Sonoma for a Solo Traveler

[Singletraveler]

I am combining a business trip with my first time ever visit to Sonoma and am overwhelmed with the options for where to stay and what to do. Sonoma? Healdsburg? Yountville? Someone suggested a couple of nights in Sonoma and then to move up to Healdsburg. I will be traveling solo June 30th to July 4th. Has anyone done one of the Relish Culinary Adventures? Any advice to help sort out all of the options would be most appreciated.

[christy319]

Any recommendations for a solo diner in the Sonoma or Glen Ellen areas? I'd either like it to be fairly casual, or have a bar area where I can eat--I'm not crazy about solo table dining at nicer places.

[wolfe]

Glen Ellen, The Fig Cafe and the Olive & Vine. I'm sure you will be comfortable.

[trile]

Sonoma - the bar area at El Dorado Kitchen is fun. Also Harvest Moon has a little sit-up area. Great food.

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Harvest Moon Cafe
487 First Street West, Sonoma, CA 95476

[Robert Lauriston]

I'm pretty sure you can eat at the bar at Vineyards Inn. Great food, very friendly place patronized mostly by locals.

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Vineyards Inn
8445 Sonoma Hwy, Kenwood, CA 95452

[rworange]

That's a great suggestion. Great people and great food.

[Singletraveler]

You are in for a real treat! I was the original poster last year asking about solo travel in Sonoma. I had a wonderful Sonoma experience. I also recommend the girl and fig as well as Harvest Moon for both the food, wine, and atmosphere. In Healdsburg, I went to Barndiva and again sat outside at the bar. Everyone was very friendly and I wound up talking with people at the bars of all three places sharing tips and hints on where to go and what to see. You didn't ask about spas, but I would highly recommend Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa. If you reserve a spa treatment then you have access to the spa pool. Lunch at the girl and fig, massage at the Fairmont, and then lounge at the pool for the rest of the afternoon. Pretty perfect!

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Barndiva
231 Center St, Healdsburg, CA 95448

Harvest Moon Cafe
487 First Street West, Sonoma, CA 95476

Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn
100 Boyes Blvd., Sonoma, CA 95476

[Rdngprof]

Hi

I was wondering where else you went in Healdsburg for your solo trip? I am going in a couple of months. I am glad you mentioned Barndiva to eat because it seems that most of the places are for couples or groups and I wasnt sure where a single person could dine. If you have any other places you ate or activities you took part in, I would appreciate it. I have the wine tasting part covered! 8)

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Barndiva
231 Center St, Healdsburg, CA 95448

[Cynsa]

Cocina Latina is at the top of my list. http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/807796

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Cocina Latina
214 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg, CA 95448

[Rdngprof]

thanks for the reply. I read about this place before it opened. It sounds like a place for couples or groups?

[DavidT]

I think spending a couple of nights in the town of Sonoma and then a couple of nights in Healdsburg would work well. Do "Search this board" searches for both and for Dry Creek, Santa Rosa, Forestville, Russian River, etc. You will pull up quite a large number of posts with helpful suggestions and recommendations for dining and visiting wineries.

Be aware that it can get hot out here that time of the year, with temps well above 85 degrees. Also, note that Yountville is in Napa Valley and is a 30-minute or so drive from the town of Sonoma..

[syrahgirl]

We stayed this past Sat. night at Bardessono in Yountville, it is the TOTAL wow factor! We walked to Bottega for dinner where I would suggest you plan a meal while in the area. We also had great meals at Martini House in St. Helena and Auberge du Soleil in Rutherford out on the terrace. In Healdsburg, we have enjoyed stays at Hotel Healsburg and the Inn on the Plaza, you can walk to Cyrus from both of these places, we have dined there 3 times now, Cyrus is awesome. I also wanted to add that if you're in the Santa Rosa area on the Old Redwood Highway, do not miss a meal at Willi's Wine Bar. It is a tapas place with great food. I had the BBQ duck with polenta, the Warm Spinach salad and Blood Orange Creme Brulee with a flight of Pinot Noir. The flavors in everything we sampled were phenomenal, my husband loved his Quail, also. :)

[myst]

Willi's owns another tapas place in downtown Healdsburg. Fremont Diner in Sonoma is also fun little place for breakfast.

[rworange]

There are VERY mixed reports on Bottega. Personally if I was in Napa that would not be at the top of my list.

What options have you considered so far?

[OldTimer]

You could also go from Sonoma to Yountville over Oakville Grade...fot the ride of your life. But don't say I didn't warn you.

[wolfe]

From Sonoma to Napa you start at Trinity Road to Dry Creek Road then the Oakville Grade.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/6555...