Sonoma county is a perfect place for wine lovers, people searching for soothing relaxation, romantic ambience and much more. Its conveniently located 30 miles north of San Francisco and spanning 1575 square miles containing about 1,00,000 acres of lush wine growing land. Having over 200 award winning wineries and about 60 miles of Pacific coastline and beautiful beaches, the Majestic Russian river, Golf courses, museums, shopping, botanical, gardens, galleries, camping locations, bike & hiking trails and diverse festivals all year around, Sonoma county is the place you should definitely visit.

Sonoma has 5 distinct wine-growing disticts: Los Carneros District, Sonoma Valley, Russian River Valley, Dry Creek Valley, and Alexander Valley, with small towns in each. You will find the premium quality wines of both white and red wine, famous categories include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pino, Syrah, Zinfandel, Shiraz and very often vineyards have their own special. Winery hospitality staff are knowledgeable, friendly and eager to discuss the wines and how they were made. Winery tours take visitors behind the scenes to barrel rooms, crush pads, bottling lines, cellars and caves. You will find vineyards all around the county, just driving around the place is very pleasant and relaxing.

Additional things to do * Wine county Ballooning: On US Hwy 101, Airport Blvd exit from Kal's Kaffe Mocha.

* Point Arena Lighthouse and Museum, 115 ft tall and Steel reinforced concrete lighthouse opened in 1908.

* Luther Burbank Home and Gardens: Life and work of the horticulcurist who introduced 800 variety of flowers, fruits, nuts etc..

* Fort Ross State Historic Park: The site of trading post and fort established by Russians in 1812.

* Train Ride: On Santa Rosa 12, a 20 minute steam train ride through a forested railroad park past scaled down reproductions of buildings ad waterfalls.

* Being so close to San Francisco you may also consider visiting the GOLDEN GATE bridge, Pier 39,Alcatraz, China Town and the famous Crooked street of SF Downtown.

* Napa county which is again a very famous vineyard community is located just east of Sonoma county, activities there include wine tasting, Balooning, visiting Pertified forest and old faithful geyser.

Weather:

Sonoma Country has wet, mild winters and warm dry summers. Summer evenings are mostly cool. The best time to visit is both decent weather and smaller crowds is November or February-March. The wineries are most quite during December through March. You will find good information at sonomacounty.com

Getting there:

Sonoma County has its own Airport in Santa Rosa but most people prefer arriving at San Francisco airport and then drive north. Oakland airport is also close. There are shuttle buses (Airporter Express) directly from airports to the county.

Article submitted by Swati A http://www.grandlay.com

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