Guides

Note: Much of Sonoma County typically is not a good place to grow stone fruits or melons – exception to this are the Crane Melons which need certain micro climates. Any fruit or vegetable that requires a lot of heat will typically not do well in most of Sonoma County – especially West county and near Santa Rosa/Petaluma. Leafy green things you can eat – grow best in the mild growing conditions of this country.

Some farms, ranches, and orchards are open to the public, although usually only part of the year. Many apple orchards are located west of Santa Rosa, out in the rural areas around Sebastopol, Forestville and Graton. Much of Sonoma county is good for growing apples, wine grapes, a variety of vegetables, herbs and garden flowers. It is always a good idea to ask vendors where their produce was grown.

For more information about Sonoma County Produce and ranches call Sonoma County Farm Trails at Phone Number (707) 824-2060 or visit: www.farmtrails.org

“If you want rote greetings that sound like they come from a can be sure to check out the Safeway on Mendocino Ave (as well as “how are you questions” from employees on nearly every aisle – take a break from your fake hospitality, please). If you want to have your id checked every time you checkout, be sure to visit Lola’s. If you enjoy waiting in long lines be sure to visit the Safeway in the old G&G Supermarket location.

If you enjoy spending $100 just by walking in the store, inappropriate and or stupid questions for a grocery shopping experience, (would you like me to sample your blueberries? would you like me to round up your bill to support bla bla? would you like these to all go in one or 2 bags – 4 small items? OMG), a security guard hovering near the entrance, or often fresh but very sour fruits, please visit Whole Food’s in Coddingtown”.

FARMS, ORCHARDS, RANCHES, SPECIALTY MARKETS

Crane Melon Barn is located at 4935 Petaluma Hill Road about 15-20 minutes from downtown Santa Rosa. This is family owned and operated and every year come early September those golden fleshed melons hit their barn for sale. Crane melons are the best melon suited to Sonoma County’s cool growing climate and they thrive in the adobe dry farmed region south of Santa Rosa. They often have two piles for sale – each at a different price, the ones without any blemishes and the ones that are slightly cracked and need to be eaten sooner. Accompanying the Crane Melons are the large watermelons with yellow interiors. They don’t have as many of these as the Crane Melons and some years produce sweeter watermelons than others.

Note the actual barn that houses their produce. It was built in 1868 – 6 generations of Crane’s have been selling produce here. They are open all year round but the Crane melon season typically runs from early September through the end of October. Sometimes in October on a weekend they hold a vineyard, melon/farm tour. a Visit: www.cranemelon.com

Dry Creek Peach and Produce are located at 2179 Yoakim Bridge Road at Dry Creek Road in Healdsburg. They sell apricots, nectarines, organic peaches (what they are known for – you can see their peach orchards from the road as you drive by), plums, melons, asparagus, tomatoes, Walla Walla onions, broccoli, cauliflower, eggplant, and the list goes on! Their orchards and farms are on site (among the surrounding vineyards!) Open Tuesday through Sunday from 11am to 6pm from June through early September. Phone Number (707) 433-8121 | Visit: www.drycreekpeach.com

Green String Farm was founded by Bob Cannard, a long time farmer who sold produce to Alice Waters’ Chez Panisse in Berkeley – and his partner, Fred Cline (founder of Cline Cellars). Located at 3571 Old Adobe Road they are open Wednesday through Sunday. A fairly short drive from Petaluma and located off of a gravel driveway near the highway.

Focuses on organic produce from their farm on site as well as property near Red Bluff (about a 4 hour drive north of here). Because of the two drastically different growing climates (Petaluma best for leafy green things), while the summer heat of red Bluff and the often colder winters – produce a variety of stone fruits they offer a wide range of seasonal produce. We have found the prices significantly less then at all the area farmers’ markets. For more information, visit: www.greenstringfarm.com

Grossi Farms and Pumpkin Patch are located at 6652 Petaluma Hill Road at East Cotati Avenue in Rohnert Park. They specialize in organic vegetables, especially white corn, tomatoes, herbs, lettuce, six varieties of melons, and gourds. Pick your own pumpkins are available in October. Pick your own strawberries are available in season. They are open from mid May through October. Call Phone Number (707) 664-1602 for hours and more information.

Imwalle Gardens is always one of our favorites stops when shopping in Santa Rosa namely because its small, family owned and you don’t have the crowds that you have at larger supermarkets. In addition, they have a good selection of starter plants and vegetables when in season. Just because they are a small family farm does not mean the produce is always top quality. When buying produce always be careful – it seems like they get some of their produce from the same companies the larger supermarkets use – their fruit really varies in quality depending on when you are there. We’ve had quite a bit of fresh fruit and vegetables yet also fruit they should never be selling. However, in our experience – if you ask about the flavor of certain produce, you will get an honest answer!

This “urban” family owned and operated farm is located near Highway 12 at 685 W. 3rd Street within minutes driving of downtown Santa Rosa and has been here for many years. The staff is friendly and helpful and they tend to be long time employees. The family also works here – and you can spot them most every day (not sure if they ever have a day off). Generally there are no long lines, especially early in the morning – although summer weekends can be busy in the afternoon. Prepare for a cold shopping experience in the dead of winter as the interior is not heated. Typically an older clientele frequents Imwalle’s although younger shoppers often show up on the weekends. Shopping here is a refreshing experience and a throwback to the old days when Santa Rosa was a much smaller town.

Middleton Farm is located in Healdsburg at 2651 Westside Road at Felta Road. They sell organic fruit and vegetables. They are open May through October from 9am to 5:30pm, Monday through Saturday, although they are closed on Thursdays. Phone Number (707) 433-4755

Oak Hill Farm is located near Glen Ellen just off of Highway 12. This 700-acre ranch has been producing for over 50 years. Depending on the time of year they harvest two hundred varieties of vegetables, fruit, flowers, perennial greenery and herbs. Open to the public with very limited hours on Saturdays only. They also participate in several farmer’s markets in the town of Sonoma and provide produce to high end restaurants in San Francisco.

As you drive in the fields of veggies are to your right. Keep driving their gravel road until you reach the red barn. Some of their products are available for sale here. For more information visit: www.oakhillfarm.net

Pear Man is located off of Nielsen Road off of Chanate Road just down from Sutter Hospital (the old Community Hospital). This small Bartlett pear orchard is surrounded by residential neighborhoods and bordered by the former Memorial Hospital property. For many years they used to sell pears in the 80’s and early 90’s and then stopped for about 15 years. Within the past few years they opened up again (kids and grand kids living here now) and usually in late July and into August you can pull into their driveway and purchase pears. It is awesome the family can keep this tradition going! This is as mom and pop as it gets and their listing is NOT on any maps and you will not be able to find it in Google. Look for the home made sign out on Chanate (like the one in the photo to the right) when they are open for business. Cash only – several size boxes are available for purchase.

Santa Rosa Seafood is located on the east side of Santa Rosa Avenue (946 SR Ave) near the intersection of Petaluma Hill Road. This small market has an excellent range of seafood – both local and from elsewhere. Tasty smoked salmon is sometimes given out as samples – smoked on site – and when its smoking the tantalizing odors waft into the nearby neighborhood. We have even smelled wafts floating by blocks away. Clams, oysters, scallops, lobster, fresh live and cooked crab when in season – and top notch sushi and sashimi grade fish are available.

Nothing here is cheap – but you get what you pay for the and the quality is excellent. During season, the crab seems fresher and tastes better than crab we have purchased at other super markets in town. It is about time Santa Rosa has a market of this caliber. Phone (707) 280-2285