This week we have a very special guest, and this time we actually, actually mean it: Karina Garcia stops by the Sonoma Spiel podcast to talk about "The Springs," a collection of small former resort towns (Fetters Hot Springs, Aqua Caliente, Boyes Hot Springs and El Verano) with great food options and places to explore.

Born in Mexico, raised in Boyes Hot Springs, Garcia details her life growing up in the neighborhood with parents who worked multiple jobs, including picking grapes at the end of summer. A proud graduate of Sonoma Valley High (Go Dragons!) and Santa Rosa Junior College (Go Bear Cubs!) and Sonoma State University (Go Seawolves!), Garcia also talks how she worked for a local Spanish-language television station (host of El Sabor de la Noche) and that eventually led to her career as part of the communications team for the County of Sonoma. She started the popular Charla Comunitaria (Community Chat) for Spanish speakers during Covid, and continued it as a way to connect with the Spanish-speaking community in the North Bay. Some of her memories of The Springs include watching Sunday soccer at Larson park and visiting with family, and then she talks some restaurants to check out in The Springs including Sonoma Eats Real Mexican Food (try to vegeterian mushroom or potato tacos,) La Hacienda (pitchers of margaritas on the patio) and Spread Lebanese Kitchen. And did you want taco trucks? We rattle through reviews of all of them...

Every week our podcast guests answer YOUR questions about wine country and visiting Sonoma. This week Garcia takes on:

I purchased the Plaza Tasting Pass. Do I now need to make reservations at the 3 wineries I am interested in? Are these tastings at the wineries or at the plaza? Thank you. - via text

Hi- we’ve lived in Kenwood for 25 years, but never been down here to the Sonoma Plaza. What is this city party everyone’s talking about?

How long does it take to get from SF airport to Petaluma/Sonoma?

Where can I find a food truck in and around Sonoma Valley - especially one open later at night?

We are heading back to San Francisco Airport tonight - any recommendations for things to see and do in San Francisco along the way?

We Get Questions is brought to you by the Sonoma Plaza Tasting Pass: Save up to 25% off tasting fees and choose three great wineries around the historic Sonoma Plaza. Details at https://bit.ly/SonomaTastingPass

Got questions about Sonoma Valley? You can email us at info@sonomavalley.com, text us or contact us through Facebook, Instagram, TikTok or just walk into one of our two visitor centers.

It's Sonoma Valley's top podcast and you find it wherever you find fine podcasts, including

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sonoma-spiel/id1634467429

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4UuskGhmJ3EkWQk8DObR9b

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiSa7rAVobsI8O_3xp7hIDPKRO9nBuvNF