Below is additional information to assist you in planning the weekend.
The eastbound lane of California State Route 37 is scheduled to close between 9 p.m. Friday and 5 a.m. Monday, April 26-29, for paving improvements between Sears Point south of Sonoma and Mare Island in Vallejo. This will significantly impact eastbound traffic on CA-37 during our Festival weekend. Please keep this in mind as you make your travel plans. Alternatively, we suggest taking US 101 North to Petaluma and 116 East, then left on Arnold Drive and right on Boyes Blvd. to the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn.
Sonoma typically enjoys sunny spring weather in late April, with average temperatures ranging from a high of 70°F to a low of 40°F. Mornings and evenings can be quite cool, so please pack a warm sweater or jacket.
Attire for all events is business casual. All Festival presentations and breakout sessions will take place indoors. The Pavilion and breakout rooms are climate-controlled, yet temperatures can vary significantly depending on where one sits. Breakfast and lunch will be served on the lawn across from the Pavilion. Once the sun goes down, it gets breezy and can get quite cold. For these reasons, we encourage you to dress in layers, including a sweater or warm jacket, to ensure your comfort in every environment.
There are three categories of seating. Platinum, Sponsor and Non-Sponsor. Ushers will be in each session room to assist all guests in finding a seat. Seats may not be blocked off, "saved, " or claimed for the whole day or weekend.
All Festival attendees are invited to enjoy lunch on Friday and Saturday, continental breakfast on Saturday and Sunday, and snacks and refreshments at session breaks throughout the weekend. Please let our Festival team at the Registration Desk know if you will not join us for any of these meals so we can plan accordingly.
Access to all Festival venues is limited to those wearing name badges. Please wear your badge at all times.
Though the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa has ample parking, how full it will get depends on how many additional events are taking place at the same time as our Festival. When space allows, guests may choose to self-park for free or at a charge for valet parking. If the onsite lots are full, guests will be directed to nearby overflow lots and then to remote lots.
Our Festival bookstore partner, Readers’ Books, will have a selection of books by Festival authors available for purchase. Speakers will sign their books for you on the bookstore patio shortly after their speaking time. The book signing schedule will be published in the Festival program and on event signage at the venue and announced from the stage. A limited number of titles will be pre-signed if you wish to avoid waiting in line for a signature.
You will find a complete schedule for the weekend here.
The safety of our attendees, speakers, staff, and volunteers is of utmost importance. We ask that you comply with any health mandates during the Festival and refrain from attending sessions if you have Covid-like symptoms. Even if it is not required, guests may wear masks if they feel more comfortable doing so. The buildings are well-ventilated, and the sessions are scheduled to allow attendees frequent opportunities to change their surroundings.
For the comfort and safety of all Festival guests, please do not bring your pets to sessions or meals. They will not be permitted at any of the Festival events and may not be left outside the premises. The hotel has a pet-friendly policy for guests staying at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, which we suggest you discuss with the hotel concierge. Consider boarding your dogs at Sonoma Dog Camp or Vintage Kennel Club.
Sonoma Valley Authors Festival is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, tax ID 84-4846165
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