Bodega Bay Lodge and Spa

Bodega Bay, California is one of those picturesque places that we all dream to visit. Back in 1963 Alfred Hitchcock put Bodega Bay on the map and the beautiful area has never looked back since.

At the beginning of Alfred Hitchcock’s 1963 movie “The Birds,” Tippy Hedren speeds through the rolling green Sonoma County countryside in her sports car.

To fully enjoy scenic Bodega Bay, we highly recommend the area’s only AAA four-diamond resort, the Bodega Bay Lodge and Spa.

This incredible California resort can be found near the southeast shore of Bodega Bay, off the Sonoma coast. As you arrive at the Bodega Bay Lodge and Spa, you can immediately understand the allure of the area – Bodega Bay’s fabulous sights, sounds and smells immerse you from every direction.

Bodega Bay Lodge consists of a series of wood-shingled buildings situated on a scenic bluff, offering 84 resort suites. You can hear the faint sounds of a foghorn, that help keep ships away from the hazardous coastline.

The lodge consists of eight acres of pristine land with manicured lawns and well-kept gardens, overlooking both the Pacific Ocean and Bodega Bay.

The luxury Bodega Bay Lodge guest rooms are quite spacious and provide panoramic views of the ocean. Each room has a private deck to sit and take in the area’s breathtaking views.

For a romantic getaway, the wood-burning fireplace, tile bath, plush bed with down comforter, and soft cotton robes, are just what the doctor ordered! The ultra-modern bathroom included large granite counters with a separate vanity, a whirlpool bath, and an all-glass shower stall.

The Bodega Bay Lodge features a resort-style, ocean-view pool in addition to a large hot tub. The lodge’s luxury spa offers a wide variety of pampering services to allow you to relax, rest, and rejuvenate. The full service spa offers massage therapy plus other soothing treatments that represent the best in coastal relaxation.

If fitness is tops on your list, the Bodega Bay Lodge and Spa offers a moderate fitness room, including a fabulous window that overlooks the bay and ocean. To unwind after a hard workout, enjoy time in the soothing sauna.

Bodega Bay Lodge – lobby fireplace

Given the lodge’s nearby proximity to Sonoma wine country, Bodega Bay Lodge offers a daily wine and cheese reception from 5-6pm where you can sample some of the area’s best tasting wines. Enjoy cheese, crackers and fresh fruit while sipping your red or white wine, while sitting in a large sofa or chairs, all in front of a large stone fireplace.

For an amazing fine dining experience, we highly suggest a culinary experience at the Bodega Bay Lodge’s award-winning Duck Club Restaurant.

The Duck Club Restaurant features large windows providing scenic overlooks of the nearby aviary. The restaurant highlights the best Sonoma County has to offer, with excellent entree choices consisting of fresh local seafood, regional ingredients, top Sonoma County wines and delicious desserts.

To enjoy the nearby coastline, take a leisurely walk to beautiful and secluded Doran Beach. The sandy beach and waves are picture perfect.

Sonoma Coast views from Bodega Head lookout

Bodega Bay appears as a sleepy, small-town feel but the surrounding areas provide numerous activities including stunning beaches, whales watching, wine tasting, fishing, hiking and golfing.

For a luxurious resort experience amongst breathtaking coastal Pacific Ocean views, a romantic and tranquil getaway at the Bodega Bay Lodge & Spa is a must.

For additional Bodega Bay Lodge and Spa information or reservations, please call 888-875-2250 or visit http://www.bodegabaylodge.com/
http://www.bodegabaylodge.com/

Bodega Bay Lodge
103 Coast Highway One
Bodega Bay, CA 94923

Copain Wines

Copain Wines is a premium winery and tasting room located just two short miles from downtown Healdsburg, in the middle of Northern California’s world-famous wine country.

Specializing in vineyard-designated wines from the Anderson Valley and Mendocino County, Copain Wines features a tasting room that’s perched on a hill overlooking the serenely beautiful Russian River Valley.

Pack your own lunch and relax in their picnic tables and Adirondack chairs, and take in the gorgeous local wine country views.

Copain Wines has long been a favorite among both locals and Healdsburg/Sonoma area visitors who prefer its “off the beaten path” location. Patrons gather to enjoy winemaker Well Guthrie’s cool-climate Pinot Noir and Syrah, which have cultivated a cult following since Copain’s inception in 1999.

