Guide Me Home 2 Sonoma - Home

Why We Love Where We Live - Reason #28: You can find the Mad Hatter and Jugglers on the front lawn

2010-07-28T17:58:00Z

And a Sea Captain and Firemen and even a Mermaid – all of them masterfully assembled with brightly colored pieces of — junk.

The genius behind the creations is Sebastopol artist Patrick Amiot, and thanks to his admiring neighbors who asked to display his work in their front yards, Florence Avenue in Sebastopol has become known as “the art street.”

Natives of Canada, Amiot and his wife and fellow artist, Brigitte Laurent, have created hundreds of fabulous, environmentally-friendly sculptures. In addition to those on Florence Avenue, they also grace areas of Sebastopol, are exhibited at art galleries, and have even played a role in raising money for community schools.

As Patrick states on their website: “‘The whole purpose of my work is to glorify these objects, because they have their own spirit. When a hubcap has traveled on a truck for millions of miles, and has seen the prairies in the winter and the hot summer asphalt, when it’s done traveling with that truck and finds itself in the scrap yard and I find it, I kind of like to use that. This hubcap, or whatever piece of metal, from the day it was manufactured until now, has an important history. And I like to think the spirit of all these things lived incredible lives. If they could talk to you, they could tell amazing stories. That’s something I don’t want to hide.’”

As we mentioned in reasons # 10, 20, 22 and now here in #28, we’re fortunate to have access to an amazing art scene, from priceless masterpieces from the world’s great artists to homegrown creations made from toasters and hubcaps.

Have you been to Florence Avenue? What’s your favorite piece?

Check out Patrick Amiot on Flickr. (Photo credits: Karen Foley)

Follow along as the full list unfolds – 100 Reasons Why We Love Where We Live

Follow the reasons on Facebook

Posted by: Frank Howard Allen Realtors

Why We Love Where We Live - Reason #26: Lights, camera, action

2010-07-24T04:59:00Z

Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds, Bodega
Photo via flickr

Part of what we love about the North Bay is the movie culture. What other part of the country can boast the number of film festivals that are offered in Marin and Sonoma alone, from the smaller scale Sebastopol Documentary Film Festival to the Sausalito, Tiburon and Sonoma Valley festivals, to what is probably the most well-known, the Mill Valley Film Festival. These events draw luminaries, film buffs, critics and casual fans alike.

And though hundreds of miles from Hollywood, the North Bay has played its own part in dozens of movies. Films such as Peggy Sue Got Married, The Birds, Basic Instinct, American Graffiti, and Scream have used our beautiful streets and scenic landscapes as backdrops. Perhaps because we are hundreds of miles from Hollywood, the Bay Area is also the chosen home of such production companies as Lucas Film and Pixar.

It’s no wonder then that one of summer’s most popular activities in the North Bay is Movies in the Park. Instead of the house lights dimming, we experience the sun setting and, if we’re lucky, a falling star or two. There’s no 3D, no giant IMAX screen. Just friends, neighbors, and – depending on where you go – live music, children’s entertainment, wine parings and bottomless popcorn.

Summer’s in full swing. If you haven’t yet enjoyed a film under the stars, check out this list of locations, grab a blanket, and relish one of the North Bay’s great summer treats.

Annual Summer Fun Film Festival (Gundlach Bundschu in Sonoma)
August 7: Swingers
Music starts at 7 pm; Movie begins at dusk
VIP tickets include picnic dinner, reserved seating and a bottle of wine

Pictures on the Crush Pad (Moshin Vineyards in Healdsburg)
July 24: The Blues Brothers
August 14: Blue Hawaii
$20 admission includes a glass of wine and bottomless bag of popcorn; chairs provided

Petaluma Movies in the Park (Lucchesi Park)
July 23: Diary of a Wimpy Kid
July 30: Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
Free event; live entertainment, children’s activities and refreshments
6:30; movie starts at dusk

Summer Nights on the Green (Windsor)
July 27: Tooth Fairy
Aug 3: Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Aug 10: Avatar
Movie starts 15 minutes after sunset

Film Night in the Park (Marin County & San Francisco)
July 23: The Blob (San Anselmo)
July 24: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (San Anselmo)
July 30: Fantastic Mr. Fox (San Anselmo)
July 31: Jaws (San Anselmo)
August 6: Napoleon Dynamite (San Geronimo)
August 7: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (San Francisco, Dolores Park)
August 13: The Worlds Fastest Indian (San Anselmo)
August 14: Mamma Mia (San Anselmo)
August 20: Notorious (San Anselmo)
August 21: Coraline (San Anselmo)
August 28: Rear Window (San Francisco, Union Square)

