A Holiday Getaway

We seem to have a number of family birthdays mixed in among the holidays. Though Scott's birthday was a couple of days after Thanksgiving he suggested we celebrate on the holiday since we had a family dinner planned. While that was a great idea, I wanted to surprise him with a little something extra this year. On Thanksgiving I had him open a box with his upcoming surprise that read, "Pack a Bag, Birthday Boy!".

We had a day to clean up from Thanksgiving and pack for our weekend getaway so it was a leisurely schedule. I was tempted to spill the beans on our destination, but I kept it a secret. Seeing his excitement for this adventure reminded me of the power of a surprise.

We had a mixture of showers and sun on our drive over to wine country. With the early rains here in Northern California we were pleasantly surprised to see how beautifully green the fields were already. Our first stop was at St. Anne's Crossing Winery in Kenwood. This picture perfect spot is a member of the Wine Club we belong to. We had a delicious tasting with a number of award-winning wines. Next off, it was just a short drive to the famed Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn. I could see that my birthday boy was very pleased with his surprise!

For dinner we headed out to OSO, the brainchild of famed chef David Bush on the historic Sonoma Plaza. Oso was recently rated one of the top restaurants in Sonoma and I had a feeling Scott would appreciate the rustic modern feel and the foodie style menu. The small plate selection was amazing and the service was friendly, yet impeccable. We had the pleasure of complimenting Chef Bush on his success and the outstanding dining experience.

After a leisurely morning strolling the grounds and an indulgent breakfast at Sante, we headed through the countryside into Sonoma for some shopping and a Mediterranean-style lunch at La Salette.

The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn is the quintessential wine country resort. I have stayed here several times over the years but this stay was by far my favorite. I highly recommend their large menu of spa services if you have the time. The resort has recently been updated and I appreciated the extra amenities of luxurious linens and Le Labo bath products. Our getaway, and the destination, was such a fun surprise to my husband. If you are looking for a way to delight someone you love I recommend the surprising power of a surprise getaway.

To Stay: Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn

To Sip: St. Anne's Crossing Winery

To Savor: Oso, Sante, La Salette

For more on travel to Wine Country

Are you finding any places especially festive this time of year? I'm booking travel for clients and I love to hear your recommendations for holiday cheer.

Curated Travel

All Images Heather Lindstrom

Thank you to the Sonoma Mission Inn for a suite upgrade and welcome bottle of sparkling wine.