| 1. Be a Pioneer at Fort Ross State Park | | | | can also buy fruits and vegetables directly from the |
| This historical settlement dates back to 1812, when it | | | | farmer. |
| was an important trading post that helped send vital | | | | You can also sign up for the Gravenstein Apple Fair |
| food supplies to the pioneer communities in Alaska. | | | | held every year from August 11 to 12. For more |
| Be sure to visit the chapel and the Rotchey | | | | information, visit |
| House—one of the few surviving original | | | | 7. Enjoy Ferrari Carano Winery |
| structures. They’ve also reconstructed the | | | | In just 2 decades the Ferrari-Carano winery had |
| blockhouses and stockades, to give visitors a chance | | | | become one of America’s leading producers of |
| to get a “feel” of life in early America. | | | | world class wines. You can schedule a wine tasting |
| 2. Visit Lake Sonoma, Healdsburg | | | | tour from Monday to Saturday, and avail of any of |
| Lake Sonoma has something for | | | | the several fun but informative programs. Sample |
| everyone—families, couples, or even individuals | | | | different vintages, paired with cheese, chocolate and |
| seeking a few hours of serene solitude. You can hike, | | | | dried fruit. |
| swim, ride a boat or a horse, hunt, and even set up | | | | Test your “smell memory”. Find out how |
| camp. | | | | to pair wine with different dishes. Or, ask for a |
| There are nearly 17,700 acres to explore, full of trails | | | | customized tour (by appointment only). |
| and groves full of oak, madrone, alder, redwood and | | | | Schedule wine tours by emailing Mandy Cuthbert at |
| bay trees. These encircle the lake and the | | | | You can also take your trip to “new |
| surrounding hills, and are full of amazing | | | | heights” with an amazing aerial tour of the |
| wildlife—deer, rabbits, birds, and one of | | | | region’s vineyards. Visit to book your |
| America’s endangered species, the peregrine | | | | memorable scenic air tour. |
| falcon. In early spring and summer, the forest floor is | | | | 8. Visit Ancient Redwood Trees at Petrified Forest, |
| carpeted with wildflowers of every color. | | | | Calistoga |
| Bring a picnic basket and a camera—this is one | | | | Geologists say that the Petrified Forest in Calistoga |
| place you can’t miss. | | | | has one of the world’s best fossil forests. |
| 3. Experience a Scenic Air Tour “Above | | | | These ancient redwood trees were buried under |
| California” | | | | tons of volcanic ash, freezing life as it was 3,000 |
| Experience California from a completely different | | | | years ago. So, when you walk through the woods, |
| perspective – from the air! These amazing | | | | you literally walk back in time—seeing insects |
| aerial tours will take you through the famous Sonoma | | | | and animals (some of them now extinct), ancient |
| and Napa Wine Country— through vineyards and | | | | leaves turned to stone, caught mid-furl. |
| valleys, over the mountain peaks and the rippling | | | | The park is dotted with signposts that explain key |
| waters of the Pacific Coast. You’ll even get to | | | | fossils and geology. At the end of the 20 minute |
| see places accessible only through plane (and imagine | | | | tour, visitors can relax in the picnic area. |
| what kind of pictures you’ll be able to take!). | | | | 9. Go on a Wild Safari at “Safari West |
| All pilots are FAA certified, and give an informed and | | | | Animals” |
| interesting commentary on the region’s | | | | This unique 400 acre wildlife preserve is home to |
| history, geography and ecosystems. Truly an | | | | over 400 animals and birds, some of them |
| “Experience of a Lifetime” you’ll | | | | endangered. There are zebras, giraffes, lemurs, |
| remember forever. | | | | several cats and much, much more. Great for families |
| Visitors can also ask for customized tours and | | | | and all nature lovers, it’s the closest people |
| photography flights. Visit [ for more information or call | | | | can get to an “African reserve” while on |
| North Coast Air at: 707-542-8687 (TOUR). | | | | American soil. |
| 4. Cruise Along America’s Famous Hwy. 1 | | | | The tours last three hours each and are led by an |
| They don’t call this American Road for nothing. | | | | experienced naturalist. Visitors are also free to |
| California’s state route, Highway 1, takes | | | | explore the inner compound at leisure, where they |
| visitors past one of the world’s longest | | | | can make friends with friendly animals like giraffes |
| stretches of coastlines. Enjoy mile after mile of ocean | | | | and moneys, and enjoy the music of the birds in the |
| view, refreshing breeze, and clear, blue sky. Then, | | | | open-air aviary. |
| stretch your legs at any of the many golden | | | | Entrance fee is $58 per person. For more information, |
| beaches. Dive into the water, work on that tan, or | | | | visit |
| lounge in the shade with a cold drink and a good | | | | 10. Come Say “Hi” to Snoopy at the |
| nook. | | | | Charles M Schulz Museum |
| 5. “Ooh and Aah” at The Old Faithful | | | | The world owes much to Charles M. Schultz, the |
| Geyser | | | | creator of the beloved comic strip, Peanuts. His |
| Think of geysers as natural recurring steam baths. | | | | lovable characters were not only funny, but often |
| These stone cones cast a scalding fountain of water | | | | incredibly philosophical—from the existential angst |
| up to 75 feet into the air. However, most breakouts | | | | of Charlie Brown, to the carefree spirit of Snoopy. |
| are irregular and unpredictable—only three in the | | | | Charles Schultz’ closest friends and family |
| world actually have constant, predictable eruptions. | | | | established the Schultz museum in 2002, in the heart |
| One of them is found in Calistoga. This Old Faithful | | | | of his hometown, Sonoma County. Collections include |
| erupts every 20 to 30 minutes, though rainfall can | | | | over 6,000 drawings, samples of thematic work from |
| cause it to “blow” more frequently, but | | | | 1950 to 2000, and priceless preliminary sketches for |
| with less intensity. Visitors say it’s an | | | | Peanuts. |
| “amazing experience” that draws oohs | | | | Direct flights straight into the heart of the Wine |
| and aahs every time. Pack a picnic lunch and grab a | | | | Country are now available at none other than the |
| table near the geyser. | | | | Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport. The Airport |
| 6. Be a Farmer for a Day on “Sonoma County | | | | was recently re-named to pay tribute to the local |
| Farm Trails” | | | | artist. |
| For one day, you can experience being farmer for | | | | Discover all you need to know about visiting the |
| day—go berry picking, feed the sheep and | | | | California Wine Country at: |
| llamas, and bite into apples that had been picked off | | | | While you’re there, make sure to sign up to |
| the branches just minutes before. You can get free | | | | win a FREE Trip to the Wine Country -one lucky |
| trail maps that will lead you though different produce | | | | winner is chosen every 30 days. |
| farms, breweries, cheese factories and wineries. You | | | | |