Local Recommendations

Restaurants

Glen Ellen/Kenwood

• Glen Ellen Star – California cuisine from a wood-burning over.  Reservations necessary.  Our favorite!
• Cafe Citti – homemade pasta, Italian sandwiches
• El Molina Central – amazing Mexican food
• Aventine – enjoy the outdoor patio at the old grist mill
• The Fig Café – casual atmosphere, serves brunch and dinner
• The Glen Ellen Inn – great for lunch or dinner
• Jack London Saloon – local hangout, burgers and beers

 

Sonoma Square

• Girl and the Fig – excellent dining, reservation necessary
• LaSalette Restaurant – Portugese/Mediteranean
• Della Santina's – classic Italian
• Shiso Sushi – Quality ingredients, great sushi
• La Casa – Mexican food and margaritas
• Hopmonk Tavern – great beer selection, tavern fare at reasonable prices
• Sunflower Café – coffee, soups, salad and sandwiches

 

Napa Valley

• Farmstead (St. Helena)
• Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen (St. Helena)
• Bottega (Yountville)
• Ninebark (Napa)

 

Sonoma Wineries

• Pride Vineyards (appt only) – on Spring Mtn, winery straddles the Sonoma/Napa county line
• Petroni Vineyards – our neighbors at 990 Cavedale Road; cave tastings available (appt only)
• Hamel Family Wines – Hwy 12 at Madrone Rd.  Appt. only
• Repris Vineyard (appt only) – great cave and vineyard tour
• Ty Caton – for the Cab lover!
• Benziger Family Winery
• Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards - sparkling wine
• Larson Family Winery
• Kunde – mountaintop wine tasting
• St. Francis Winery – amazing food/wine pairing, reservations required!

Napa Wineries

• Crocker & Starr (appt only)
• Ladara (appt only)
• Larkmead (appt only)
• Venge (appt only)
• Viadar (appt only)
• Von Strasser (appt only)
• Cain Vineyards (appt only)
• Mayacamus Vineyards (appt only)
• Spring Mountain Vineyards (appt only)
• Swanson Vineyards – for the Salon tasting experience, appt only
• Hess Collection – great art gallery

 

Winery Tours/Transport

• Green Dream Tours – private tours in both Napa and Sonoma are available for 2-14 people (http://greendreamtours.com/  415-692-1644)

 

Grocery Stores

• Glen Ellen Village Market – closest market to the house.  13751 Arnold Dr, Glen Ellen.  http://www.sonoma-glenellenmkt.com/
• Sonoma Market – the big sister to the Glen Ellen Market – much larger selection.  Our favorite market!  500 West Napa Street, Sonoma
• Whole Foods, Safeway and Lucky’s are all on Hwy 12 in Sonoma, about 20 minutes away

 

Farmer's Markets and Produce Stands

• Valley of the Moon Farmer's Market – Tuesdays 5:30 to dusk, May-Oct (Sonoma Plaza (aka the Square); live music, food and beverages) 
• Kenwood Farmer's Market - Sundays 11am - 3pm, June-Sept (St. Patricks Church 9000 Sonoma Hwy @ Coffin Street) 
• Paul's Produce - Saturdays 9am - 1pm (19655 Arnold Drive, Sonoma)
• Oak Hill Farm - Saturdays 9am - 3pm, May-December (15101 Sonoma Hwy, Glen Ellen)
• Flatbed Farm - Thursday 1-5pm and Sunday 10am-2pm (13450 Sonoma Hwy, Glen Ellen)

 

Hiking, Scenic Walks

• Jack London State Park - 2400 London Ranch Road, Glen Ellen
  • You can also book a horseback ride in Jack London State Park - visit Triple Creek Horse Outfit for more information
• Sonoma Valley Regional Park - 13630 Highway 12, Sonoma
• Sugarloaf Ridge State Park - 2605 Adobe Canyon Road, Kenwood
• Mount Hood Regional Park - 1450 N. Pytian Road, Santa Rosa
• North Sonoma Mountain Regional Park - 5297 Sonoma Mountain Road, Santa Rosa

 

Scenic Drives

Cavedale Road is a single lane road and not for the faint of heart.  However, Cavedale offers spectacular views and gorgeous country side.  Pick it up by taking a left at the Volunteer Fire Station just down Trinity Road, and follow it to Hwy 12 (~9 miles, about 30 minutes).  Watch for views of San Francisco!

Spring Mountain – Drive the loop over Spring Mountain, linking Hwy 12 and Rte 29.  Drive up Napa Valley and back down through Sonoma (or visa versa!).  Hint: Pack a picnic lunch, make an appointment at Pride Vineyards, and enjoy the day!

Warm Springs Road – If you are looking to get back to civilization and don’t want to take Highway 12, Warm Springs Rd/Bennett Valley Road is a great alternative.  It will eventually drop you on Route 101 in Rohnert Park (south of Santa Rosa).  The drive offers farms, wineries, and country homes.

 

Taxi: Vern’s Taxi: (707) 938-8885