If you want to enjoy best California wine then Sonoma wine region is a perfect place to experience it. Unlike the neighboring Napa wine region which is more commercialized, Sonoma wine country has is more smaller and family owned and operated kind of wineries. You will find very friendly people in Sonoma country wine tasting rooms, more than anywhere in the whole wine growing region. Sonoma wine country has more than 200 wineries (big and small) and it has about 100 thousand acres wine growing land.

Sonoma has 5 distinct wine-growing districts: Dry Creek Valley, Los Carneros District, Sonoma Valley, Russian River Valley and Alexander Valley. You will find the premium quality wines of both white and red wine, famous categories include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pino, Syrah, Zinfandel, Shiraz and very often vineyards have their own special wine. The best time to visit the region is during summers when the vines/grape plants are loaded with grapes. Although it can be a bit warm, it is truly the best time to enjoy the true ambiance of the region.

To reach the Sonoma wine country, just drive 30 miles north of Golden gate bridge and about 20 miles more to reach the wine growing heartland of the region. You can alternatively fly here by using the services of Horizon airlines which connects Sonoma county’s Santa Rosa Airport (RSA) to Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Seattle. There are shuttle buses (Airporter Express) directly from San Francisco and Oakland airports to the county. Although there is public transport available in bigger cities of the county, to visit the core wine region you will need to drive on your own. To fully enjoy the region, we suggest you to stay here for at least a few days and not plan just a day-trip. Sonoma county has more to offer than just wine, it is a huge entertainment location on its own offering a variety of activities and attractions, some of which are listed below.

POPULAR TOURIST ATTRACTIONS AND ACTIVITIES:

1. Take a hot air balloon ride end enjoy the vastness and beauty of wine region from the sky. There are many hot air ballooning operators in the region.

2. Visit the beautiful River rock casino at Russian river and Alexander valley, offering a range of services to their guests.

3. Point Arena Lighthouse and Museum.

4. Boating and fishing facilities at the Sonoma coast along the Pacific ocean and along the Russian river. Rent a cabin at Jenner facing the ocean and spend the night with your loved ones.

5. Taste the Sonoma county goat cheese considered the best in country.

6. Safari west wildlife preserve.

7. Hike at the Armstrong Redwoods state reserve .

8. Infineon Raceway where you can enjoy professional car racing experience.

9. Fort Ross State Historic Park: The site of trading post and fort established by Russians in 1812.

10. Train Ride and wine train.

11. Petrified forest and old faithful geyser in Calistoga.

12. Several premium Golf courses, Spa’s and shopping malls for you to relax.

13. Being so close to San Francisco you may also consider visiting the GOLDEN GATE bridge, Pier 39,Alcatraz, China Town and the famous Crooked street of SF Downtown.

14. Luther Burbank Home and Gardens: Life and work of the horticulturist who introduced 800 variety of flowers, fruits, nuts etc..

15. Nightlife is good too, there are several bars and clubs especially in Santa Rosa.

Great websites for comprehensive information are sonoma-county.org and sonomacounty.com

 

 

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Can’t wait for your next trip, but are miserable at the idea of leaving your best friend behind?

After all, who better to experience long walks on the beach with — or snuggling up on the terrace to watch the sunset with — than your pooch (especially when no meaningful conversation is expected)?

If you’ve got to get away, but can’t bear the sad look from those puppy dog eyes, maybe it’s time for a little getaway that includes Fido, too. The following are some canine-friendly cities that offer more unusual treats to lure both of you for a visit.

NAPA, CALIFORNIA

“But my dog doesn’t drink,” you argue. No worries. While you’re lapping up

the region’s top-notch wine, your canine pal will have plenty of things to

do.

WINERIES

Cuvaison Winery

4550 Silverado Trail, Calistoga, California

707-942-6266

Well-behaved dogs on leashes are allowed to join you in the small tasting

room and in the three outdoor picnic areas.

Clos Du Val Winery

5330 Silverado Trail, Napa, California 94558

800-993-9463

Dogs on leashes are allowed in the enormous tasting room and on the property

ACCOMMODATIONS

Hillcrest Country Inn

3225 Lake County Hwy, Calistoga, California

707-942-6334

Host Debbie O’Gorman runs this country home with her three dogs, Taz, Debo

and Bamboo, who are friendly and welcoming to other canine friends. The

antique-filled home is located on a hilltop with an unbeatable view of Napa

Valley. You and your pup can romp around the 36-acre property where there is

swimming, hiking and fishing, and then he has the option of staying in your

room or in a large outdoor kennel.

Beazley House Bed & Breakfast Inn

1910 First Street, Napa, California

707-257-1649

You’ll be able to play with resident Golden Retrievers Sissy and Autumn

Beazley in this downtown Napa inn, and you’ll even receive a doggie welcome

basket with a bowl, doggie beer, bones and cleanup baggies. Three rooms open

out into the gardens, and there is a per day per dog charge, with a

maximum of two dogs per room.

