Hello Everyone!
As I'm sure you know by now Alicia and I are engaged. I proposed to her on Friday, April 13th, 2007. I guess Friday the 13th is not so unlucky for everyone... I proposed to her in the afternoon at the softball we first met at in the Fall of 2003 and we still play there today on the same coed team, The Prowlers. We then went up to Napa and spent the weekend at Silverado Resort. We had some great meals, drank awesome wine, and had a lot of fun.
So now we have moved onto the wedding planning and we are making the choices for how the Big Day will playout. We have decided to have the festivities in the quaint little wine town of Healdsburg. Healdsburg is in the county of Sonoma and is set in the valley on the Russian River. This has become to be known as one of the best Pinot Noir and Zinfandel grape regions in California. We love the area for their Pinot's, which is our favorite wine varietal. We also love the area for its great restaurants, picturesque landscapes, and warm summer weather. We have decided to share all these things with our friends and family.
Our wedding will be in Healdsburg at Stryker Winery on June 21st, 2008. The ceremony and reception will both be held outside and it should be a fabulous evening. Please subscribe to this site to be alerted of when updates about the weekend and us have been posted. Thanks for visiting and we'll see you soon!
Brian and Alicia
Bay to Breakers 2007
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Monday, August 20, 2007
About Healdsburg
Whats up with this Healdsburg Place?
Where is Healdsburg? It is in northern Sonoma County at the top of the Sonoma Valley. This valley is just to the west of the Napa Valley, basically the next valley over towards the ocean. The valley does not get quite as warm as Napa and it cools down a little more in the evening since it is closer to the cold waters of the pacific. The town is 30 minutes north of of town of Sonoma and 15 minutes north of Santa Rosa. It sits right on the Russian River and is 25 minutes upstream of the town of Guerneville which has become famous for it's winter flooding.
What is so special about Healdsburg? It is a very up and coming wine country town with great restaurants, nice boutique hotels, and world class wine. It is a very charming little town and way less crowded than Napa and Sonoma. It is a great place to enjoy the wine country without dealing with the Disneyland type atmosphere of Napa. Think about the movie Sideways... We really like the town and think it's a great place to get married and spend a weekend. Similar to the movie Sideways it's a great area for Pinot and we LOVE Pinot...
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Local Food
Places To Eat in and Around Healdsburg
Lunch:
Jim Town Store: Located on Dry Creek Road about 7 minutes from downtown Healdsburg is the Jim Town Store. It is an awesome little deli type place that makes for a perfect lunch spot while out wine tasting or driving through the vineyeards. This place gets written up in magazines all the time and it is well known for being a local favorite. I highly recommend...
Oakville Grocery: Healdsburg Plaza - Awesome grocery store/deli with lots of amazing choices of wine, cheese, sandwiches, pre made food, and anything else you will need for lunch in the plaza,a picnic at a winery, or out in the vineyards. It is hard for us to pass up a sandwich, Mezza Luna, or Chimichanga from Oakville Grocery when we are in town around lunch time. I highly recommend...
Bear Republic: Brewery just off the Healdsburg Plaza - Great beer and burgers. They have a very nice patio overlooking a park or you can sit inside in the AC and check out the funky artwork. If you want a mellow sit down lunch with some great local brewed beer, this is the place.
Lunch or Dinner:
Willy's Seafood: Healdsburg Plaza - Good seafood with a nice little patio in the front. I have heard many great reviews and the food looks really good.
Dry Creek Restaurant: Healdsburg Plaza - This restaurant is attached to the Hotel Healdsburg and is one of the fancier places in town. Definitely more of a splurge, but it would be a memorable meal.
BarnDiva: Just off the Healdsburg plaza this funky restaurant has a great backyard and awesome food. It is an old Barn that they turned into a restaurant and added some interesting art too. It is a really nice spot and definitely worth eating at if you have the chance. The prices are fairly reasonable as well.
Lunch:
Jim Town Store: Located on Dry Creek Road about 7 minutes from downtown Healdsburg is the Jim Town Store. It is an awesome little deli type place that makes for a perfect lunch spot while out wine tasting or driving through the vineyeards. This place gets written up in magazines all the time and it is well known for being a local favorite. I highly recommend...
Oakville Grocery: Healdsburg Plaza - Awesome grocery store/deli with lots of amazing choices of wine, cheese, sandwiches, pre made food, and anything else you will need for lunch in the plaza,a picnic at a winery, or out in the vineyards. It is hard for us to pass up a sandwich, Mezza Luna, or Chimichanga from Oakville Grocery when we are in town around lunch time. I highly recommend...
Bear Republic: Brewery just off the Healdsburg Plaza - Great beer and burgers. They have a very nice patio overlooking a park or you can sit inside in the AC and check out the funky artwork. If you want a mellow sit down lunch with some great local brewed beer, this is the place.
Lunch or Dinner:
Willy's Seafood: Healdsburg Plaza - Good seafood with a nice little patio in the front. I have heard many great reviews and the food looks really good.