The winery’s professional staff is warm, welcoming, and knowledgeable. Open by appointment, the winery welcomes guests to join the ‘Farm Table Tasting’ tasting, featuring a selection of Copain’s hand-crafted wines, offered at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily in the hilltop tasting room.

A fee of $15 is waived with purchase. Members of the recently launched Copain Membership Program may request the ‘Farm Table Tasting,’ or a private appointment between the hours of 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Inspired by his time in Burgundy and the Northern Rhône Valley of France, Well Guthrie marries French stylistic sensibilities with the best organically-farmed California fruit to craft classically-styled wines that are well balanced and food-friendly.

To book a vacation to Northern California’s Sonoma or Napa wine-country, please contact us using the form below.

The Ramekins Culinary School, Events & Inn is located in Sonoma, California and just announced an exciting series of four-day Culinary Retreats.

The Culinary Retreats are idea for the true gourmand. These highly-anticipated retreats offer privileged itineraries that feature the very best of Sonoma’s world renowned Wine Country.

From Sunday, August 19 to Thursday, August 23, Ramekins Culinary School will offer the Sonoma French Retreat. In the heart of California’s culinary mecca, these four-day itineraries offer privileged access to the most exclusive elements of Sonoma and beyond.

A summary of what you can expect:
– access to some of Sonoma’s most pristine farms and gardens
– entrée to some of the most coveted cult wineries including Opus One and Domaine Chandon
– an elusive private dining experience at Thomas Keller’s renowned The French Laundry
– all complemented by expert guidance, insider tips, culinary classes, guest chefs and winemakers.

SONOMA FRENCH CULINARY RETREAT August 19-23, 2012

Sunday, August 19
· Welcome Reception in Courtyard with Wines and French Hors d’oeuvres

Monday, August 20
· French Culinary Basics including Soups, Stocks, and Mother Sauces with Pierre Lagourgue.
· Lunch with Pierre
· Private Dinner at ètoile restaurant at Domaine Chandon

Tuesday, August 21
· Classic French Pastries and Viennoiserie Class including Savory and Sweet Laminated Doughs, Crêpes, Soufflé, Brioche, and Quiche
· Lunch
· Wine Tasting & Education by Domaine Carneros
· Causal Demonstration Dinner with Local Chef

Wednesday, August 22
· Tour of Stone Edge Farm and Lunch
· Tour and Tasting at Opus One
· Private Dinner at French Laundry

Thursday, August 23
· Tour of Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company (lunch included)
· Winemaker’s Dinner with Andrew Mariani of Scribe

Pricing for the Culinary Retreats:
· Onsite, double-occupancy – $4,100 per person
· Onsite, single-occupancy – $4,500 per person
· Offsite, responsible for own lodging – $3,900 per person

Please plan on attending one of the other, upcoming Culinary Retreats
· Epicurean Retreat: October 14 – October 18
· Wine Country Harvest Retreat: October 28 – November 1

For more information or to book a retreat, please go to www.ramekins.com or contact Ramekins at 707-933-0450, info@ramekins.com.

Sonoma County features more than 300 wineries, miles of rugged Pacific Ocean coastline and some of the most fertile earth in California. This scenic area truly  embodies the organic, natural and deliberate life that typifies wine country.

Wine enthusiasts already know of Sonoma County’s famed wineries and 15 distinct wine-growing areas that allow vintners to produce a stunning array of wines in an area slightly larger than the state of Rhode Island. Many visitors are pleasantly surprised to find that wine tasting in Sonoma County is a casual, friendly affair without pretense.

Many tasting rooms in Sonoma country offer free wine tastings, and often the person pouring the wine is the winemaker, eager to talk about their wine product and how it is made. One of the best luxury hotels anywhere can be found in Sonoma County – the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa.

“America’s premier wine, spa and coastal destination” offers more than wine. The rugged mountains of western Sonoma County, where the Russian River flows past redwood-topped ridges, stand over the 80 kilometers/50 miles of Pacific Ocean coastline, offering stunning views along California’s famed Highway 1. Coastal towns like Bodega  Bay entice seafood lovers with the bounty from the ocean, with Dungeness crab sold from the back of boats and salmon and cod appearing on local menus.