Additional movies in September: 16 Candles, Up, Avatar, Alice in Wonderland, Amelie, Wall-e, The Big Lebowski

Follow along as the full list unfolds – 100 Reasons Why We Love Where We Live

Follow the reasons on Facebook

Posted by: Frank Howard Allen Realtors

Why We Love Where We Live – Reason #25: Every street has a story

2010-07-22T05:48:00Z

Photos by: Karen Foley

Though a young state, California enjoys a rich and fascinating history, much of which can be explored right here in the North Bay.

One place to start is Petaluma. At 152 years old, Petaluma is one of California’s oldest cities and boasts a well-preserved historic downtown area that is on the National Register of Historic Places. Petaluma offers a wonderful historical walking tour of this area, which includes a stop at the location of what was originally the world’s only chicken pharmacy. (According to tour information, the pharmacy was featured in Ripley’s Believe It Or Not and National Geographic, and dispensed 50,000 pills daily.) It’s also worthwhile to visit the “A” Street Historic District, a six-block area near the historic downtown which takes you past an eclectic mix of homes and churches built between 1860 and 1925 where you can enjoy Petaluma’s beautiful Victorian homes. Visiting the historical homes and landmarks of this delightful city provides great insight into its early years.

Photos by: Karen Foley

Santa Rosa is another place one can explore California history. There’s the Railroad Square District on the west side of town that can take you back a century to the days of the Northwestern Pacific Railroad which bisected Sonoma County. Also worthwhile are the neighborhoods of St. Rose, with a combination of historic homes and commercial buildings, and Cherry Street, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Santa Rosa. On Cherry Street you’ll find historical homes that range from the charming Queen Anne style to stately Colonial Revivals.

For more information about historic attractions in the North Bay, check out these sites. If you have a site of historic interest to recommend, please let us know about it.

Visit Petaluma

The City of Santa Rosa

Historic Homes of Healdsburg Walking Tour

Mission San Rafael Arcangel

Sonoma State Historic Park

Jack London State Historic Park

Follow along as the full list unfolds – 100 Reasons Why We Love Where We Live

Follow the reasons on Facebook

Posted by: Frank Howard Allen Realtors

Creative Incentives: Using Seller Financing to Catch a Home Buyer’s Attention - Part II

2010-07-15T01:50:00Z

Is seller financing right for me?

7220 Hayden, Sebastopol

Seller financing can be complicated, so I recently asked my favorite lender, Megan Sovel, of Blue Oak Mortgage about the benefits of seller financing. In her usual gracious style, Megan explained seller financing for me and truthfully, there’s no reason to change up her explanation.

Seller financing IS currently permitted on Conventional Financing, given the terms and borrower qualifications conform to all of the lender’s guidelines. In short, the benefit of seller financing in today’s market is that it allows the buyer/borrower to maximize their purchasing power by minimizing their down payment.

In the past, conventional second mortgages (Home Equity Line of Credit and Closed End Loans) were a popular and smart option for buyers who wanted to take advantage of a low down payment but still avoid the added expense and qualifying restrictions that come with Mortgage Insurance. As the market has turned, however, these purchase money seconds from conventional lenders have all but disappeared as the risk has far outweighed the lender’s returns on their investment. There are currently no banks giving second mortgages above 80% of the appraised value of the property (and in most cases they cap at 70% or 75%). That’s where seller financing can comes in as a huge buyer incentive.

Assuming the seller has the available equity and is willing to carry the Promissory Note for the borrower, Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac currently allow for a combined loan to value of up to 95% of the property’s appraised value. This means that the buyer could get an 80% loan to value first mortgage through a conventional lender, a 15% seller second mortgage, and contribute as little as 5% of their own funds toward down payment. This would allow the buyer to avoid Mortgage Insurance and, in some cases, possibly qualify for a Conventional loan (versus FHA) when they otherwise wouldn’t have (due to some pretty strict current Mortgage Insurance restrictions on credit score, debt to income ratios, reserves, etc).

Additionally, the seller financing can also help make up the difference between purchase price/appraised value, and a conforming loan amount ($417,000), which carry slightly lower rates and monthly payments than High Balance Conforming or Jumbo loans.

