Muir Woods and Wine Country - Sonoma and Healdsburg - 2 Day Trip - Departing from San Francisco

Muir Woods, Sonoma Wine Country with 1 Night in Wine Country Hotel

Day One

Starts with hotel pickup between 8:00am to 9:00am. A quick stop in the Presidio provides a view of Golden Gate Bridge and a chance to learn about the history of this iconic landmark (fog permiting). After crossing the Golden Gate we head into the Marin Headlands to the Muir Woods National Monument.

Then a half hour trip north across the bridge to Muir Woods National Monument. There you will take a one and a half hour self-guided tour of Muir Woods, with the option of an easy 45 minute loop on the paved trail, or a slightly more strenuous 1 hour and 15 minute hike, part on the paved trail and part on dirt trail. This longer hike, the Hillside Trail, affords you a view of the tallest trees on Earth from about halfway up the height of the trees.

Muir Woods preserves the last old growth coast redwood forest in the San Francisco Bay Area. The cool moist forest supports an amazing abundance of plant and animal life, from the coast redwood to the slimy banana slug, from the amazing Coho salmon to delicate trilliums.

After Muir Woods, we will drive just down the road to the Muir Beach overlook, for an impressive view of the coastline and San Francisco in the distance. Then we'll head straight up to Healdsburg, about one hour north, for wine tasting and sightseeing.

The lush valleys around Healdsburg are home to some of the oldest names in California winemaking. Healdsburg is surrounded by several of Northern California's finest regional wine appellations, including Alexander Valley, Chalk Hill, Dry Creek Valley, and Russian River Valley.

The Alexander Valley alone boasts over 13,000 acres of vineyards, 30 grape varieties, 28 wineries and over 200 independent farmers. Local wineries specialize in premium wines made from locally grown grapes. The Healdsburg area includes over 90 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 addition to the many tasting rooms located at the wineries, there are many tasting rooms on the Healdsburg Town Square. We will stop here for lunch, not included, and have a chance to sample everything from olive oils to cheese to chocolate.

In the afternoon we will meander down Westside Road or West Dry Creek Road, to at least three small, family-owned, incredibly scenic wineries. At each winery you'll be able to indulge in complimentary tastes of 3-4 wines, browse the small gift shops, choose wine to take home, or enjoy that evening, learn about the wines of the area and the winemaking process, and enjoy one of the highlights of California.

After a full day we'll take a break and check in at our hotel. The elegant, Tuscan-styled hotel surrounds a luxurious courtyard pool, spa and sundeck and has lovely views of the Mayacamas Mountains to the East. The casually elegant guest rooms are spacious yet cozy and provide all the comforts of home, including high-speed Internet access.

If you feel like working out, there is a well equipped fitness center. However, if you rather just lounge, you can enjoy the pool side jacuzzi or enjoy more local wines at the restaurant/bar. We have dinner, not included, at the hotel restaurant which prides it self on fresh local ingredients, inspired preparation and impeccable service.

DAY 2

Starts with breakfast (not included) at hotel around 8 am. We will then leave the Russian River Valley, and drive south towards Sonoma to Kenwood, and enjoy breathtaking views and award winning wines. We can expect to visit at least 4 wineries on this day.

Traveling south through the Sonoma Wine Country we will also visit Sonoma Square, where grapes were first planted in Northern California. California's oldest wine-producing region, Sonoma County was planted with grapes as early as 1812 by Russian colonists. It was, however, Franciscan father Padre Jose Altimera, now considered the great-granddaddy of California wine, who put California wine on the map when he planted several thousand grapevines at San Francisco Solano mission in Sonoma in 1823. By 1920 Sonoma was home to 256 wineries working from more than 22,000 acres of vines. Although home winemaking boomed during prohibition - families were allowed to produce up to 200 liters - only 50 wineries survived until 1933.

The 1960s were a turning point for the industry, which went from producing wines from bulk Central Valley grapes to small, artisan home-grown productions. In 1999, 49,000 acres of vines were under production in Sonoma, and 199 wineries called it their home. Today, the charming mission-era town of Sonoma opens out onto a wine country that is as exciting as it is varied, offering delicious wines and a rich legacy to its visitors.

At the town square we'll see the northernmost Franciscan Mission, taste cheese at Vela or Sonoma Jack Cheese Factory. On our way out of Sonoma we'll stop at one last winery, in the Carneros appellation, an area with ideal growing conditions for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and known for its exquisite wines. Sad as it will be to leave beautiful Sonoma, we'll have San Francisco to look forward to. On the way back we'll stop for a late afternoon view of the Golden Gate Bridge, with the city in the background, and arrive back at your hotel at approximately 6:00 PM.

 

 

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Location:	Complimentary San Francisco Hotel Pick Up Not available from Airport Hotels
Schedule:	January - December 2008: Closed 12/25 & 01/01 Thursdays Only starting 8:00 - 9:00am