Cafes are our public living rooms — cozy, well-worn spots to curl your fingers around a warm cup of coffee or generous glass of wine. It’s where you meet friends, plug-in to catch up on work or just tune out with a book for an hour or two. And instead of the eat and run rush, there’s an irresistible pull to just sit a spell and let the world go by.
Sound like your kind of spot? Check out a few local cafes — most of which are open well into the evening — offering a well-marked exit ramp from the rat race.
Cheers to that…
Local hang-outs with beer, wine (and sometimes cocktails) where you’ll feel like a regular — or wish you were.
boon eat + drink: The perfect post-river repast. Panini, burgers, fries
and salads made with spanking-fresh local ingredients (whenever
possible), wicked ice cream from SF’s Humphrey Slocombe and
neighborhood wines. Semi al-fresco with a ringside seat to downtown
Guerneville’s scene. 16248 Main St., Guerneville, 869-0780.
zazu: The roadhouse restaurant has one of the friendliest bars in town,
with by-the-glass pours from under-the-radar Russian River wineries.
Not to mention a view of the kitchen and plenty of small plate nibbles,
should you get hungry while working on the great American novel. 3535
Guerneville Road, Santa Rosa, 523-4814.
Barn Diva: The back patio is a rur-ban retreat from the
not-quite-bustle of downtown Healdsburg. Retire with a precocious
little cocktail, a few good friends and a toast to the good life. 231
Center St., Healdsburg, 431-0100.
Ace in the Hole Cider Pub: Hidden in plain sight is a tiny oasis of
American-made hard ciders, barbecued oysters, fish and chips and pub
grub. Tee-up on single putt-putt hole or just peruse the Sunday paper
like you’ve got nothing better to do. Live music every day, open until
9:30pm Sunday through Thursday, Until 10pm on Friday and Saturday.
3100 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol, (707) 829-1101
Aqus Cafe: Foundry Wharf’s coffee and croissant clatch goes way beyond
simple morning fuel. The Petaluma arts community calls this packed
little cafe its home away from home, with live music, art, film and a
passionate community folk gathered round its tables. Open for dinner
until 9pm Thursday and Friday, until 10pm Saturday. Board games for
kids and adults each Wednesday from 2:30 to 4:30pm. 189 H Street,
Petaluma CA (707) 778-6060.
Java Jolt
The best place to get work done while simultaneously
jolting your brain into alertness. Comfy seats, the smell of roasting
beans, that funky guy in the corner playing guitar – resistance is
futile.
Coffee Catz: Kitschy faux-Victorian boudoir style only adds to the
Sebastopolian groove of this long-time coffeehouse/open mike
night/acoustic jam spot. WiFi-enabled. Hours vary depending on the day,
but they’re usually open until 6pm or so. 6761 Sebastopol Ave,
Sebastopol. (707) 829-6600
Flying Goat Coffee: “The Goat” on the square (324 Center St., (707)
433-3599) is Healdsburg’s defacto meet-up spot, where you’re almost
guaranteed to spot neighbors and co-workers sipping lattes over the
latest gossip. Open Monday through Sunday until 7pm. The Santa Rosa
location in the old Western Hotel (10 Fourth St., 575-1202) is also a
local haunt, and according to Jeff Dwyer of the Ghost Hunter’s Guide to
California’s Wine Country, home to a resident spirit.
A’roma Roasters: It’s often a challenge to find an open seat at this
eclectic Railroad Square roastery/ice cream shop. Writers, artists,
students and the bohemian-set commingle happily, sating munchies,
catching rays outside and regulating caffeine deficiencies. Wifi, open
mic and live music. Open late. 95 5th Street, Santa Rosa, 707-576-7765.
Coffee Bazaar: A cozy local java joint with an attached used book shop?
Pinch me, I’m dreamin. Wifi & open mic nights. 14045 Armstrong
Woods, Guerneville, (707) 869-9706. Northlight Books & Cafe, 550 E.
Cotati Ave., Cotati, 792-4300.
Cafe Azul: Comfy chairs, WiFi, frequent live music acts and
ever-changing art make this downtown newcomer to the java scene a
welcome addition to the mid-morning coffee-break lineup — or a happy
hour alternative. WiFi, soup, panini and pastries. Open until 9pm
Monday through Thursday, 10pm Friday and Satruday and 8pm on Sunday.
521 4th Street, Santa Rosa, (707) 636-0180.
Add your favorite chill-out spot…
Where IS Java Jolt. No address given in the article. Thanks
Cafe Noto has hands down the best coffee, atmosphere and talented baristas. They’re getting a fireplace in about 2 weeks which is going to make the place even better!!
We are very fortunate here in West County to have the wonderful Gold Coast Cafe and Bakery in Duncans Mills.This very welcoming spot offers great coffee,from beans roasted on-site(organic) delicious pastries and pizza and an assortment other drinks. There are a few chairs out front for people-watching,but the big deck out back is often sunny and a perfect place to ‘chillax’(thanks,Bernie Mac)!Pet friendly,too!
Water Street Bistro – Petaluma
Excellent homemade food. Nice view of the river. Barista Ted makes the best capuccinos this side of the Mississippi if you ask me…
Cafe Noto in Windosr, great coffee and great atmosphere.
Cafe Noto in Windosr, great coffee and great atmosphere.
The last time I was at The Filling Station on College Avenue we got a special treat. The Fondettes were there singing a set of their favorites. Have you heard them at the So Co Fair or at KSRO or at some of the local joints around town? So great!
3 teenage girls with a true love & appreciation for Andrews Sisters inspired 1940′s & 1950′s music–they have the look, the moves, and the voices! Not sure when they’re playing at The Filing Station again but what a treat!
http://thefondettes.webs.com/
Just back from Miami and Puerto Rico – looking for a good cafe crema ~ any ideas? Strong, hot, rich and tastes like coffee – not just strong. Cuban has the sweetness. Maybe Cafe Coqui?
The absolute coolest, funkiest, most Sonoma-County coffee spot of all HAS to be Hardcore. I take all my out-of-town visitors there. It is truly unique!
Flying Goat has the BEST Coffee and Vibe.
Aroma is bland – trying too be cool but isn’t – Aroma lost it’s vibe and good coffee many years ago.
Used to live close to aromas and liked that they’re open late & have free wifi. But then I realized: the coffee sucks, everything is overpriced, and the atmosphere is unfriendly. I was told I had to buy something for every hour I took up a seat in an EMPTY ROOM.
Just in case anyone is wondering, that is Aqus Cafe owner John Crowley at left. The photograph accompanying this blog post was made by Petaluma photographer Nina Zhito, and it originally appeared in an about Aqus Cafe that appeared in Petaluma Magazine. The occasion of the photograph was a performance of live music on Saturday mornings: Another reason why Aqus is special to so many people. Thank you for reminding us, and for featuring it so prominently.
I was a long time customer since I can recall and recently a everyday customer of Aroma Roasters of Santa Rosa. For the last 3years I was in that place everyday, even on some weekends. It was a nice place where everyone from every walk of life could find a warm place, a hot cup, and some neat people to look at all on equal ground. Then the posted “Rules” came out, and blatant humiliation of the homeless and other “less then socially acceptable’s” being “band” for the simple reason that they didn’t
“present well”, not because they didn’t have cash….. That had beyond soured me. I just would like to put that out their for anyone who gives a RIP about humanity!
Hardcore Espresso in Sebastopol!! Best coffee around. Great outdoor lounge.
THE BLUE CANOE IN ANCHOR BAY. Janine and Julia serve exceptional coffee drinks, good cheer and oversee a very pleasant space to engage in intellectual discourse or just discussions of the weather.