You may not be aware, but Sonoma County has a fully-functioning airport located in Santa Rosa where you can hop on a plane and head to Seattle, Portland, Las Vegas or LA, without the hassle of dealing with the San Francisco or Oakland airports. While we know there’s more than enough to do right here in our backyard (our 100 Reasons are just a start), it is nice to escape every now and again, and even nicer without taking the Airport Shuttle for two hours or paying for Park n’ Fly.

Aside from catching your flight, the Charles M. Schulz – Sonoma County Airport is actually a destination in and of itself. You can head over to the Sky Lounge, open 7-days a week, and watch private jets, hot air balloons, helicopters and other aircraft come and go. With an outdoor patio located along the runway, you’ll be up close for the action. And trust us; this isn’t your normal airport fare. The Sky Lounge is an American style steakhouse with a delicious dinner menu, affordable lunch and delightful breakfast. There’s even a raw bar. In fact, the only peanuts you’ll see are the comic strips, statues and other memorabilia decorating the airport in honor of its namesake.

And once a year, aviation buffs from all over descend on the Charles M. Schulz Airport for the Pacific Coast Air Museum’s Wings Over Wine Country Air Show, the largest air show in Northern California. Visitors to the Air Show can actually climb aboard a jet fighter, walk through a cargo plane, and get close up to historical aircraft, as well as enjoy kid friendly events and a car show. The 2010 Air Show includes flight demonstrations from the US Air Force’s F-15E “Strike Eagle” team, the US Navy’s F/A-18F “Hornet” team, and many others, plus an aerobatic racing challenge. You can read more about the 2010 Wings Over Wine Country Air Show in the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.

In addition to the Air Show, the Pacific Coast Air Museum operates both an indoor museum with exhibits, photos and artifacts, as well as an outdoor museum with contemporary and antique aircraft on display – some of which you can even climb aboard. Docent tours are open to school children and there are also additional classes and activities.

Sonoma County is an amazing spot for those interested in aviation – both the history, as well as modern commercial flights. And if you really want to be a part of the action, you can even attend flight school.

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Photos taken by Jack Snell

Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

The California Wine Country is known for world-class winemaking, artisan food purveyors, gorgeous vineyard landscapes and local harvest. However, it’s not all just easy country living, and if you’re looking for a way to cut loose on a Friday or Saturday night, downtown Santa Rosa makes for a wonderful North Bay destination. Also known as the Arts District, this thriving downtown was named one of California’s best mid-sized city downtown areas in 2007. With the many dining, art, and night life options available, it’s easy to see why. On one side of the Mall and 101, you’ll find just about every flavor of restaurant: Thai, Indian, Italian, French, California fusion and more in a picturesque setting with the iconic Art Deco Barnes and Noble building and plenty of shopping.

On the other side of the Mall and 101 is Railroad Square, anchored with the beautiful and historic Hotel LaRose. There are more dining options with award-wining restaurants, plus shopping and entertainment. One great entertainment option is the Summer Nights Street Party, held the first Friday of the summer months. For year-round options, check out Aroma Roasters, which offers café style live music along with killer peanut butter pie and great teas and coffee. Or try the Last Day Saloon, with its club atmosphere that features music ranging from 80s to Rock to Blues.

Both locations offer a charming downtown area with trees, art sculptures, and of course, Snoopy and the Gang.

Hungry the next morning? Be sure check out the Omelette Express, where the humorous gentleman who takes reservations makes the 20-minute wait totally worth it, even before you get to the delicious food.

You can also follow Downtown Santa Rosa on Facebook and Twitter to stay up-to-date with what’s happening.

Do you have a favorite destination in downtown Santa Rosa? Let us know in the comments.

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Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

When the simple question of “Where should we go to breakfast?” comes up, two places come to mind without the slightest hesitation: Dierk’s Parkside Café and Water Street Bistro. If you’re looking for the best breakfast in Sonoma County, look no further than these two local gems.