Further inland, Guerneville serves as both the West Coast’s “favorite gay and lesbian playground” and the entry point to the famed Armstrong Redwoods, a stand of old-growth redwoods where it is possible to get far from the madding crowds and enjoy the ancient giants in solitude.

Quirky small towns typify west Sonoma County, with the “Bohemian Connection” encompassing bastions of freethinkers in Occidental, Freestone and Monte Rio. Excellent inns, small wineries, artisan foods and even a spa that has gone “green” are to be found along the Bohemian Highway.

Ranching and organic farms and orchards give way to orderly rows of grapevines and the cities and towns of Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, Healdsburg, Sonoma, Cloverdale, Glen Ellen, Boyes Hot Springs, Kenwood and more. Michelin-rated restaurants, fine hotels, fun Bed & Breakfasts, unique inns, quiet spas, and even an African-style tent safari are the order of the day.

Just 65 kilometers/40 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge, the city of Petaluma invites visitors to explore the southern portions of Sonoma County with river-front access to the historic downtown, lined with shops, restaurants and nightlife.

Sonoma County is noted as having more artists per capita than anywhere else in California, and the profusion of galleries, studios and world-class performance venues bear this out. The Green Music Center, located on the Sonoma State University campus, is the newest addition to the Sonoma County arts scene, and the acoustic perfection of the Weill Concert Hall is already drawing favorable comparisons with Tanglewood.

At the extreme southern end of Sonoma County, the San Pablo Wildlife Refuge offers expansive views of the marshes and wetlands that drain into the San Pablo Bay and to the San Francisco Bay.

Of course, Sonoma  County isn’t all wine and wildlife, as the furious racing action at Infineon Raceway shows. NASCAR, Indy-Car, and motorcycle racing are big draws as some of the biggest names come to compete on a road track with 11 challenging turns. Those wanting to experience racing on a more personal level can suit up and jump in a real race car at a driving school at the track.

Sonoma County offers direct air service at the airport named after long-time Santa Rosa resident Charles M. Schulz (creator of the “Peanuts” comic strip). Direct flights to and from Los Angeles, Portland, San Diego and Seattle are offered daily on Alaska Airlines. Sonoma County is also about 60 minutes from San Francisco and Oakland international airports, and 90 minutes to Sacramento international airport.

Sonoma County, located 50 kilometers/30 miles from San Francisco, is America’s premier wine, spa and coastal destination, featuring more than 300 wineries and 80 kilometers /50-plus miles of stunning Pacific coast.

To receive a free visitors guide or additional information on hotels, wineries, events, spas, attractions, and dining in Sonoma County, please visit www.sonomacounty.com or call (800) 576-6662.

Courtesy of: Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa

The luxurious Fairmont Mission Inn & Spa truly offers its guests an unforgettable experience in the heart of Northern California’s wine country.

The area is rich in history with its roots deep in Native American culture. From the time a natural underground hot spring was discovered, local tribes considered it a place of sacred healing.

Located on the site of original mission in Sonoma, the Fairmont Mission Inn & Spa was built in the style of a mission back in 1926.

The Fairmont Mission Inn & Spa exudes class, style and elegance and is clearly the premier Northern California wine country destination resort.

The hotel is comprised of beautiful Mexican, mission-style buildings that are covered in both natural colored stucco and stone.

As you arrive and proceed down the circular driveway, you are politely greeted by the hotel valet staff. Approaching the hotel entrance along paved stones, you’ll notice a three-tier circular fountain that dominates the entrance plaza.

Courtesy of: Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa

The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa’s lobby is vast and the luxurious decor consists of rustic woods and wrought iron, in addition to numerous French antiques.

The spacious lobby offers its guests a chance to relax in the sitting area consisting of large, comfortable couches and wing-backed chairs.

The multi-story main building also includes beautiful arched windows that allow gazing out on the hotel’s main grounds.

For fine dining, you are in for a treat. Santé Restaurant is the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa’s signature dining room and has proudly achieved national status. This premier dining establishment was recently awarded the coveted Michelin star for the second year in a row in the new Michelin Guide San Francisco, Bay Area & Wine Country 2011.

For wine lovers, you don’t have to wait to take in a local winery tour. The hotel offers complimentary wine tasting every evening in the lobby’s sitting area. You can taste the area’s best wines in a relaxed environment between 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm.

