Baby river otters take summer swim lessons, too. Find out where to observe them in Sonoma County. The post Sonoma County’s Baby River Otters Are Learning How To Swim. It’s the Cutest Thing You’ll See This Summer appeared first on Sonoma Magazine ..read more

The works of late abstract expressionist painter Arthur Monroe will be on display through Sept. 8. The post Explore Pioneering Bay Area Artist’s Abstract Art Exhibit at Sonoma Valley Museum appeared first on Sonoma Magazine ..read more

When Minna Stess was younger, she watched Olympic swimming and gymnastics on television. Never did she imagine that the sport she loved most — skateboarding — could one day propel her to that level of elite competition. Stess, a Petaluma native, couldn’t have foreseen that skateboarding would one day be featured in the world’s greatest games, or that she might be skating with the best of the best. “I never thought skating would become an Olympic sport, so it’s kind of crazy to think about,” says Stess. “It’s so cool that I have the opportunity to get this close.” Now 18, Stess has already ac ..read more

Summer is in full swing and Sonoma County hotel properties are giving folks near and far a plethora of reasons to plan a trip to Wine Country. From renovations and re-openings, to pool parties and craft cocktails, here are nine options worth adding to your summer to-do list. Small But Mighty The Stavrand is the first and only Sonoma County hotel to be welcomed into the Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) portfolio. SLH is comprised of 570 independent hotels in over 90 countries; every property is visited, verified and vetted. Guest room in the Cazadero House at The Stavrand Russian River ..read more

As a line snakes out the door of the recently-opened Sarmentine Bakery in Petaluma — its third location now in the county — it’s easy to forget that co-owner Alexandra Zandvliet began her baking career as a pandemic hobby in her home kitchen. In 2021, the Santa Rosa bakery (52 Mission Circle) quickly became a beacon for the croissant and cafe au lait-set with an ever-expanding lineup of cream puffs, éclairs, butter and ham baguettes, croissants, olive bread and dozens of other sweet and savory treats. A bakery at the Barlow in Sebastopol followed in 2023 and now the Petaluma Boulevard North ..read more

“Life’s too short to eat sh—y barbecue” is the saucy motto for pitmaster Larry Hillix’s roving barbecue catering company War Pigs. It’s a worthy mantra for his new War Pigs Craft Kitchen in Santa Rosa. The 12-hour smoked barbecue pulled pork sandwich on toasted brioche ($15) is a serious contender for my new favorite sandwich. It’s a stunner with piles of crispy pork bark and velvety shreds of meat topped with tangy red sauce. Order some mouth-puckering mustard sauce and spicy horseradish for dipping into any straggling bites of meat that fall onto your tray. Dirty Fries at War Pigs Craft Ki ..read more

The Geyserville home of the late pioneering winemaker Chris Bilbro is currently on the market. The 4,100-square-foot, three-bedroom, three-bathroom dwelling, on 40 Alexander Valley AVA acres, is listed for $3,995,000.  After founding Marietta Cellars in 1978, Bilbro ushered in tastes for bold red California wine through his signature blend, “Old Vine Red,” made of grapes from old vineyards that other winemakers dismissed as outdated, according to a story in Wine Spectator. Fittingly, Bilbro’s property includes a 9-acre Cabernet vineyard, a 1990-replant of a century-old vineyard that bel ..read more

Vintage-home enthusiasts have lots to love in a two-bedroom, one-bathroom craftsman-style home on one-third of a forested acre near the Russian River. The circa-1905 home, known as Fairview, features well-preserved vintage details. It is listed for $750,000. A wraparound porch offers lounging and dining areas that overlook a dense backdrop of redwoods.  The 1,008-square-foot interior has well-crafted built-ins, columns, and tall wainscoting that exemplify the Arts and Crafts design movement. Light fixtures are vintage-style as well, while the bathroom and kitchens have been updated. Ste ..read more

The harmony of sunshine and music is a Sonoma County summer tradition — and always a great chance to explore the scene on decks, patios, lawns and beyond. Scroll on to read about the best live music happenings in the county this summer. Sonoma Sebastiani Vineyards stages live music and lively pours on the patio with the Sunday Afternoon Music Series from 1 to 4 p.m. July through October. 389 Fourth St. East, Sonoma. 707-933-3200, sebastiani.com Bloom Carneros hosts free live music on the weekends in its garden featuring an eclectic array of musical talent. Upcoming events are held from 2-4 p ..read more

Every superhero has an origin story. For Sonoma County’s anonymous Velvet Bandit, it started off innocently enough. Imagine a 46-year-old school lunch lady going about her daily routine — one day pizza, the next, sloppy joes. Then all of a sudden, a pandemic hits. Laid off, and at home with two kids, she was inspired to try street art for the first time. It felt urgent, like shouting into the void to see if anyone was listening. So, late one night in March 2020, she pasted up a small painting of a toilet-paper roll with the words “Let’s Roll” under a bridge along the Santa Rosa Creek Trail ..read more