The man behind it all:
The Sage Hen takes its name from 'The Sage Hen Strut,' a popular song Lu wrote on September 11, 1944, on his way to Hawaii on the SS Antigua, three days prior to composing Hambone Kelly. After the war and a three-year stint arranging for Bing Crosby, Lu opened his own nightclub, Hambone Kelly's, in El Cerrito, where he was the chef by day and the leader of his famous Yerba Buena Jazz Band by night. Lu had had his fill of celebrity by the time he settled in Cotati, preferring to open his home to the wild bird population rather than his two-legged fans. Lu was on a first-name basis with the coastal gulls, as he took regular trips to feed them hot dogs while he combed their beaches for stones and driftwood. His grounds are still a sanctuary for wild turkeys, mockingbirds, hummingbirds and raucous bands of blue jays, which Lu distinguished as 'the west jays and the east jays.
What some have to say:
After arriving at the Sage Hen, this went from a good vacation to a great vacation! --John & Maria, New Jersey
First time here and exceeded expectations. --Rich & Eileen, Missouri
Never a more hospitable place. --Gary & Cheryl, Tennessee
We now feel like we're 'coming home' when we arrive @ the Sage Hen. --Hugh, Mary, Neil & Virginia, Vancouver BC
Great oasis in the beautiful Sonoma Valley. --Linda, Cam, Susanne & Paul, Canada
Awsome home! Loved every minute. --Nancy
One visit is all it takes to make it a habit. --Winnie, Nevada
Walking, wine-tasting, whale-watching, visiting redwoods, hike in Muir Woods...very nice week. David & Lucy, UK
Beautiful home, so clean, central location. --Ken & Gail, Rhode Island
Amazing choice for our honeymoon. --Keith & Melody, Michigan
Southern hospitality out west! --the Hendersons, South Carolina
You have a slice of heaven here. --Ruth & Bill, Ohio
We loved the European touches and American comfort. --the Muratore family, Belgium
What others have to say:
We loved the history. Perfect location, convenient to everything. --Alice & Dave, Arizona
Cool, comfortable, soothing. Cotati is a great little town, too. --John & Laurie, Illinois
The homey atmosphere and quality are tops. --Mike & Linda, Michigan
A wonderful stay; beats a hotel any day. --Christine
We are 'repeat offenders.' No way could we stay anywhere else. --Denise & John, Ohio
House is superb. Very well located and spotlessly clean. --Stan, Ireland
Love the location and the wild animals. --Consuelo, John & Maile, Mexico
One of our favorite places. --Kimberly & Richard, Minnesota
A great house. Wish it was mine, I'd ship it home! --David, Scotland
