!)

Are there any places to eat within a couple of minutes of the house?

Salt & Stone:  Delicious, European-California cuisine with a relaxed but upscale "gathering place" vibe in a beautiful location just off Highway 12.  About a 2-minute drive from the house, South on Highway 12.  Casual, but not in a flip-flop and tee shirt way.  

VJB Cellars/ La Cucina:  High quality Italian-style market, coffee shop, and food purveyor with a courtyard area for eating and drinking wine.  Great for getting picnic supplies, light breakfast, lunch, coffee, or afternoon cheese and wine.   Also delicious pizzas, paninis, and a wine tasting area...and an awesome gelato bar.  About 1-2 minutes down the road in Kenwood Village.  More of a market/cafe than a sit-down restaurant.   Dress nicely or wear a tee shirt. You’ll fit in either way.

Palooza Gastropub:   Kenwood's neighborhood pub.   It feels like a pub, but kids are welcome.  Huge selection of beer and wine, along with a menu featuring a wide selection of favorites.  Very casual.  About 1-2 minutes down the road in Kenwood Village.  They’ll also make pizzas for pick up.

Zapata Grill: Friendly little roadside cafe serving solid, traditional Mexican food. Flip-flop and tee shirt casual. About 1-2 minutes down the road in Kenwood Village at 9255 Sonoma Highway. You can eat on the outside patio or get take-out and bring it back to the house. No website, but Yelp listing here.

Tips Roadside:  Sonoma meets Southern comfort food and BBQ.  This used to be a pop-up served from a red trolley that would visit Kenwood every week.  Now there is also a permanent location just a few hundred yards south of our house at 8445 Sonoma Highway.   Kids' menu available. Interesting craft cocktails and check out their brunch, too.

Where can we go to get groceries?

Glen Ellen Village Market:  For full-scale shopping trips when you need lots of stuff.  Sort of like a local, smaller version of Whole Foods, with prepared food in addition to groceries.  Located about 6 miles south (10-15 minute drive), in Glen Ellen Village.  13751 Arnold Dr, Glen Ellen

Safeway (including online through InstaCart): This is another option for full-scale shopping trips, with online delivery available as well, via InstaCart. The brick and morter store is located about 6 miles north (10-12 minute drive) on the southern edge of Santa Rosa at 100 Calistoga Road, Santa Rosa.

Kenwood Market & Deli:  Small, no frills market that carries the basic staples.  About a mile away.  If you're only staying a couple of days, or if you don't need a lot, this will do.  Tucked away and easy to miss,  a couple of minutes down the road in Kenwood Village.  8910 Sonoma Hwy 12.

Do you know a private chef who can come to the house ?

Chef Andrea Marino owned a Michelin-starred restaurant in Barbaresco, Italy before moving to Sonoma.  He has prepared delicious meals for guests at our home.  Please contact him directly here.  (Please note that Sonoma County does not allow parties or events at our home, so private catering can be for small groups only.)

If Chef Marino is unavailable, other well-regarded private chefs in the Sonoma area include: Chef Travis, Chef Adair, Cuisine by Lena, and Chef Spencer.

Is there a nice, easy-ish walk or hike near the house?

If you're looking for a non-strenuous but pretty walk or hike near the house that takes anywhere between 45 minutes and a couple of hours, we'd recommend the Lawndale Road/Annadel State Park route. 

From our driveway, go North on Highway 12 for a few minutes, then turn left on Lawndale Road.  You will walk through pretty neighborhoods and vineyards.  The road rises gradually into the Sonoma foohills.  After about a mile, you will come to the trailhead for Annadel State Park.   Turn around here if you're looking for an easy walk under an hour round trip.  If it's dirt trails and hiking you are after, explore the Annadel Park...you can go as far as you like.  If you'd prefer to stick with quiet paved roads, keep going on Lawndale Road.  The road will steepen and head uphill.  If you turn around at the top of the steepest climb, you will have walked well over an hour by the time you return to the house.

