Sonoma Coast

The hotel where we spent the night works diligently at being earth friendly. The breakfast buffet used no plastic or paper. The yogurt was served in mason jars, for example. After we ate breakfast we checked out the hotel bikes and helmets and went on a ride through some local vineyards. We rode past deer and fields of yellow. The weather has been fabulous the whole time we have been here.

We strolled through downtown Healdsburg. We walked through art galleries; checked out the bookstore; and tasted the free tastes in the Oakville Grocery. After lunch we headed for the Sonoma Coast. We drove through redwood forests and turned north at Jenner and headed up Highway 1. We arrived at Timber Cove Inn at 4 and the view from our window enticed us to get our walking poles and head outdoors. We walked along the cliffs for over an hour, watching the tide come in and crash against the rocks. It was cold, windy and very dramatic. We sat on our porch for a gorgeous sunset.

Dinner at the Timber Cove Inn requires reservations. It is fine dining in jeans with a gorgeous view. We got plates of small tastes: citrus prawns, Brussels sprouts, short ribs, lavender lemon Creme Brûlée. I can see why people love Sonoma County.