Festivals Hot Air Balloon Ride over Napa Valley Dining Napa and Sonoma are epicenters for fine dining, and have a wealth of Michelin-starred and Bib Gourmand award-winning eateries. You’ll need reservations well in advance to secure a table at the Restaurant at Meadowood or the legendary French Laundry, but the experiences are unforgettable. To sample local flavors in Sonoma County, head to The Girl and The Fig in downtown Sonoma, where you’ll find artful uses of cheeses, meats, fruits and veggies, all produced nearby. Or, grab a table at La Salette for modern takes on Portuguese cuisine. If you love to cook, try a class at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone for a day of delicious learning. Shutterstock.com; facebook.com/LaSaletteSonoma Outdoor Activities The mild climate, easy access to the beach and several state parks make Napa and Sonoma ideal for nature lovers. A scenic drive will deliver you to the Russian River region of Sonoma County. Enjoy hiking on redwood-lined trails, camping, canoeing and rafting on the river’s gentle waters. If you prefer two-wheel transport, flat roads and gorgeous scenery make biking a memorable excursion, and you’ll find charming towns and plenty of wineries to visit along the way. Bike rentals are available in towns including St. Helena, Yountville, Healdsburg or Sebastopol. For an unforgettable experience, float in a hot air balloon over the lush wineries of Napa Valley. With gorgeous surroundings and rich culture, Napa and Sonoma attract an exciting array of annual celebrations. Napa Valley’s Culinary Crawl in February is a food and wine walking tour among downtown Napa’s finest culinary destinations. In May, experience the first taste of summer at Napa’s famed, three-day BottleRock music festival, which draws the likes of Foo Fighters and Bruno Mars. If you prefer craft brews, Sonoma County is home to the Annual Beerfest, known as The Good One, each June. Although the region might best be known for its grape varietals, you can celebrate local apple farming at the Gravenstein Apple Fair in August or the Sebastopol Apple Blossom Festival in April. The Napa Valley Film Festival includes film screenings and hosts celebrities from all over the world each November, and the Sonoma International Film Festival in March features more than 100 curated film selections. LaSalette Restaurant Shopping Shopping is a popular pastime in wine country. In St. Helena, one-of-a-kind shops line Highway 29. In Napa, the Napa Premium Outlets offer great savings on luxury brands such as Barney’s, Coach and Michael Kors. In Sonoma County, check out Santa Rosa’s Fourth Street area, which is home to locally-owned shops, or drop by Railroad Square for a mix of antique shops and restaurants. In Healdsburg, SHED is a must-visit for specialty ingredients and kitchenware. Oxbow Public Market in Napa and Dean & DeLuca’s in St. Helena are marvelous sources for artisan cheeses, breads, produce and local olive oil. HERE’S AN TRI-VALLEY IDEA* BEER TRAIL Tri-Valley Beer Trail Not only world-famous Not only world-famous for for wine, experience the wine, experience the Tri-Valley Tri-Valley Beer Trail, made Beer Trail made up of 22 craft up of 23 craft breweries, breweries, taprooms and taprooms and restaurants. restaurants. Enhance your stay Enhance your stay by by attending the area’s many attending the area’s many festivals, cafes and theaters. festivals, cafes and theaters. visittrivalley.com visittrivalley.com SPONSORED CONTENT TOWERING TREES Northern California’s wine country is one of the few places on earth where you can experience the incredible feeling of standing in a redwood forest. These are the tallest trees in the world, growing as high as 350 feet and surviving upward of 2,000 years, making them some of Earth’s oldest inhabitants. Many redwood forests were chopped down for lumber during the Gold Rush and relatively few groves remain. The Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve in Sonoma County offers 805 acres of trails, campgrounds and much more. Visiting, hiking and picnicking in these magical forests is a singular experience for visitors. Save the Redwoods offers insider information, park maps and travel guides. Beyond . 65
San Francisco Visitors Planning Guide 2019: Page 65
