Final Fall 2019 - CA Sidetrip: Part 2

After 12 exciting days with kids and grands, Bill and I took a short excursion to Napa Valley to give all of us a break!!  Heading to the cute little Christmassy town of Sonoma was a good intro to this special season.  We wandered the town square, stopping to ask questions about the authentic old Sonoma Hotel, purchased tickets for "Judy" shown at the historic Sabastiani Theatre, and caught up on some football in the HopMonk Tavern (delicious Pumpkin Soup!) just minutes up the street from our AirBnb.

The Black Bear Diner was a perfect breakfast spot before heading out for the day .




We stopped briefly at the Vallejo Home, Spanish founder of Sonoma, to catch up on some local history, then were off to Castello di Amorosa in Callistoga for a guided tour of an amazing Italian castle and winery.

 

 

It was a picture perfect day,
even this shot from the Ladies' Room open window!


We then proceeded on to Granite Bay, just east of Sacramento, for a few days of rest and conversation with Ken & Nancy Hendren. However we took a slight detour to tour the free Jelly Belly Factory...fun!  Keith's parents were such great hosts, anticipating our every need: hot tub soak, beautiful master suite retreat, wonderful food, mini-tour of the area and scenic walk around Fulsom Lake.  The only regret...we did not get a photo together.