Sonoma County has many wonderful local options for gift giving. The following pages include all the details about some of our favorite things (spoiler, they aren’t all things!) during this season of exchanging gifts—especially for those hard-to-buy-for people. And pro-tip: all of these options are also great as treats for yourself during the post-holiday decompression!
Out of this World
Retro Lodging at Astro Motel Delights
BY JESS TAYLOR
Need a place to send your out-of-town guests that will delight them more than your pullout couch? Or looking for a generous stay-cation gift for that person who doesn’t need another thing? Send them back in time to the historic Astro Motel, where every choice, from the Sputnik ceiling lamp to a portrait of the Kennedys, is part of their curated mid-century modern vibe. With its supreme location next to Juilliard Park in Santa Rosa’s SoFA District, guests are steps away from art studios, local shops, and the gastronomic excellence of the Spinster Sisters restaurant. Free pourings from local wineries happen most Fridays and the “gift shop” is a whimsically stocked vending machine containing socks, vintage paperbacks, postcards, DIY watercolor kits, melatonin chocolates, iron-on patches, and even a CD featuring local bands.
theastro.com • 707-200-4655
323 Santa Rosa Avenue, Santa Rosa
Sage Gifts
A Dose of Good Vibes at Remedy Acupuncture & Apothecary
BY KARY HESS
While stocking up on your remedies for those winter sniffles, do a little holiday and self-care shopping. Remedy Acupuncture & Apothecary is packed with everything you need for winter’s ailments and gift giving: tinctures, Chinese herbs, syrups, oils, fire cider, and the like, plus chocolate, crystals, books, and other feel-good gifts, many of which are crafted by local makers. Whether you’re hunting for a holiday gift or a little something for yourself, Remedy’s selection of eco-friendly wellness items makes shopping easy. Plus, everything is thoughtfully chosen to support sustainable living. Stop by Remedy for a dose of good vibes and creative gifting ideas.
petalumacommunityacupuncture.com • 707-778-8645
21 Kentucky Street Petaluma
Long May They Reign
King’s Nursery Beautifying Gardens Since 1896
BY URSA BORN
The area’s oldest family-run garden center, King’s Nursery has been beautifying Sonoma County since 1896. Voted “Best Nursery” by Press Democrat readers for the last 13 consecutive years, the garden center is tucked away in the historic McDonald neighborhood in Santa Rosa. King’s confides that they are, “loaded with stuff you don’t see anywhere else,” like award-winning Weeks and Star roses, 75+ varieties of sweet peas, unique custom-planted pots and baskets, premium flower bulbs, fragrant peonies, and many other one-of-a-kind garden delights. Considering Sonoma County’s year-round planting possibilities, you don’t have to wait for spring to add food and flowers to your garden. King’s is always flush with seasonal starts, seeds, gardening tools, flowers, perennials, and everything else you need to get growing.
kingsflowernursery.com • 707-542-4782
1212 13th Street, Santa Rosa
Open Daily 9am-5pm
For Living + Giving
Mavis + Mavis
BY KARY HESS
While Erin Mavis Clothing in Cloverdale has long been a boutique known for stylish and sustainable fashion, now they have a home and lifestyle shop too! Mavis + Mavis offers a curated selection of gifts and home decor-including ethically made, timeless pieces perfect for the eco-conscious person in your life. From artisan-made ceramics and sculptural decor to chic textiles, Mavis + Mavis offers versatile options that blend home comfort with modern flair. Plus, they carry local artisan jewelry and handcrafted goods, so whether shopping for a birthday or the holidays (or yourself!), Mavis + Mavis is a go-to for thoughtful, on-trend gifts.
erinmavis.com • IG: @mavismaviscloverdale
117 N Cloverdale Boulevard, Cloverdale
Freestone Flyer
Black Kite Cellars’ Jasper House Wine Tasting Room
BY DAEDALUS HOWELL
Recently opened, the Jasper House Wine Tasting Room is the brainchild of Tom and Rebecca Green Birdsall, a natural complement to their family-owned Black Kite Cellars. The winery has been producing site-specific pinot noir and chardonnay from Sonoma County’s coastal appellations since 2003, thanks to the efforts of lauded winemaker Jeff Gaffner.
Located near Freestone icons such as Wild Flour Bread and Osmosis Day Spa, the tasting room happily hosts by-appointment tastings daily to pamper out-of-town guests. Wine fans can savor the 2021 Jasper Freestone Pinot Noir—brimming with vibrant berries and minerality—or the 2021 Jasper Freestone Chardonnay, featuring hints of lemon zest and fresh gingerbread, among other choice selections. Pick up a bottle or two for the wine lovers on your list.
BlackKiteCellars.com • 707-312-1678
12747 El Camino Bodega, Freestone
Open daily 10am–5pm
Fresh Roast
Award-Winning Black Oak Coffee Is On Everyone’s List
BY JESS TAYLOR
Healdsburg’s Black Oak Coffee takes their coffee seriously. Headed by a roaster who won the US Coffee Taster’s Cup Championship in 2017, this company sources from 27 different countries. Black Oak prides itself on paying above fair-trade prices, using mostly renewable energy in housew and donating 1% of their profits to supporting the mission of World Coffee Research. Surprise the java lover in your life with a subscription to this two-time national award winner for best roasters. Every month, they will receive two 12-ounce bags of different beans shipped within 48 hours of roasting. Also available are individual bags of coffee, coffee bundles, tea bundles, and other cute Black Oak merch.
blackoakcoffee.com • 866-390-1427
324 Center Street, Healdsburg
Open daily 7am-5pm
Bitter Is the New Sweet
FloraLuna Apothecary Shines
By KARY HESS
Make your holiday gathering’s tasty cocktails and mocktails the talk of the town with the help of FloraLuna Apothecary. Known for their award-winning signature bitters and syrups, FloraLuna Apothecary is the go-to for your holiday party drink planning — and for gift giving, with selections of bitters and syrups including Citrus Basil and Coffee Cacao Peppercorn. And for a gift that keeps on giving, they offer a quarterly subscription gift box packaged with bitters, syrups, and a unique infusion kit for crafting your own botanical infused spirit, liqueur or non-alcoholic cordial or tea —with a free mystery item in each box! For a quick last-minute gift, purchase gift cards to Floraluna’s online shop.
