We have stayed or dined at locations that have the carousel next to their name where they are listed in our guides.
We offer our reviews of them to help you plan your getaways!
When you stop by, please be sure to tell them we said, " HI!"

Hidden Oak Inn
Sonoma, California

Valerie Patterson greeted us with a big smile as we arrived for our only review in Sonoma. The home is located just a short walk from the Town Square was built in 1915 by Ralph E. Murphy, initially as a bungalow. It had been home to many families before being purchased in 1984 to become a bed and breakfast. Last May, Valerie and her husband, Donald saw a dream and are following it.......all the way from Texas. where they were born & raised.

As we approached the home, we could see just a hint of the wisteria beginning to bloom all across the front of the large porch. Set with wicker chairs and tables, it was an inviting place to sit in the cool breeze and read a book. There is a large common area on your left as you enter the home and just inside the door is an adorable wooden butler with a tray of candies. The common area leads you to a large dining table where a continental breakfast awaits you each morning through the week and a full breakfast is served on weekends. Another place to relax, just off the dining area, has a beautiful gas fireplace, a sofa and huge chair with loads of books and magazines awaiting you.

We continued on the tour to the second floor where the three guest rooms are located. Family portraits adorn the wall as you navigate the stairs. On the landing is a desk with courtesy phone for guests (with a dataport for those of us who must carry a laptop everywhere!) and a guest refrigerator. The clean lines of the architecture of the home reflect its time period. Valerie & Don have renovated two of the guest rooms recently and are always on the prowl for period antiques! Behind the inn, is a pool that is being scheduled for renovation to conform to commercial codes.

We were shown to the Oak Room. It had a queen bed, 2 side chairs, and an armoire. It also had a private bath with a very large enclosed tub/shower. Mike soaked with the heat lamps on to relax his muscles after the massage at Sonoma Spa. While Cindy enjoyed a book on the front porch, I downloaded pictures of the day's travels. When we returned from our dinner at Maya, which Valerie had arranged, there were chocolate chip cookies waiting for us on top of the refrigerator just outside our door.

Coffee was waiting for Cindy at 7:30 and breakfast was available at 8:45. Valerie served up a fresh fruit plate with kiwi, strawberries, bananas, cantaloupe, honeydew melon and pears, along with fresh baked scones, butter & jam. Also available were orange juice, apple juice, coffee and a wide selection of teas. On the sideboard we could choose from 3 different kinds of cereals and a variety of yogurt. As we dined, we talked with Valerie, her son and a visiting nephew from Vermont. Cindy had met Don earlier as he was on his way out for the morning.

Soon after breakfast, it was time for us to be back on the road.

When planning your next trip the the wonderful little town of Sonoma, with its preserved historic buildings, shopping and restaurants, be sure to contact Hidden Oak Inn for a great, relaxing place to stay....and tell them Cruising America says HI!

A Winding Road * (formerly Cruising America) * 6301 Cotton St., Pensacola, FL 32526 * 850-292-1599 * freedom@awindingroad.net

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