Jessica & Aaron: Grow In Love
Restaurants & Activity Recs
Our Restaurants Recommendations
Some of our fav restaurants: • Spread Kitchen (Sonoma) - Lebanese Our fav go-to spot & our wedding caterer. • Yeti (Glen Ellen) - Nepalese Enjoy the patio. Many sherpas in area • Glen Ellen Star - Wood Fired Cooking. Farm to Table. Worth the splurge! Get reservations in advance. Celebrated 10 year anniversary here! • El Molino Central (Sonoma, Hwy 12) - Oaxacan OR • Sonoma Eats (Sonoma, Hwy 12) - Oaxacan (also can get coffee here) • Girl & The Fig (Sonoma Plaza) - Country Food w/ French Passion & Pizza A Sonoma institution! Res patio. • Valley (Sonoma Plaza) - Hip! Seasonal Mediterranean-inspired. • Sunflower Cafe (Sonoma Plaza) - Seasonal, locally-sourced garden setting Note: Put name on list/line moves fast • LaSalette (Sonoma Plaza) - Portuguese • El Dorado (Sonoma Plaza) - Locally sourced California-Mediterranean • The Mill at Glen Ellen Great setting. The veg lentil patties! •Buck's - Pizza & more Casual family • Delicious Dish (Sonoma) - take-out Boycott: Depot
Cafes, Bars & Craft Cocktails (with games!)
BARS: • Starling Bar (Sonoma, Hwy 12) Hoping this becomes one of the wedding guest hangout headquarters! This is our favorite local neighborhood bar and it has many games for playing! Their craft cocktails are fresh and amazing as is the vibe and decor. Have bar snacks (sometimes fresh pizza). Some nights they have music. • Jack London Saloon (Glen Ellen) Our reception will be on the patio. Has a/c inside. Likely a hangout for wedding guests as central in Glen Ellen. • The Beacon Speakeasy Bar (Sonoma plaza) CAFES/BAKERIES: • Les Pascals French Bakery/Cafe (Glen Ellen) • Baker & Cook (Sonoma, Hwy 12) - Where the locals go • The Porch at MacArthur Place (Yet to try but want to! Sonoma) • Ohm Coffee Roasters (On the Sonoma Plaza)
Sonoma Plaza & Historical Sites
It’s easy to see why Sonoma Plaza is a top getaway destination and the gateway for your Sonoma Valley experience. A huge selection of restaurants, wine tasting, shopping, galleries, and lodging. Plus a park for kids and picnics, events, food and wine tours, and historical sightseeing — all within one block of Sonoma Plaza. SONOMA HISTORICAL SITES: • Mission San Francisco Solano: sonomaparks.org/location/mission-san-francisco-solano/ • Sonoma Barracks sonomaparks.org/location/the-sonoma-barracks • General Vallejo's House (about .5 miles from the plaza off the bike path): sonomaparks.org/location/general-vallejos-home/ Note: You can also visit the Jack London Museum & Park in Glen Ellen.
Bartholomew Estate Winery / Park - Wine Tasting, Hiking, Picnics, Horseback Riding
You won't want to miss this! Get a wine tasting reservation in advance. Named one of the 15 most beautiful wineries in Napa and Sonoma by SF Chronicle. https://www.yelp.com/biz/bartholomew-estate-winery-sonoma Have your tasting outdoors in the Oak Knoll. Do not order a meal here but rather bring a picnic and eat it before or after your tasting on picnic tables. The 375-acre Bartholomew Park is also a lovely place for a hike even if you don't drink wine! All ages welcome. Horseback riding available by reservation.
More Wineries & Tasting Rooms (Including one for the hippies)
Beltane Ranch & Winery (Glen Ellen) This is the only winery where we're members. Such a magical place and delicious wines. Note: you must become a member to go there but they will send you your wine shipments and very affordable. Make reservations in advance. Winery Sixteen 600 Tasting House This is a great simple wine tasting room for the former or current hippies. You’ll be seated in antique theater seats, accompanied by an eclectic soundtrack spinning on the turntable. Founder Phil was very close to The Grateful Dead, and artist Stanley Mouse, who provided the artwork for Winery Sixteen 600 labels.