Dierk’s Parkside Café
I describe this place to friends as “dinner service at breakfast.” It’s an unassuming place, although they have expanded into an adjacent space so it’s not so diner-y as it once was. There’s a counter that looks into the kitchen where you will see the chefs in their kitchen whites—at breakfast! Servers are polite, remember specials off the top of their heads, make great conversation and move gracefully through the place making it so inviting to the breakfast guests. Coffee cups are big with strong, delicious brew.  The food, well, is absolutely amazing. A few items on the recent menu included:

• Warm poached egg salad—two poached eggs on a bed of local mixed greens, chopped bacon, fresh herbs, potatoes, croutons and tomatoes with herb dressing.
• Sonoma Duck Confit with potato hash, scrambled eggs, toast and warm apples.
• Biscuits and gravy
  
• Heuvos Rancheros, oh and ….
• Country Benedict—warm crispy baguette, covered with scrambled eggs, bacon, mushrooms, spinach, oven dried tomatoes and hollandaise—YUM!!!!

Seriously, do not miss this place.

Dierk’s is open 7am-2pm daily; Brunch is served on Saturday and Sundays; Breakfast and lunch served daily till 2pm.

Location: 404 Santa Rosa Avenue, Santa Rosa

Water Street Bistro
Another favorite, located at the end of Western Ave at Water Street in Petaluma, Water Street Bistro is a homey, hometown breakfast spot with the feel of your mom’s kitchen. Lots of freshly baked pies, quiches, savory breakfast tarts, pastries, and scones are all out on display and not more than an hour or so from the oven. The chef/owner Stephanie decides on the fly what will be on the menu that day and goes with the seasons when it comes to what she’ll be baking that morning. You will always have the freshest and the most delicious meal with anything you order here. Savory or sweet, she’s got something delicious for you to eat. She’s up and at ‘em at 5am and doesn’t stop all day. Situated along the Petaluma River, boaters visiting the area have told me that upon waking in the Petaluma’s turning basin, they thought someone was on board baking right in their galley! Locals and visitors love it. Be sure you have time to savor the experience. It’s a small kitchen space and limited prep area so relax and enjoy.

Water Street Bistro is open Monday-Friday from 7:30am – 3:30pm, and closed Tuesdays. Weekend hours are 8am-4pm on Saturdays and 8:30am-2:30pm on Sundays.

Location: 100 Petaluma Blvd. North – Petaluma

Posted by:  Martha O’Hayer

Joe Cool, Game, Set, Match – Made by Frank Howard Allen Santa Rosa agent Jeanie Olson – and one of 94 statues created for a 2007 tribute to Peanuts creator Charles Schulz.

Many of us grew up reading the Peanuts comic-strip. As kids, we all identify with the characters…whether having a Charlie Brown moment when we try but fail again, or dreaming we are Snoopy and setting out on a fabulous adventure. As adults, we see the cast of characters from a larger perspective and understand how they can at once represent our inner child, teach us a life lesson, and make us smile. Peanuts creator Charles Schulz was a genius and brought those beloved characters to life for nearly 50 years. His body of work and the reach he had throughout this world is unparalleled (his Peanuts comic strip was read by 355 million people during its peak and he is the only American comic strip artist to be honored with a retrospective at the Louvre in France).

Which is why it’s no wonder that his influence is felt throughout Santa Rosa and Sebastopol, where Schulz lived and worked for most of his career. The Sonoma County airport is named for him, the library at Sonoma State University is named in honor of Schulz and his wife Jean, and one cannot miss the “people-size” statues of the various Peanuts characters sprinkled around Santa Rosa– but nowhere is his spirit more alive than Hardies Lane, located two blocks from his art studio and home to the Redwood Empire Ice Arena (also called Snoopy’s home ice, Schulz would walk from his studio to the rink for meals at the Warm Puppy Café) and the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center, which opened in 2002.

We are fortunate to have this fabulous, dynamite and ever-evolving museum and research center in our community. The museum is small in scale but rich in content; you can walk through at a quick pace or stop to enjoy the nuances. One special treat is the two-story-high mural Charlie Brown, Lucy and the Football, which is a mosaic of a classic Charlie Brown scene made from over 3,000 Peanuts strips printed on ceramic tiles. Another unique item is a wall from Schulz’s Colorado Springs home on which he painted a mural for his daughter in 1951. The wall was later discovered by subsequent owners, resurrected and carefully relocated to the museum. In addition to permanent exhibits, there are opportunities to see other established and up-and-coming cartoonists on the second Saturday of every month. There are also Museum Mondays, which are special mornings for children aged 1-5 that take place the fourth Monday of each month from March through September and every Monday from October through February.

