4-day Sonoma multisport vacation

The pure charm and true splendor of Sonoma County is unparalleled by any other. Escape and explore something exciting, off-the-beaten-path and along the back roads and byways! All this while experiencing the scents, sights and sounds with the culture and hospitality this region has to offer! Endless vineyards, golden hillsides dotted with valley oaks, gentle canyons filled with 1,400 yr old Coastal Redwoods and the rugged coast of Sonoma. Its hidden coves, superb beaches, pounding surf, and the beauty and charm of the Sonoma Wine Country are the special ingredients that constitute this Multisport Adventure as one of the best there is; you cannot beat the value or price for this four-day cycling, hiking and kayaking adventure! Come escape and explore with new friends in this beautiful and diverse region of laid back Northern California. Escape Travel has been offering Sonoma vacations for 9 seasons now and would love to show you this special place with our friendly local guides.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Cycling, wine tasting, wine get together and hosted welcome dinner

Escape Travel will pick you up at any San Francisco hotel at 10:30am, or meet you in Healdsburg at noon in the heart of the wine country for a relaxing picnic lunch at a lovely cafe patio before a warm up ride through the Alexander Valley. This will provide you an opportunity to understand why this uncrowded region offers so many fine wines. The cycling would not be complete without visits to Robert Young Winery, Locals (a wine co-op), the quaint town of Geyserville and other wineries in this scenic valley. Cycle to the stunning Hotel Healdsburg to check in for two nights. Tonight will include a scrumptious hosted dinner party with Sonoma County wine (order off the menu) in Healdsburg. 20-26 miles total (moderate).

Day 2: Cycling, Lake Sonoma, tasting, botanical gardens and private winery tour/tasting

After a scrumptious buffet breakfast, you're off pedaling through the scenic Dry Creek Valley stopping to order lunch at a gourmet deli. A 350-foot hill climb to Lake Sonoma awaits you with its fantastic views from high above the Dry Creek Valley before we head back down to visit a winery with beautiful botanical gardens featuring hundreds of rare species of plants from around the world and plenty of award winning wine tasting with wine that have been featured at the White House for generations.

Our next stop is Quivera Winery where our picnic style lunch is served on their vineyard patio. Michel-Schlumberger is next, offering the best private winery/vineyard tour of this region. This French Estate winery is set beautifully in the bench land hills of the Dry Creek Valley. A walk through the hillside vineyard and facility will leave you craving for what is to come next: an opportunity to relax in the executive kitchen sipping tremendous wines. An easy ride south through the oak dotted hills puts you at Lambert Bridge Winery for an optional stop or continue back to the hotel for a soak in the heated pool and spa. Dinner on your own tonight at one of many fine local restaurants. 31 miles (moderate).

Day 3: Cycling, Hop Kiln, Korbel Tour/Tasting, Redwoods, Sonoma Coast Cycle, wine and hosted dinner

Following breakfast, you'll see why the Russian River Valley is designated the cool growing region due to the fog intruding up the Russian River and its tributaries. This 11,200-acre region produces fine Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet. Cycle to Hop Kiln Winery in the Sweetwater Springs Historic District, the leading provider of hops in the West Coast back in the early 1900's. Historic Hop Kiln Winery, with its three 90-foot tall wooden towers, is on the State Registry of Historical Places due to the crafty stonework by Italian stonemasons back in 1905. Continue cycling along the "most scenic & popular" cycling road in Sonoma County to Korbel. Korbel is one of the last American Champagne Houses using the Champagne Methodoise method. You'll tour this beautiful 150 year old facility prior to lunch on their redwood deck. Next we'll head down river to marvel in the beauty of the redwoods en route to the Sonoma Coast. Your naturalist/guide will lead you through an old-growth redwood forest where you’ll witness 300ft+ tall trees that are over 1,400 years old.

Continue heading west out to Highway One where the Russian River meets the mighty Pacific Ocean for a brief walk up for a Sonoma Coast vista (short hike) at a state park. Ride 11 miles south along Hwy One to Bodega Bay to check into the Bodega Bay Lodge nestled on a hillside surrounded by the natural beauty of the Sonoma Coast with picturesque views of the Pacific Ocean and Bodega Bay. Local wine, cheeses and crackers are served at a 5pm get together. Hit the hot tub, heated pool and sauna before our hosted dinner with wine at 7:45pm as we watch the sun set. Enjoy award-winning Californian contemporary cuisine at the Duck Club with ocean views and superb service in an elegant setting. Menus change seasonally to highlight fresh local seafood and regional ingredients and fine Sonoma County wines. 25 miles (moderate).

