Why WE Love Sonoma County! #ChampionsofHome #AD

Posted on May 15, 2014 by Jamie

 

When my other half and I moved to Northern California and the beautiful Sonoma County area a mere 7 months ago, I knew how fortunate we truly were, but when it came time to really decide on where we should settle was the time we had to do our diligent research. Champions of Home.

We knew a few things ahead of time:

We wanted to be close to shopping areas so we could easily run our errands without driving miles to get there.

We wanted to be a close to the wineries, but not right next door to them either.

And we wanted to find a place where we could possibly raise a family, if it came time for that to happen.

And that’s when we settled on: Rohnert Park.
Home Sweet Home in Sonoma County

Rohnert Park is right in the heart of Sonoma County, north of Petaluma and South of Santa Rosa.  A very family friendly community filled with parks, restaurants and tons of places to run your errands.  Also, home of Sonoma State University, so if down the road, I decided I wanted to go back to school, I could.

And here are some of the many reasons WE love #SonomaCounty:

Vineyards

No matter the time of the year, the changing of the vineyards is beautiful and truly scenic to watch.  Every March, mustard greens grow in the vineyards such as above.

Bodega Bay, CA

Many “StayCation” options lie in beautiful Sonoma County.  Whether it’s taking a weekend away to head to the coast of Bodega Bay, or spending a weekend along Russian River, or even in town close to the Sonoma Plaza or Healdsburg Square, there’s a little bit of everything all in close distance.

And, another thing we love?  The cute little restaurants found around town.  The above comes from Boat House Sushi right in Rohnert Park.  This was their dessert option during Sonoma County’s Restaurant Week.  Sonoma County is also home to some great Farm to Table Movement Restaurants such as Zazu’s Kitchen & Farm, Cafe La Haye, Fremont Diner, and many others.
Sonoma International Film Festival

And of course, the annual festivals.  Like every April when the Sonoma Plaza turns into Sonoma Wood for the weekend as they welcome in filmmakers from all over the world for the International Film Festival, or annual winery events that happen throughout the year.
And the other thing?  Tons of local farmers reside within the community.  And with farmers comes beautiful, tasteful produce, but also farm animals that are always fun to look upon.

BUT, one of my favorite things about Sonoma County are the beautiful sunrises:

 

Although, currently, we just reside in an apartment, now that him and I have secured full time jobs and are making decent incomes, the next few years will be crucial to us in paying down our debts so we can make the dream of owning a home a reality.  And Rohnert Park is exactly the community we want to reside in. And we do we know we can look towards the “Ripple” program when it is time to buy our own home.

What starts with one California REALTOR® benefits all of California. That’s the underlying sentiment of the California Association of REALTORS® (CAR) integrated consumer ad campaign called ‘Ripple’.

Now in its second year, the “Ripple” campaign connects the dots between REALTORS® and the California economy, illustrating how a Champion of Home™ can help consumers close on their dreams and, together, benefit the entire state. For example, one of the campaign spots tells the story of how a REALTOR® gave a family pricing and marketing strategies to help them sell their home.

  • While highlighting the intrinsic value of REALTORS® as Champions of Home™, the “Ripple” campaign goes beyond the story of the individual REALTOR® and focuses on the powerful positive economic impact that REALTORS®, buyers, and sellers are making throughout California. The facts (Source: National Association of REALTORS®):
  • One job is generated for every two home sales
  • One home purchase stimulates the economy by $60K
  • A homeowner’s net worth is 34 times that of a renter

Benziger Winery

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

 


Categories: Northern California, Sonoma County | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

8 Ways to Spend a Day in Bodega Bay!

Posted on May 14, 2014 by Jamie

This past weekend, for Mother’s Day, we took a trek out to Bodega Bay and soon remembered why we love going there.  We only wish we had more time to be there, but had a great time with his side of the family celebrating.