The Schulz family has been so very generous in their support of local efforts in education, the environment and social areas. The museum and Schulz’s legacy are a big point of pride for our area and add to the special quality of where we live.

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Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

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

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Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

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

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Posted by: Frank Howard Allen Realtors

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

Sonoma County is of course known for wine country events and June 5 is no exception for Downtown Santa Rosa. The South A Arts Alliance, wine makers, restaurants and local artists are hosting this spring event – 3rd Annual Vine Art on Saturday, June 5 from 6-9 PM in Santa Rosa’s Arts District.

This water color I painted features the grapes in the Vine Hill School area of Sebastopol during my wine making days. Always fascinating to the get the email, that even though it was raining cats and dogs, it was time to head over to pick the grapes and eat pizza. 

How irresistible is that?

Posted by:  Judy Freedman

Sonoma Counties best kept secret

The best bike ride for timid bicyclists like myself is the Joe Rodota Trail, 2.8 miles of paved trail that follows an abandoned railroad line between Santa Rosa and Sebastopol. Walking, biking, running, roller skating and more can be experienced on this beautiful and peaceful trail. On a Sunday morning you will wind up at the colorful Sebastopol Farmer’s Market featuring diverse foods, local produce and arts and crafts.

A great opportunity for young children to experience walking, bicycle riding, horseback riding, and roller skating in this serene setting. You can see the Laguna of Santa Rosa, the historic railroad, train trestles and enjoy fantastic birding along the way.

Posted by:  Judy Freedman

The Amgen Tour of California, America’s largest cycling event, takes off from Nevada City on May 16 for an eight-day event through California, visiting both Santa Rosa and San Francisco, before ending in Thousand Oaks on May 23. With natural beauty rivaling that of the tour of our friends in France, what better place to have a cycling event?

The Tour first started in February 2006, and has since grown in popularity. Last year I accidently caught a bit of the Tour as it came through Santa Rosa. Even in the mist and rain, both diehard and casual fans alike were spirited and supportive. It was awesome! Amongst the reasons for the strong support, Santa Rosa resident and three-time Tour of California winner, Levi Leipheimer. That and, of course, all the local Sonoma County cycling enthusiasts.

This year Santa Rosa is the Stage 2 Finish on the Davis to Santa Rosa route, on May 17. This stage of the Tour will cover 109.5 miles starting at 11 AM with an estimated arrival time in Santa Rosa during the 3 o’clock hour. As a finish city, Santa Rosa will also host a free Lifestyle Festival with family-friendly activities, demonstrations and cycling displays. Festivities start at 11 AM in Courthouse Square with Happy Hour and further celebrations continuing through the evening on Fourth Street.

This is the fifth consecutive year Santa Rosa has been a part of the Tour of California and the routes change each year; last weekend about 550 participants got a sneak peak at the 2010 route as part of a fundraiser led by 11-time Tour de France rider George Hincapie.

Check out these links for more information about the 2010 Tour of California:

Official Tour of California website
City of Santa Rosa Tour website
Stage 2 – Davis to Santa Rosa
Tour of California on Twitter

Posted by:Jennifer Masterson

Have you ever wondered about that lake on the east side of town? I remember when my family first moved to Sonoma County, Spring Lake instantly caught my curiosity. From my map it was clearly marked, but it seemed rather odd that a lake would be in the middle of a city the size of Santa Rosa. It has forever intrigued me, so I decided to search the internet and find out more. A bit disappointed not to find much history, I did discover the lake is part of an earthen dam built in 1963 and is owned by the Sonoma County Water Agency. As it turns out, it is more of a reservoir than a lake.

Of course, if I had delved further, I may have come across more information, but for the purpose of this post, I want to share with people why I love this wonderful nature area.

As I’ve mentioned in other posts, I love to walk! So once a week I meet one of my friends at Spring Lake and we take our dogs on a spin around the lake. We also include Howarth Park in the walk, as it adds a bit more distance to our jaunt and allows our pets to have more time to play together. Plus, I have the pleasure of spending time with my dear friend, which is a double bonus.

Click picture for more information

I also make it a point to include a tour of Spring Lake when clients or visitors from other parts of the country (and world) meet with me and ask for an introduction to the area. What better way to introduce them to our community then to show off this delightful spot. You can follow this link to learn more. And if you are so inclined, go for a couple of hours, or spend the day. Spring Lake is part of the 320-acre Spring Lake Regional Park and offers plenty to do in addition to walking trails, including camping, fishing, picnicking, swimming, cycling and horseback riding.

