Renowned the world for its miles of vineyards, charming small towns, and easy-going lifestyle, is California’s wine region is perfect for anyone who wants to really “get away from it all”. Napa, Sonoma, and their numerous surrounding small towns such as Geyserville and Calistoga – these oases of calm and relaxation is just an hour or two drive from San Francisco’s bustling center. Wine enthusiasts and regular visitors flock to both the area, eager to experience Northern California culture of wine country. You also can get your very own oasis in this gem, complete with fun outdoor activities, wine tasting, and simply live the good life in one of the many, many spas.
The phrase “wine country” may be somewhat ambiguous to those not from the Bay Area . What locals call the wine country is an area in northern California about 45 miles north of the city of San Francisco. It is mainly compromised of Napa and Sonoma counties, and gets its name from the rich tradition of winemaking that permeates the area. Many call it the “born in California vineyards.” Although picturesque small towns with great personalities and lots of activities including dot area, is the wine that the region’s most prestigious. The reason why there is so much wine that is grown in the area is namely due to climate, topography, and soil, these three factors together have created conditions that grow grapes good enough to challenge them in France on the international market! It is quite a claim to fame! The most notable success of wine country’s burgeoning success is the region’s Mediterranean climate: a temperate climate characterized by hot and dry weather for most months during the year along with a steady amount of rainfall. All that sunshine makes the grapes are just as happy as it makes the wine country visitors and residents!
But wine country’s past is almost as exciting as it stands. The wine country has greatly contributed to California’s rich history, serving as the site of many important moments in its development from Indian territory to the Spanish colony to independent nation. The city of Sonoma was particularly important in this development. Tracing its earliest settlers to many Miwok, Pomo and Wintun Indian tribes was the area’s rich soil and temperate weather a coveted commodity, and with thousands of years ago. These settlements left until 1823 when Father Joseph Altimira, a Mexican Church leaders, effectively colonized the area. Altimira created the Mission San Francisco Solano at the behest of Father Junipero Serra, often called “the father of California missions.” Shortly after the barracks were created, however, Bear Flag Revolt took place under Colonel John Fremont, said the state’s independence from Mexico and ultimately our allegiance with the U.S. on America.
In the past 30 years, Napa and Sonoma Valley Wine Country have experienced an incredible surge in both sales and wine tourism . In the mid-1970s, there were only a dozen wineries left in the area, but after growing interest in wine exported globally from the field and a dynamic advertising campaign was California’s wine country once again comes out on stage as a prominent destination for wine connoisseurs and tourists. As a visitor, there are many activities to attend during your time in valley.
In addition to visiting the wineries which are almost always welcoming to visitors who wish to participate in wine tasting and tours, food, spa, and outdoor activities to do for both a relaxing and exciting vacation. There are many miles of flat and hilly terrain in both valleys, ideal for mountain biking and various national parks open to hikers in your family. The elegant squares in cities like Geyserville, Sonoma and Healdsburg make for perfect places to kick back with a glass of wine and a good meal at one of the destination’s many famous eateries. The countless hotels and spas scattered across the landscape makes to get treatment and go for a dip in a hot spring just some time away. In short, there is no end to the carefree adventure you can have in California’s Sonoma and Napa wine country!
Mark Adams is a specialized writer in Travel & Tourism related topics.He wrote many articles regarding San Francisco Tours and many more articles can be found at Golden Horizon Travel and San Francisco Tours