Day 4: Kayaking, cycling, Bodega Head hike, picnic lunch and relaxing

Awakening to the serene sounds of the Pacific Ocean lapping against the beach below, After breakfast, we'll kayak through the calm waters of Bodega Bay and the Pacific Ocean. You'll learn about the rich history and wildlife this area provides on this 1.5 hr guided excursion. In the afternoon, cycle, hike, then picnic at Bodega Head with whale watching and ocean vistas. We'll cycle back to our lodge and load up the bikes in the van and drive to the Marin Headlands high above San Francisco for a breathtaking ride down 900 feet and across the Golden Gate Bridge to the Presidio in San Francisco. Guests say this is one of the trip's highlights with views of San Francisco, Alcatraz, the Pacific Ocean, Presidio National Park, Angel Island, Marin County, the Bay, and much more! You'll be shuttled back to your hotel from there for a 5:30pm drop off. 19 miles (easy/moderate).

The trip at a glance:

Duration: 4 Days/3 Nights

Area: Healdsburg; Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Russian River Valley, Sonoma Coast and Bodega Bay

Nearest City: San Francisco and Santa Rosa Airports

Tour type: Road touring

Physical condition required: Fair

Distance traveled: 95-101 Miles (You can always add or subtract distance to meet your needs)

Minimum age limit:16

Guest capacity: mininum 4 guests, maximum 13

Skill levels accommodated: Intermediate-Advanced

Fully guided: Yes

Support vehicles:15 passenger vans with trailers

Bike brands: New Trek 7.3 FX Road Bikes (straight handle bar and index shifting) with helmet, gloves, standard pedal, souvenir water bottle, handle bar bag and gel seat covers included.

Accommodations: Stunning and hip 4 Star Hotel Healdsburg on the Healdsburg Plaza. Warm and inviting Bodega Bay Lodge recently went through a $2.2 million renovation.

Layovers: Second night at Hotel Healdsburg.

Transportation to start site: Available from Sacramento and San Francisco area hotels.

Dining:Three breakfasts, three lunches and two dinners included.

About liquor: Wine provided with both dinners.

Additional activities: Massage, spa treatments, beach combing, golf, hot air ballooning and more (not included in the price).

Price per person: $1,469.00 (guide gratuity not included)

$400 deposit/person. Balance due 30 days prior to the tour.

Additional rate info:Single supplement: $369 ; transportation: $25/person each way from your San Francisco hotel.

Notes: Everyone will receive your choice of a premium Escape Travel: fitted dry fit cycling jersey, cotton t-shirt or embroidered hat and a 24 oz Escape Travel logo water bottle for cycling.

I founded Escape Travel in February 2001 in San Francisco out of a lifelong passion for exploring and outdoor travel. With a degree in Resort & Lodging Management (Recreation Administration) from California State University, Chico, I have the skills and training to program fantastic tours and itineraries for fun-filled active vacations here in my own backyard of Northern California! Our family-run business grew in 2003 with the addition of Escape Sacramento Tours; offering fantastic outdoor tours from Sacramento to places like Yosemite, Lake Tahoe, Napa, Sonoma, Amador Wine/Gold Country and many others.

It's the people you meet, places you visit and the culture that brings me back time and time again. Each year, hundreds of people join Escape Travel for an active tour or vacation. Many of these people return or refer their friends and family to us. This means a lot to us and we're very proud of our reputation and invite you to experience our world of possibilities for yourself. An Escape Travel tour or vacation is about being pampered. We'll handle all the details so you can take pleasure in the joys of your tour. We're fully committed to providing the highest level of quality; both offered by our office staff, tour leaders, as well as in our carefully selected inns, lodges, hotels, activities and restaurants we frequent.

With over 37 years of outdoor travel and exploration, I personally guarantee a "great time out" while offering the best tour value available in Northern California.

John Gill

Chief Tour Guide