Spring is here. How do I know? Well, the Santa Rosa Farm Market at the Veteran’s Building and Sebastopol Farmers Markets are in full swing, with Santa Rosa’s Wednesday Night Market, Windsor, Healdsburg, Cotati, Duncans Mills, Gualala, Petaluma, etc. are all gearing up to open in May. There are great deals to be had in fresh local organic produce, of course, but it’s also a fun outing–you can literally stop to smell the flowers, as well as the fruit.  If you don’t cook, don’t despair. Check out this article on Bite Club on the prepared food available at local farmers markets: fresh bread, curries, seafood chowders (will the paella be back at Sebastopol’s farmers market this year? Best paella anywhere.)

Here is a list of local farmers markets and their locations and  hours: [Read more →]

In Sonoma County, we know we have it all—beaches, rolling farmlands, orchards, charming towns where (if you squint a bit) you could be in 1950 (or 1850), Victorian farmhouses, lavish mansions, suburban tract homes, vineyards, hey, we even have a few Tuscan courtyards. Hollywood knows it, too.

Here’s a list of 110 movies said to have been filmed (or partially filmed) in Sonoma County (alphabetically by title).

It makes a great DVD night trivia game—can you recognize Sonoma County in these films?

But I’m adding another game into the mix. Do you recognize a house in one of the movies (and know what corner it’s on)? Or can you give me more specific locations for scenes I have listed below? Were you an extra? Or a spectator? Do you know of a movie (big screen only–no made for TV movies) that isn’t on my list? Or do you just want to guess on a filming spot in one of these movies or  suggest a movie that looks like it was filmed here? Enter a comment below. On May 1, all the comments to this post will be entered in a drawing. One lucky reader will get 4 free movie passes for Reading Cinema’s Rohnert Park 16 at 555 Rohnert Park Expressway West in Rohnert Park.  Another lucky commenter will win their own DVD of Bottle Shock.  And one of our email subscribers will win a copy of the gorgeous photo book, Hidden Sonoma.

 Ready? Action!

[Read more →]

In tough economic times, a vacation in Sonoma’s wine country that centers on free, or almost free, activities is just the prescription. With a reputation as a wine country that is welcoming, friendly and relaxed, Sonoma County is also known as a great value for those seeking the lifestyle of great wine and fresh food.

Courtesy of the Sonoma County Tourism Bureau, here’s a roundup of a dozen of free things to do in Sonoma Country. [Read more →]