HERE’S AN IDEA* Napa Valley Wine Train For a memorable “wine and dine” experience unlike any other, hop aboard an exquisitely restored antique Pullman rail car and take a three-hour voyage through breathtaking Napa Valley. winetrain.com historic square, features modern and contemporary art. For live music, The Green Music Center in Sonoma County’s Rohnert Park is home to a world-class concert facility that hosts chamber music, jazz and more. The city of Napa is becoming famed for its annual three-day BottleRock music festival which draws the likes of Red Hot Chili Peppers and Florence + The Machine. for gourmet foods and kitchenware. Oxbow Public Market in Napa is a marvelous source for artisan cheeses, breads, produce and local olive oil. DINING To sample local flavors in Sonoma County, head to The Girl & The Fig in downtown Sonoma, where you’ll find artful uses of cheeses, meats, fruits and veggies produced nearby. If you prefer beer to wine, head to Bear Republic Brewing Company in Healdsburg, which has produced handcrafted beers and diverse menus for more than 20 years. Napa Valley continues to be one of the country’s epicenters for fine dining, including a handful of Michelin-starred eateries. You’ll need reservations well in advance to secure a table at the Restaurant at Meadowood or legendary French Laundry, but the experiences are unforgettable. SPAS Built on natural mineral hot springs, Fairmont Sonoma Mission delivers the quintessential spa experience — dry sauna, private baths and two mineral soaking pools — while Forestville’s Farmhouse Inn has made local produce harvested on site the cornerstone of their spa treatments. Spa luxury meets wine-country extravagance at Auberge du Soleil, where temperate springs overlook vineyards and the resort’s own olive grove. Treatments include floral oils from the garden and a refreshing grapeseed scrub. * DENOTES SPONSORED CONTENT HOT AIR BALLOONS Speaking of aerial activities: A terrific way to see the terraced countryside, stony ridges and Sonoma County’s craggy coastline — not to mention all those handsome wineries and vineyards — is to soar silently above it in a hot air balloon. The typical ride lasts 45-60 minutes; a delicious glass of local wine will be waiting when you touch down. SHOPPING Shopping is a popular pastime in wine country. In St. Helena, one-of-a-kind shops line the main drag, Highway 29. In nearby Napa, the Napa Premium Outlets offers great savings on luxurious brands like Barney’s, Coach and Michael Kors. In Sonoma County, check out Santa Rosa’s Fourth Street area, which is home to lots of locally owned shops, or drop by Railroad Square for a mix of antique shops and restaurants. In Healdsburg, Shed is a must-visit ARTS & CULTURE Check out an impressive collection of modern and contemporary art at the Hess Collection just outside of downtown Napa. Or, take a light-hearted stroll through the past at the Charles M. Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa, which celebrates the life and work of the Peanuts creator. The Sonoma Valley Museum of Art, located just off Sonoma’s HUNGRY FOR MORE? The Central Coast, south of San Francisco, is home to some wonderful wine country experiences of its own. Monterey County produces memorable wines and offers a wealth of activity pairings. The Monterey Bay Aquarium located on Cannery Row is renowned, and offers everything from engaging exhibits to underwater diving experiences. For mouthwatering dining options, head to Carmel-by-the-Sea, a one-square-mile town known for European charm and excellent bistros to match. Set in a lovely old house and offering a menu inspired by France and Italy’s countryside cuisines, Casanova is a great place to start. The area is justly famous for seaside golf, offering beautiful courses such as The Links at Spanish Bay, Spyglass Hill Golf Course and the most famous of all, Pebble Beach Golf Links. FROM TOP: iStock; Courtesy of Sonoma County Tourism Charles M. Schulz Museum BEYOND . 73
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