Local Checklist

These spots may not be in all the guidebooks, or appeared in newspapers or magazines, but each is another unique way to enjoy your visit to this part of the world. So before you leave, ask yourself this: Have you …

 

 

 

Had the homemade hummus at Follini & Eichenburg on Arnold Drive in Sonoma?

Lifted a pint at Patterson’s Pub in Mendocino and counted the number of mugs hanging from the ceiling?

Watched the geyser erupt in Calistoga?

Fed the turkeys (and ducks, goats, ponies, horses, sheep, chickens, pig, llamas, geese) at Connolly Ranch on Browns Valley Road in Napa?

Talked to the sea lions in the harbor in Bodega Bay?

Learned a single word of “Boontling,” the language of Boonville? Here is one to start you off: Pike meaning to hike, walk, or stroll.

Driven from Sonoma to Napa on Trinity Road, for the single best view of the Napa Valley outside of a hot air balloon?

Counted the number of herbs growing in the gardens of Copia?

Ordered the Caesar Salad at Pizza Azzurro in downtown Napa?

Looked at the Cartier-Bresson prints of France and the Marion Post Walcott photographs from the Forties on display at the Saret Gallery right off the square in Sonoma?

Had a deli sandwich in the back room (past the photos taped to the wall, before the coolers) at Giugni’s on Main Street in St. Helena?

Watched a sunset on the Pacific Ocean from the coast at Jenner?

Read (or re-read) Silverado Squatters by Robert Louis Stevenson?

Gone to a vintage car race at Sears Point and sat on the hillside?

Taken a cool walk on a hot day among the coastal and forest wildflowers at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens?

Bought mustards you have never heard of at the Oakville Grocery?

Sampled the pistachio butter at Mendocino Jams and Preserves?

Gone to a barrel tasting of wine? (Useful hint: do not wear white.)

Sampled olive oils at St. Helena Olive Oil Co.?

Looked at the Ansel Adams collection of photographs in the gallery at Mumm Cuvée Napa?

Gone to a movie at the Sebastiani Theatre on the square in Sonoma, then tried to figure out what’s in a “Glarifee” cocktail at the Swiss Hotel afterwards?

Picked up a bottle of barbecue sauce from Rob’s Rib Shack to take home for your friends? Or for yourself.

Window shopped for fancy cowboy boots and a cowgirl hat at Rodeo Sonoma?

Visited the town of Bodega after watching The Birds for the tenth time?

Tried out the sensory evaluation center at St. Supery to see what those wine descriptions really mean?

Gotten a bargain on an old book on American winemaking in a used bookstore?

Comparison shopped the Farmers Markets in all three counties?

Gone to an art exhibit at The SoFo 2 Gallery in Santa Rosa?

Hung up a mosaic birdhouse from Petaluma artisan Cocci & Idee in your backyard?

Watched the fogbanks roll in below you from the deck at Chateau Potelle on Mount Veeder?

Taken a tour of the ghost wineries of the Napa Valley?

Seen Tommy Smothers do tricks with his yo-yo?

Watched a sunset from the lawn of the Albion River Inn (whales optional)?

Gotten a bag of beef jerky at Angelo’s on Route 37 and then gone down to the airport a mile away to watch the Stearman Kaydet biplanes take off and land?