My Sonoma

My Beloved Sonoma County

I was neither born nor raised in Sonoma County but I have been connected to this spectacular place since I was two years old.

I swam in the Russian River and played on its beaches during vacations with my mother, who was born in Napa, and my half sister. While still a toddler, I recognized the rows of towering eucalyptus trees along Lakeville Highway: it was my portal, my gateway to this spectacular place. In grammar school, I explored our coastal tide pools for science projects and, in high school, I lounged on our beaches and camped in our parks.

As soon as I was able, I moved to a dairy farm in Lakeville, near the entrance to that gateway of magical trees and raised my two girls in their shadow before moving west to Sebastopol.

From the day I arrived, I shopped at farm stands, a drive-in raw milk dairy, and the docks of Bodega Bay, where I bought salmon and crab. I gardened, too, and visited our redwoods, hiked our hillsides, picnicked at wineries, gathered wild blackberries and absorbed all I could in every way.

Sonoma County is in my blood. In this section, I share all that I love about this place.

Today in Sonoma

Summer’s Treasures, Fall Feasts

Plums, peaches, and nectarines may be gone or nearly so but much of summer’s harvest continues well past the beginning of fall. Some foods that we associate with summer, especially melons, often peak in September and October. And if we don’t have an early winter, if temperatures remain warm and early rains are not too […]

Watusi Calf at Safari West critters

Critters

Meet the critters who provide us with milk, butter, cheese, eggs, meat and, sometimes, hours of enjoyment and unbridled love.

Read Articles
Young girls dancing in streets dance

Dance

From dancing on the lawn at a summer concert and pursuing studies in ballet, belly dancing, hula and more to our annual production of The Nutcracker, we spend a lot of time on our feet in Sonoma County, moving to a world of rhythm.

Read Articles
Glass of Wedding Cuvee at a tasting room drink

Drink

News about our local coffee, tea, shrub, cider, beer, wine & more, including cow shares and raw milk.

Read Articles
Fresh Pasta eat

Eat

What we eat when we eat in public, from taco trucks and pop-ups to down-home breakfast and uptown dinner.

Read Articles
Glass art hanging from ceiling elsewhere

Elsewhere

As much as we love Sonoma County, sometimes we travel. And when we can leave from Charles Schulz Airport, we're off to a good start. Here you'll find my occasional adventures away from home.

Read Articles
Tomato from Ma & Pa's Garden farmers

Farmers

A high school boy is inspired to raise ducks for their eggs, a young woman leases an acre of land and starts a flower farm, an apple farmer plants acres of new trees: Farmers are the life blood of Sonoma County and here we celebrate them.

Read Articles
Flower in field grow

Grow

Sonoma County is a gardener's paradise, with nurseries to suit every inclination, from wild and unkempt to formal and manicured.

Read Articles
Man thinking at a table listen

Listen

From local radio and a neighborhood band at your favorite dive bar to performances at the Green Center, there is plenty to keep your ears happy in Sonoma County.

Read Articles
Painting of yo yo by Mary Vaughan look

Look

Galleries, public art, open studios, art classes, museums, painted sidewalks, graffiti, and more.

Read Articles
Farm tour sign markets

Markets

Farmers markets, farm stands, farm stores, honor-system egg stands, & locally owned markets and supermarkets make it possible to eat locally easily and reasonably.

Read Articles
Francis Coppola talking to young boy people

People

Here are stories of the talented, the quirky, the mesmerizing, the heroic, the memorable and more, the people of Sonoma County.

Read Articles
Boy jumping into pool during Summer play

Play

Indoor fun & outdoor fun in Sonoma County, all year long.

Read Articles
venue

Venue

Read Articles

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Sign up to receive our monthly newsletter by email.