We’re pleased to share this three-night itinerary created by the charming staff at Farmhouse Inn in Forestville, California. Located in the heart of Sonoma County, this family-owned hideaway has recently undergone an $8 million renovation and now boasts refreshed guest quarters, spa facilities and much more. With a team of nearly 10 concierges, Farmhouse Inn specializes in creating a well-rounded experience, rather than just providing a place for guests to rest their heads. The staff at Farmhouse is adept at customizing itineraries for individual guests. We're particularly fond of this itinerary that showcases the best of Sonoma and Farmhouse on uncrowded weekdays.
Our itineraries are for your inspiration. Please contact a travel advisor to customize this itinerary to fit your needs.
Arrive to the area early in the day. Head up to Healdsburg (10 minutes north of Farmhouse Inn) for the best brunch in town at Barndiva. Its beautiful outdoor dining space is magical in the late morning, and the adjoining art gallery/cocktail lounge, Studio Barndiva, is tucked away next door.
After brunch, stroll the town to check out the great shopping. Myra Hoefer Design is a boutique home-design studio that exudes the rustically elegant feel of a French farmhouse. Myra and her daughter, Gina, were instrumental in the vision and interior design of the guest rooms at Farmhouse Inn. Gallery Lulo is the go-to spot for hard-to-find designer jewelry and unique artwork. The Shed is one of Healdsburg's newest institutions, where you can find hand-crafted cookwares and house-milled grains and sip freshly made kombucha at a hip fermentation bar. And, after all that shopping, you deserve a treat. Go visit Ozzy and Christian, owners of Noble Folk Ice Cream & Pie Bar, where you can sample before you pick your favorite home-spun craft ice cream flavor (our tip: you can get any of their ice creams affogato style, so add a shot of espresso to pick yourself up.).
Head back to Farmhouse for a little pool and spa time. It recently finished an $8 million property expansion that includes a new 3,500-square-foot equestrian-inspired spa. The most popular treatments are "Catherine's Favorite" or, for a romantic couple's spa rendezvous, the "Roll in the Hay." And don't forget to enjoy your exclusive Andrew Harper amenities — a house-made cheese plate and a bottle of local wine on arrival.
After relaxing in your King Deluxe room, head down to the Michelin-starred restaurant for an amazing food-and-wine pairing experience. Chef Steve Litke first earned the star in 2007, and the restaurant's wine program is renowned throughout the region. The specialty dish is Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit, but you're sure to be thrilled with any of the inventive local, seasonal cuisine.
Wake up slow and take your time at a farm-fresh three-course breakfast, which is included with your stay.
Head out for the day on an exclusive sommelier-led wine tour (starts at $990/couple). Farmhouse's Estate wine director will join you and your guide from Silver Service Tours for a day of experiential wine tastings in Sonoma County. Meet with the winemakers and principals at each of three stops (enjoying a gourmet picnic lunch at one), and taste world-class Sonoma County wines alongside an expert. This tour will be custom-created for each set of guests, but may include stops at some favorite vintners, such as Lambert Bridge, A. Rafanelli, Kistler, Williams Selyem, Copain or Small Vines.
After some late-afternoon relaxation at the pool or on your private patio, enjoy a casually delicious wine-country dinner at Backyard. Chef Daniel Kedan learned much from his years at Ad Hoc in Napa Valley, and brought that knowledge to life with the abundance of farm fresh produce in Sonoma County.
Start out early and get centered in nature with a hike among the old-growth redwoods at Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve (it's like Muir Woods without all the crowds).
Don’t feel like doing all that walking? Get a view of the redwoods from above by zip-lining through the trees with Sonoma Canopy Tours. Prefer the water instead? Canoe or paddleboard on the Russian River, only a mile from the Farmhouse. Whatever your choice of morning activity, continue west. Sonoma County is famous for its beautiful (and bike-able) backroads and its gorgeous Sonoma Coast line.
Stop in at Bodega Bay’s Spud Point Crab Co. for legendary clam chowder and crab sandwiches before an idyllic drive through the countryside.
Come back to Farmhouse and meet your cycling guide for the afternoon, Dave Brazell, owner of Adventures in Cycling. He will lead you on a customized bike tour through Sonoma Wine Country. Not an avid cyclist? Don't worry — Dave has semi-electric pedal-assist bikes that take the extra sweat out of working up the beautiful rolling hills. Stop at a couple of Farmhouse's winery partners (guests enjoy complimentary VIP tastings at 12 local wineries) along the way.
For a truly unique Sonoma County dining experience, let chef Timothy Kaulfers delight your taste buds with a private, five-course food and wine pairing dinner at Arista Winery's gorgeous hilltop pavilion (prices vary according to dates and number of guests). Owned by the McWilliams family, originally from Texarkana, Texas, Arista has been producing beautiful pinot noirs, expressive of the terroir of the Russian River Valley, since 2002.
After the last three-course breakfast at Farmhouse, we suggest taking the coastal route back to San Francisco.
Stop by Hog Island Oyster Co. in the tiny town of Marshall. Grab a picnic table right on the waters of Tomales Bay and shuck your own Hog Island Sweet Waters.
Andrew Harper also partners with Napa Valley wine specialist Porthos, a wine concierge service that can plan daylong excursions to boutique wineries. Contact our Travel Office to learn more about booking a stay at the Farmhouse Inn or creating a custom Sonoma wine country tour.
Contact a travel advisor to book your custom itinerary. Fill out the form or call (630) 734-4610.
Andrew Harper members have access to full travel-planning services through Andrew Harper Travel.
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