A Non-Traditional Wellness Weekend in Sonoma County
Content Produced in Partnership with Sonoma County Tourism
After much cautious optimism that 2022 would finally be the year to tip the scales back in the right direction after a horrendous 2020 and 2021, most everyone’s last shred of hope of that happening was the world doubling down on a chaotic first quarter as our attention shifted from a global pandemic to a literal war, something no one expected to see in our lifetime.
Personally, life’s been just as rough with a death in the family, work stresses, my credit card hacked, and the unsettling feeling of living in a construction zone for weeks on end due to a burst pipe that left us with no appliances, intermittent hot water, and a longwinded battle with contractors and insurance.
A vacation was sorely needed and an invite on a wellness trip to Sonoma County, however ill-timed with everything going on in the world, was a welcome gift from somewhere, albeit coming with an immense sense of guilt that we have the freedom and means to pick up and leave when things get tough while others do not.
But let’s backtrack for a minute. A wellness retreat? Who am I?
Those that know me know I don’t subscribe to typical wellness rituals or even consider myself a traditionally healthy person. I like working out, but it’s generally more of an afterthought when there’s time – time being a rare commodity these days. I don’t like super structured fitness classes or being around a million people at the gym, but rather get reenergized from experiences, adventure, and being out in nature.
I’ve always been a strong proponent that the best highs come from the adrenaline rush of trying something new, the buzz of being in an unfamiliar place with plenty of room to explore, and amazing landscapes so I seek out places with things I haven’t done before.
Similarly, “relax” isn’t in my lexicon. As a perpetual over planner, I want to do as much as possible in whatever time I have in a place because FOMO. A jam-packed itinerary may seem stressful to some (why rush around on vacation?), but that’s when I feel the most in my element. Lazy days at the beach will never excite me.
So instead of a mindless escape, it was a mindful getaway. This trip was about a mental and physical break. Stimulating all the senses and setting intentions, which is not at all how I normally travel. Making an effort to limit screen time, shut the devices off, and be present with the goal of not needing a vacation from a vacation for once.
By consciously giving myself permission to slow down, disconnect and giving myself and the itinerary literal and figurative time to breathe, it felt less chaotic while still getting to see and do everything we wanted to do. We intentionally frontloaded the activities so we could jump right in, while giving ourselves a natural break just in case we stumbled upon something else we had to do or the weather wasn’t in our favor before returning to reality and the stress of the world.
Sonoma was the perfect place to do so. It’s easy to feel small against a backdrop of waves, the towering redwoods, and rolling hills, coupled with the warm California sunshine giving a much-needed dose of Vitamin D. More boho than bougie, you don’t have to dress a certain way at the restaurants, there’s no stress of Bay area traffic or parking, or the nagging feeling like you have to make it to every vineyard.
Of course, wine is omnipresent if you so choose but there’s no pressure to drink, try any more than you want to, or expectation to appreciate the subtle differences in the blends. Whatever stereotypes you had about Sonoma, leave them at the door because it’s truly just a place to get back to nature, indulge in super fresh, locally sourced food (the produce truly was the star of the show), and appreciate what you put in and on your body.
The Best Things to Do in Sonoma County:
Treat Yourself to a Uniquely Local Spa Treatment
Osmosis Day Spa is the only place in the world outside of Japan where you can get a cedar enzyme bath, which is said to stimulate metabolic activity, improve circulation, exfoliate the skin, and reduce soreness and tension.
You’re led into a room to set your intention with a cup of tea gazing out into their perfectly manicured gardens. When you’re ready, you’re led to your “bath,” instructed to undress, and climb in the cedar tub filled with cedar and rice bran. Once you get over the shock of being essentially buried alive naked by a bath attendant, it’s a sensory experience as you notice every subtle touch, smell, and sight during the 10-minute treatment.
