petaluma, california
(1 hour from San Francisco)

With more than 30 antiques stores, 50 factory outlets, and dozens of restaurants and cafés, this historic Sonoma town is a shoppers' mecca--though hardly anyone realizes it, besides in-the-know decorators and collectors from San Francisco and L.A. Don't let them have all the fun. Start at Monarch Interiors (199 Petaluma Blvd. N.; 707/769-3092) for antique oriental rugs and pine farm tables; then hit Vintage Bank Antiques (101 Petaluma Blvd. N.; 707/769-3097) for early-20th-century California paintings and 1940's kitchen tablecloths. Break for afternoon tea--scones, crumpets, cucumber sandwiches--at the Maria of London Tea Room (2 Liberty St.; 707/762-5251; tea for two $40). Veddy proper, you know. The Cavanagh Inn (10 Keller St.; 707/765-4657; rooms from $85) is within striking distance of downtown shops; after a long day trolling for bargains, cool off in the courtyard garden with a glass of Sonoma Valley wine.

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