SONOMA WINE COUNTRY VACATION TRAVEL GUIDE

ABOUT SONOMA COUNTY: Sonoma Country is conveniently located less than 30 miles north of San Francisco. Boasting over 200 of the world's most award-winning wineries, 76 miles of scenic coastline, pristine beaches, the mystical Russian River, majestic redwoods, 21 challenging golf courses, a thrilling road course and drag strip, more than 40 spas, outstanding theaters, fascinating museums, shopping, botanical gardens, galleries, diverse festivals, farm markets and incredible eateries.

For the active and inquisitive you'll find traditional and non-traditional spa experiences, unique meeting and event venues, 21 challenging golf courses, a thrilling road course and drag strip, exotic African safaris, excellent equestrian facilities, outstanding theaters, fascinating museums, diverse festivals and quaint historic towns with over 700 incredible eateries, farm markets and ethnic restaurants.

This national and international first class meeting and leisure travel destination also includes miles of scenic Pacific Ocean coastline, pristine beaches, the mystical Russian River, majestic redwood groves, thriving wetlands, tranquil inland lakes and rolling mountain's natural splendor.

VALLEYS & VINEYARDS: Sonoma Country's vineyard-lined valleys open up creating wide expanses with abundant wineries and easy access to the area's towns and villages.

Sonoma County's northern-most town is Cloverdale. Located in the Alexander Valley, close to dozens of wineries and Lake Sonoma, Cloverdale features the largest public park on the Russian River and charming downtown with antique shops and multicultural events on the Plaza. For an old west feel, Geyserville features buildings dating from the 1800's and the first collective tasting room in California.

Situated between the Alexander, Dry Creek and Russian River Valleys, European ambiance abounds in the charming town of Healdsburg. World-class restaurants, art galleries, boutique shopping and luxurious accommodations welcome visitors any time of year.

Windsor is the newest hot spot for dining and shopping in Sonoma Country. Clustered around the Town Green and Old Downtown, Windsor offers unique shops, restaurants, festivals, and musical entertainment for every age group.

Santa Rosa, home to the california welcome center and the perfect central headquarters to experience sonoma country. Santa Rosa's central location blends relaxed urban appeal and dozens of nearby wineries. A "must" stop for all visitors, the California Welcome Center is housed in the historic Railroad Square and features visitor information and expert staff to assist visitors. "Peanuts" fans will enjoy the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center, giving visitors a chance to view original artwork and memorabilia. Snoopy's Home Ice Arena, Gallery and Gift shop are popular visitor stops.

From tranquil to thrilling, Sonoma Country offers a plethora of entertainment options. The Luther Burbank Home and Gardens and Luther Burbank Center for the Performing Arts blend musical talent with the famous horticulturalist's gardens and sculptures. Or take a ride on the wild side and experience the African Savannah in Sonoma Country. Safari West, a wildlife preserve where the whole family can experience and learn about animals in wild habitat, offers up close and personal encounters with giraffe, gazelle, oryx, ostrich, African antelope and cheetahs.

Founded in 1835, the town of Sonoma is the site of California's oldest Plaza. Stroll around the picturesque town square, visit the historic mission and enjoy chic boutiques and restaurants, art galleries and artisan food products including breads, cheeses and olive oils. The charming villages of Glen Ellen and Kenwood are home to award-winning wineries, eclectic shops and the famous Jack London State Park.

RUSSIAN RIVER REGION: The Russian River resort towns are defined by the meandering river, majestic redwood trees and an eclectic mix of people who celebrate diversity. The towns are full of history and local color abounds with unique festivals all year round.

The slow, flat river is a favorite summertime spot where lounging on the beach or drifting along on a flotilla of rafts gives visitors a chance to soak up the Sonoma Country sun. Explore the estuary where the river meets the ocean near Goat Rock State Beach and view the abundant marine life up close and personal. Or take an easy walk past wildlife on the Laguna de Santa Rosa Wetlands Trail. The Russian River Valley is a haven for outdoor adventurers where visitors can camp, hike, swim, canoe, kayak or fish at secluded spots along the river's shore.

Music and art abound in the Russian River Valley. Enjoy the many free summer concerts, or the famous Russian River Blues and Jazz Festivals, both held on the Russian River, Stumptown Daze, and a winter holiday parade of lights on the Main Street of Guerneville.

Applewood Inn & Restaurante provides a base from which to explore the 19th century-style storefronts, art galleries, boutiques, wineries, redwood-thatched village, Quonset hut theater, cafes, pubs and clubs of the Russian River Valley.

About Guerneville
Guerneville is built adjacent to the Russian River. Redwoods grew in the riverbed with such vigor that just a few centuries ago, the valley had the greatest biomass density on the planet, according to local lore. The local Pomo Indians used the area as a summer camp and called it "Ceola" (IPA: /'si?o?le?/ or cee-oh-lay) which meant "shady place." Except for a large, beautiful stand of truly ancient trees preserved in the Fife Creek watershed, now the centerpiece of Armstrong Woods Park, many of the trees were logged in the 1800s, giving rise to the first English name for the place - "Stumptown." The annual town parade still commemorates the old place name by calling itself "Stumptown Days." The present name Guerneville was introduced to honor Swiss immigrant George Guerne, a local businessman of the 1800s who owned the town's sawmill. The extensive redwood forests on the surrounding mountains are less than 200 years old, having been replacement plantings for the much of the logging done in the 1800s.

The area became popular with vacationers from San Francisco in the late 1800s. The Northwestern Pacific Railroad provided access to the town from its origin in southern Marin County, just north of San Francisco at the mouth of San Francisco Bay. Even with the demise of train service in the late 1930s, the area's resorts remained popular with vacationers who came by automobile through the 1950s. A local movie theater, the River, was built near the beach and showed double features throughout the 1950s and 1960s. The coming of jet airplane travel in the 1960s marked a period of decline for many of the older resorts. Winter floods in 1964 caused a further decline in business conditions. Many housing units that were once summer-only cottages began to be used year-round by low-income households, and illegal drug use became more prevalent throughout the region. However, a renaissance took place in the late 1970s as large numbers of gay men and lesbians from San Francisco identified the area as a prime recreational destination for weekends. Many older resorts gained a new lease on life with the new visitors, and in general, the town's businesses began to thrive again.

Modern Guerneville continues to exude small-town charm, from its plaza in the town center with permanent chess tables, to small shops, and a public beach area in the heart of town along the Russian River that is used for fishing, swimming, boating, and sunbathing. Just as in the past, the river is open to the public, and features free admission, free parking, boat and umbrella rentals, and concession stands with a variety of food items for sale.