Travel:Sonoma, CA. Jan. 29-31/2026
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
Updated: 5 hours ago
My daughters decided that for my this year's BT it would be nice to have me treat the 3 of us + baby Salo during a weekend stay, at the famous Wine Country of Bay area CA, primarily referring to Napa and Sonoma counties, situated, just one hour drive north of Oakland , and is known as an wine-producing region with over 1,700+ wineries.
So off we drove on Friday Jan 29th, well aware that, alcohol sampling in the company of a baby, wouldn't be the highlight of this get away occasion
(infect non of us is anyway into alcohol consumption).
However delving into food tasting, which the area also is well known for, was definitely our favorite activity..
Since I set my heart to first visit the quint St Helena, thus this small town in the heart of Napa Valley, that I visited few times in the past, was our first stop for lunch and stroll
On the way through Napa Valley
St Helena
This popular Napa Valley sub-appellation tourist destination, of about 6000 inhabitants was founded as. a village in 1855.
It owes its attraction to vineyards and culinary scene. brimming now a days with boutiques, galleries, and restaurants on Main St.
Off-Main St, Beringer and Charles Krug, are the known two landmark wineries,
St. Helena is also the home of The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone and a campus of Napa Valley College.
Light fast tasty lunch is recommended at:
Model Bakery - St. Helena,
1357 Main Street
For almost 90 years The Model Bakery has been a Napa Valley mainstay, offering the best breads, pastries and coffee, with also branches in Oxbow Public Market in Napa, Mini Model in Yountville , and Walnut Creek
Sonoma Valley
Surrounded by rolling hills and lush vineyards Sonoma is a favorite destination
Aerial Views of Sonoma County,
The historic Town of Sonoma at the heart of the renowned Sonoma Valley is known for its art galleries and the colonial-era Sonoma Plaza. which is surrounded by significant 19th-c adobe buildings as Mission San Francisco Solano -(1823) the last built in CA, and the Sonoma Barracks, used by the Mexican military.
On the Sonoma Plaza
Sonoma Mission Inn Hotel
The iconic Spanish Mission-style Sonoma Mission Hotel from 1927, where we stayed, was originally known as the Boyes Hot Springs Hotel, The hotel's name was changed in 1928 to the Sonoma Mission Inn, which is now part of Fairmont Hotels and Resorts.
It is a Sonoma County historic landmark and a member of Historic Hotels of America.
100 Boyes Blvd. Sonoma. +1 707 939 2408
Elizabeth Fenn - Concierge
Located in Boyes Springs, the area of naturally occurring underground hot mineral waters, was considered sacred by Native Americans.
The area was first developed commercially by Dr. T.M. Leavenworth in 1840. It was later acquired by Captain H. E. Boyes, whose drilling in 1895 found 112-degree water at a depth of 70 feet, and who developed the Boyes Hot Springs Hotel within a few years.
That hotel was destroyed with much of Boyes Springs in September 1923 wildfire.
Golf Course and Country Club was added in 1928, built at a cost of more than $250,000.
A large bathing pavilion with two auxiliary tanks, each holding 150,000 gallons of water, opened in April 1930
During World War II, the hotel was leased by the Navy to serve as a "rest center" for sailors and marines returning from combat duty in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater.
The hotel returned to civilian use in 1945, and went since through few renovations
in 2002 Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. took over the management of the property and rebranded it as The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa.
Although the hotel's surrounding is beautiful and the hotel's pool (included in price) and spa (not included, nor breakfast) are enticing, the rooms' decor is a bit outdated and doesn't justify the inflated cost. However Baby Salo definitely had no complains and "partied" in the enormous bed.
Sonoma Overlook Trail
In addition to visiting and strolling freely through the town's square, the hotel offered a free morning on site Stretches and an external guided Nature hike through an Over Look Trail charming trail
The Sonoma Over Look Trail is a beautiful easy hike though meadows & grasslands that covers 2.5 mi, with an elevation gain of 380 ft. which takes about 1–1.5 hr to complete up and down the hill the same route, and from which is seen a rewarding view of the valley below
The trailhead is at the entrance to the Mountain Cemetery, just a few blocks north of Sonoma Plaza.