Now, that said, the terms of the seller financing will be have to be reviewed and approved by the first mortgage lender and pass all Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac guidelines for second mortgages. For instance, the seller’s financing cannot amortize (have a term) less than 5 years from the Note date, cannot have a Pre-Payment Penalty (“early termination fees are allowed permitting they don’t exceed $500), cannot allow for any negative amortization (the borrower must make at least Interest Only payments), and cannot exceed certain limitations on rates & fees. Furthermore, in addition to qualifying for the Conventional first mortgage, the borrower WILL have to qualify for the entire principal and interest payment on the seller’s note, and the lender may require an additional review of the appraisal in order to verify that the property value meets their minimum criteria.

All in all, seller financing has some huge benefits for potential buyers. While not many sellers have the luxury of offering that option to buyers in today’s market, it can be an extremely beneficial option for buyers looking to “think outside the box” of conventional mortgage financing.

Posted by: Martha O’Hayer

Creative Incentives: Using Seller Financing to Catch a Home Buyer’s Attention - Part I

2010-07-14T15:26:11Z

1721 Spur Ridge, Healdsburg

As you may have found, this is a testy Real Estate Market. There are no guarantees that the lenders will provide enough to cover the sale of the home. Often, buyers don’t have enough cash for a 20% or even 10% down payment. Therefore, sellers of homes in certain price ranges and regions may need to come to the table with inventive ways to attract potential buyers. I’ve seen sellers offer exotic vacations, appliances, even boats and cars to sweeten the deal.

Gifts are nice, but the most attractive incentive to a potential home buyer is a lower price. However, sometimes even that isn’t enough if comparable properties are also reduced or there is an excess of inventory. In this case, one creative option to consider is seller financing.

Here are two properties currently for sale in Sonoma County that feature seller financing. Both are lovely with fresh remodeling and seller financing may just be the ticket to make them available to a buyer who may not have the opportunity or the cash in their account to make the purchase work otherwise.

1721 Spur Ridge, Healdsburg

7220 Hayden, Sebastopol

Posted by: Martha O’Hayer

Why We Love Where We Live – Reason #19: Doran Beach

2010-07-14T00:00:00Z

Photo credit: Nick Young

The coastline of Marin and Sonoma Counties offers miles upon miles of spectacular beaches, most with their own characteristics and benefits. In Sonoma County, one of our favorites is Doran Beach, just south of Bodega Bay. Part of the Sonoma County Regional Park system, Doran Beach is a two-mile spit of sandy beach tucked behind Bodega Head, at the entrance to the harbor. This unique location and the southern orientation of the beach mean few, if any, big pounding waves, making it an ideal spot for young kids and water-shy adults to actually enjoy the ocean. On any given day at Doran, fog or no fog, you’ll find young and old enjoying the beach: swimming, strolling, picnicking, flying kites, building sand castles and even crabbing and fishing from the rock jetty on the north side of the spit. For those ready to spend more than just the day, Doran has great camping facilities that are open year-round. As a regional park, Doran has all the usual facilities, in addition to - and this is another reason why we love where we live: no one gets left out – a beach wheelchair which is available upon request.

Have you been to Doran Beach? What was your experience like?

Follow along as the full list unfolds – 100 Reasons Why We Love Where We Live

Follow the reasons on Facebook

Posted by: Frank Howard Allen Realtors

Why We Love Where We Live – Reason #18: The chance to drive like Mario Andretti…even if you’re 10

2010-07-13T00:00:00Z

Photo taken by Tinou Bao

The North Bay has a lot to offer car aficionados – both young and old - whether you’re into cheering from the stands, taking hairpin turns on your own, or just admiring new and vintage vehicles.

In Sonoma County, the Infineon Raceway is home to an amazing motor-sports industrial park of more than 65 businesses, including car preparation and restoration and vintage car storage, not to mention the nearly 340 days of high-speed racing a year. And for those who want to take part in the action themselves at Infineon, there’s the Jim Russell Kart Racing and Driving School. Kart racing is open to kids 8 and up while the school is open to drivers 14 and older (Highway Survival courses are offered for teens and adults).

Driven Raceway, also in Sonoma County, in Rohnert Park, is great for indoor Kart Racing. This is an ideal place to take the family, whether it’s a rainy day, or hot, hot, hot outside. With both kids and adult Karts available, everyone can have fun. If you really get into it, you can even race in their leagues. And if the kids get bored of Dad’s need for speed, there is an arcade, a mini-bowling alley, and even black-light mini golf.

