Every year just before the Holidays, I take readers on a tour of the small shops and small towns in my newspaper distribution route - from Healdsburg to the north to Valley Ford to the south, out along the coast and all the small towns in between. I introduce my favorite people and stores because I want shoppers to see the value of shopping locally - to meet the people they support with their shopping dollars. When we shop locally we not only support our neighbors and community, we also gain the pleasure of discovering people and places in our home turf, seeing wide open spaces, waves crashing on beaches, sheep bouncing on hills - flowers blooming along side the road - it's a muti-dimensional experience.

This version of the Tour is my original text that had to be edited for the print version. Over time I will come back, add items, add photos and we blinks to the full list of businesses if they have one. In the mean time - this will get you started.

Enjoy this beautiful place we call home.

Sonoma County Small Town Shopping Tour »