Do you know more about the history of Spring Lake? Or have a favorite activity to do in the area? Please share in the comments.

Posted By: Ruth Buzzard

Spring Break for school-age kids is almost here. So what are you going to do while your kids are out of school? Some folks may travel but many of us will take advantage of what is at our fingertips and enjoy a stay-cation right here in the North Bay.

Sonoma County

Go Skating: Ice, Roller, or Board
Tee up with some Mini- Golf
Drive like Mario Andretti
Find an arcade and spend some of those spare quarters
Swing set or teeter totter at a playground
Take a hike, walk, or bike in the beautiful wine country
Take the Train or ride a Ferris Wheel at Train Town
Sit on the dock of the Bay
Visit Shell Beach
Ride the Carousel or see what else is happening over at Howarth Park

Heading North
Take the Skunk Train for a ride with a view.
Mendocino coast, while there check out the Mendocino Chocolate Company or even try Whale Watching (did this last year – it was awesome, but definitely required sea sickness patch).
Head a little north to MacKerricher State Park and check out the tidepools.
Take a long drive through the Avenue of the Giants and enjoy the Redwoods and the roadside attractions.

And of course there are always the old stand-bys:
Check out a book
Go to a Movie
Play a board game

For activities in Marin County and San Francisco, check out our GuideMeHome2Marin Spring Break post .

Posted by:Jennifer Masterson

Do you like to fish, how about a pet parade? Do you want to go on an Easter Egg Hunt? Howarth Park in Santa Rosa is where all the fun begins.

Follow this link to find out about these fun spring time activities which begin this weekend, Sunday, March 28.

Kids Fishing Derby – March 28 Pet Parade – March 31 Easter Egg Hunt – April 3

All events at Howarth Park – 630 Summerfield Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95405

Have you been to Howarth Park lately? In addition to fun seasonal events there are year-round attractions, such as hiking and biking trails, field rentals, and two playgrounds.

Posted By: Ruth Buzzard

According to CNN Money Magazine’s 2010 real estate profile, Napa, CA is ranked #17 in the nation for forecasted price appreciation. Money details that many cities close to the Bay Area saw a huge run-up in home prices during the post 9/11 boom that lasted through 2006.

Napa is a very well recognized city in Northern California’s wine making region, known for world class culinary dining experiences and vineyards. Napa is also one of the largest cities north of the Golden Gate Bridge with a population of 133,522, according to Money.

Santa Rosa is the largest city in northern California’s wine country with a population of 154,200, which also neighbors iconic and timeless rural Kenwood, CA. Money ranked Santa Rosa #1 in the nation for forecasted price appreciation.

According to market information, prices grew more than 121% from 2000 to the early 2006 peak and have since fallen more than 45%. Today Money concludes that the decline is over and Santa Rosa prices will gain 6% this year, more than any other U.S. city, while at #17, Napa prices will gain 2.3% this year.

This being recently reported, each property situation may be less ordinary and more unique from the median and averages calculated or forecasted by Money Magazine.

Weigh in with your opinion by posting a comment on how you feel about buying real estate in 2010.

For more information about your relocation, next move, or unique properties across the Bay Area contact Ernie Basoco at 707.292.0192 or visit www.ebasoco.com.

Posted by:Ernie Basoco

Living in Santa Rosa just keeps getting better and better…

According to Money Magazine, Santa Rosa’s real estate prices will gain more than any other U.S. city this year and the forecasters are saying the decline is over. Full article.

This is no surprise to me with over 50% of Santa Rosa’s available inventory in contract.

For everyone who’s been waiting to see what’s going to happen with our local real estate market, now is the time to purchase real estate in Santa Rosa. Look at how Santa Rosa compares to other cities in California. In my opinion, they have this information backwards. The list should be reversed, and we should be on the top where we belong. Can you tell I love Santa Rosa?

Don’t forget that Santa Rosa also has the distinction of being one of the 5th happiest cities in America according to the Huffington Post, and Santa Rosa is applying for Google’s ultra-fast Internet network for residents.

Like I said – living in Santa Rosa just keeps getting better and better…

Posted by:Beth Urban-Purtell

Did you know that Santa Rosa/Petaluma is the 5th happiest city in America according to interviews with more than 350,000 Americans? The Huffington Post article can be found here.

