Sonoma County Businesses Offering Virtual Tours and Events
SANTA ROSA, April 03, 2020 – While individuals are social distancing and following shelter in place orders to contain COVID-19, Sonoma County businesses are creating virtual experiences that individuals can engage with from home. As everyone waits for their beloved places to open again, we have curated a sampling of ways to enjoy Sonoma County from home.
VIRTUAL TOURS
Charlie's Acres
Every Tuesday and Thursday, Wise Acre Farm will show rescued animal residents of Charlie's Acres and share their stories to educate people about the lives of farmed animals. The farm will feature a different species during each of the videos, and once they have made it through all 140 of the animal residents, they will start doing special tours such as ‘breakfast with the pigs’ and ‘bedtime for animals’. Charlie’s Acres is a non-profit farm animal sanctuary. Tours occur from 2 to 2:30 p.m. PST, with an upcoming tour date on April 7.
Wise Acre Farm
Wise Acre Farm is an increasingly self-sustaining egg farm with the goal to raise chickens humanely. With 1,500 hens, 350 chicks, 4 goats, 2 geese and 1 big dog, the farm provides the healthiest farm fresh eggs -all hand washed and sorted by size and quality. Since they created the first known egg vending machine of its kind in operation in the United States, individuals can pick up farm-fresh eggs at any time. Before eventually opening the first Saturday of the month for farm tours, enjoy their virtual tours.
Safari West
Safari West is bringing a little bit of safari to everyone’s homes by saying ‘our gates are closed but our hearts are still open’. While the dedicated animal caretakers are still hard at work with the wildlife during this time, they are sharing an inside look at what it’s like to interact and take care of the safari animals. Videos can be found on Safari’s West’s Facebook page.
VIRTUAL ARTS & CRAFTS
The Museum of Sonoma County
The Museum of Sonoma County is sharing activities through its website and social media channels and are encouraging people to tag their artwork on Instagram for a chance to have it shared in their Instagram story. Individuals are also encouraged to follow their Insta-stories to see what other local artists are making at home. Their website features video tours of exhibitions and behind-the-scenes footage, plus a downloadable coloring book of iconic Sonoma County sites. To enjoy their Virtual Escape Room experience, click here.
The Children's Museum of Sonoma County
The Children’s Museum of Sonoma County is sharing information, safety practices, and fun tips for at-home activities. Every Friday at 10 a.m. PST, in place of their toddler programming TOTopia, they are sharing engaging toddler activities that families can do with at-home supplies. The first suggestion guides you in how to make a shredded paper sensory bin which you can find on Instagram.
VIRTUAL EXERCISE CLASSES
Guided Meditations
Shastri Joanne Martin Braun, Sonoma Shambhala Meditation Center, is leading meditations via Zoom every weekday morning for a half-hour from 7:30-8:00AM, followed by personal check-ins. If you prefer once a week, drop into Susie Cook’s 9:00AM class on Wednesdays. Craving nature? Margaret Lindgren, Unbeaten Path Tours & Yoga, is sharing her free guided meditations that you can view at your leisure. You’ll find a few of her favorite guided meditations as recited from the various books of Guru Rattana, featuring videos with stunning natural imagery. These guided meditations offer inspiration, and natural beauty, during a time when most of us remain indoors.
Audio & Virtual Yoga Classes
Join Three Dog Yoga for a daily home practice. Their (currently virtual) studio is a warm, welcoming space, and a vibrant, fun-loving community. They believe in playing big, sharing from the heart and creating joy on the planet. This combination of tradition and lightheartedness is the inspiration for the Three Dog culture and community.
All skill levels are welcome to connect via Zoom with Vinita Laroia of Yoga on Center in Healdsburg. Influenced by the natural world and the many places she has traveled, Vinita’s style is based on a sense of deep ecology and global philosophy. You can also follow daily guided meditations on her Instagram Live.
Finally, join Nina Jarnum of Foo Dog Yoga and Well Sonoma in IGTV classes and Zoom livestream yoga classes. Nina, a self-professed anatomy geek, likes bending the rules and challenging yoga dogma. Her approach to asana is based on bio-mechanic intelligence and she is known for her ability to break down handstands and arm balances, teaching students anatomically correct body engagement.
Jolene Beilstein
Certified Massage Therapist Jolene Beilstein has shifted her practice to offer personalized guided meditation and Hanna Somatic bodywork sessions via FaceTime or WhatsApp. Based on the teaching of Thomas Hanna, Beilstein will adapt this method of somatic movement instruction for a gentle at-home practice, with the goal of helping you regain voluntary control of habitually tight muscles. Pricing is the same as Beilstein’s in-person sessions, which are available on a sliding scale. Visit Beilstein’s website to book.
Spring of Light
Spring of Light is a new online meditation center hosted by musician Miles McKenzie. Music Director at St. Stephens Episcopalian Church in Sebastopol, McKenzie has adapted a Taize chant service to an online format and will stream it every Thursday at 7 p.m. PST. Participants are encouraged to sing and chant along from home. Every other night of the week, McKenzie is offering a shorter musical meditation. The meditations are non-religious and open to people of any faith or no faith. Watch and listen here.
VIRTUAL WINE PAIRINGS
Inman Wines
Inman Wines is hosting a series of “Meet the Maker” Happy Hours online featuring their wines that started April 1. Individuals are to pick one or more of their 3-packs of wine and 5 percent of the purchase will go straight to Meals on Wheels which provides elderly Americans with meals as well as assistance with errands. All times and dates for “Meet the Maker” Happy Hours can be found here.
Belden Barns
Belden Barns just launched its virtual Wine & Wishes tasting series on Sundays and each week will explore a new varietal/bottling from their portfolio, inviting participants to weigh in on attributes like taste, appearance, and perfect pairing ideas. On the agenda will be fun experiments to explore how the taste of the wine changes when paired with different random items from your stockpile. The virtual tasting schedule can be found here. And check out their wishing tree.
Kendall-Jackson
Sunday Night Virtual Tastings will now be offered with K-J Winemaster Randy Ullom. To pick up the wines ahead of time go to kj.com and use promo code KJ20 to receive 20 percent off at checkout or purchase the wine from your local grocery store or via delivery services like Instacart and Drizly. The short-format video features will be broadcasted to the winery’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
About Sonoma County
Experience Sonoma County, where Life Opens Up. Just as wine “opens up” when it’s allowed to breathe, Sonoma County inspires visitors to open up to new experiences. Just 30 miles north of San Francisco, Sonoma County is one of California’s top food and wine destinations, home to more than 425 wineries ranging from rustic to regal. Hike among towering redwoods, cruise along rugged Pacific coastline, and get to know inviting small towns. Or, just sit back and take it all in. Because here, you’re free to go your own way.
Birgitt Vaughan
Director of Global Media Relations
Sonoma County Tourism
707-522-5826
[email protected]
Editors: High-resolution photos can be found at
sonomacounty.smugmug.com/PhotoLibrary
Password: SoCoLifeOpensUp