Two-story town-home in the quiet bedroom community of Windsor, central to local Northern Sonoma County Wine Country attractions. The upstairs master bedroom and adjoining bath is duplicated downstairs with a bedroom / office and separate full bath. As seen in photo, the living room couch also pulls out to a queen size bed if needed. It is a very nice setup! Home was renovated 3 years ago with new cork flooring and carpeting, fresh enviro-sensitive paint, and second uv windows on every existing one, including the skylight. Clean and nonsmoking with a low-shedding pup (Tibetan terrier / Havanese mix). Smaller, easily accessible galley kitchen with full amenities. Features double french doors leading to cozy peaceful backyard oasis.

Northern Sonoma County is located about one hour north of the San Francisco Golden Gate bridge. It is a favorite destination for visitors from all over the world! The Healdsburg area is popular with food & wine connoisseurs, relaxation seekers and vineyard lovers. The area has become quite a hot wedding destination as well. Armstrong State Park features amazing hiking among the Giant Redwoods -- only found on the California / Oregon coast. Michelin rated dining is to be savored at Cyrus, Dry Creek Kitchen and Farmhouse Inn. Easy day trips are Calistoga, Sonoma, Napa, Marin County, San Francisco, and Berkeley.

Windsor, where I am located, is a charming community with amazing restaurants such as Ume and Kin (right around the corner!). The Windsor Town Green is a lovely place to relax, people and dog-watch and picnic. Sunday Farmer's market is my favorite in the area!! During the summer, thousands of people flock to the Green for weekly free concerts and movies on the lawn. The closest vineyards to my home are Rodney Strong and J Vineyards (< 10 min away by car). Have you ever seen photos of the famous & colorful hot-air balloons event? They are launched right here from the city of Windsor. It is not uncommon for me to walk out my door and see a beautiful striped hot air balloon suspended among the clouds above. The Santa Rosa Symphony (oldest symphony orchestra in CA) plays just a few exits down the road at the Wells Fargo Performing Arts Center.

As far as everyday conveniences, there is a local shopping center around the corner with 2 grocery stores (Raleys and Safeway), a pharmacy, dry cleaners, post office / ups, coffee and yogurt shops (+ pizza place and plenty of take-out options) and more. There is a Peet's coffee shop (local Bay Area favorite), Starbucks and Cafe Noto on the Town Green (which I highly recommend for the morning or afternoon coffee and pastry ritual).


Windsor: www.windsorchamber.com/visitors-and-community-1
Healdsburg: www.healdsburg.com
Santa Rosa: ci.santa-rosa.ca.us/visitors/Pages/StayShopPlay.aspx
Armstrong Redwoods: www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=450
Arts Events Calendar: www.sonomaarts.com

I am a friendly, mature and conscientious guest -- seeking others who will treat my home with similar respect to exchange with in 2012 / 2013. Local Bay Area, simultaneous and non-simultaneous exchanges are also possible.

I often travel with my partner who is a project manager / engineer in silicon valley. Although we adore local adventures with the pup, she does not normally travel with us for extended periods outside of the bay area. We both love animals and would happily give kitties and plants the attention they deserve.

In general, willing to entertain the idea of any fabulously interesting places for April - December 2012. Due to my flexible schedule, both short-term [week(s) / weekend local exchanges] and longer-term are possible. May also consider non-simultaneous exchanges.

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Seeking exchange in Cambridge, MA for Harvard Spring Term, 2013. Imagine escaping the frozen East Coast for a sabbatical in beautiful California Wine Country! (I went to college in upstate NY, so very familiar with the mid-winter snow fatigue :). Auto exchange may also be negotiable.

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In terms of local San Francisco exchange requests - as much as I love my place, I miss my Bay Area friends!! So would love to think about some short-term exchanges in the local area, preferably which will accept a 16 lb dog (non-shedder, non-chewer - boy, did I get lucky!).

Three years ago, I fled the Silicon Valley world of startups and financial services for the more calming energy of Northern Sonoma County. As a former professional woman (40), I feel lucky to live in this gorgeous region!! A year ago, I rescued a friendly, happy shelter dog -- and together, we are discovering even more of the beautiful parks and walking trails in the area. My San Francisco friends come up to visit at the "resort" (as they call it). After spending a couple years getting balance back, I'm now working toward a graduate degree in psychology. My interests are big trees, learning french, local & international travel, badly playing the cello and collecting antique books on hypnosis. I am a certified hypnotherapist who practices meditation, and therefore open to alternative practices, but not extremely "new-age-y". My sensibilities are modern and organized, and I try to make my home-sweet-home reflect that.

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