TravelPulse takes on California's wine country with a trip to Sonoma County. Over the course of the next five days we will experience numerous outdoor activities while we explore the region's varying microclimates and get acquainted with all they have to offer.
Sonoma County is located in the Northern California, 30 miles north of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge. Known for being one of the largest producer of Californian wine, Sonoma County is home to over 425 wineries. Today, more than 8.4 million people visit the county each year spending more than $2.1 billion USD annually. Hospitality and tourism comprises one out of every ten jobs in Sonoma County and offering a memorable stay is a top priority for the destination.
"With our close proximity to San Francisco and Oakland international airports, Sonoma County is easily accessible to our neighbors to the north…," confessed Tina Luster, Media Relations Manager for Sonoma County. "We have the perfect blend of city amenities and beautiful nature to explore…You're free to go your own way and create your perfect getaway: from luxury hotels, to camping and "glamping," private vacation homes, to charming cottages overlooking a vineyard."
Although one's love of wine is a great reason to visit Sonoma County the region does have so much more to offer. Where there is great wine there is also great food and Sonoma County has everything from local mom-and-pop restaurants to Michelin-star fine dining. Further, Sonoma County offers a generous range of outdoor adventures. From hiking in the mountains, to fishing in the valleys, camping in the forests, or whale watching along the coastline, adventure is always just around the corner.
"Our uniqueness stems from our diversity of activities and the sheer breadth of size. While known as wine country, only 6% of the total land mass is planted to grapes. More than 60 regional and state parks that beckon travelers to stroll (or zip) through towering redwood forests, meander along 50-plus miles of stunning Pacific Ocean coastline, hike up hills dotted with oak trees, or paddle a kayak or canoe along one of three rivers. And there's wine tasting at the end of your time in nature. Or a craft beer, cider, or hand-crafted spirits," revealed Luster.
While in Sonoma County we are scheduled to experience all the destination has to offer including visiting local wineries, indulging in farm to table cuisine, kayaking, enjoying a nature walk, glamping at an animal sanctuary, exploring the Armstrong Redwoods State Nature Reserve, and experiencing all the Pacific coastline has to offer.
During our time in Sonoma County we will be staying at numerous hotels including Hotel Petaluma, a small boutique hotel set amongst trendy bars, a vast array of restaurants, art galleries, and Petaluma's local area attractions; Safari West 'where luxury goes wild', a renowned 400-acre private wildlife preserve that offers a luxury glamping experience; Timber Cove Resort, a boutique hotel located on a dramatic bluff overlooking California's Sonoma Coast; before finishing off with a luxury stay at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn And Spa, the ultimate Wine Country oasis with its state-of-the-art Willow Stream Spa, access to Sonoma Golf Club (a championship golf course), and its own award winning, Michelin-star restaurant, Sante!
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