Just 40 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge, the City of Sonoma (population: 10,648 – 2010 Census) and the surrounding Sonoma Valley provide the “perfect blend” of a friendly wine country community with the entrepreneurial culture and sophistication of the San Francisco Bay Area. Like its soil, it is rich in history and home to Mission San Francisco Solano, the last Spanish-Mexican mission built in California, Mission San Francisco Solano, Buena Vista Winery, California’s oldest winery, and Gundlach-Bundschu Winery, the state’s oldest, continually-operating family winery. The climate is typical Mediterranean weather with hot, dry summers (although nights are comfortably cool) and cool, wet winters.

In the center of Sonoma lies the eight-acre Sonoma Plaza, a national historic landmark, anchored by the early 20th-century City Hall building which is still in use. The story is that it was designed and built with four identical sides in order not to offend the merchants on any one side of the Plaza. The Plaza is shaded by sprawling trees and bordered by carefully preserved adobe buildings, a historic theater, shops, tasting rooms and restaurants. Sonoma Plaza is also where residents and visitors enjoy year-round festivities and community events such as the Farmer’s Market, Fourth of July Parade, Vintage Festival and Sonoma International Film Festival. In 2015, the town was named a Preserve America Community.

Property options in Sonoma are almost endless, including in-town condominiums and live-work spaces, single-family homes in residential neighborhoods, senior living communities, country estates, farms, ranches and vineyards. Upscale areas such as The Ranch and Armstrong Estates on Sonoma’s east side, Mission Highlands on the north, and The George Ranch and Diamond A to the west, offer unique living styles and quality amenities. The charming, rustic neighborhoods of El Verano, Agua Caliente and Boyes Hot Springs have been enjoyed historically as easy getaway locations from San Francisco urban life.

Located on scenic State Route 12, between Sonoma and Santa Rosa, Kenwood (Population:  1,028 – 2010 Census) is an unincorporated town in Sonoma County wine country. Nestled in a region called the “Valley of the Moon”, Kenwood is known for its wineries, restaurants and European-style resorts.

An abundance of State and Regional parks surround the town, most notably Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, and nature lovers will find it a great base of operations for all outdoor activities. There are docent-led nature walks, biking and hiking trails and from the higher elevations, views to the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco Bay can be enjoyed.

A range of lodging options is offered, including bed and breakfast inns, vacation rentals, and winery cottages. The Kenwood Inn & Spa, a Mediterranean villa-style resort, consistently receives awards from Conde Nast Traveler and other travel publications. If dining out, Salt and Stone and the Italian trattoria-style Café Citti are two popular spots.

Kenwood’s residential community is a blend of full time residents, vacation home owners and weekenders. It has one elementary school and several churches. The adult community of Oakmont is just north of town and nearby Santa Rosa offers an abundance of shopping and entertainment needs. If quiet, serene beauty is part of the lifestyle you desire, then Kenwood is the place you want to be.

Celebrated as one of the premium wine regions in the world, Napa County is not only a premier travel destination, but a great place to call home. Breathtaking views abound at every turn, while gently rolling hills, colorful vineyards and architecturally unique wineries dot the landscape. Winemaking has been practiced in the region since the mid-19th century when many pioneering families settled in the fertile Valley, and today there are over 400 wineries in the area.

The primary residential cities in the County are located along State Highway 29 and, from north to south, include Calistoga, St. Helena, Yountville, Napa and American Canyon. Of the cities in the County, Napa, at 78,340 people (US Census Bureau 2011 estimates), has the largest number of residents and jobs, with 60% of the total. The second-most highly populated areas are the unincorporated regions which encompass 26,496 residents. Newly emerging American Canyon has experienced the largest growth rate with 19,690 residents.

Napa County is known for its quality lifestyle, not only for its full-time residents but also for many part-time residents and visitors. There are many diverse neighborhoods, both suburban and rural, each with its own distinct character and style and housing options run the full spectrum from moderately-priced post WWII homes to multi-million dollar estates in the hills above Oakville, Rutherford and St. Helena. In Napa’s “old town”, there are older homes on tree-lined streets while in other parts of town you may find 1960’s subdivisions or large, executive-type homes. For the country-club minded, there is Silverado Resort with its famed golf course, tennis facilities and premium –priced homes and condominiums.