Dry Creek Restaurant: Healdsburg Plaza - This restaurant is attached to the Hotel Healdsburg and is one of the fancier places in town. Definitely more of a splurge, but it would be a memorable meal.
BarnDiva: Just off the Healdsburg plaza this funky restaurant has a great backyard and awesome food. It is an old Barn that they turned into a restaurant and added some interesting art too. It is a really nice spot and definitely worth eating at if you have the chance. The prices are fairly reasonable as well.
Monday, August 6, 2007
Hotel Information
Time to Start Booking Rooms...
There are other options in the area, but we think these are the best choices regarding location, price, and proximity to the events. You may stay anywhere you like, but the transportation will only be going to certain locations. Right now we think the stops will be the The Healdsburg Plaza, The Dry Creak Best Western, and The Holiday Inn Express. If you would like to stay somewhere you will need to make your way to one of the pickup locations because there is no parking available at the winery.
The choices break down like this: Fancy and expensive - 410 Matheson, Grape Leaf Inn, Duchamp, Les Mares ($600 a night at least). More affordable - Best Western, other B&B's, or Holiday Inn Express
Here are the hotels we recommend in the area, please let us know which hotel you choose:
Best Western Healdsburg - $175 -$275 - (707) 433-0300 - http://www.drycreekinn.com/ - Great lower price option, 1 mile from the town plaza. They are almost finished with a complete remodel and it will be much nicer than your typical Best Western, a little more expensive as well... Since you will not be spending much time in your room this hotel will definitely do just fine for the weekend. 2 night minimum and rooms are blocked under our name. Please call directly to book.
Healdsburg B & B's - Here is a good link for local B & B's: http://www.bedandbreakfast.com/healdsburg-california.html The prices ranges from $200-$450 and some allow 1 night stays. If you stay at one of these you will need to make your way to the Hotel Healdsburg on Saturday afternoon in order to meet the shuttles to the winery. Please us me know if you choose one of these. Some of the best ones are the Grape Leaf Inn and Madrona Manor
Les Mars - http://www.lesmarshotel.com/ - Amazing Relais and Chateaux hotel in the center of town. Rooms start at $600 a night.
Hotel Healdsburg - 100% booked by another event in town.
Windsor, 5 miles south of Healdsburg on Highway 101
Holiday Inn Express - $139 for a king and $159 a night for 2 queens, 1 night minimum - (707) 837-0808 - http://www.sonomahi.com/ - This is the best choice for those of you who would like join us for only Saturday night. This is actually one of the few hotels in the area that allow 1 night stays. We will definitely be providing transportation to and from this hotel to the wedding. It is about a 15 minute ride from the hotel to the winery. We have booked a large number of rooms here, please mention our wedding when making your reservation.
Please let us know if you have any questions.
Brian and Alicia
There are other options in the area, but we think these are the best choices regarding location, price, and proximity to the events. You may stay anywhere you like, but the transportation will only be going to certain locations. Right now we think the stops will be the The Healdsburg Plaza, The Dry Creak Best Western, and The Holiday Inn Express. If you would like to stay somewhere you will need to make your way to one of the pickup locations because there is no parking available at the winery.
The choices break down like this: Fancy and expensive - 410 Matheson, Grape Leaf Inn, Duchamp, Les Mares ($600 a night at least). More affordable - Best Western, other B&B's, or Holiday Inn Express
Here are the hotels we recommend in the area, please let us know which hotel you choose:
In order to assure the best rate at the Holiday Inn, Best Western, or the Inn on the Plaza please call the hotels directly and mention our wedding. The internet prices do not reflect the discount we have been given. Thank you!
Best Western Healdsburg - $175 -$275 - (707) 433-0300 - http://www.drycreekinn.com/ - Great lower price option, 1 mile from the town plaza. They are almost finished with a complete remodel and it will be much nicer than your typical Best Western, a little more expensive as well... Since you will not be spending much time in your room this hotel will definitely do just fine for the weekend. 2 night minimum and rooms are blocked under our name. Please call directly to book.
Healdsburg Inn on the Plaza - $300 - http://www.healdsburginn.com/ - Really nice small inn right on the plaza, only 12 rooms in total and only a few are left. This is a really nice little place with a great location. No Pool, but the rooms are very nice and the location is perfect. Please call directly to book.
Healdsburg Modern Cottages - http://healdsburgcottages.com/ - Really cool old cottages that have been modernized. They share a small pool and are 1 block from the town square. They are very nice and definitely worth checking out. Book soon. $325-$475
Duchamp Hotel - http://duchamphotel.com/hotel_site/index.htm - Right next door to the modern cottages and are very similar. They share a large pool and hot tub which is surrounded by the cottages and a lawn. They offer a great complimentary breakfast as well. $425 a night but well worth it and right in town.