Several towns in the North Bay also host classic car parades or car shows, including the Marin Sonoma Concours d’Elegance, the Tiburon Classic car show and Corvettes at the Castle in Kenwood.

Are you a car or racing fan? What’s your favorite event?

Follow along as the full list unfolds – 100 Reasons Why We Love Where We Live

Follow the reasons on Facebook

Posted by: Frank Howard Allen Realtors

Art, music, food, wine and microbrews aplenty at the Petaluma Art & Garden Festival

2010-07-09T12:08:53Z

Once again, Petaluma closes its downtown streets to welcome the 9th Annual Art and Garden Festival. There’s always so much to do on a given weekend in Wine Country, but this Festival has something that will keep you in town if you live here, and drive you here if you live elsewhere. On Sunday, July 11, from 11AM to 4PM you can be part of the fun for free too.

As the name implies, it’s about art and garden but also about music, kids’ activities and beer and wine. Over 100 vendors will set up for your enjoyment. Stroll our charming downtown streets, grab a local microbrew and tour the garden displays from local landscape designers. You can’t go wrong with the music line-up. You can sit and watch, dance around or just enjoy the music as part of the background of this lively event. By now you will be hungry, so grab a bite from one of the local restaurants featuring signature dishes meant to compliment that local brew or wine you’re sampling. Talk to the vendors, they love this event and I’m pretty sure you will too. The full lineup is on the Petaluma Downtown Website.

Proceeds from the event are used for downtown beautification. I’m all for that! So please, come on down to Petaluma’s 9th Annual Art and Garden Festival on Sunday and help us keep Petaluma Downtown BEAUTIFUL!

For a full calendar of Petaluma events, go to: www.visitpetaluma.com

Posted by: Martha O’Hayer

Why We Love Where We Live – Reason #14: Picnicking in the Wine Country

2010-07-05T00:00:00Z

Photo taken by Marit & Toomas Hinnosaar

Imagine sitting down among the scenic beauty of a vineyard, surrounded by lush grape vines, roses and rolling hills. Add to that a gourmet lunch paired with your newfound favorite wine and you’ve got yourself a pleasant way to spend an afternoon in the Wine Country. Whether you live in Sonoma or Napa Counties or are just visiting, a Wine Country picnic is a wonderful way to enjoy the area. Unfortunately, you can’t just spread out a picnic blanket anywhere, but several wineries do have picnic spots. Some may require reservations or fees, so best to do a little research before setting out.

To prepare for your picnic, stop by Whole Foods in Napa (one of the largest we’ve seen) or visit the well-known and beloved Oakville Grocery in Oakville (arrive early to avoid crowds). Another great option for the gourmet foodie is Dean & DeLuca in St.Helena. Have a sandwich or salad made to order at the deli, pore over their amazing selection of pre-made dishes and specialty items or just grab some truffle salt to take home. You can then head over to nearby Louis M. Martini Winery and enjoy your feast at one of their sunny picnic tables. If your tasting tour takes you to Calistoga, you can visit Bothe State Park which offers picnic tables amongst Redwoods, ferns and Douglas Fir trees – they even have a swimming pool for those hot summer days. If you prefer to buy your picnic fare at the winery, try Chateau St.Jean or V. Sattui. Chateau St. Jean allows you to buy wines by the glass and take them out on the grounds – which feature spectacular gardens. V. Sattui is known for their enormous cheese counter and has a delicious deli as well. Off the tourist path a little bit is Jimtown Store in Alexander Valley. Like Oakville Grocery, this is more country store meets California gourmet.

These are just some of the places where we love to wine and dine outdoors – there are many more options. Let us know if we missed one of your favorites, or if you have a recommended wine or dish at any of the places we mentioned.