I never fully relaxed as my heart was going a million miles a minute, but I was taking it all in from the sandy, spongy texture to the strong woodsy aromatic that smelled like a cross between a campfire and lovingly like my gerbil cage growing up. I liked seeing the smoke off the hot chips as I wiggled my toes and the icy touch of the cool cloth on your forehead as you continue to gaze out at the gardens. Getting the cedar chips off is another adventure (think: sand everywhere).
There are multiple zen gardens and meditative paths you can wander around post treatment with tea, and a hammock field for sound therapy (they’ll give you headphones, blankets, and pillows and you can literally zone out and take a nap). It’s something to try once, and the facility itself is more than worth a visit.
Other Ideas: Try vinotherapy. When in Rome, right? At Kenwood Inn & Spa, you can bathe in wine while drinking it from their soaking tubs to wine wraps and facial treatments.
Get Some Saltwater Therapy
There’s nothing quite like the sound of waves crashing on shore to soothe the soul and the drive along the coast to Bodega Bay is one of those stereotypical California must-do routes full of twists and turns along the iconic Highway 1 (not too far from Point Reyes if you’re looking for another great getaway). You can catch an epic sunset at Fishatarian, snack on nostalgic taffy and sweets at Patrick’s of Bodega Bay and indulge in the day’s fresh catch at River’s End Restaurant, where the Russian River and the Pacific Ocean converge. If you’re not trying the local crab and oysters, you’re not doing it right.
Pro Tip: If you have more time along the coast head up to Salt Point State Park where rocky cliffs and California’s first protected underwater park for SCUBA divers provide a dramatic panorama of prairies and pygmy forests. The signature water-carved honeycombed sandstone formations make for beautiful photos or place to clear your head. Or head south to Monterey for a family-friendly weekend trip.
Learn About Ancient Herbs and Acupuncture
A lot of the locals we met and the treatments we had were based in centuries old East Asian philosophy, natural healing methods and more traditional techniques than Western medicine. Erin at Herb Folk has been studying and making organic teas, broths, and herb blends for years.
Her specialty is acupuncture, though, which is designed to return your body to a restorative state and coax it out of the overly reactive flight or fight response we’ve become accustomed to. The goal is to stop reacting like everything is an emergency with every phone notification. Acupuncture illicits specific reactions by strategically stimulating different body parts. By inserting tiny needles into the skin as you’re “pinned down” to a table, you start to notice how each part functions on its own. We had two tiny needles inserted into our ears, the “spirit gate” which stimulates energy and leaves you with a slight euphoric buzz. She also uniquely reads tongues to tell you what your specific body needs for healing, another ancient form of Chinese medicine unique to the US.
Pro Tip: While you’re in the area, wander picturesque Petaluma, a little boho town with murals, hidden gardens, alleys, and boutiques. Grab a savory or sweet tasty treat from Petaluma Pie Company for the road.
Give Forest Bathing a Try
As a response to being overworked, forest bathing is a federal program in Japan, backed by scientific research on the psychological and physiological benefits of being in nature. They believe in the program so much they’ve integrated it into their national healthcare system. In Asia, you can actually get a prescription from your doctor to spend time in a nationally designated healing forest accompanied by a guide who will check your cortisone levels, show you how to slow down, take your biometrics before and after, and measure the effects.
Slowly gaining popularity in the US, the idea, albeit on a much smaller scale, is a way to practice mindfulness. While there’s no actual bathing involved, forest bathing is symbolism for bathing our senses. You can try it at Red Car Winery on a guided, meditative walk through the vineyards. Wine is one of the few food products that’s an expression of the land, so it symbiotically goes with a program designed to be one with the earth.
A nature therapist will prompt you to take in the sounds, smells and feelings of the environment as you move throughout the vineyard, intentionally and sometimes annoyingly slow to stop being so end-goal oriented and to focus on the “journey not the destination.”
Did You Know? People spend less than 5% of their day outside, and as screens and Zoom become more prevalent, our bodies become even more out of balance. This is an exercise to conscientiously decide that not everything needs your attention immediately, and to note the physiological effects of being in nature with the goal of returning to a childlike state of wonder.
