The New In Spots To Eat, Drink, Stay In Sonoma + San Francisco
Gorgeous Sonoma Coastline, Sea Ranch Lodge
San Francisco’s Snazzy New Jay Hotel
The highly anticipated Jay, an Autograph Collection Hotel - part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio, launched last November in San Francisco’s lively Embarcadero neighborhood. This luxurious charmer with a prime location near the Ferry Building, features 360 stylish rooms and suites, some with terraces offering stunning bay vistas. And these “viewing spots” are sublime.
Terrace View at The Jay. Photography: Maxine Albert
Handsome, contemporary interior design is eye-catching with warm, inviting color schemes, custom artwork, furniture and carpets. On the top floor, the posh Nest, a 1,660 square foot, one bedroom penthouse features a replica of famed local artist Ruth Asawa design suspended from the ceiling and personalized concierge service.
The Nest at The Jay. Photography: Jay Hotel
The Third Floor, from The Omakase Restaurant Group, inspired by California's rich bounty offers tasty fresh, seasonal cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The Third Floor at The Jay. Photography: Joseph Weaver
There’s more!: Prelude – The Southern fine dining restaurant debuted August 22 on the ground level of the Jay Hotel and it’s already buzzing. Esteemed Chef Celtin Hendrickson-Jones who hails from San Francisco’s Michelin-starred Niku Steakhouse crafted a menu inspired by his maternal grandmother and great grandmother who lived in Alabama. Dishes include dirty rice chicken wing, Mt. Lassen trout and other luscious yummies.
Prelude at The Jay Photo/Adahlia Cole
San Francisco’s Iconic Ferry Building
The Ferry Building. Photography: Ferry Building
Just across the way, the Ferry Building, the legendary landmark on the waterfront, celebrated its one hundred and twenty fifth anniversary as San Francisco’s iconic attraction last year. And this January, Mediterranean restaurant Alora docked at the piers of the Embarcadero adding to the city’s stellar culinary scene. Guests can dine waterfront while relishing mezze, pasta, seafood and other tasty delights at this acclaimed newcomer.
Alora At The Embarcadero
Fashionable Healdsburg/Sonoma County – Wine Country
A 90-minute drive north from San Francisco on Highway 101 takes you to Healdsburg where you can enjoy Northern California’s Charmed Wine Country Lifestyle. This trendy Sonoma County town has transformed into a fashionable hub over the past few years with top artisans, superb farm to table dining, wine tasting rooms, art galleries, voguish boutiques, antiques and a vibrant main square.
Willi's Seafood and Raw Bar. Photography: Maxine Albert
Head to the farmer’s market Saturday morning for amazing produce and local goodies. Among Healdsburg’s many outstanding restaurants, I love local favorite Willi’s Seafood and Raw Bar with their outstanding crudo, ceviche, oysters, crab, lobster and fantastic Platters of Assorted Shellfish & Crustaceans. Visitors can easily wine hop and savor Sonoma’s prized grapes at nearby wineries on Westside Road or Dry Creek, while taking in the lush countryside.
Les Mars
Les Mars. Photography: Come Plum
Elegant Les Mars, a member of Relais & Chateaux, is ideally located in the center of town. This plush16 room hotel highlighting Parisian décor with 17th and 18th century antiques, hand crafted mahogany furniture, chaise lounges, armoires, draped four poster beds, Italian linens and cozy fireplaces, exudes the old world charm of a regal European mansion. This June, Arandas, a new Mexican restaurant helmed by chef Adrien Nieto, debuted in Les Mars. Drawing on inspiration from the bountiful seafood of Baja to classic moles of Oaxaca, Chef Nieto brings a mix of traditional Mexican dishes based on family recipes, as well as his own creative takes on the cuisine.
Les Mars. Photography: Les Mars
St Francis Winery & Vineyards
St. Francis Winery & Vineyards. Photography: Maxine Albert
St Francis Winery & Vineyards in Santa Rosa in Sonoma County offers a superb wine tasting experience where impressive elevated cuisine is paired with their fine wine. I knew I was in for a treat when Dushan and Gigi, a savvy couple who live in Sonoma sat next to me and gushed that they are regulars here, saying – ‘it’s the best place around’. Various tasting options are available and menus change seasonally. My five course pairing included: 2023 Sauvignon Blanc/Tombo Tuna Crudo with rhubarb, asparagus, cilantro; 2021 Pinot Noir/Saffron Cavatelli with wild mushrooms, fava beans; 2019 Zinfandel/ Pork Belly with sweet corn, chickpeas, poblanos, zin&zest, cherry agrodolce; 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon/ Steak with peppercorn demi-glace, truffled toma & potato croquette, sweet peas, hakurei turnips; and 2020 Old Vines Zinfandel/Fennel pollen biscuit shortcake – Yum.
Sea Ranch Lodge
The Sea Ranch Lodge. Photography: Sea Ranch
Heading north along the Sonoma Coast on Legendary Highway 1 you’ll find dramatic cliffs and stunning views of the blue Pacific en route to the Sea Ranch Lodge. This idyllic escape set on 53 acres on Sonoma’s rugged, beautiful coast in this secluded locale offers an unrivaled immersion in nature. The iconic lodge which was constructed to blend into the environment, reopened in 2021 and last year the 17 guest rooms opened after a major revamp that created a new fresh look.
Room at The Sea Ranch Lodge. Photography: Adam Potts
Cozy accommodations are airy and spacious with cedar walls, custom woodwork headboards, closets and desks, soft light wood furnishings, earth-toned stoneware vases, hand-woven textiles, artisan ceramics and colorful accents. You can really get off the grid here with TV-free rooms that contain Bang & Olufson Beosound speakers for music and Occer binoculars for whale and seal-spotting. Large picture windows offer breathtaking ocean vistas; striking bluffs, thundering surf, waves crashing into crevassed coves and miles of walking trails literally steps from your door.
Sea Ranch Lodge. Photography: Adam Potts
The Bluff Trail hugs the cliff top and connects a string of sheltered beaches and coves. Some of the most stunning and dramatic scenery on the entire coast is right on the property. Adirondacks chairs facing the sea are perfect spots to read, meditate or cocktail at sunset. Spa/wellness activities include yoga on the weekends, forest bathing at the Farm, guided hikes and blissful in room massages.
The Sea Ranch Lodge. Photography: Maxine Albert
As to the cuisine: the menu changes seasonally. Chef harvests as many of his ingredients as possible from the garden at the lodge’s farm just down the road, and sources others from local ranches. Some standouts from my dinner included house-made white nettle mafaldine with oyster mushrooms grown at the farm, fiddlehead ferns, pecorino, Grimaud farms duck breast and green garlic faro paired with excellent Sonoma wine.
Be Forewarned: It’s hard to leave paradise.