Idyllic living, anyone? That is the goal in the wine region north of San Francisco, where romance reigns. A little pampering gets you gentle reproach in your hometown? Not here. Ever since the Wappo, Pomo, and Nappa Native Americans first discovered the area's extensive natural hot springs, indulgence has been a pursuit in this realm. And the Europeans who first came here were quick to see and add to that attitude. What poetry that it is also one of the world's fine wine-grape growing tracts, and thus attracts preeminent cuisine. Come join us in exploring a land where the inhabitants are obviously in collusion, with the objective being to make you feel good.
Day 1: Cycling the Northern Napa Valley: From San Francisco we drive to Healdsburg and check into our romantic B & B where we spend the first two nights. You have some time to relax and then after lunch we embark on our first ride. This loop explores pastoral Alexander Valley and includes stops for a taste the fine wines made at Murphy-Goode as well as White Oak Wineries. A short journey back to the B&B allows for enough time to relax before we go to dinner.
Day 2: Northern Napa and Southern Alexander Valleys: This is our big bicycling day, but the pleasantness of the route creates the illusion of shorter distances covered. We start by warming up on flat terrain through the wildflowers out of the Napa Valley. A beautiful 23-mile ride then brings us into the Alexander Valley, at the south end of which we stop for lunch and optional wine tasting, before riding through the Chalk Hill Valley to a private tour and tasting. You then have the option of continuing on the rolling Chalk Hill Road over to the Sonoma Valley, and taking the Old Redwood Hwy into Healdsburg and our B &B.
Day 3: Dry Creek : This will be a loop exploring the pastoral Dry Creek region, on which we will stop to taste the fine wines made at Mazzocco Winery. Then we shall progress around the small valley along blissfully pastoral roads lined with flowers and vineyards, before ending up at a hillside winery for a private coordinated tasting (three wineries), and game of Bocci by the duck pond. After that is the short journey back to the B&B to relax before we go to our delectable dinner.
Day 4: Re-visit Alexander Valley and back to San Francisco: We have the option of riding out to Bodega Head to view the Pacific crashing against the rocky coast, and observe a colony of Seals on an offshore rock. We then ride back to Hwy 1 south towards Pt. Reyes. It is a short ride into Pt. Reyes and if you're still energetic, we drive up to the Mount Vision Overlook with its view of the entire peninsula.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Inclusions & highlights:
* All lodging in 3 & 4-star B&B's
* All dinners and 1 lunch
* All tour transfers, including meeting and departure at your SF hotel or airport
* Daily private van support, including luggage transfer
* Bike Rental, route notes, maps and accessories
* Knowledgeable guide(s)
* Private Winery Tour & Tastings
* Northern Napa Valley/Calistoga & Alexander Valley Wine Region
* Sonoma Valley’s Dry Creek Wine Region
* Option ballooning if you so desire (not included in itinerary)
Also see tour packages in:
USA
California
Bicycle Touring
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