Grocery Stores for Gourmet Provisions / To Go Items
• Delicious Dish (Sonoma) • Sonoma Market • Glen Ellen Village Market
Willow Stream Spa Mineral Pools & Baths / Massage
MAKE YOUR RESERVATION EARLY AS IT BOOKS UP. Look at this link for discounts on spas and pools: https://www.resortpass.com/s/us/ca/sonoma/spa This is one of Jessica's and Aaron's happy places (and Jessica asks for a gift certificate each birthday/holiday). You can even order drinks and food from inside the many pools at this famous springs! You'll want to make a whole day of this experience. You can pay to use only the pools (real mineral pools) and bathhouse Mon-Thursday but Fri-Sunday you must pay for an (expensive) service. The best massage therapist / psychic is Monet Brooks. I've also heard Rosa and Laura are good. If you want a massage not from this spa that is more slightly budget friendly, Jessica can recommend someone to come to your lodging.
Nature Activities
• Jack London State Historic Park & Museum (Glen Ellen) yelp.com/biz/jack-london-state-historic-park-glen-ellen-2 Home and ranch of the legendary Jack London, famous for his literary accomplishments as well as his dramatic exploits, exotic travels, and adventures and his adventurous wife Charmian. Walk, hike, mountain bike, horseback ride, bird watch, take pictures, paint, picnic, relax, learn, enjoy nature! • Bartholomew Winery Park (375-acre park & winery in Sonoma), Hiking, Horseback riding and more. bartholomewestate.com • Sonoma Botanical Gardens (Glen Ellen) yelp.com/biz/sonoma-botanical-garden-glen-ellen Be inspired and refreshed by the beauty and importance of Asian and California native plants. Enjoy a self-guided leisurely walk, hike to see expansive views of the valley, or find the perfect wine country picnic spot. • Sugarloaf Ridge State Park (hiking and birdwatching) www.sugarloafpark.org Kenwood, CA
Museums & Art Galleries
• The Sonoma Valley Museum of Art: Building Community Around Art (Sonoma Plaza) Open Wednesday - Sunday, 11AM to 5PM. Don't miss the gift shop! svma.org • Lisa Kristine Gallery (Sonoma Plaza) Humanitarian Photographer you won't want to miss! https://www.yelp.com/biz/lisa-kristine-gallery-sonoma
Electric Trike or eBike Guided Wine Country Tour (ages 5-100)
We offer amazing guided tours on 1-3 passenger electric vehicles, exploring Sonoma's beautiful wine country. The trikes are fun and easy to drive. Ages 5-100, max of 30 per group. https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g33107-d23016387-3_Hour_Guided_Wine_Country_Tour_in_Sonoma_on_Electric_Trike-Sonoma_Sonoma_County_Ca.html If you want to see more of Sonoma beyond the wineries, set off on an open-air adventure through the countryside on a fun and eco-friendly electric trike. Cruise alongside rolling vineyards and orchards on Sonoma's backroads, stopping along the way at both historic sites and culinary destinations. Of course, no day in Sonoma would be complete without wine, so you'll also stop at one or two locally loved wineries for a taste. Rather a biking tour? Sonoma Valley Bike Tours & Rentals & Wine eBike Tours https://www.sonomavalleybiketours.com/
Thifting or Antiquing (Sonoma)
• Bon Marche Second-Hand Shop (Say "hi" to owner Anna for us!) (Sonoma) • Plain Jane's Resale • Republic of Thrift • Church Mouse (Hwy 12) • 8th Street Antique Mall Shops See more: sonoma.second-hand.shop
Other Fun Regional Activities
Safari & Glamping Hot-air Ballooning Zip-lining Spa & Pool Day Passes: https://www.resortpass.com/s/us/ca/sonoma/spa Morton's Warm Springs (for Kids/Families) Float or kayak on the Russian River Drive to the Sonoma Coast