There are two different categories of accommodations at the Fairmont Sonoma Inn & Spa. The guestrooms are quite large in size and are titled: the Fairmont Heritage Rooms, the Fairmont Wine Country Room and the Fairmont Room with Fireplace. These superior rooms are decorated with light pine wood furniture, plus cream and white accented walls with a floral decor.

The Fairmont Sonoma Inn & Spa. also offers luxurious suites that range from 500 sq. ft. in size for the Wine Country Junior, the 550 sq. ft. Mission Suite, up to the 600 sq. ft. premium Wine Country One Bedroom Suite. All of the Inn’s suites are pure luxury and include a two-person Jacuzzi tub.

Courtesy of: Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa – Mission Suite

We stayed in the romantic, signature Mission Suite. The suite includes a comfortable, king-size four-poster bed with a down filled comforter. The suite features a separate seating area, including a roomy love seat and two chairs, located in front of a wood burning fireplace and wall-mounted LCD TV.

Gorgeous French doors with wooden, plantation shutters revealed a ground level patio. We enjoyed a glass of wine listening to the nearby fountain, singing birds and light breezes blowing through the meticulous garden grounds.

The spacious bathroom has 2 sinks, a separate shower with plush towels and soft, cotton robes. Located between the bathroom and bed, the over-sized jacuzzi tub offers room for two. It’s the perfect way to end a romantic day in Sonoma’s wine country.

The rooms also come with high-speed Internet access, making it convenient to plan out your winery tour or just check your email.

To further your relaxation experience, the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa features a renowned 40,000 sq. ft. spa that provides the ultimate in pampering and modern therapeutic enjoyment. The spa facilities are incredible and considered by many to be among the finest found anywhere.

Based on the belief of the healing powers of water, this comprehensive, full-service European style spa has long been a desired destination for both health and pleasure.

There are a variety of different treatments available including massage, aromatherapy, reflexology, as well as shiatsu.

The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa also features three swimming pools that are fed by body soothing, geothermal mineral waters.

For golf lovers, try the 18-hole championship Sonoma Golf Club golf course. This beautiful, yet challenging golf course plays approximately 7,100 yards from its championship tees. With a backdrop of magnificent oak trees, lakes, vineyards and mountains, this 177 acre property is one of the best golf courses in the world.

For an unbelievable experience, take a ride and enjoy a gourmet meal with incredible wine country views … on the historic Napa Valley Wine Train.

So whether you are looking for a romantic weekend getaway or a complete body & mind, rejuvenating experience, be sure to put the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa on top of your list.

For additional information and to make a reservation, please visit: http://www.fairmont.com/sonoma

Santé restaurant – Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa

Located in luxurious Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, the signature dining room at Santé was recently graced with the coveted Michelin star for the second year in a row in the new Michelin Guide San Francisco, Bay Area & Wine Country 2011.

Santé has earned a national reputation for outstanding food. Literally meaning “to your health,” the Santé restaurant is a celebration of both innovative California cuisine and good taste.

Santé was proud to be named by Michelin along with an elite group of just 44 Bay Area restaurants as the “best of the best.”

Fine dining guests at Santé can enjoy a superb seasonal menu, in a warm and casual, yet stylish setting.

In the spirit of offering a premium and elegant California wine country experience, Santé Chef Andrew Cain masterfully presents the wine rich region’s abundant local products and world-famous wines.

The restaurant’s Sonoma-centric wine list features a wide variety of boutique, limited production varietals and perfect pairings to complement Chef Cain’s works.

Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, is located 40 miles north of the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge at 100 Boyes Blvd. in Sonoma Valley, the heart of Northern California’s wine country.

To make a reservation at Santé, please call 1-800- 441-1414 or (707) 938-9000, or visit the Inn’s website at www.fairmont.com/sonoma

In the heart of the world’s wine capital is Sonoma. It lies about 60 miles north of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge.  Sonoma has about 60,000 rolling, vine-filled acres dotted with more than 250 incredible wineries. The Sonoma wines have long been outstanding and award winning. The top-notch restaurants are on every culinary tourists’ radar.  But Sonoma gets even better.

Often the step child to its better known rival – Napa, recent stays at three Sonoma sanctuaries convinced me that you don’t have to go to buttoned-down Napa for pampering. Sonoma has arrived with a variety of luxury hotels that rival others anywhere in the world. Does a champaign bath sound enticing?  Full article