CA - Sept 2026

After spending time in LA and TX, we had planned to go to Honolulu and then Kauai and Maui but a major hurricane had hit Kauai the week prior so we shifted our plans. We then decided to go to CA for 1.5 weeks to chill and see Rak and then head to Maui afterwards. However, while in CA, Shawna hurt her knee so we had to return to TX to get it evaluated which meant we had to cut our Maui plans short by a week.

While in CA, we first went to Sonoma where we spent four nights just ourselves. We then went into San Fran for the weekend and stayed at Rak's place. We spent our final three nights in Healdsburg with Rak as he had rented a house there for a few days.

Accommodations:

Lodge at Sonoma - Located in Sonoma, we stayed at this Marriott property for free using Chase points for four nights. We had a nice one bedroom cottage which had a large seating area and a comfortable bed. We enjoyed relaxing at the pool and getting massages at the spa. We had breakfast here each morning which was included in our rate - nice selection of options. 

Pool at Lodge at Sonoma

Rak's House - Located in the Presidio in San Fran, we stayed with him for two nights. It's a great three bedroom with nice views of the bay. He turned his garage into a swanky bar!

Rak's House

AirBnB - Rak rented this place in Healdsburg and we stayed for three nights. It's a very nice four bedroom house with a beautiful kitchen/living room and great outdoor spaces and landscaping. It has a sauna, hot tub and pool. It also has a pizza oven but we were not allowed to use it. 

AirBnB

Activities:

Spa at Lodge at Sonoma - We got massages here which were excellent. The spa waiting area is very nice but they do not have the steam room / sauna facilities you would normally expect to see. 

Wine Tasting - We went to three different wine tastings in Sonoma - none of which we had been to before:

• Sangiacomo - A small family owned winery that produces small batches but sells quite a bit of their grapes to other wineries. They have a nice tasting room and we really enjoyed their wine - we bought 4 bottles to enjoy with Rak.

Sangiacomo

• Obsidian Wine - Located on the square in Sonoma, we stopped her before dinner and did a tasting. We enjoyed the wine but did not buy any. 

Obsidian Wine

• Anaba - This is another nice tasting room just south of Sonoma. The guy who helped us was a bit scattered and the wine was just OK.

Anaba Winery

While in San Fran, we were limited in what we could do because of Shawna's knee. Keith and Rak went for long hikes in the Presidio each morning and the rest of the time we chilled. Rak cooked dinner on Saturday night - a yummy osso bucco with risotto. 

Hiking in Presidio

We then drove out to Healdsburg and while there we chilled at the house, enjoying the pool, hot tub and sauna. Rakesh cooked dinner one night which we had as leftovers another night - yummy lamb curry with rice, raita and potatoes with spinach. We also went wine tasting at Medlock Ames - a nice small winery with a great chardonnay and cabs. We bought a few bottles - we had the chardonnay back at the house and gave three really nice cabs to Rak. 

Dinner made by Rak

Restaurants:

Girl & The Fig - Located in Sonoma, we had lunch at this old but well known restaurant. The place is very cute inside. We shared a yummy salad and scallop entree.

Cafe La Haye - Located in Sonoma, we had dinner here. We shared a grilled peach salad along with bread and a very tasty fish dish. The place is great!

Mozaik - Located in Sonoma, we had dinner here. The menu is quite eclectic - we shared a salad, pasta, ribs and carrots. Everything was flavorful but each dish was missing something. 

Souvla - Located in San Fran, we had lunch here each getting a salad bowl.

Mess Hall - This is a bar and food hall located in the Presidio - we stopped here for drinks before dinner.

Dalida - We had dinner at this great restaurant in the Presidio - we shared some bread, salad, peppers, swordfish, and lamb. Everything was delicious.

Hog Island Oyster Co - We went to the one in Larkspur for lunch - we got oysters, crude, tomato salad, grilled cheese and a spicy pasta - all good. 

Hotel Healdsburg - Our place was not ready yet so we popped in here for a drink and to relax in their courtyard. 

Torraku Ramen - We had lunch at this ramen place in San Fran before heading out to Healdsburg - tasty ramen!

Agave Mexican Restaurant - Located in Healdsburg, we had dinner here - sharing the enchiladas and a chicken and shrimp dish with peppers that we ate with tortillas. Food was OK.

Russian River Brewing - Located in Windsor, we had lunch here with a few beers - we shared a salad and fish tacos.

Pizza Leah - Located in Windsor, we had lunch here sharing two very tasty pizzas. The dough was fantastic!