Need a break from the city? Just 50 miles north of San Francisco is the perfect 1-day getaway. In Sonoma county you’ll have the chance to be spontaneous, indulge in epic views, and sample local cuisine. And best of all, your adventure can be completely guilt free because this lush region is home to a wide variety of healthy activities.
Recent decades have seen Sonoma county blossom. While Santa Rosa still maintains much of its small town charm, local chefs and vintners have begun to push their boundaries. Farm-to-table cuisine and organic winemaking practices abound. The tradition of freethinking continues to be nurtured with the abundance of outdoor activities, galleries, and free public performances.
Fresh, raw, and all-natural organic cold pressed juice is a vitamin-rich way to start the day.
Find the morning a bit too early to sample and savor some vino? Luckily, Sonoma county has a lot more to offer than just fermented grapes. At Juice On The Square you can get a glass of nutritious fresh, raw, and all-natural organic cold pressed juice. They also offer a variety of fresh smoothies loaded with fruit and protein-rich sunflower seeds.
Coffee lovers will dig their organic cold brew spiked with nut milk. And if you’re in the need of something a bit heartier, their organic oatmeal is loaded with goodies like chia seeds, almonds, and goji berries.
Picking out a variety of different small portions, makes for a fun picnic.
Quinoa tabbouleh. Chipotle potato salad. Wild rice loaded with edamame, dried fruits, and seeds. Opened in 1975, the Community Market offers a delightful selection of organic, vegan-friendly fare. Peruse the aisles. Visit the deli counter. And stock up for a picnic lunch.
During spring, wildflowers abound, making it a lovely place to enjoy the picnic you picked up earlier.
At the park, explore one of the multiple trails that wind through the 162-acre grounds. Throughout the spring, wildflowers abound, making it a lovely place to enjoy the picnic you picked up earlier.
With its lush, rolling hills, the Sonoma wine country seems to be plucked from a storybook.
Just west of Sonoma Valley Regional Park, the Benziger Family Winery is tucked into the hillside. The large estate features lush, rolling hills and spectacular views. A certified organic winery, they are well known for the Biodynamic winemaking, which you can learn about first hand on one of their daily tram tours.
What Glen Allen Star lacks in square footage, it more than makes up for in flavor. The seasonal menu changes regularly, utilizing its wood oven to infuse dishes with smoky (and sometimes charred) goodness. Though the open kitchen can often make the dining room a bit loud, you probably will be so focused on your food you won’t notice.
Dishes could include cauliflower tossed in tahini and sumac, golden beets with blood orange oil, and rigatoni studded with mushrooms and pomegranate chestnuts.