The “life evaluation” for each city consisted of job opportunities, personal finances, physical health, moods, emotions, and communities. Based on my experience living in many different cities across the country, I think Santa Rosa should be #1. We are all so blessed to live here, and I’ve never seen more “nice” people concentrated in one area.

Now, news has broken that Google is offering to build an ultra-fast Internet network for residents in one or more lucky U.S. towns. WOW! Can you imagine how happy we’d all be if Santa Rosa was the chosen city? I’m just sure we’d launch into the #1 position on the happiness scale. Let’s all get involved and lobby Google on behalf of our beloved Santa Rosa!

Get involved, make a difference and be happy!

Posted by:Beth Urban-Purtell

A huge study released last week found that people in Petaluma and Santa Rosa are happier and healthier than anywhere in California and ranked 5th in overall happiness in the nation!

Over 350,000 Americans were polled for the Gallup-Healthways Well Being Index. Forty-two questions covered a number of areas of health and well being including jobs, finances, health habits and mental attitudes. 753 participants from Sonoma County were included in the survey. They commented on healthy habits and behaviors such as eating well, including consuming fresh fruits and vegetables each week, exercising regularly and not smoking. 

Placing 5th overall in the US for Happiness quotient, Petaluma–Santa Rosa once again shows its true colors. What’s not to be happy about? Look around you, Petaluma has so many treasures; it’s hard to count them all. 

USA Today has the full list of winners ranked here; number one in the country for overall happiness was Boulder, Colorado. 

So folks, Disneyland may be the happiest place on earth, but Petaluma is the happiest place in California!

 

Posted by:Martha O’Hayer

Traditionally, fall brings about a change in activity in the real estate market since many homebuyers plan their transactions around the school year. With school in session, sales can tend to slow. Additionally, many sellers take their homes off the market for the holidays and wait for the more favorable spring selling climate. Pair the cyclical trend with reduced consumer spending, an increasing unemployment rate and decreasing cash flow, and this would appear to be an unfavorable time to list your home.

However, we’ve seen from experience that if priced right from the start, some homes do sell in a short time frame, no matter the season. Indeed, there are buyers out there who recognize that now is a great time to purchase a home. Fueled by low mortgage rates and government incentives, savvy buyers are looking to make a purchase. Case in point: The Duran Group’s listing at 3650 Rutherford Way in Santa Rosa. Priced at $789,900, this five bedroom, three bath home with over 3,356 sq. ft and built in 2000 drew five offers and went into contract after only nine days on the market.

Plagued by the economic crisis, the spending and saving habits of Americans are being looked at now more than ever as indicators of economic recovery.

However, maybe this is a more accurate sign of what’s to come.

Are you interested in buying in this off-peak season? Click here for some tips.

Posted by:Raina Duran

If gardens are for people then outdoor art can be for inspiration. The city of Santa Rosa takes this inspiration a step further with the Art in Public Places Program, which recognizes that art and culture in a public setting can enrich a community. Currently the art project is displaying a presentation of the finalists’ latest proposals to the selection panel, before the final award is announced for the next installation of work.

 

Art in Public Places is one of several Arts and Culture programs made available by the City of Santa Rosa, supporting a total of six projects, including the Civic Artwalk. Artwalk is already in its second rotation and features the most recent installations of Robert Ellison’s Renaissance, William Wareham’s Missa week, Penny Michel’s Ice Woman IV, and Karl Saliter’s Collective Impulse. These works compliment the previous group of public art pieces that make up the Artwalk. The Artwalk begins at Depot Park in Railroad Square; the full route can be found here.

In addition to being distinctive visual landmarks, the outdoor displays look to become permanent timeless icons of inspiration to our greater region of scenic vineyards in Sonoma.

Posted by:Ernie Basoco

It’s not exactly the New York City big apple or the Napa Valley, yet. Sonoma County’s biggest city is about to get its own, however, much like the national attention for long distance running events reserved for marathons from Maui, to San Francisco, and to Chicago.

Santa Rosa, California is home of the biggest city in the Sonoma wine making region. The first marathon and half-marathon event set to launch here takes place on August 30th, 2009. The design and passion behind the upcoming event originated with Arthur Webb, a 67 year old veteran distance runner who has finished the 135-mile Badwater Ultramarathon 10 times over, 9 times within the 60 hour race time limit.

