Informed shoppers will recognize the possibilities immediately and plunge in right away. On the other hand, if your idea of shopping is going out to buy socks when you finally run out, even you may fall under the spell cast by the picturesque streets of St. Helena and Calistoga. You may find yourself popping in and out of the shops and galleries clinging to the four sides of Sonoma's historic Plaza. And in the end, you may find yourself hooked. A stroll among Mendocino's dozens of specialty shops is certain to bring the credit cards out of your jeans pocket.
Wineries add to the galaxy of possibilities here.
And if you're into antiques, you're a goner for sure. Napa alone has enough antique items to fill 24,000 square feet in just one building. Santa Rosa has devoted most of a city block to the sale of antiques. And those are just the big ones. Oh, yes, and about those malls and outlets.