Sonoma Foodie Tour
Take a drive around Sonoma and the surrounding areas on a foodie tour. This curated itinerary encourages you to try new flavors inspired by, and created exclusively in, Sonoma through guided tastings by local purveyors. Make it a fun daytrip – start by downloading a great podcast, pack the car with water and an additional layer for the coast, and head out with an open palate.
While this tour has been designed for our human guests, dogs are welcome along the way as well.
10:00am Coffee
Experience a coffee “cupping” at Acre coffee’s roastery in Petaluma to taste through their exquisite artisan roasts. In their own words Acre Coffee has “crafted and honed our distinct take on new California coffee.”
“Acre is a delightful way to cool your heels after a day of browsing Petaluma’s plentiful boutiques and antique stores. Be sure to check out the “toast” menu.” – TripAdvisor Local
11:00am Cheese
Worth tapping into is California’s very own “Cheese Trail,” which spotlights artisan cheesemakers and family farmers. Start your California cheese tutelage with a cheese tour, tasting and snack at Spring Hill Jersey Cheese / Petaluma Creamery (appointment required for tour).
“A myriad of choices, a helpful staff who encourages sampling and loves to educate you about the products…not to mention some pretty darn good cheese!” – Yelp
1:00pm Oysters
Take a drive out to the coast to Hog Island Oyster Farm to shuck your own farm-fresh oysters. They’ll provide the oysters, shuckers, accoutrements, a grill and stunning views of Tomales Bay (reservations required on the weekends only). Bring a picnic, or buy a bite or a bottle at their “Boat” oyster bar. For extra points, delve a little deeper with a one-hour walking tour and taste experience. Learn all about oysters, the marine environment, and sustainable aquaculture techniques. Tours are at10am & 1pm Mon-Fri only, advance reservation required.
“We had such a great time here and learned how to shuck the most delicious oysters. The weather was great and the view was lovely. Everyone is nice and the crowds were not bad. Dog friendly too!” – TripAdvisor
3:00pm More Cheese
Hop back on the Cheese Trail for a visit to Marin French Cheese Company, where they have been handcrafting cheese for over 150 years. Stop in for samples (they also have great salami!), and you’ll taste the difference.
“For Cheese Lovers, this is Not To Be Missed! This is the longest operating cheese company in America, making traditional & original cheeses since 1865. They happily offer free & delicious samples while educating visitors at the same time. Opens daily at 11am with a lovely pond and free picnic area (with any purchase).” – TripAdvisor
4:00pm Tea + Spa
Book a tea-infused treatment at The Spa at MacArthur. This Anti-Aging Tea Treatment starts with UppercaseTea®, a Sonoma local woman owned tea company, and their organic green, black or rooibos tea-infused essential oil. The treatment continues with a tea-infused body scrub and massage along with tea service with meditation. This unique combination focuses on detoxification, soothing and anti-aging.
“The hotel works so diligently with local purveyors and small artisan companies to create an experience that is truly local,” says Alison Kilmer, founder of Uppercase Tea. – 805 Living magazine
7:00pm Dinner
Dinner at Layla. Taste the bounty of the season in Sonoma with the new Fall menu including instant-favorites: Butternut Squash Soup, Local Chicories, Sweet Potato Falafel and Brussel Sprouts. Glenda Seagraves, Wine Director for MacArthur Place, will gladly offer the perfect wine pairing for these new seasonal offerings. Her first suggestion is Roasted Butternut Squash Soup with French Curry and Asian Pear paired with Canihan Chardonnay 2016.
Canihan is a tiny producer hailing from the southern edge of Sonoma Valley. The 2016 Chardonnay was sourced exclusively from a single plot called Romanini Family Vineyard. The fuller texture of the wine matches nicely with the soup’s creaminess, and spiced pear and apple notes of the Chardonnay lend themselves gracefully to the curry and pear components of the puree. Think ginger and other warming spices of fall harmoniously waltzing hip to hip…
For the more adventurous, I would suggest our new Kerner from Alto Adige in northern Italy. Kerner is an aromatic hybrid of Riesling and Schiava (a red grape) that is crisp on the palate but not without body. The producer Raetia released this 2017 in the classic racy style, with aromas tending toward orange blossom, candied ginger, and a touch of petrol.
9:00pm Cocktails
Experience the epitome of a nightcap with a cocktail by one of the property’s communal firepits. Sip on an expertly crafted cocktail by the glow of the fire, underneath the canopy of twinkling autumnal stars.
This hedonistic-meets-healthy day of food tasting is just the beginning of the culinary adventure possibilities in Sonoma. While this itinerary was created for those guests excited for a DIY road trip, we also offer an all-inclusive culinary tour through our local partner, Bohemian Highway Travel Co, if you would rather enjoy from the passenger’s seat.
Make Sonoma and Northern California a midweek escape. Travel Sunday – Thursday for less crowds and a few additional perks, like 20% off and a $100 resort credit.