If you want to keep going, keep heading up Lawndale Road and veer right on Schultz Road.  You'll walk through pretty vineyards and Oak-studded hills for 30 minutes or so.   Schultz Road ends at Bristol Road.  Turn left and then make another quick left back onto Lawndale and follow it all the way back down.  If you do the full loop, you'll walk for over 2 hours round trip.

Is there a longer hike near the house?  Like can we hike to the top of the mountain we see from the backyard?

Hiking to the top of Hood Mountain is terrific, moderately strenuous hike.  It's one of Wine Country's best hikes and it is literally right there.  Tennis shoes are fine, but bring water.  When you get to the top, on a reasonably clear day, you can see San Francisco, the Golden Gate bridge, the SF Bay, and of course our house! 

To get up there, we recommend driving to the trailhead, which is about a 3-minute drive away.  Turn right out of the driveway onto Highway 12 and drive for about a minute, then make another right on Pythian Road and drive to the end of the road (you'll pass St. Francis Winery...a good place to pick up some wine). 

Most people take trails leading to Gunsight Rock, which has stunning views of the Bay Area, then they turn around and head back.  There are miles of trails, so read up about the combination and distance you'd like to go.  The shortest combination is 6 miles round-trip to Gunsight Rock back to your car.  Instructions for taking that route can be found here.

What's the easiest way to have a picnic near the house?

Our favorite spot for a picnic lunch is underneath the old Oak tree in our backyard, next to the vineyard.  But if you're looking to branch out, there are some easy options:

VJB Cellars/ La Cucina, just a couple of minutes away and noted above, has an impressive selection of wine, cheese and Italian picnic food that you can take anywhere in the Valley for a picnic.  Or, if you are feeling lazy, sit at a table in their lovely courtyard and enjoy a "picnic" lunch and a bottle of wine.  

Ledson Winery, about one mile North on Sonoma Highway, also has a terrific little specialty market filled with European-style picnic and other food.  Find a quiet spot on the grounds, or take your picnic lunch elsewhere and enjoy.

Chateau St. Jean, mentioned above, has excellent picnic areas and is very close to the house.

If you are looking to picnic closer to the town of Sonoma (and further afield from the house), we would recommend the picnic areas at either  GunBun or Sebastiani.  Both are historic wineries with lovely settings, wonderful wines, and beautiful picnic areas.  Combine a picnic with a visit to Sonoma Square and that's a day worth living.

What are your favorite restaurants in Sonoma Valley within 20 minutes of the house?

There are so many good ones.  But we do have a few favorites.  (Call ahead for reservations at these, unless noted otherwise.)

The Girl & The Fig.  Antique bar.  French aperitifs.  Unique cocktails.  Tons of culinary awards.  Indoor=outdoor setting.  Brunch, lunch, dinner.  On Sonoma Square.  Casual is fine, but if you've brought nice clothes, wear them here.  Twenty minutes away by car.

Salt & Stone.  See above.  Two minutes away by car.

Glen Ellen Star.  Wood-fired California cuisine.  Chef was at French Laundry before this.  Casual and comfortable, but so good.  In the village of Glen Ellen.  About 12-15 minutes by car.

Fig Cafe.  The more laid back sister restaurant to The Girl & The Fig.  A favorite among locals.  Free corkage, so a great place if you want to drink what you've discovered on your trip.  Very friendly, approachable atmosphere makes it good if you have little ones.  No reservations...walk in only.

Layla at MacArthur Place: Fresh California cuisine with beautiful spaces for outdoor or indoor dining. Located on the grounds of a boutique hotel near Sonoma Square about twenty minutes from the house. Delicious breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner. Dress like you’re going to an upscale country resort…casual but nice.

LaSalette.  Portugal & Sonoma mix together into a blend of wonderful European and California comfort food.  On Sonoma Square.  Twenty minutes by car.