The race welcomes beginners, intermediate runners, and advanced competitive athletes. A 12 week training program for the full marathon can be found by clicking here. For a 12 week training program for the half marathon, click here. To register for the race, please visit the Santa Rosa Marathon site.

Posted by:Ernie Basoco

Last Saturday, I spent some of my day standing in the rain at the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts at the Finish of the Wine Country Century, a showcase ride of northwest Sonoma County put on each year by the Santa Rosa Cycling Club. My fellow cycling aficionado and I were promoting the return of the Amgen Tour of California (ATOC) (premier professional cycling race in USA) to the City of Santa Rosa. Anyone who has lived in Sonoma County in the past 4 years has had the awesome and amazing opportunity to see the best cyclists in the world, both men and women, race to the Finish line in downtown Santa Rosa one day in February – it’s an honor, a privilege and a heck of a good time!

Each year, in preparation for the ATOC, the City of Santa Rosa “bids” to hold a Stage Start, Finish or both, committing approximately $175,000 to the event. Because City coffers are stretched beyond their limits this year providing essential services, a group of us under the direction of Mo McElroy (Visitors and Convention Bureau) have committed to raising the $175,000 needed to bring the Tour back in 2010! Visit www.keepthetour.com to donate and stay informed. We’ve just learned that in 2010, the Tour of California will be held May 16 – 23!

Cycling enthusiasts have long recognized Sonoma County as a premier destination – it’s hard to beat the combination of spectacular scenery, back roads, variable terrain, and a public that is becoming more conscious and respectful. The cycling community is a dynamic one attracting people, businesses, low-impact use of the environment, creating a health-conscious and highly social subculture.

There is a superb article in the Press Democrat, Section B, Sunday, May 3, 2009, about “joys of riding in Sonoma County.” Whether you’re out for a ride with the kids on the Prince Greenway (Santa Rosa), challenging yourself to reach the top of Pine Flat (Healdsburg), taking a quick hour of exercise in a loop around Oakmont, riding from home to work and back each day, here for “spring training” with your team, or cheering for your favorite hometown elite cycling hero, Levi Leipheimer, at the TOC Finish or, Yes!, raising money in the rain, cycling is one more spectacular reason I treasure living in Sonoma County.

Call me (707-481-3390) for suggestions about riding in Sonoma County.

Posted By: Carolyn Metz

While driving up north of Santa Rosa and listing a short sale for $299,000 in Windsor, I continued further to preview some of the 35 properties that are available in Santa Rosa that have from 5 to 100 acres. For clients with animals, a wonderful place to settle is towards Safari West in northern eastern Sonoma County, our version of Africa in the Wine Country.

Hillsides of wheat colored grasses surrounded by ranches and vineyards leads one to the exotic world of Nancy and Peter Lang, with the sights and sounds of the Serengeti of Santa Rosa. This inspirational African style oasis is a delight to adults and children.

I have my birthday luncheon here annually with my family. The grandkids enjoy it and I don’t have to clean up.

This is a delightful area to visit with wonderful opportunities to share with the family.

Posted by:Judy Freedman

This weekend was the Dry Creek Valley Passport wine tasting. 45 wineries opened their doors for the annual event highlighting the magic of the Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma County. We tasted old vintages, component, and barrel tastings at Amphora Winery, De LaMontanya, Family Wineries, Kokomo Wines, Papapietro Perry, Passalacqua Winery, Peterson Winery and A. Rafanelli Winery.

The wine country was looking its best on this beautiful warm spring day. The views from many of the wineries across the Dry Creek Valley were exquisite especially from the decks of the Passalacqua Winery which featured the wood oven pizza fired up by caterers serving the famous 4 minute wood fired pizza with homemade toppings.

The De LaMontonya Winery featured DeVines Pizza catering, wonderful wines, and music from the 60’s with a hippie look.

A. Rafanelli Winery included a bountiful spread, their wonderful wines and many happy wine tasters.

Before coming to the Dry Creek Valley, of course, I was previewing the many short sales, foreclosures and priced right real estate in Santa Rosa and surrounding areas. This is a great time to buy property in Sonoma County and move yourself into the wine country.

Feel free to email me at jfreedman@fhallen.com or call me at 707.972.5596.

Posted By: Judy Freedman