Summary

Woods and Wine 2 Day

Prices From	USD$ $220.00
1st Departure	02.13.2012
Provider	Incredible Adventures
Destination	San Francisco Bay Area
Duration	2 days
Challenge	Beginner
Avg Rating	Not Rated

This two day tour combines the beauty of Muir Woods with the award winning wines of Northern California. The tour starts by crossing over the Golden Gate Bridge and heading into the Marin Headlands. You will have an hour and a half to walk among the towering Coastal Redwoods before heading north into the Wine Country. A stop in Healdsburg for lunch and cheese tasting and then it's off to taste the wines of the Alexander, Dry Creek or Russian River Valleys. The day ends at a Tuscan-styled hotel where you can relax by the pool or in the Jacuzzi. The second day will focus on the wines of the Sonoma Valley, starting with red varietals of the Glen Ellen region and finishing with Pinot Noir and Charonnay from the Carneros appellation. Returning to the city you will enjoy dramatic views of the San Francisco skyline.

Itinerary

Day 1

This wine lover's tour begins with a hotel pickup between 8 and 9 am. A quick stop in the Presidio provides a view of the Golden Gate Bridge and a chance to learn about the history of this iconic landmark (fog permitting). After crossing the Golden Gate we head into the Marin Headlands to the Muir Woods National Monument. Muir Woods is one of the last oldgrowth coastal redwood forests in the San Francisco Bay Area. The marine layer fog provides the cool, moist environment that supports an amazing abundance of plant and animal life, from the coastal redwood to the slimy banana slug. After an hour and a half in this tranquil preserve, we make a quick detour for an impressive view of the rugged California coastline with San Francisco in the background (once again, fog permitting). Next we head north into the Sonoma Wine Country to explore the famous wine regions of northern California. The northern California wine country covers an immense area extending from the Pacific Coast to Central Valley in the east and from Marin County in the south, well into Mendocino County in the North. Wine appellations in this area such as the Alexander Valley, Chalk Hill, Dry Creek Valley, and Russian River Valley abound with delicious varietals. The Alexander Valley alone boasts over 30 grape varieties, 28 local wineries and over 200 independent farmers. The area includes over 300 world-class wineries and tasting rooms, from palatial European-style villas to rustic family-run operations where you are made to feel like a member of the family. In the afternoon we will visit at least three wineries. At these wineries you will be able to sample flights of 3-4 wines (some tasting fees may apply), browse the small gift shops, and learn about the local varietals and the winemaking process. After a full day we will check in at our hotel. This elegant, Tuscan-styled hotel surrounds a luxurious courtyard pool with jacuzzi and sundeck, the perfect locale to enjoy a bottle of California wine. The casually elegant guest rooms are spacious yet cozy and provide all the comforts of home, including high-speed Internet access and a fitness center. For dinner you can indulge in some fine cuisine at the hotel restaurant (not included).

Day 2

The second day begins after a late breakfast (around 11 am). We will visit at least 4 wineries on this day, starting in the northern Sonoma Valley regions of Kenwood and Glen Ellen. Our journey south through the “Valley of the Moon” will include lunch in the historic Sonoma Town Square. In the town square you will have the chance to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 51); font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; ">taste cheese samples at the Sonoma Jack Cheese Factory, visit the Mission San Francisco de Solano, the northernmost mission in California, or peruse the boutique shops that surround this center of commerce. On our way out of Sonoma Valley we will make a final wine tasting stop in Carneros. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 51); font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; ">The Carneros appellation is ideal for growing chardonnay and pinot noir varietals, and as such is home to no less than three champagne houses. If time permits, a stop for a glass of sparkling wine can easily be integrated into this tour (optional). On the way back we will stop for a late afternoon view of the Golden Gate Bridge, with the city illuminated in the background. The tour will conclude with hotel drop-off at approximately 6pm.

Summary

Woods and Wine 2 Day

Itinerary

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