Embrace Your Animal Instincts
If you believe in the restorative power of animal therapy like I do (puppies > people), and the adrenaline rush the animal kingdom brings, you’ll want to make a trip to Safari West. Part walking, part driving safari, grab a seat on top of the Jurassic Park like Jeeps as you bounce through 400 acres of habitats.
There are over 900 animals and 90 species to see most African, with plenty of room to roam throughout the massive conservation property of the Sonoma Serengeti. The wildlife experience is about the closest you can get to Africa without leaving the continental US which makes it really special and unique tour that feels like it’s straight outta the Lion King.
You’ll learn interesting facts like the rhino can grow and file their horn to any length, and despite being so enormous can turn on a dime and run pretty fast. You’ll also meet new creatures you probably haven’t seen before like the Duiker, the adorable mini antelopes in the aviary enclosure.
For a More Unique Experience: Their Winos and Rhinos tour pairs wine and wildlife, go behind the scenes with some of their personalized animal encounters, or spend the night in one of the 30 glamping tents for a nocturnal visit.
Immersive Yourself in the Sounds of Nature
Another unique vineyard experience is the Immersive Sound Experience at Medlock Ames Bell Mountain Ranch. Designed by a sound engineer, the self-guided headset tour is a combination of their process / vineyard story and nature sounds as you meander through the wines before indulging in a tasting and cheese pairing.
“Detox to retox,” the soundscape puts the rhythm and energy of Bell Mountain and the Russian River Valley on full display as you meander through the expansive ranch property. Much like you’d find at a traditional art museum, it takes you through the various “exhibits” from pruning to the owl’s nest interlaced with a soundtrack of woodpeckers hammering, turkey vultures crying, and the wind whistling.
Eat and Drink All the Things
Sonoma is foodie heaven with thousands of great restaurants, and while it’s hard to narrow down just a few of the must-eat bites, I did my best to highlight a few suitable for a range of tastes and budgets. My favorite meal was simply sitting at the chef’s counter at Asahi, a tiny spot I stumbled into in Healdsburg and letting him feed me whatever was fresh. Their unique sushi had salmon belly painted in Chardonnay and hand-seared Wagyu touched with truffle oil. Bird & the Bottle was another great meal that transcended cuisines and border. Served tapas style, it was perfect for sharing with mushrooms and vegetables the surprising star of the show. Don’t miss the chicken liver mousse, Korean BBQ chicken, and creamy Brussel sprouts. Big Bottom Market is on “Oprah’s Favorite Things” list for its fluffy and warm biscuits, a great grab and go breakfast option or spot to get snacks for the road.
Don’t Miss: SingleThread is the only three Michelin starred restaurant in the area and the 11-course tasting menu is included in the “World’s 50 Best Restaurants” list. As expected, reservations are needed months in advance.
Treat Yourself To One More Treatment
Vintner’s Resort is the ultimate in luxe relaxation. Their spa treatments are second to none (CBD, included) with a gorgeous, oversized locker room, hot and cold pools, and saunas in a lush garden setting that looks like a European castle. The on-site restaurant, John Ash was the first to implore locally sourced, seasonal ingredients into their culinary concept and provides a high-end, curated menu of seafood and protein, perfect for a splurge meal at the end of your journey.
So, can we normalize wellness not just being about limiting but about indulgence and guilt-free treating yourself? Food is my love language and isn’t self-care a form of self-love too? In my world, just about anything from steak to pizza will take precedence over bowls, but is that so wrong?
Where to Stay: Boon Hotel & Spa
If you like really small boutique properties, Boon has just 14-rooms, two glamping tents, and one airstream on an adults-only property deep in the Redwoods. You’ll love the honesty bar, wood fireplace, 24-hour hot tub, free bikes, vinyl players, and complimentary breakfast brought right to your door and notice the conspicuously and intentionally lack of TV.
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