California
Wine Country—6 Day

“The Napa and Sonoma valleys are not merely local favorites; they’re legitimate international must-rides. The varied terrain can satisfy everyone. The roads are lightly traveled.” — Bicycling magazine

The Napa and Sonoma valleys, with their quiet country roads and beautiful vineyards, are indeed one of the world’s most popular places to bicycle.  Our tour explores the area’s best routes and enjoys its outstanding lodging and dining — including an amazing wine-tasting dinner.

Spring and fall are the best seasons to tour the wine country.  You avoid the summer crowds and heat, plus you enjoy flowers on green hillsides in the spring and harvest colors in the fall.  Our six-day trip crosses five distinct wine-producing regions in Napa and Sonoma counties, explores redwood forests along the Russian River, and visits the craggy Pacific Coast.

Relax at Upscale MacArthur Place After Vineyard Ride

The adventure starts on a Sunday morning with complimentary hotel and airport pickups in Santa Rosa.  We shuttle to a nearby winery to start cycling.  We ride through vineyards and stop at an olive press for an olive oil tasting, visit some of the oldest wineries in California like Sebastiani and Buena Vista, and arrive at our lodging for the night — MacArthur Place near the historic plaza in Sonoma.  Sonoma was founded in 1823 as the most northerly of the Spanish missions linking California to Mexico, and seven different national flags have flown there since.  MacArthur Place was built in the 1850s as a grand estate on 300 acres of vineyards and ranchland.  It has been beautifully transformed into an opulent inn that has won high praise from many magazines, including Conde Nast’s Traveler. 

Cycle Silverado Trail, Visit World Famous Vineyards, Relax at Luxurious Inn at Southbridge

On Monday we leave the birthplace of the California wine industry and cycle on side roads through miles of vineyards in the Carneros Region to the world-famous Napa Valley.  We have lunch at a winery, then ride north on the old stagecoach road — the Silverado Trail — past more wineries to St. Helena.  Our lodging for the next two nights is the luxurious Inn at Southbridge.  This elegant lodge has all the amenities of an upscale resort — yet exudes the romance and intimacy of a fine bed and breakfast.  You'll enjoy the inn’s serene privacy, the full service spa and health club, and the adjacent winery.  It is only a one block walk to the center of upscale St. Helena with its many superb restaurants, chic boutiques and art galleries.

Guided Hike, Wine Tasting Tour, Massage, Winemakers Dinner

Tuesday is a layover day, and you are free to go hot-air ballooning, hike into the foothills, take one of several great optional bike rides, get a massage, or do whatever interests you.  We usually lead a wine tasting tour in our van of Napa Valley's best wineries.  That evening we enjoy a winemaker’s dinner in St. Helena at the critically acclaimed Wine Spectator Greystone Restaurant, where each course is accompanied by carefully selected wines.  Though we normally don’t include alcoholic beverages with dinner, we make an exception with this event to give you an extraordinary wine country experience.  The restaurant is located in the world-renowned Culinary Institute of America (CIA).  Prior to dinner we have arranged for you a private tour of the CIA to give you an insider's understanding of how great chefs are trained.

Cycle Peaceful Roads to Hotel Healdsburg and Exquisite Meal

Wednesday we cycle north into the Alexander Valley of Sonoma County, stopping for lunch at the homey Field Stone Winery, where the manager often takes us for a private tour.  In the afternoon we ride winding, quiet roads through the peaceful vineyards of Dry Creek Valley.  We spend the next two nights in Healdsburg at the Hotel Healdsburg, an upscale hotel with a full service spa located right on the plaza.  Superb shopping, art galleries, wine tasting shops, and several great restaurants are within a few blocks of our hotel.

Ferrari-Carano Winery and Lake Sonoma Highlight Days Ride

On Thursday we offer a bicycle ride to the far end of Dry Creek Valley.  Along the way we’ll stop at the Ferrari-Carano Winery, which we feel has the most elegant grounds and buildings of any winery in California.  After a picnic lunch at Lake Sonoma, we return to our inn via West Dry Creek Road.  This winding, lightly traveled road hugs the foothills on the west side of the vineyards of Sonoma Valley.  Many wineries will tempt you to stop and taste.

Classic Wine Country Tour Ends With Champagne Toast

On Friday, you may want to stop and visit Hop Kiln Winery, Korbel Champagne Cellars, and several other wineries we cycle by as we exit Sonoma Valley and follow the Russian River into the redwoods and visit Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve.  After walking around this magnificent grove of old-growth redwoods, we cycle on side roads to the mouth of the Russian River.  From your vantage point high on a bluff in a state park, you’ll look down on the beautiful rocky Pacific Coast.  We conclude with a shuttle back to Santa Rosa.

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