Follow along as the full list unfolds – 100 Reasons Why We Love Where We Live

Follow the reasons on Facebook

Posted by: Frank Howard Allen Realtors

Why We Love Where We Live – Reason #11: Spotting a Peregrine Falcon

2010-07-01T13:44:00Z

Sonoma County is an outdoor wonderland. With several regional and national parks, there are countless activities to partake in and trails to embark on. One of our favorite activities is to hike the Good Speed trail to Gunsight Rock. This hike starts out in Sugarloaf Ridge State Park in Kenwood and takes you into adjacent Hood Mountain Regional Park. Many people hike to the summit, but the view from the top is obstructed by Manzanita and pine tree cover. However, about a quarter-mile below the summit is Gunsight Rock. The hike takes close to four hours round trip, but the views from this vantage point more than reward you for your efforts as you can see just about all of Sonoma County. In fact, on a clear day you can see the ridges in Napa and Marin as well. The journey to Gunsight Rock is just as enjoyable. You’ll travel through redwoods, over beautiful bridges and running water and pass by bay laurel, oaks, grasslands, wildflowers and wildlife. Notably, it has been said that this is one of the places you can spot Peregrine Falcons – but you have to have a quick eye as these majestic birds of prey are known to be one of the – if not the – fastest animals on earth.

Follow along as the full list unfolds – 100 Reasons Why We Love Where We Live

Follow the reasons on Facebook

Posted by: Frank Howard Allen Realtors

Why We Love Where We Live – Reason #8: Getting a behind-the-scenes look at how it’s done

2010-06-29T16:27:00Z

In addition to homebuyers, the North Bay attracts businesses large and small. Many well-known companies - Williams-Sonoma, LucasFilm, and Amy’s Kitchen, not to mention so many of the wineries - have either gotten their start here or have headquarters in the area.

We all know the wineries open their doors to visitors, but there are also a good number of other local companies that allow us to experience first-hand how their product is made. These “factory” tours are widely popular amongst locals and tourists alike.

For those who remember collecting stickers as a kid, or who have kids of their own with the passion, a visit to Mrs. Grossman’s sticker factory in Petaluma will take you back to those days of red hearts and gold stars. Highlights of the tour, to which many local school children are privy, include watching the laser web (the technology behind the company’s exclusive laser-cut stickers) and creating a postcard in the Sticker Art Room. Another tour that’s popular with the kids is the Jelly Belly tour. You have to travel a little farther – out to Fairfield – but this tour is unique and worth the trip. Here you’ll go behind the scenes and witness why it takes more than a week to make a single bean. You can also visit the candy store and swing by the Sample Bar where you can try all the different flavors and build your own unique recipes.

For the adults, there are tours that reveal the secrets of some of the delicious food and drinks made in this region. If you’re a fan of olive oil, a trip to McEvoy ranch is a must. While in Petaluma, you can make a day of it by also visiting the Marin French Cheese Company and Lagunitas Brewing Company. For that last stop, be sure to schedule time after your tour at the brewery to relax in the Beer Sanctuary with some live music.

More info:

Mrs. Grossmans Sticker Factory: www.mrsgrossmans.com
Tours are Monday-Thursday by reservation only.

Jelly Belly Factory: www.jellybelly.com
Guided factory tours operate daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Lagunitas Brewing Company: www.lagunitas.com
Tours are every weekday at 3:00pm.

Marin French Cheese Company: www.marinfrenchcheese.com
Tours are available seven days a week at 10:00 am, 11:00 am, Noon and 3:00 pm. Most cheese making activity occurs Monday through Thursday between 10:00 am and Noon.

McEvoy Ranch: www.mcevoyranch.com
Upcoming special tours: Garden Walk & Lunch – July 8, August 19, September 16; Orchard Walk & Mill Tour – August 7, September 11, October 2

Read what fellow bloggers Martha O’Hayer and Judy LeMarr have had to say about some of their favorite tours.

Do you have a favorite tour to add to the list? Let us know in the comments.

Follow along as the full list unfolds – 100 Reasons Why We Love Where We Live

Posted by: Frank Howard Allen Realtors

Why We Love Where We Live – Reason #6: Enjoying the Wine Country from above

2010-06-25T00:00:00Z

Image via Wildcat Dunny

When you’re lucky enough to live in or around the Napa/Sonoma Wine Country, it’s easy to take the amazing scenery for granted. One great way to gain a new perspective is to take flight and view the area from above. There are several options for doing this, including helicopter and hot air balloon rides.

Another, less expensive option is to visit a mountain-top winery and take in the panoramic views. The well-known standard for this is Sterling Vineyards in Calistoga. Its hilltop location provides panoramic views of the Napa Valley and there’s even an aerial tram – the only one of its kind in the valley - to get to the top. Sterling Vineyards is also kid-friendly, offering juice boxes for little ones.

