Sonoma Celebrates Dia de Los Muertos: The Day of the Dead

You know you're in Sonoma when three nonprofits collaborate to promote culture, fine arts and diverse populations, free to the community. La Luz Center, Sonoma Community Center and Sonoma Valley Museum of Art will participate in a Dia de Los Muertos celebration on Sunday, November 1. Dia de Los Muertos is the Central American holiday based on the belief that the dead can visit the living during this time. Altars created by locals commemorate the lives of the deceased with flowers, pictures and favorite foods. Sonoma's Dia de Los Muertos will be a festive event with seperate altar viewing locations, food and music. 

1-4 PM: La Luz Center, 17560 Gregor Street
              Altar viewing

4-5 PM: Sonoma Valley Museum of Art, 551 Broadway
              Altar viewing with music

5    PM: Luminaria Lighted Procession from Sonoma Valley Museum to Sonoma Community
              Center

5-7 PM: Sonoma Community Center, 276 E. Napa Street
              Altar viewing with music and food    

Di Rosa Preserve Art and Nature

Di Rosa Preserve, in Napa, is an amazing museum of art within a peaceful natural setting on 217 acres. Located just off the Sonoma Highway, nestled between vineyards and Winery Lake, the museum displays an eclectic collection of modern art. David Best's adorned cars are like nothing I've ever seen. He's taken automobiles and covered them with items large and small from junk yards. The effect is like looking at a automobile-sized Eye Spy book. Rhinocar, made out of a 1976 Oldsmobile is something to behold.
Click to view my photo album. Peacocks roam freely about the grounds, suspiciously eyeing visitors. At the end, my two hour tour was not enough time to see it all. I will return.
5200 Sonoma Highway • Napa, California 94559 707.226.5991

Hours

9:30 am—3:00 pm, Wednesday through Friday
Open with tour reservation on Saturday
Closed Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and holidays

Admission

Free to Members and children under 12. People using wheelchairs, seniors, and students receive a $3 discount on all tours.

General admission to Gatehouse Gallery is free of charge
$10 — Introductory Tour (1 hour)
$15 — Discovery tour
(weekdays, 2 hours / Saturdays, 2.5 hours)

Sonoma Valley Regional Park

You know you're in Sonoma when you see and hear Acorn Woodpeckers at the Sonoma Valley Regional Park, located off of Highway 12, just outside of Glen Ellen. These little guys in their black and white suits with red hats sure were busy tapping and preparing for winter. Sonoma offers up many opportunities for family friendly adventures. My family and I had a lovely walk on a paved path through the dry brush and oak trees today. We even brought our dog, so she could have a romp in Elizabeth Perrone Dog Park, a one acre, enclosed playland for dogs complete with drinking fountain and doggy gazebo. When we finished our walk and romp, we settled in for a picnic on the nicely appointed grounds. Parking fee is $6 and dogs must be on leash.

Overlook Trail

The Overlook Trail is one of my families favorite hikes in the area. We often take guests from out of town on this easy hike with a breath taking view of the city of Sonoma. On a clear day we can even see San Francisco from the top. Notice the red earthed vineyards of nearby Sebastiani Winery and the smell of native bay trees. For the trip down, we always cut through old Mountain Cemetary and marvel at the ancient moss covered grave sites of our founding Sonomans. The hike is an easy two-mile loop trail. Take First Street West from the Plaza, just past the Veteran's Cemetary on the right. Leave the pooches at home though; dogs are not permitted.

Join in the Fun at the Vintage Festival This Weekend

I for one can't wait to toss a potato at a salami during the festivities at Vintage Festival. I'm feeling very lucky.

5th Graders Create Amazing Sunflower Art

The fifth graders at Prestwood School have created beautiful drawings of sunflowers.  These pictures are being made into notecards for sale to help fund a trip to Point Bonita. Packs of 10 are $15.