Healdsburg

Buried deep in wine country, “a retreat for the modern age” is an apt descriptor for the new-ish Montage. Less than two hours from San Francisco, the property is as much a wellness destination as it is a wine-centric one. The spa is next level, with a roster of both traditional and more cutting-edge treatments available. Meanwhile, yoga happens outside amongst the vineyards. At its core, the Montage Healdsburg is a classic California resort: Understated, aesthetically respectful of the natural surroundings, and resolutely upmarket. Given the property sits on 250 acres, you are saturated in vines, oak trees, and native flowers at every turn—the level of space and isolation is total bliss. And the hotel has every amenity you can think of (with great activities for kiddos). The concierge crew are whizzes at arranging private tastings, tours, and bespoke dining experiences throughout the Sonoma Valley. Images courtesy of Christian Horan.

Tucked into Healdsburg, SingleThread Farm is located on a stretch of five acres between the Russian River and San Lorenzo Ranch.

Located on the west side of Healdsburg, this hotel puts you within walking distance of all the downtown wineries and restaurants. (You can also borrow one of the hotel's PUBLIC bikes to explore.)

The team farms the vineyards organically, avoiding the use of insecticides, herbicides, or chemical toxins, and solar power provides the energy to keep the 330-plus acre spread running (80 percent of which they keep wild to allow for the natural growth of local trees and other botanicals).

You’ll be stunned by the wide-open space replete with floor-to-ceiling windows and a grand patio that offers some of the best views in the valley.

For chef Dustin Valette, the history in this space dates back to the 1930s when his great grandfather owned the property.

Spoonbar has a great menu with California-style cuisine, but the biggest draw is the cocktails.

We've heard the entire menu is great, but we can't say for sure, as we always go for the chicken paillard with fries.

Shed occupies what is possibly the most elegant pre-engineered metal garage we've ever seen: It's equipped with all kinds of innovations for efficiency and sustainability, like photovoltaic panels, elegant exposed wood, and wide garage doors that can be opened up for ventilation on hot days. They call their space a grange, which is a British term for a house with farming sheds attached, and the space certainly has an agricultural feel. It's a unique hybrid that's part market, part café, and part farm, with a community garden and fermentation bar to boot—it's also a community space where they host events and workshops about cooking and gardening (we're signing up for how to make preserves and saving seeds).

While this is the spot to discover the region’s best produce and artisan-made goods, from olive oils to fresh bread, it’s also mecca for drop-dead gorgeous design.