Sonoma County has been a favorite of mine ever since my grandparents took me for picnics on the Russian river as a small boy. The County is a little more than an hour north of San Francisco and is one of the most beautifully diverse areas of California. It offers an amazing array of visual delights, from rugged seashore, redwood forests, rolling hills of farmland, and fine wines to charming towns. For me it is the complete package!

Before we begin this Sonoma County Sojourn, I need first to take you on a very personal detour that required seven months of emotional preparation. We stopped to visit my Mom’s grave high in the hills between Berkeley and El Cerrito. The day was perfect to reflect on her life and those we love. I have many relatives buried here so there was a collection of spirits and cherished heritage. I was sure my Mom was smiling that day as she viewed this amazing panorama. She loved “The Golden Gate.” I spread a few of her ashes in places she adored; the Oakland hills where she and my Dad used to hike, a redwood grove, my aunt’s wonderful garden, and the sea. 

Next stop was Bodega Bay, a magical place which always seems to call to me.

This is a quiet area of the bay with placid blue-green water and a solitary swan in the distance.

“The Dog Haus” in Bodega Bay is a requirement for me. I discovered this place while cycling through Sonoma County a few years ago. I love great hot dogs!

We connected with interior designer Irene Turner and her husband Ron Welsh. They are both Sonoma County real estate experts. Irene proudly showed the beautiful results of a recent home renovation and introduced us to their new family member, Rumi,  a Labradoodle. I think Irene was most happy with her cool new kitchen and Ron’s new music room was fabulous! Rock on Ron! After cocktails we had a fun dinner in Occidental, one of my very favorite little towns surrounded by redwood trees.

I’m soaking in some much needed negative ions on the rocky coast north of Bodega Bay.

October is one of the best months for glorious clear days  on the Sonoma Coast!

Colors of the coastline.

Looking north.

Marla is having a stare-down with a sea gull.

How is this for a fabulous picnic spot?

A beach to ourselves.

“Lets go beachcombing!”

I would love to see her finished work!

This guy spent an hour eyeballing my sandwich by Bodega Bay.

We always make an inland excursion to the Wild Flour Bread Bakery in Freestone. Honestly,this place is worth a trip all by itself as it is this amazing! We bought so many things we even packed them in our carry on for the flight back to Denver. We froze them and enjoyed sour dough bread for weeks afterwards! THANK YOU Irene Turner for the tip years ago !!!

Amazingly tasty handcrafted selection!

In back of the bakery is a delightful garden.

Purplicious!

Explorations.

A quick trip inland brings you to the village of Bodega. Potter School was built in 1873. Alfred Hitchcock used the building for his 1963 film, “The Birds.” It is now a private residence.

This to me is a quintessential panorama of rural Sonoma County with the Saint Teresa of Avila Church.

Before driving to the airport we went a few miles north and found this beautiful overlook with a woman meditating on the beach below. I can’t begin to tell you how much I loved this eleven day California excursion. It was a rare and very special time of remembrance, connection,…fun. A bit of therapy for sure!