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!

We stayed at the Hilton Sonoma Wine Country Hotel, where the service was amazing from the moment we called for a complimentary shuttle from the airport. They did not have a scheduled airport pick-up for another hour after we landed, but came and got us anyway. When we arrived at the hotel, The Wine Road had this amazing package all ready to go for us, complete with maps, a cookbook, a lovely bottle of wine, coupons from various Wine Road participants and we immediately opened the bottle of wine.

After being properly welcomed, we decided to roam around the beautiful grounds of the Hilton. We found our way to the lovely outdoor patio and enjoyed a glass (or two) of wine by the fire. The evening was cool. The patio was quiet. The view was lovely. The romance was there. Mr. Bear and I enjoyed some much needed relaxation and conversation, along with some appetizers. In just a few hours, all our cares in the world melted away!

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!