El Molino Central.   Unassuming, hidden-away little roadside Mexican joint serving some of Northern California's very best Mexican food.  Totally casual; no reservations.  Eat there at the small tables or take away. 

SEA Thai Bistro.  This place will surprise you.  It's in Santa Rosa, in a shopping area, and the decor is a bit over the top.  But the Thai-California comfort food is so good.  Michelin recommends it, too, so we are not totally out on a limb here.  15 minutes from the house by car.  Good retail shopping nearby, too.

Yeti Restaurant.  For those who love Indian food, this is the best in Sonoma Valley.  Located in Jack London Village, about 10 minutes by car from the house.  Wonderful place to sit and enjoy, or call ahead and bring it home.

Can we use Uber to and from restaurants and wineries?

Uber is available all over Sonoma Valley.  But you'll typically need to wait 15-30 minutes for your car to arrive, so make sure to dial it up before you're ready to go.

Is there a mobile spa/massage service that can come to the house?

The massage therapists at Sonoma Bodyworks are excellent and have been to the house for many guests.  They bring tables and everything needed...even relaxing music!  You can book through their website or give them a call.  

Are there good spas near the house?  

The Kenwood Inn & Spa is an exceptional spa and place to spend a morning or afternoon.  It's about 3-4 minutes away on Highway 12, on the Southern edge of the village of Kenwood.  They have the full range of spa treatments and packages.  You can also reserve a cabana by the pool and spend a full day there.  Look over the Spa sections of their website and call ahead for treatments.  

The Sonoma Mission Inn's "Willow Stream" spa is excellent and is about 12-15 minutes away.  Just off Highway 12 on the way to the town of Sonoma.  It's an award-winning, full-service spa...another lovely place you could easily spend an entire afternoon.   Call or use the website to reserve treatments.

What are the options for golf?

There are a bunch of golfing options available for beginners up to experts.

Oakmont Golf Club:  This is the nearest golf to the house...about 5-10 minutes away.  There are two 18-hole courses as well as practice areas.  One of the Oakmont courses is full-length and the other is pretty short and has lots of par 3s.  Both course wind through homes.  Oakmont is "basic," affordable, no frills golf and is great for families, kids and folks who just want to go play in a T-shirt and have fun.  There's also a grill room with basic food options, wine and beer.

Bennett Valley Golf Course:  This course is also reasonably close...about 15 minutes from the house.  It has a nice 18-hole course on hilly terrain that meanders through Oak trees and creeks.  It also has really good facilities and a nice grill for post-round food and refreshments.  

Windsor Golf Club:   You'll drive about 25-30 minutes North (past Santa Rosa) to get to this course.  It routes through mature trees and water hazards, and has hosted professional tournaments, so you'll need to be on your game.  There's a restaurant there called Charlie's, which is good for food and drink post-round.  

Rooster Run Golf Club:  It will take about 30 minutes to get to this course, which is over in Petaluma.   It plays through somewhat flatter, more open countryside, tracking through vineyards and surrounding fields of tall grass.  It has a wide open feel, good conditioning, and is popular with local golfers.

Links at Bodega Harbor:  You'll head to coastal Sonoma Country to get to this course, which is about 45-50 minutes from the house (the drive is exceedingly pretty).  It is a Scottish links-styled course that plays right up against the Bodega Bay, with plenty of wind and sea mist to keep things both interesting and difficult!  Post-round, hit the Bluewater Bistro for food, drinks and occasional live music.  The Bodega Bay area, including the little village of Bodega, can be a nice break from the heat of the Valley in the Summer.  You might also drive into the village post-golf to eat there.  

Are there any cute little shopping areas within a relatively short drive from the house?

Healdsburg Plaza. If you want to spend a few hours or a full day strolling around, getting coffee, gelato, tasting wine, and window shopping, we highly recommend making the 30-minute trip up to Healdsburg Plaza, a historic town square filled with interesting things to see and yummy snacks to eat. Healdsburg is a vacation destination in itself and is a quick drive up the road to the north.