My other half grew up going there, and for myself, was just introduced to the beautiful Bodega Bay just a mere 7 months ago.  I still have tons to explore but thought it’d be a fun way of creating a list of things to do in and around Bodega Bay for a day:

bodegabay

1) Camp Out

Plan your weekend visit and plan on staying in one of the local campsites.  Camp close to the coast in the Dunes, sleep as you hear the ocean waves just mere minutes away.  Enjoy a campfire, roast marshmallows underneath the stars.  A favorite for many locals

2) The Beach

Bodega Bay has beautiful Beaches with miles of shoreline to enjoy.  Sun bathe, or if you’re brave enough, dip your toes into the cool water off the coast.

Salmon Creek State Beach

Salmon Creek State Beach

3) Salt Water Taffy Hunting

One of the favorites for many that visit beautiful Bodega Bay is to stop in for some Salt Water Taffy.  Stopping into Patrick’s Pink and White Painted Salt Water Taffy Shop is a must while in Bodega Bay, but if you miss Patrick’s, no frets.

Patrick's Salt Water Taffy

There are two other shops up the road, Seawinds, and one other that also sell Salt Water Taffy, and yes, they are a bit different from one another so make a day of trying different flavors.

4) Eat at The Tides

One of my all time favorite Seafood Restaurants.  If you’re looking for good seafood, you will definitely want to make an evening reservation at The Tides then end the night with a wonderful Pastry from the bakery.

Fresh Crab, Mussels, Calamari, Scallops, Oysters and more can be found here.  And if you want a bit of everything, I highly recommend the sampler platter.

As you dine on your food enjoy the view of the beautiful Bay around you.

thetides

5) Make it a Spa Day!

For those wanting a little more luxury, beautiful spas do surround the area of Bodega Bay:

Osmosis Day Spa:

Bodega Bay Lodge:

AppleWood Spa:

6) Drive up Highway 1

Bodega Bay is right off California Highway 1, so hop on highway 1 and continue to drive North and you may just land in Seattle as you enjoy beautiful views of the shoreline below you.  Yes, the elevation rises as you drive along the coast.

Sonoma Coast

7) Hike along Goat’s Rock

Drive a little south towards Jenner, CA and you will land upon Goat’s Rock State Beach.  An iconic image along the coast, and a great way to spend a day while in town.

Check out this beautiful image from Nature Photo.

8) Take a Horseback Trail Ride

With such beautiful views of the coast around you, it’s the perfect opportunity to take a Horseback Trail Ride, and these great companies can assist you:

Chanslor Ranch

Wildfire Stables

Horse N Around Trail Rides

Have you been to Bodega Bay?  What are some of your favorite things to do while there?


Categories: Northern California, Sonoma County, Travel | Tags: , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Book Review: The Idea of Him

Posted on May 13, 2014 by Jamie

Disclosure: I received the book for review purposes.  All opinions are my own. 

Idea-of-Him

Allie Crawford is a once-aspiring screenwriter turned successful public relations executive, mother of two young children, and wife of a hotshot magazine editor.  At thirty-four, she is at a crossroads.  Then she meets a head-turning, traffic-stopping beauty at the bar of the famed Tudor Room – and soon after finds the same woman and her husband in an apparently compromising position in her own apartment. The Idea of Him is the story of two very different women bound by similar missions – to uncover the crimes and betrayals of various men in their lives and finally put their own interests front and center.

Thoughts?

In the beginning I really enjoyed this book.  While reading, I would escape into a completely different world from the one I was living, and put myself straight into New York City where top dogs are calling every shot, left and right.  And then, of course, there’s Allie.  Yes, a public relations executive, who doesn’t quite fit in, yet, she’s there.

Quite relatable for so many until the character of “Tommy” comes into play, and then the book becomes a little too much for me.  Although, the book and the character of “Tommy” was definitely trying to show more dimensions to Allie, and to liven her up a bit, for me, it was too over the top.  Although, in a way, you were rooting for Allie because of how off putting her own husband was becoming in the book.

The book brings the characters personalities right out portraying all of them perfectly.  From sophisicated Jackie, the woman, found in the uncompromising position, to down to Earth Allie, but yet, these two women are drawn to each other instantly, and soon, begin working together to find out what’s really happening with the men in their lives.

In the end, does justice prevail? Do the women come out on top, or do the men win their last battle?  It all comes out in the end with one last surprising twist that makes a lot of sense.

 

 


Categories: Book Reviews | Tags: , , , , , , | 2 Comments