Want to spend the red, white, and bluest day of the year deep in the heart of wine country? The folks in and around Sonoma would love it. The calendar is packed with Fourth of July festivities.
You can:
Listen to live music at Murphy’s Irish Pub. Billed as the town’s best spot for live music, this family-friendly restaurant is on the plaza in Sonoma. The music starts at 8 p.m. Friday Jul. 1 and Saturday Jul 2. Murphy’s has 13 imported and microbrews on tap, and a selection of 55 – count ‘em – rare and hard-to-find whiskeys. Murphy’s can be found at 464 First St. East in Sonoma.
Drink in a complimentary concert at Landmark Vineyards & Winery. People start to gather a bit before 1 p.m. Saturday Jul. 2. They take in the view of the Mayacamas from the winery’s courtyard, and wash it down with a glass of Overlook Chardonnay, or maybe Steel Plow Syrah. Pack a picnic lunch, bring along the kids and play a bit of bocce. On July 2, the free concert features Laurant Fourgo. Landmark Vineyards & Winery is located at 101 Adobe Canyon Rd. in Kenwood.
Dig into the Brothers Grimm at the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art. Saturday Jul. 2, take in an exhibition of David Hockney at the museum. A major Pop contributor, he’s considered one of the most influential English artists of the Twentieth Century. See why in a series of 39 extraordinary etchings that illustrate the popular children’s tales of Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. If you’re looking for a break from the outdoors this Fourth of July weekend, this is it. The Sonoma Valley Museum of Art is at 551 Broadway in Sonoma.
Make your own art at Annadel State Park. This sublime slice of northern California is light years away from the pace of San Francisco. It offers miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and trail riding. Like wildflowers? You’ve come at almost the right time. Lake Ilsanjo offers excellent black bass and bluegill fishing. Black bass weighing nine pounds and more have been caught here. If you are 16 years of age or older, you must have a California fishing license. Bring along a digital camera, capture what inspires you about the park and enter it in the Celebrate the Park photo contest. Annadel State Park awaits. Head to Santa Rosa and motor to 6201 Channel Dr.
Salute the colors at an old fashioned Fourth of July Parade. You knew this had to be part of the weekend. Honor America, kick back and hug someone you love. The celebration lasts from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., with the parade proper beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Stay at Sonoma Creek Inn. The Sonoma valley is populated by pricey places to stay. While the Sonoma Creek Inn isn’t exactly a traditional budget property, it is a terrific value. Located at 239 Boyes Blvd in Sonoma, the Inn is stylish and convenient. A room runs about $179 per night.
Story by Jerry Chandler
(Image: Franco Folini)
