Sonoma would be just like the old Andy Griffith’s show’s fictional town of Mayberry, if the residents of Mayberry brought gourmet food & fine wine to share at the Farmer’s Market every Tuesday night. And they talked about wine, and food, and parties with wine and food.

People usually write about the history of Sonoma, but personally, whenever I’m in Sonoma, I’m much more interested in hanging out with the locals. There are several great hang outs, the first being The Swiss Hotel & Restaurant**.

I recommend the hotel (Room #5 especially because it is reportedly haunted and overlooks the plaza).  It’s fun, comfy, affordable and well-located.  The restaurant’s outdoor cafe is always jammed with locals calling out to each other as people walk by. The house wine is a bargain (I believe it is Kunde) and the food is well-made and well-priced.  It’s not over-the-top California gourmet, just fresh, yummy California comfort food.

**The pictures on their website do not do justice to the hotel or restaurant. If you want to be in the thick of it, stay at the Swiss Hotel, you’ll feel like you are a part of living history. The picture above shows the hotel balcony.