Sonoma Square: Twenty minutes down the road to the south is wonderful Sonoma Square, the nearly 200 year-old historic center of Sonoma Valley, which is now filled with wonderful shops, cafes, restaurants, and historic buildings. Sonoma Square is a perfect place to slow down for a few hours, have a glass of wine, and enjoy one of the oldest and loveliest towns in California.

We'll be at the house for a longer stay and want to see the sights outside of Sonoma Valley.  What are some good day trips within about an hour's drive?

Oystering in Tomales Bay:  Tomales Bay is a 12-mile long salt-water inlet with pretty views and natural beauty.  The eastern side of Tomales Bay is dotted with several tiny villages and picturesque spots to relax and enjoy the oysters that thrive there.  The drive from our house is around an hour.  If you visit, we would recommend heading to Nick's Cove, a funky little shack with oysters, excellent ales and other delicious drinks.  Walk to the end of the little pier to the tiny boat cabin and enjoy a perfect view of the Bay.  Drive south along the water to enjoy more views and pretty little hamlets.  Bring a sweater. To get to Tomales Bay, follow directions to Nick's Cove, which is located at 23240 CA-1, Marshall, CA

Walk on the Golden Gate Bridge from the Marin side:   The Golden Gate Bridge is an iconic symbol of California and the West, but it's also a total hassle trying to walk on it from the San Francisco side!  Our favorite way to visit the bridge is from the north by parking near the Cavallo Point Lodge, which is about an hour's drive from the house at 601 Murray Cir, Sausalito, CA.  Tons of free parking down near the water.  Take the walking path along the water's edge that eventually winds up the hill, under the superstructure of the Golden Gate bridge itself, and up on to the bridge deck.  Walk as far as you dare towards the San Francisco side.  After you turn around and walk back to Cavallo Point, head over to the Farley Bar in the resort.  Sit on the porch and enjoy drinks, tasty food, and incredible views.  They provide blankets so that you can stay warm and cozy.  Definitely bring a warm jacket for this trip...even it's blazing hot in Sonoma it will be cold on the bridge.

Loop into Napa Valley:   Sonoma's sister valley in California's Wine Country is just over the hills to the East.  Take Highway 12 south, turn left on Trinity Road (which will become Oakville Grade Road) and it will take you on a beautiful, 30-minute drive through oak forests and winding hillsides.  You'll descend into Napa Valley in the town of Oakville.  Stop at the famous Oakville Grocery (in business since 1881), a perfect spot to buy a picnic lunch.  Drive north through the Napa through the narrowing valley through the towns of Rutherford, St. Helena and Calistoga.  Sample excellent Napa wineries like Opus One, Joseph Phelps, Chateau Montelena...there are too many to count.  Rather than backtrack, at Calistoga you can take Petrified Forest and Calistoga Roads to circle back to Sonoma Valley.

Bodega Bay: Explore the seaside village and harbor of Bodega Bay, located about an hour's drive due west of the house.  Bodega Head is a rocky cliff that overlooks the ocean, with whales occasionally visible on the horizon during the Spring and Fall, making their annual commute between Alaska and Mexico.  The nearby little village of Bodega is a cute town with many recognizable buildings you may recognize from Hitchcock movies.  In Bodega Bay itself, warm up by dining in one of many great seafood restaurants featuring fresh crab, oysters, chowder, and everything else from the sea.

Experience the wild Northern California coast:  North of Bodega Bay, California's coastline becomes increasingly wind-blown and rugged, with dramatic coves, barking seals, deep tide pools, and huge waves.  Get a taste for this seaside wilderness by visiting Goat Rock State Beach within the Sonoma Coast State Park.  If you go beach combing and tide-pool exploring, bring a warm jacket and be careful around the water's edge.  After your beach hike, warm up at the rustic River's End Restaurant, built for loggers and fisherman in 1927, with delicious food and  views over the Russian River and the Pacific Ocean.