With its Mediterranean climate, cultural activities and attractions, world class food and wine, gorgeous scenery and serene country lifestyle, Napa County is truly a place to feed your soul.

Marin County (population:  252,409 – 2010 Census) is located just across the Golden Gate Bridge, north of San Francisco and nestled between Sonoma County to the north, and Napa County to the north-east. The land area encompasses 520 square miles with 165,000 acres of land supporting 200+ farms and ranches. The main north-south artery, Highway 101, allows access to San Francisco and Sonoma Counties, while Highway One provides access to the communities of West Marin/Point Reyes Seashore and the scenic Marin coast. With its central location and Marin County as your home base, it is easy to explore all that the Bay Area has to offer without ever losing a day to an overly-long commute.

As for activities, numerous destinations await – Mt. Tamalpais, Muir Woods, Stinson Beach or Point Reyes National Seashore to name a few. Marin County is an outdoor recreation wonderland, with nearly half of its land permanently preserved as open space, watershed or park land, and weather that allows for mountain biking, hiking, kayaking, and sailing all year long. More relaxed activities could include whale watching, garden tours or plein air painting.

Among Marin County’s charming communities are Belvedere/Tiburon, Corte Madera, Fairfax, Greenbrae, Larksput, Mill Valley, Novato, Ross, San Anselmo, San Rafael, Sausalito and Stinson Beach. Marin offers a plethora of shopping with something unique to suit every taste and desire. Boutique finds, one-of-a-kind crafts, handmade gifts, and home furnishings can be found in community shops across Marin, along with distinctive art galleries and studios featuring the work of local artists. In addition, Marin County is home to some of the biggest names in retail.

 (source: Marin Convention & Visitors Bureau)

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Activities

• Local Store: Glen Ellen Village Market
• Sonoma Tuesday Market
• Sonoma Adventures Bike Tours
• Hiking in the Area
• Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
• Sonoma Valley Raceway
• Napa Valley Opera House

Parks

• Jack London Park and Museum

Trip Advisor

• Sonoma Valley Recommendations
• Napa Valley Recommendations

Beaches

• Things to do in Bodega Bay
• Dillon Beach Public Area
• Dillon Beach Resort

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Recommendations:

• Napa Valley: Eater’s Essential Restaurant Recommendations
• Sonoma Valley: Eater’s Essential Restaurant Recommendations

Sonoma Valley:

• La Salette
• The Girl and The Fig
• Glen Ellen Star
• Sea Thai Bistro
• Valette

Napa Valley:

• The French Laundry
• Morimoto
• Oxbow Public Market
• La Toque
• Thomas Keller
• Rutherford Grill

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Sonoma Wineries

• B.R. Cohn
• Chateau St. Jean
• Gary Farell Vineyard & Winery
• Buena Vista Winery
• Ferrari Carano
• Kunde Family Winery

Napa Wineries

• Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars
• Opus One
• Far Niente
• Hendry Vineyard & Winery
• Shadybrook Estates

Area Wine Tours

• Valet of the Moon Wine Tours
• Sonoma Food and Wine Tours
• Verve Napa Valley Tours
• Platypus Wine Tours

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Events

• https://www.sonomacounty.com/events/

Music & Nightlife

• https://www.sonomacounty.com/activities/music-nightlife/

Arts & Culture

• https://www.sonomacounty.com/activities/arts-culture/

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Hotels & Resorts

• https://www.sonomacounty.com/lodging/hotels-resorts/

Bed & Breakfast

• https://www.sonomacounty.com/lodging/bed-breakfasts/

Vacation Rentals

• https://www.sonomacounty.com/lodging/vacation-rentals/

Campgrounds & RV Parks

• https://www.sonomacounty.com/lodging/campground-rv-parks/