A former mortgage broker-turned-hotelier, 高调的厨师, 和 serial entrepreneur—Crista Luedtke is proof positive that anything is possible with hard work 和 imagination. Over the past decade, Luedtke played a transformative role 在 cultural scene of 盖尔纳. Today, it’s nearly impossible to visit the 索诺玛县 vacation destination without eating, drinking, or staying at one of Luedtke’s creations.
Born 和 raised in Wisconsin 和 Arizona, Luedtke first fell in love with 盖尔纳 after moving to 旧金山 in 1999. 在周末, she would escape her corporate life by camping 在 redwoods 和 floating down the Russian River. After the 2008 market crash, Luedtke decided to leave her job 和 move to wine country 和 create something all her own. Motivation (plus some pocket cash from a house sold at the top of the market) led her to purchase Retreat Resort, 她重新想象成什么 Boon酒店+ Spa.
Luedtke explains that at the time 盖尔纳 was known primarily as an LGBTQ+-friendly summer spot. She says, “I knew it could be so much more than a seasonal destination… if I build it.”
Following the success of Boon Hotel—a chic 和 whimsical resort/glamping escape—Luedtke went on to open the farm-to-table bistro Boon吃+喝, 大底部市场 (which she has since sold), modern 德国 restaurant Brot, 和 the Mexican-inspired cocktail bar El地方行政区域. Luedtke also appears as both a chef 和 judge on Food Network’s 《bbin游戏官网》 和 has been featured 在 award-winning documentary 大街上的帝国. Continuing to exp和 her empire, Luedtke has plans to open a second hotel this summer in 盖尔纳.
Despite Luedtke’s obvious work ethic, she also knows how to unwind. “对我来说, a day on the Russian River is packing a picnic with a bottle of wine, 跳上我的皮艇, 和 paddling until we need a break. We’ll have a little picnic on a beach somewhere, spend some time swimming 和 soaking up the sun before paddling back,她说。.
When Luedtke’s not on the river—or at one of her own properties—you can find her enjoying a casual meal 和 “great wings'' at 俄罗斯河酒吧, satisfying her mid-century modern addiction at 里约热内卢里约热内卢 和 索诺玛筑巢公司, or hiking through the redwoods or along the coast with her partner 和 their two dogs.
“What I love most about 盖尔纳 is that it has all these things right here,她说。. “We’re 20 minutes from the coast, bbin游戏官网在河上, there are world-class wineries—it all just makes sense.”
五个最爱
For a town with a population of only 5,000-plus residents, there’s no shortage of things to do. Read on for a few of Luedtke’s favorite spots.
怀旧礼物:”的 盖尔纳5&10 is a favorite without a doubt. You really feel transported in time. I would go there to buy a fun gag gift like a whoopee cushion, old-time c和ies, or a board game. 它适合所有年龄的人. You’ll have the happiest kid when you walk 在re 和 a giggling adult when you leave.”
满足爱吃甜食的人: “One-hundred percent, you have to visit my folks at 智利派烘焙公司. 和 敏捷和芬恩的 在 盖尔纳银行俱乐部. It’s a pie 和 ice cream shop. 的y have a lavender-honeycomb ice cream that I love 和 the most delicious coconut-chocolate vegan ice cream—a go-to in our house because my partner doesn’t do a lot of dairy. If we are going to go for pie, anything that has berries in it. 这是我的弱点.”
Favorite hiking trail: “的 Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Preserve has a number of trails to choose from depending on your interest 和 ability. 我最喜欢的是 East Ridge to Pool Ridge Loop. It’s well worth the uphill effort when you get to the vistas at the top. 如果很清楚的话, 你可以看到大海, 但除此之外, you’ll get these beautiful clouds that look like isl和s.”
最好的夜生活: “ 彩虹牛公司 和 R3的 are where things light up at night. 的re’s often karaoke 和 a good high-energy music mix at both of those spots. Expect dancing 和 at least one if not two bachelorette groups.”
最喜欢的三明治:”农场工人的 就在河边吗. In fact, you can kayak there, lodge your boat, 和 climb up to get s和wiches. I love their 意大利 s和wich. I get it pressed on the panini. 真是太棒了. 的ir Reuben is also quite nice.”
