Staying Here

August is high tourist season here in wine country, and we strongly suggest you book your lodging very early (NOW!). Internet sites such as Hotels.com, Expedia, and Orbitz will help you find the best rates. Tripadvisor.com is useful for rates and reviews. Another source of lodging information is here.

If you are having trouble finding a nearby place to stay, we suggest making a reservation now at the Sandman, and then calling the Hillside and/or the Flamingo, whichever suits your tastes & budget, as the date draws nearer. Both places have suggested that cancellations are likely.

We Recommend:
• The Sandman, about thirteen miles from the wedding site.
• The Hillside Inn, a motel about seven miles from the wedding site. Two parties in Dale's family have already made reservations here.
• The Flamingo, next to the Hillside Inn, above - a recently renovated mid-century place with a great old-Vegas-style sign.
• The Fountaingrove Inn also in Santa Rosa. A business class hotel.
• Hotel La Rose, about 10 miles from the site, in picturesque downtown Santa Rosa. A boutique hotel with a few rooms left.
• Melitta Station Inn
• There are many B&B’s in the area, some in Kenwood itself, and all of which require a 2-3 night stay. Avoid hotels/motels on Santa Rosa Avenue (unless you are partial to the more earthy side of human nature.)

Being Here

Weather: August in wine country is beautiful. A typical day’s high temperature is in the upper 80’s, sometimes higher, with low humidity. Afternoons can be breezy. Nights and evenings are usually cool and can sometimes be foggy. Rain in August has been known to happen, but it's extremely rare.

A note on allergies: if you have allergies to animals, pollen, or just about anything, be sure to bring your favorite allergy remedy. We have allergens galore.

Getting Here

The Fest will take place in our back yard in Kenwood, a small town in the Sonoma Valley, about 50 miles north of San Francisco and about four miles east of Santa Rosa. The address is 361 Lawndale Rd. Map.

Flying

We find it easier to fly in and out of Oakland International Airport, but you may find better rates to San Francisco. Airport Express shuttle buses run regularly from both airports to downtown Santa Rosa. The rates are about $30 per person each way.

Driving directions

From San Francisco, the East Bay, and points South:
• Take Highway 101 North to the Highway 12 Sonoma/Sebastopol exit.
• Stay right on the off-ramp to merge onto Highway 12 East, toward Sonoma.
• Take Highway 12 East through Santa Rosa, turning left on Farmer’s Lane (which is still Highway 12) and turning right at the end of Farmer’s Lane to continue on Highway 12 toward Sonoma.
• Go 7.8 miles and turn right on Lawndale Rd.
• 361 Lawndale Rd. is the third property on the right, about ½ mile down the road. Press the button on the left to open the gate.