| The California wine country in and near Sonoma | | | | begins to see just how important wine and |
| County is known for its world-class wines, but | | | | grapes are to the local economy. You can get |
| you don't have to be a wine aficionado to marvel | | | | started at one of the many wine tasting rooms in |
| at this area's scenic backroads and the abundance | | | | town or wait until you visit the wineries along the |
| of historical attractions all within a short drive. | | | | way - in this part of Sonoma County, a glass of |
| Case in point: a drive up the central part of the | | | | premium wine is never far away. |
| county that begins in the historic city of Petaluma. | | | | A local resident directed us north and west on |
| We had spent an enjoyable weekend on a | | | | Dry Creek Road, a country road that almost |
| previous trip in the town of Sonoma - the | | | | seems European it is so lush and colorful. As |
| best-known visitor destination in the county and a | | | | promised, the road meanders through vineyards |
| less corporate, less developed version of nearby | | | | and bright fields of flowers, offering mystic vistas |
| Napa - but this time we wanted to get off the | | | | of the nearby hills. We passed farmhouse settings |
| beaten path a bit and experience the Sonoma | | | | so idyllic they seemed like they were created for |
| County countryside. Because we had heard about | | | | fairy tales. And, of course, every couple miles or |
| the historic downtown buildings there, we decided | | | | less there was another winery, many with tasting |
| our first stop would be Petaluma, a city of about | | | | rooms beckoning the traveler to stop in and just |
| 60,000 people that is about 32 miles north of San | | | | "drink up" some of this famous Sonoma County |
| Francisco. | | | | atmosphere. |
| Driving up from Southern California, we went | | | | The Dry Creek Road runs parallel to Highway 101 |
| straight to the Sheraton Petaluma to rest up and | | | | for several miles and then we took a right on |
| begin a day of exploration the following day. This | | | | Canyon Road to cross back under the freeway |
| particular hotel is located on the Petaluma River | | | | and head over to Geyserville, just east of 101. |
| with its full-fledged marina providing both moorage | | | | This town of about a thousand souls is home to |
| for local boaters and ambiance for the hotel. The | | | | some inns and is known for its location right in the |
| river also provides a pleasant backdrop for hiking | | | | heart of wine country. It's estimated that about |
| trails that begin at the hotel and take you several | | | | 70 wineries are within a 15-minute radius of town. |
| miles into the local marshland - the perfect start | | | | From Geyserville we headed south on scenic |
| to a sunny day in Sonoma County. | | | | Highway 128, which eventually climbs out of the |
| After a brisk morning walk we drove just a | | | | valley, over and through the hills and, finally, down |
| couple of miles to Downtown Petaluma, which | | | | into Napa County and the historic town of |
| was just as advertised. Fortunately, the | | | | Calistoga. This area was settled back in the |
| downtown area survived the Big San Francisco | | | | mid-19th Century by Samuel Brannan, who |
| earthquake of the early 20th Century. The result | | | | published San Franciso's first English language |
| is a great collection of historic buildings, both | | | | newspaper and was California's first millionaire. He |
| business and residential. It's all within easy walking | | | | was interested in Calistoga's hot springs so he |
| distance and it was fun to pick up local publications | | | | purchased more than 2,000 acres, where he |
| and do our own historic walking tour of the area. | | | | wanted to build a spa similar to Saratoga in New |
| The river adds a special feeling to the downtown | | | | York. It opened in 1862, and was an immediate hit |
| area and it's apparent that the locals have put | | | | with the rich and famous of the day. |
| great emphasis on creating boardwalks, special | | | | The privileged still come to Calistoga - along with |
| docks and other amenities to add to the area's | | | | plenty of ordinary people. The appeal remains the |
| overall charm. | | | | area's hot springs, and several inns and resorts |
| As we ventured outward a few blocks from the | | | | offer a hot spring experience as part of their |
| downtown, we were awed by rows and rows of | | | | amenities. Still a small town with only about 5,000 |
| Victorian homes, most in good repair. The historic | | | | people, Calistoga prides itself on being a center of |
| downtown of Petaluma is so treasured that it is | | | | wellness that attracts visitors looking for |
| on the National Register of Historic Places. It soon | | | | therapeutic benefits from the hot springs. No |
| became apparent why so many people choose to | | | | need to stay overnight to enjoy the hot springs; |
| use Petaluma as a base of operations for | | | | day spas offer visitors the chance to dip and |
| exploring nearly 200 wineries in Sonoma County. | | | | drive. |
| The area's history is formally celebrated at the | | | | We enjoyed the down-home feel of Calistoga, a |
| Petaluma Historical Library and Museum, where | | | | main street that seems a bit Western and - |
| the building and everything inside are part of the | | | | expensive spa resorts notwithstanding - not just |
| town's history. Also, about three miles east of | | | | for the affluent. We especially enjoyed spending |
| town, we came across the Petaluma Adobe | | | | some time over at the Sharpsteen Museum |
| State Historic Park, a 41-acre park that features | | | | where they have a large diorama depicting |
| the former adobe ranch of General Mariano | | | | Calistoga as it looked like when it was settled by |
| Guadalupe Vallejo. Dating back to 1834, the house | | | | Brannan. The museum was a project of Ben |
| is a historical landmark and today features | | | | Sharpsteen, an animator, producer and director |
| authentic furniture and interpretive displays. After | | | | for Walt Disney Studios. |
| our morning of history it was time to venture on | | | | Calistoga was an ideal stop for the day, and put |
| with our daytrip by driving about 30 miles north | | | | us in position for a drive further into the Napa |
| on Highway 101 to the quaint town of Healdsburg. | | | | Valley for another day trip that was bound to |
| The town derives its name from Harmon Heald, | | | | bombard the senses just as this day's journey |
| an Ohio entrepreneur who initially set up the town | | | | had. It was a backroad odyssey that had shown |
| grid back in the 1850's and sold lots for $15 | | | | us some of the best that California wine country |
| apiece. Healdsburg was built around a Spanish-style | | | | has to offer - that is, that doesn't come in a |
| plaza which, today, remains the centerpiece of a | | | | bottle. |
| downtown that still retains many historic buildings. | | | | AT A GLANCE |
| The town has something of a Mayberry feel with | | | | WHERE: This journey begins in Petaluma, about 32 |
| its Sweet Shop selling gumballs on the corner and | | | | miles north of San Francisco, and ends at |
| institutions like the Raven Performing Arts | | | | Calistoga, about 27 miles north of Napa. You'll |
| Theater that hosts local plays and features | | | | travel through some of the most beautiful parts |
| dinosaur rock acts such as Bo Diddly, the | | | | of California wine country. |
| performer in town during our visit. | | | | WHAT: California wine country is the perfect |
| But while the town may seem as simple as | | | | antidote to big-city hustle and bustle: idyllic farms, |
| Mayberry, life here is definitely more sophisticated. | | | | colorful fields of flowers, stately wineries with |
| There is a high per-capita number of gourmet | | | | vineyards clinging to the rolling hills. |
| restaurants, and high-end galleries, jewelry, apparel | | | | WHEN: Any time of the year. |
| and other gifts are clustered around the plaza. | | | | WHY: To enjoy historic attractions, gorgeous |
| More than anything, though, Healdsburg is a | | | | scenery, upscale shopping and - oh, yes, great |
| jumping off point for gorgeous drives through the | | | | wine-tasting. |
| Central Sonoma County countryside where one | | | | |