RESTAURANTS

Angele

540 Main Street, Napa, California

707-252-8115

This gourmet French restaurant allows dogs on leashes in their outdoor

patio, and will provide water and treats while you dine.

Bistro Don Giovonni

4110 Saint Helena Hwy, Napa, California

707-224-3300

This laid-back Mediterranean restaurant (it’s the sister to San Francisco’s

Scala Bistro) allows dogs in their outdoor tables, but please call ahead to

inform the staff.

Los Angeles already has a reputation for being a dog-friendly city, but its neighbor down south is making steps to become the next hot dog spot in

Southern California. Long Beach is a coastal city that has recently opened three acres of its beach in Belmont Shore as an off-leash area. “The

Dog Zone” visitors must follow the rules— only one dog per adult, and pooper-scoopers are a must. The Dog Zone starts at 4800 E. Ocean Blvd., between Roycroft and Argonn streets.

Also in Long Beach is the very active Haute Dogs organization, which

arranges several doggie-centered events in Belmont Shore all year long. The

Haute (pronounced “hot”) Dog Easter Parade features hundreds of dogs

marching along in bonnets and Easter outfits, while the Howl’oween Parade

and Canine Costume Contest that includes an adoption fair, a bulldog kissing

booth; and a dancing dog demonstrations. If that’s not doggone wacky enough,

stick around Long Beach for the Haute Dog poetry contest and bulldog beauty

contest.

Several restaurants and shops along the busy Second Street in Belmont Shore

offer water bowls to welcome pets. Pet-friendly accommodations are rather

scarce (you may be better off making Long Beach doggie festivities part of a

day trip), but you can try the following:

Renaissance Long Beach Hotel, a luxury hotel that welcomes dogs of any size

for a non-refundable fee. 111 East Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach, 562-437-5900

Ag worker vanpool program slow to gain traction
In an Oakville vineyard, a group of 14 men loaded into the Agriculture Worker Vanpool and prepared for their drive back home to Lake County.

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Napa Valley is one of the major attractions in California. Napa Valley is a wonderful place for enjoying your family vacation. Napa Valley has many beautiful places that can give you pleasure, fun and relaxation. You also have a lot of interesting things to learn from Napa Valley. The most important factor is that you can enjoy yourself with your family in Napa Valley during all the seasons. Napa Valley will be a place for the tourists with its wonderful and marvelous visual, aromatic and tasty delights. Napa Valley has a plenty of attractions for adults and children. Children can have an unforgettable holiday experience at Napa Valley. The wine tasting and spa treatments will be an awesome experience for adults. The most important attractions of the Napa Valley are the world-famous Napa wine tours. Though Napa Valley has many excellent attractions and beauty, the vineyards, wine industry and excellent quality wine production are the prime reason for its popularity among the tourists. Napa wine tour gives you the chance to learn the wine making process. It also offers an opportunity to taste some of the excellent quality wines. The Napa wine tours will provide a great and unforgettable holiday experience to all the tourists. When you tour the Wine Country, adults can take a travel around the valley by bike and children can travel by tag-along trailer to enjoy the magnificent views of the valley warmed by fresh air. Different types of rental bikes are available for the tourists to enjoy an unforgettable ride. Lake Sonoma which is a place outside the Napa Valley seems to be a wonderful place where you can learn about the fish hatchery procedure. You can also enjoy a swim in the lake if you like. Safari West is an excellent place in Napa Valley where you can enjoy the animal safari. You can take a tour to Safari West through safari to get the sight of exotic animals that are mostly found in Africa. A camera is a real must when you visit this place. Besides giving you a wonderful feast to your eyes, they also serve you lunch and dinner. Petrified Forest is the place in Napa Valley where you can learn about how petrified wood is created. You can also enjoy a peaceful walk through the fields. The famous Old Faithful Geyser offers an absolutely gorgeous experience. When you visit the geyser you get to witness the spectacular geyser erupt about every half hour it is absolutely gorgeous. The place also has a petting zoo with a variety of different animals, and a picnic area to enjoy restaurant lunch. Bothe Park is a beautiful place in Napa Valley where your whole family can enjoy with lots of fun. It has a large swimming pool, horseback riding facility, hiking trail facility, etc. The park is an excellent place for the children to have fun and games. Most people visit Napa Valley to experience the Napa Wine Tours where you can enjoy Napa’s world-renowned wines. Napa Valley also has many fine restaurants, historic bed-and-breakfast inns and boutique-style resorts. Napa valley’s impressive resort Meadowood has excellent recreation areas with family pool, lap pool, and expansive lawn. It also has Health Spa where you can enjoy skin and body care treatments and massage therapies.

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