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HEAD TO HEALDSBURG

05.29.10

by Sheryll Alexander

The charming small town of Healdsburg is an ideal home base to explore Sonoma County’s wine country. Healdsburg sits in the center of Sonoma’s four top grape-growing valleys: Alexander Valley, Chalk Hill, Dry Creek Valley and Russian River Valley. And, the more than 100 world-class wineries in Sonoma County just happen to be surrounded by a rugged Northern California coastline, the meandering Russian River and old-growth redwood forests.

A stay at the highly organic and super comfortable Hotel Healdsburg puts you in the middle of Sonoma wine country action. More like a boutique hotel complex, the hotel sits on an entire corner of Healdsburg’s historic village and features spacious rooms, a pool, a spa, a news stop and café, a home store and Sonoma transplant Chef Charlie Palmer’s Dry Creek Kitchen.

At Hotel Healdsburg, the décor is as organic as it is minimalist with dark wood floors and furniture, fluffy feather beds, contrasting burnished silver metals, golden-colored walls and all shades of green in everything from mosaic-tiled walls to hallway paintings to surprising indoor-outdoor landscaping.

Everything about Hotel Healdsburg shouts relaxation from the almost hidden pool to complimentary wireless to the casual European-style buffet breakfast in the mornings. Step outside the hotel’s doors and you are situated right across from Healdsburg’s darling central plaza with a tree-lined park, wine tasting rooms, antique stores, art galleries, restaurants and boutiques.

Head out from Healdsburg for a day’s drive on Sonoma County’s winding country roads and you’ll feel like in the wine-growing regions of France or Italy. Reserve a day for a relaxing drive down the Russian River to the beautiful coastal town of Jenna or drive through the Armstrong Redwoods near Cazadero. On a road trip through Sonoma’s Valley of the Moon, you end up at the beautiful Fairmont Mission Inn & Spa, where you can soak in natural hot mineral springs.

In the evening, don’t miss dinner at Dry Creek Kitchen where, if you bring along a bottle of two of Sonoma County wine, there’s no corkage fee and the seasonal wine country cuisine is absolutely delectable.

MONTEREY MARVELS

05.18.10

by Joanne Tucker

The city of Monterey highlights what’s best about a top travel destination: jaw-dropping ocean-meets-surf scenery, quaint seaside restaurants and shops, the historical landmark of Cannery Row (immortalized by John Steinbeck’s novel of the same name) and the world-class Monterey Aquarium, a must-see attraction that delights and educates millions of visitors every year.

Perched on a cliff overlooking dazzling Monterey Bay, the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa is the perfect place to enjoy the gentle sounds of the surf and the scent of fresh sea air while sipping a glass of California wine on your balcony. The Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa offers 290 deluxe guestrooms, including ten luxuriously appointed suites. All rooms and suites feature classic Biedermeier-style furniture, decorator fabrics, European duvet bed coverings and custom-designed refreshment centers.

Vista Blue Spa, located on the top floor of the hotel, features its signature Monterey Bay Salt Glo exfoliation treatment, along with a host of other luxury treatments. We enjoyed the hotel’s Duck Club Grill restaurant, which juts out right over the bay for a truly dramatic view.

Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa is located in the heart of Cannery Row and just a ten-minute walk along a scenic recreation trail to Fisherman’s Wharf. Along the way, you’ll see harbor seals, sea otters and pelicans in natural habitats on the waterfront of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

The hotel is also within easy walking distance to the world-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium. Plan to spend at least five hours meandering around the super cool exhibits here, where you’ll find loads of sea creatures, lots of interactive kid’s activities and new pink flamingo and sea horse exhibits.

For an on-the-water experience, launch a kayak from the beach next to the hotel. There’s also easy access to whale watching, sailing and scuba diving in the protected waters of the National Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary. Land-based activities include golf, bicycling and shopping or take a drive to the nearby wine countries of Carmel, Soledad or Salinas Valleys for some award-winning tastings and tours.

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