Back in June, not only did I turn 40, but Mr. Bear and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary. We were trying to choose the perfect spot to vacation, so I turned to Facebook. Sonoma was the hand-down winner for the perfect vacation. The more feedback I got from friends and family, the more I was convinced! A fellow blogger recommended The Wine Road. I contacted them and they offered some complimentary services for our anniversary, including a 3-day ticket to the Wine Road.
We went out LAX, as we had to drop the kiddo, the dogs and the cat off at my parent’s house and it was closer than San Diego. We took a one hour-ish hop from LAX to Santa Rosa. It was so easy! Much better than flying into San Francisco! We flew Alaska Airlines, which allowed for us to bring back a case of wine with us on the return, so BONUS! Please, they were giving complimentary cocktails on the flight. Wooohoo!



When we returned to our room, we found a beautiful spread of fresh fruit and a bottle of Korbel champagne, compliments of the hotel manager.
…along with a note from the manager:
(We had the pleasure of meeting the manager the following evening, over a few glasses of wine at the wine tasting the Hilton hosts in the lobby each evening. She was so nice and easy to talk to. It was clear to us that she really loves Sonoma and enjoys meeting the guests. She’s pretty awesome!)
After freshening up, we decided to use a cab to get downtown. We had heard that Wednesdays were happening in downtown Santa Rosa. If we were looking for a happening spot, we certainly weren’t disappointed! There is quite a lively crowd that congregates, as there is a Wednesday Market from 5-8:30 p.m. (and the party continues on after that!) in the months of May-August.
We had an amazing dinner at Jackson’s Bar and Oven, near the Santa Rosa Plaza.
Mr. Bear had pizza with roasted beets. For their special of the day, they had “Chef’s Choice Pizza.” The chef chose to put beets on pizza. I would have never thought of doing that, but I’m glad he did! Delicious!
It looked and tasted delicious!
The Wine Road gave us so much guidance on what to see and do, in and around Sonoma. The first evening, we had a lovely dinner at Jackson’s Bar and Oven in downtown Santa Rosa. It was a Wednesday night, so we had the pleasure of enjoying the Wednesday Market that happens every Wednesday from May until August. It was a beautiful, cool Santa Rosa night and we had a blast, just us two, reconnecting and celebrating.
Founded more than 30 years ago, Wine Road is an association of wineries and lodgings in the Alexander, Dry Creek, and Russian River Valleys of Northern Sonoma County. From its modest beginning as an organization of nine wineries, it has grown into a spirited constellation of more than 150 wineries and 50 lodgings. It’s not actually a “road” in the sense of a single, continuous stretch of paved highway, but more of a treasure map to the many jewels nestled among the hills and valleys of a region where fresh air, fine wine and exquisite cuisine await those who traverse it. – See more at: http://www.wineroad.com/about/3#sthash.deK1kN7R.dpuf
We had a great first day in Sonoma. Stay tuned for the next posts, with our wine tasting experience, canoe down the Russian River and much, much more!
So fun! I lived in California nearly all my life and never made it to Sonoma Country. It just wasn’t a place I made a priority on when we lived there. Now that I’m older (also 40), I would SO love to go. The Wine Road sounds pretty awesome
happy birthday and anniversary 🙂
How fun! I really want to try that roasted beet pizza with some good wine.
Looks like fun! I’d love to celebrate like this for my 6 year anniversary in October.
EmilyReviewsCom I really recommend it! It was such a blast! It was relaxing and a perfect way to celebrate! Cheers!
DaisyTremorev I would have never thought to put beets on pizza, but MAN! So good!
HaveSippy Thank you! 🙂
HomeCookingMemories It was our first time there and really didn’t know what to expect, but it was pretty fantastic! There’s so much to do and see. It’s so pretty!