If you find yourself in Sonoma Valley, there’s Kunde Family Estate in Kenwood, which just last week announced the official launch of its new Mountain Top Tour and Tasting. Offered every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the tour takes you through the Mayacamas Mountains and up to 1,400 feet where you’ll be greeted with panoramic vistas, breathtaking views and a beautiful setting for tasting their sustainably-farmed, estate-grown wines. Like Frank Howard Allen Realtors, Kunde Family Estate is family-owned and has also celebrated 100 years of serving the North Bay.

Balloon Rides
Napa Valley Drifters
Balloons Above the Valley
Napa Valley Balloons, Inc.

Helicopter Rides
Wine Country Helicopters
Napa Helicopter Charters

Follow along as the full list unfolds – 100 Reasons Why We Love Where We Live

Posted by: Frank Howard Allen Realtors

Why We Love Where We Live – Reason #4: Paddle Boating on Spring Lake

2010-06-23T23:03:00Z

We are fortunate to have so many national and regional parks in this area and Spring Lake Park is one of our favorites. With so much to do in this recreational area located in Santa Rosa, it’s hard to pick just one thing, but we’re partial to paddle boating on Spring Lake. You can rent paddle boats during the summer (May through September) and it’s a wonderful way to relax and enjoy the scenery. You can also windsurf, kayak or canoe and there is a boat ramp that is open year-round. If you’d rather enjoy the lake from dry land, there’s an easy path around the lake for running, walking, cycling or horseback riding, as well as trails throughout the park that even connect you to nearby Howarth City Park and Annadel State Park, creating an outstanding 8-mile recreational facility.

Read what fellow blogger Ruth Buzzard had to say about Spring Lake:
http://www.guidemehome2sonoma.com/2010/4/8/what-is-that-lake-in-santa-rosa

Follow along as the full list unfolds – 100 Reasons Why We Love Where We Live

Posted by: Frank Howard Allen Realtors

More than just Agriculture at this Fair

2010-06-23T13:56:00Z

The Sonoma-Marin Fair begins today, so you had better get some rest because you’ll need it if you intend to take it all in. It’s not the biggest Fair in Sonoma County, but it packs a lot of punch.

Beginning on June 23 and continuing till June 27, the Sonoma-Marin Fair will fill the Petaluma Fairgrounds with all the sights and sounds of old timey fairs, but will also present a few events you may not have heard of on any fair circuit.

For instance, today is Kids’ Day and everyone gets in for $10 before 5 PM. And, in addition to the usual Poultry Showmanship and Dairy Challenges, you may have a ringer in your house for the Text Messaging Challenge or the Guitar Hero Challenge. The Teen Edge includes a fashion show, band competitions and more. The Fair is agricultural in nature, but there seems to be something for all ages here. A full schedule of events can be found here and you can view all of the kid specific activities here.

Thursday is Seniors’ Day, Friday is Ag (Agriculture) Day, Saturday is Farmers’ Day and Sunday is Family Day. There’s music each night including local favorites Tower of Power and their incredible horn section. Stop by beforehand and sample this year’s winners of the North of the Bay Wine Competition.

Tons to do and not enough time to include it all in this post, so check back soon for further details. And if your kids have super fast thumbs or a real competitive edge in Guitar Hero, get yourself down to the Fairgrounds and let them shine! We all know it’s kids’ day everyday, but they might just get rewarded with bragging rights for an everyday activity!

Posted by: Martha O’Hayer

Why We Love Where We Live – Reason #3: An African Safari without the long plane ride

2010-06-22T22:37:00Z

Right now it seems as though everyone has World Cup fever and the buzzing sounds of the South African vuvuzela horn are taking the planet by storm. As it turns out, we have a bit of Africa right here in our own backyard. Giraffes, gazelles, zebras and hundreds of other animals inhabit Safari West, the wildlife preserve that covers 400 acres in the Santa Rosa ‘Serengeti.’ The mission of Safari West is preservation through breeding, education, research and public interaction. It’s a wonderful escape and will leave you amazed at the fact that you are so close to home. When you think of Sonoma County’s activities and unique benefits, wine-tasting, bike riding and exquisite locally-grown foods all come to mind, but there’s also a vast expanse of breathtaking nature and this is just one more way to enjoy it.

Fellow blogger Ruth Buzzard wrote this about Safari West: http://www.guidemehome2sonoma.com/2009/4/30/africa-in-the-wine-country

Follow along as the full list unfolds – 100 Reasons Why We Love Where We Live

Posted by: Frank Howard Allen Realtors