The hike was lead by the well informed on the region- Elizabeth -the hotel's energetic charming concierge. A retired ex- United Air stewardess, who diverted to hotel services, her vacations benefit of free flight package for life, and best hotel deals around the world
Fauna we have nor encountered, but the mushrooming Flora caught our attention
At the Hill-Top's Over Look
Charlie's Acres - Animal Sanctuary Farm
3201 Napa Rd, Sonoma, (707) 204-0020
Charlie’s Acres which was recommended by the hotel's concierge, as a children interest activity, and which we yet to be visiting, on some other trip, provides a sanctuary for rescued farmed animals.
Places we enjoyed Eating in Sonoma
It seemed that my girls picked up the eatery places on this trip, matching Flora theme (flowers or trees) in accord and honor with my own flowery birth name - Lili
Located in the beautiful Sonoma Plaza
The dinner ambiance at this popular country French flair place, seemed better than the food which was served.
However the 3 of us were delighted to dine together.
Located on the historic Sonoma Plaza
A popular tasty breakfast lunch/brunch place with charming garden patio
We loved the brunch there.
Dinner in Kenwood
Kenwood which is situated about 17–20 minutes, north of the city of Sonoma, is a small, scenic community known for its wineries, vineyards, and proximity to state parks.
Salt and Stone Restaurant
9900 Sonoma Hwy, Kenwood, (707) 833-6326
Surrounded by vineyards, just south of Kenwood, in the heart of the Valley this popular which offers dining, cocktails and oyster bar with indoor & outdoor seating and a beautiful Koi Pond, was Voted "Sonoma County's Best Seafood & Outdoor Dining"
Dinner was good, however to enjoy the beautiful surrounding daylight lunch is preferred
A Full Moon Night
Healdsburg
The road leading to this next quint town we visited, is absolutely enchanting and passes through green hilly forested landscape, covered with vineyards and local farms.
Nested in Sonoma County (about 50 minutes away from Sonoma town) along the Russian River, at the convergence of three major wine-producing regions:
the Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley, and Russian River Valley, Healdsburg
which I visited for the first time, is definitely worth the visit.
Centered around a charming town plaza lined with shops, restaurants, tasting rooms, galleries, and bars, Healdsburg is a wine and culinary epicenter.
The small town of about 11, 500 inhabitants was defined as the most charming according to Condé Nast Traveler
We enjoyed having lunch by the Plaza and strolled around and through the side streets checking the many quint shops (more to do)
Great Brunch at Acorn Cafe
124 Matheson St, Healdsburg,
Located in the former Oakville Grocery in Healdsburg, the building once served as Healdsburg's first City Hall, which stood at this location from 1886 to 1960
Town's Center
Visiting this bakery by the quint old Mill area is a must
Located just one block from the historic town Plaza, the 10-acre Mill District is a sight of. a former SawMill and now a new mixed-use neighborhood development which combines housing, retail, a hotel a publicly accessible park. and this fantastic bakery
44 Mill St Unit J,
Tucked at the entry to Healdsburg by the old mill area this seasonal, artisanal bakery for coffee and baked goods is considered the hottest bakery in town and is Recognized by The New York Times as one of America’s best bakeries
Windsor
Windsor the charming small town (pop. 26,801) we briefly passed through on the way back to our hotel in Sonoma, was settled in 1855also offers a blend of award-winning tasting rooms, diverse restaurants, and enticing shops.
It is one of the oldest wine-growing regions in the state and was named by a pony express rider who compared the town’s bucolic scenery to the land around Windsor Castle in England.
Yellow Bloom on the way back through Sonoma Valley
All Good things must come to End...
A Week Later...
A week after this Naveh ladies fantastic outing, my oldest daughter and baby Salo who stayed with us in California for the past 9 months, sadly departed to DC on a grey wet rainy day, as if the heavens were crying. along with me on this departure. The family will reside there for their next life chapter.
The END ...
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