HIPPY AND WHOLESOME SONOMA With just three nights to spend in Northern California after a jaunt to watch the exciting BNP Paribas Open tournament in Indian Wells, I decided to skip the more mainstream Napa and get to know its more laid-back little sister, Sonoma County. Boasting over 400 wineries, secret surf spots, and a lifestyle so relaxed that it’s practically horizontal, it promised something a little more offbeat. The region sprawls from the dramatic Pacific coastline to lush, vineyard-covered valleys. Along the way, you’ll find a mix of hippie history, cutting-edge cuisine, and unspoiled natural beauty—a combination that makes it a must-visit destination in Northern California. During the 1960s and ‘70s, Sonoma County – especially its western stretch of Bodega, Bodega Bay, Jenner, Timber Cove and Gualala – became a haven for hippies and Flower Power. During the peak of the countercultural movement, the area was home to two of America’s most famous communes – Morningstar and Wheeler’s Ranch – which were unmistakably at the forefront for broad-minded bohemians who flocked here for free love. These communities significantly influenced Sonoma County’s cultural landscape, resulting in this corner of California being the vanguard of self-sufficiency, organic farming and artistic expression. … Continue reading HIPPY AND WHOLESOME SONOMA