Let the Games Begin
Goblin Bros. Games & Gear
BY URSA BORN
What better way to spend quality time with holiday guests or while away the winter doldrums than playing games with loved ones ‘round the hearth? With locations in Petaluma and now in the former Disguise the Limit space in Santa Rosa’s historical Railroad Square, Goblin Bros. Games & Gear is the premiere place in Sonoma County for tabletop games and “gifts for geek enthusiasts.” Their vast selection covers everything from board game classics to role-playing starter packs alongside an impressive array of miniatures and stocking accoutrement, ensuring entertainment throughout the holiday season and beyond.
Santa Rosa: 129 4th Street • 707-608-4171
Petaluma: 133 Kentucky Street • 707-780-2048
Hours: Monday–Thursday 11am–8pm | Friday 11am–9pm, Saturday 10am–9pm | Sunday 10am–8pm
Spice It Up
Sonoma Spice Queen Rules the Holidays
BY KARY HESS
What to give that coworker whose name you drew in the gift swap or your cousin who you don’t know that well? Or even a good friend to whom you want to give something meaningful, but has everything she needs? The woman-owned Sonoma Spice Queen has you covered. This Petaluma-based shop offers a wide variety of high-quality spices, herbs, seasonings, salts, oils and vinegars, cocktail mixers, hot chocolate, mugs, dishtowels, and more, beautifully packaged for holiday giving. From unique spice blends and hard-to-find ingredients to cocktail kits and box sets of spices, salts or chocolates, you’ll find the ideal holiday gift that elevates everyday cooking into something special. Sonoma Spice Queen is your go-to for thoughtful, delicious gifts.
sonomaspicequeen.com • 707-776-7678
9 4th Street, Petaluma
Open Monday-Saturday 10:30am-5:00pm | Sunday 11am-4pm
Botanical Elegance
Nomad Botanicals Infuses Everyday Moments with Ritual
BY KARY HESS
Routine moments transform into wellness rituals with Nomad Botanicals hand-blended essential oil collections, parfums, elixirs, and serums, crafted with the finest botanicals. Great for birthdays, holidays, or even a post-holiday self-care treat. Nomad also regularly offers high touch workshops and classes in perfumery and aromatherapy that make great experiential gifts. And for someone extra special, check out their botanical perfume retreat in Provence, France during Summer Solstice 2025. There, attendees will make their own perfume, enjoy local chef-made meals, and relax in a beautiful villa in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur.
Sugar, Spice, & Everything Nice
Sebastopol Cookie Company Is What Dreams Are Made Of
BY JESS TAYLOR
Don’t be fooled by Sebastopol Cookie Company‘s tiny little storefront on Main Street; this beloved bakery delivers big—in myriad cookie flavors (including triple chocolate chip and lemon lavender), in choices for special orders (baked soft or crisp, GF or vegan), and in consistently cheerful customer service. One of the longest-running businesses in downtown Sebastopol, they also sling scones, muffins, breakfast sandos, coffee beverages, and even dog treats (named “dookies” and shaped accordingly). So, whether you need a quick pick-me-up during a chilly shopping spree, a deliciously edible gift, or a few dozen cookies for the office party—they’ve got you.
sebastopolcookiecompany.com • 707-824-4040
168 N Main Street, Suite A, Sebastopol
Tue-Sat 8:30-5pm | Sun 9-3pm
Wanna Kokedama?
Cat-Hawk Gardens Provides Unique, Nature-Inspired Gifts
BY KARY HESS
For an ideal gift for plant lovers, pick up a Kokedama from Cat-Hawk Gardens. They’re a great solution for that hard-to-buy-for person. The beautifully handcrafted Kokedamas—Japanese-style moss ball planters—make a stunning statement in any home or garden. Find them throughout Sonoma County at Bliss Organic Day Spa, Flower Casita, Lunchette, Penngrove Market, or Remedy Acupuncture & Apothecary—or at a holiday craft fair (their website is kept current with upcoming in-person events). Cat-Hawk also offers workshops for those who want to learn to make their own Kokedamas—another fun gift for the person who has everything. Whether for a seasoned gardener or a plant newbie, Cathawk Garden’s Kokedamas are sure to delight. Give the gift of greenery and style this holiday season!
cathawkgardens.com • 707-338-4050
Take a Hike!
Sonoma County Regional Parks Pass
BY URSA BORN
Although every season in Sonoma County is alluring, there is something particularly enchanting about wintertime. Whether mushroom hunting beneath the redwoods after a good rain or exploring the soft, neon green hillsides during our annual January false spring, the natural diversity and beauty of this region cannot be beat. A Sonoma County Regional Parks pass grants year-round access to 59 spectacular parks and beaches from Petaluma to Gualala and Sonoma to Bodega Bay, many offering wild landscapes and miles of trails. For just $69 for general membership, $49 for seniors, and $29 for people with disabilities, passes are a great gift for anyone who loves to enjoy nature and can be purchased via Sonoma County Regional Parks website and kiosks or at many local participating stores.