Start circling dates—these road-trip destinations are the best of California dreaming for the year ahead.
Jordan Winery & Estates: Chateau Suites
Jordan Winery & Estate’s Chateau suites have been reimagined by interior designer Maria Haidamus
After an eight-month makeover, Jordan Winery & Estate’s Chateau suites have reemerged as even more opulent accommodations. Interior designer Maria Haidamus preserved the architectural integrity and design features, including the wood-beam ceilings, the arched doorways and the hexagon tile floors imported from southern France nearly 40 years ago. Neoclassical and Renaissance pieces from the Louis XVI and Louis XIII periods now join the rare antique furniture and decorative objects from the Louis XV period collected by matriarch Sally Jordan. 1474 Alexander Valley Road, Healdsburg, 707.431.5250
Hotel Healdsburg
The luxury property, located in the heart of Sonoma, hosts a new mushroom foraging adventure for guests this winter. Explore the Notre Vue Estate Winery & Vineyards with an expert mushroom forager for a two-hour hunt. Learn about the art of the search (think trees and terrain) and how to identify which mushrooms are edible and foraging etiquette. The day concludes with a four-course dinner at Dry Creek Kitchen—Hotel Healdsburg’s acclaimed restaurant—with one course prepared by the chef with the guests’ mushrooms. Receive a bottle of Balverne or Notre Vue and a mushroom lovers gift package, which includes a foraging pocket guidebook, dried local porcini mushrooms and wild mushroom recipes. 25 Matheson St., Healdsburg, 707.431.2800
The Highlands
Glamping comes to wine country at The Highlands.
Local chef and entrepreneur Crista Luedtke and Basecamp Hotels founder Christian Strobel acquired Guerneville’s historic Highlands Resort last summer, and they’ve reintroduced the property as The Highlands. The LGBTQ-friendly resort features the new Coyote Camp, boasting canvas scout tents furnished with posh king beds for an upscale glamping experience. There are also cabin rooms with hot tubs. 14000 Woodland Drive, Guerneville, 707.869.0333
The Stavrand Russian River Valley
The Stavrand Russian River Valley is a new luxury retreat featuring 21 unique guest rooms set within the 1922 Belden House, the Cazadero House and the Armstrong House. Some rooms feature outdoor cedar hot tubs and gas fireplaces, while others offer skylights and Jacuzzi tubs. Each stay includes a gourmet breakfast, a minibar welcome gift, an evening aperitif, portable lanterns for late-night strolls, bicycles and kayaks to explore the natural surroundings, and chef-centric culinary experiences. 13555 CA-116, Guerneville, 707.869.9093
Art House
The new Art House in downtown Santa Rosa is a 36-room boutique hotel located in the walkable Cherry Street Historic District. The hotel offers a mix of studios and two-bedroom apartment-style guest rooms with high ceilings and large kitchens. The ground floor features a lobby and art gallery lounge. 620 Seventh St., Santa Rosa, 707.545.5400
Susan Sarandon is one of many stars who’ve been at SIFF over the years
Sonoma International Film Festival
The March showcase of films celebrates 25 years with big names and plenty of surprises.
Sure, Sundance has the picture-book snowy setting, but the Sonoma International Film Festival has the wine, hills and some of the biggest names in cinema coming together to celebrate the art of motion pictures. This year, SIFF marks 25 years with more than 100 new films from around the world, spectacular wine events, panels, live music and, of course, its signature parties. Past honorees and attendees include Francis Ford Coppola, Robin Williams, Susan Sarandon, Bruce Willis, Danny Glover, John Waters, Michael Keaton, Jude Law, William H. Macy and Mary-Louise Parker, among others. There’s a reason MovieMaker magazine calls SIFF “one of the 25 coolest festivals in the world” and USA Today declares it a “top 10 destination film festival.” March 23-27, 103 E. Napa St., Sonoma, 707.933.2600
Stanly Ranch, an Auberge Collection Resort, makes its debut this winter on the historic Stanly Ranch Winery estate, a 700-acre private ranch that dates back to the 19th century. The resort will include 78 airy hotel cottage suites, all featuring outdoor terraces with fire pits and views of the property’s vineyards and the Mayacamas Mountains. Wellness will be a focus. Guests can sign up for week-long detoxes, pick their own ingredients in the fields for a farm-to-fork dinner and bike along the banks of the Napa River. There will also be four dining venues that pay homage to local farmers and makers. 200 Stanly Crossroad, Napa, 866.421.5122
Bann at Oak Knoll Plaza
One of San Francisco’s most renowned Thai chefs and owner of Osha Thai restaurants, chef Lalita Souksamlane, has opened BANN at Oak Knoll Napa to bring Thai hospitality to Napa. The posh bed-and-breakfast features world-class design, an exceptional culinary program and vineyard views. Expect modern Thai furniture at the Sala reception, dining room and lounge, including custom chairs by renowned Thai furniture company Yothaka. Each of the five curated rooms reflects the richness of Thai culture, with touches like silk-patterned wallpaper, decorative silk pillows and unique artifacts from Souksamlane’s own private collection. The stellar culinary offerings include items like fresh local fruits, pastries and Thai-style rice soup. BANN also features an outdoor saltwater swimming pool, hot tub, fire pit and culinary, rose and lavender gardens. On the horizon, guests can look for BANN’s own wines and curated picnic baskets prepared at Osha Thai Napa. 2188 Oak Knoll Ave., Napa, 707.266.8229
Photography by: PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE BRANDS