410 Mathenson Luxury Inn - http://410matheson.com/ - $350 a night for rooms in this newly updated historic inn. It was once a large house that was converted into an Inn. The rooms are very nice and the grounds are beautiful. The Inn is 2 1/2 blocks from the Healdsburg Plaza and has a spectacular pool and hot tub. Email Larry and Dee at
Healdsburg B & B's - Here is a good link for local B & B's: http://www.bedandbreakfast.com/healdsburg-california.html The prices ranges from $200-$450 and some allow 1 night stays. If you stay at one of these you will need to make your way to the Hotel Healdsburg on Saturday afternoon in order to meet the shuttles to the winery. Please us me know if you choose one of these. Some of the best ones are the Grape Leaf Inn and Madrona Manor
Les Mars - http://www.lesmarshotel.com/ - Amazing Relais and Chateaux hotel in the center of town. Rooms start at $600 a night.
Hotel Healdsburg - 100% booked by another event in town.
Windsor, 5 miles south of Healdsburg on Highway 101
Holiday Inn Express - $139 for a king and $159 a night for 2 queens, 1 night minimum - (707) 837-0808 - http://www.sonomahi.com/ - This is the best choice for those of you who would like join us for only Saturday night. This is actually one of the few hotels in the area that allow 1 night stays. We will definitely be providing transportation to and from this hotel to the wedding. It is about a 15 minute ride from the hotel to the winery. We have booked a large number of rooms here, please mention our wedding when making your reservation.
Please let us know if you have any questions.
Brian and Alicia
Friday, July 6, 2007
Houses Around Healdsburg
If you do not like the hotel options or would just prefer a house there are lots of great options. These are some larger ones that I've found, they are fairly pricey, but they are really nice.
http://www.sonomacountyvacations.com/smc/plugin/search.php?productId=51<emplate=details&amp;amp;amp;amp;templateId=9&pageId=32&search=details - Modern Barn, 3 bed - $800 a night with pool.
http://www.sonomacountyvacations.com/smc/plugin/search.php?productId=19<emplate=details&templateId=9&pageId=32&search=details - Very close to downtown Healdsburg, sleeps 7 with a Pool. $500 a night
http://www.vrbo.com/135484 - 4 bed on the river with a hot tub - $675 a night 3 night minimum
http://www.vrbo.com/53851 fancy house -$600 a night
http://www.healdsburghouse.com/ - nice house $500 a night plus cottage
http://www.sonomacountyvacations.com/ - Property Management company with lots of options
http://www.sonomacountyvacations.com/smc/plugin/search.php?productId=57<emplate=details&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;templateId=9&pageId=32&search=details - next to jimtown store 2 min from wedding site, 3 bed
http://www.vrbo.com/73975 - 5 bedroom place - $500
http://www.vrbo.com/34818 - big place not too expensive
http://www.sonomacountyvacations.com/smc/plugin/search.php?productId=51<emplate=details&amp;amp;amp;amp;templateId=9&pageId=32&search=details - Modern Barn, 3 bed - $800 a night with pool.
http://www.sonomacountyvacations.com/smc/plugin/search.php?productId=19<emplate=details&templateId=9&pageId=32&search=details - Very close to downtown Healdsburg, sleeps 7 with a Pool. $500 a night
http://www.vrbo.com/135484 - 4 bed on the river with a hot tub - $675 a night 3 night minimum
http://www.vrbo.com/53851 fancy house -$600 a night
http://www.healdsburghouse.com/ - nice house $500 a night plus cottage
http://www.sonomacountyvacation
http://www.sonomacountyvacation
http://www.vrbo.com/73975 - 5 bedroom place - $500
http://www.vrbo.com/34818 - big place not too expensive
Thursday, July 5, 2007
LA People
Flights from LAX to Healdsburg!
For those of you in the LA area, you can now fly direct to Charles Schultz Airport in Santa Rosa from LAX. Yes, the creator of 'The Peanuts' has an airport named after him and it is just 15 minutes South of Healdsburg. They have a few non-stop flights daily and the prices look to be around $190 round trip. This is a great option because Oakland and San Francisco airports are about 1 - 1 1/2 hours from Healdsburg and would really cut down on travel time.
Alaska's Website - http://www.alaskaair.com/ - Airport code is STS
Rental Car info - http://www.sonomacountyairport.org/rentalcars.html
Airport Info - http://www.sonomacountyairport.org/
I would highly recommend taking this route. Let me know if you need anything.
Brian
For those of you in the LA area, you can now fly direct to Charles Schultz Airport in Santa Rosa from LAX. Yes, the creator of 'The Peanuts' has an airport named after him and it is just 15 minutes South of Healdsburg. They have a few non-stop flights daily and the prices look to be around $190 round trip. This is a great option because Oakland and San Francisco airports are about 1 - 1 1/2 hours from Healdsburg and would really cut down on travel time.
Alaska's Website - http://www.alaskaair.com/ - Airport code is STS
Rental Car info - http://www.sonomacountyairport.org/rentalcars.html
Airport Info - http://www.sonomacountyairport.org/
I would highly recommend taking this route. Let me know if you need anything.
Brian
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