Winery sign post , Old Redwood Highway , Road to Healdsburg

 

Just a short drive from San Francisco from and you've entered a new world. In fact, drive 45 minutes north, over the Golden Gate Bridge, and you'll be in Sonoma County. Not sure if I've traveled across the Atlantic and landed in Tuscany. No, but Sonoma Counties wine country, rivals any in the world, and does have a "Tuscan" feel.

Sonoma County many times takes a back seat to it's "big brother" to the east, the Napa Valley. While Napa is better known and may attract more visitors, Sonoma should not be missed. Many times the "road less traveled" is the better one. Napa has upscale Yountville, trendy St. Helena, and hot springs in Calistoga. However, the towns of Windsor and Healdsburg rival Napa's foodie and wine regions. Sonoma County has 76 miles of the most beautiful coastline in the world, and majestic Redwood trees. Sonoma boasts some of the great wineries not only of California, but of the world. Also breweries, culinary delights, spas, golf coarses, scenic bike routes and a pretty cool river runs through it.

 

Grapes on the Vine. There are over 300 award winning wineries in the Sonoma wine region.

 

If you bike the 7 miles from Windsor to Healdsburg, on the Old Redwood Highway, one can visit wineries and farms right on the side of the road in a country setting.

Begin your journey in the town of Windsor in the quaint old downtown and historic district.

In the middle of the Russian River Valley, and just south of Healdsburg, Windsor's old downtown and Town Green are great spots for dining, tasting rooms, shopping, art galleries, and more. Farmers Market vendors proudly display tables overflowing with fully ripe fruits, vegetables and specialty home-grown items For pub grub check out Patterson's Pub and Grill. Some of the best barbeque this side of Memphis, can be found at Momma Pigs.

 

Selling fresh corn and fruit, all locally grown on the side of the road in Sonoma County

 

As you bike outside of Windsor, north, en route to Healdsburg make sure to check out the organic farms where you can purchase fruits, nuts, and fresh veggies. All locally grown in Sonoma County. Apricots, Cheeries, Figs, Apples and more. The fertile soil seemingly always most fruits and vegetables to grow.

 

Stop off for a tasting at Rodney Strong Vineyards or take a wrong turn and find a new winery.

 

Support a local winery or farm. Many local agriculture businesses generate much needed revenues from local visits by travelers.

 

The Russian River runs through Healdsburg, and visitors can enjoy beaches, swimming, canoeing and kayaking.

 

The Russian River provides a swimming and recreation area. Just the place to have a picnic on a hot summer day. The Russian River actually runs all the way to the Pacific Ocean through the Redwoods. To see the real Russian River take a trip west to Guerneville. Sonoma County truly is Wine, Redwoods, and rugged coastline, along with a long and winding river.

 

Hotel Healdsburg is in center of Town Plaza

 

In my youth, Healdsburg was just a blur on Highway 101. This is no longer the case. Welcome to the new "Little Tuscany." With fine restaurants, executive chefs, antique shopping, wine tasting, even take a cooking class. All in walking distance of the Healdsburg Town Plaza. Talk around historic Victorians or spend the day at one of the many spas.

Sonoma County is all about the outdoors, and if you set your stay in Healdsburg, be sure to rent a bike and check out the vineyards in the rolling hills in the Dry Creek and Alexander Valley. For an avid biker such as myself, the Healdsburg area has so much to offer. Bike through the many wineries in the Dry Creek, Alexander Valley and get lost on any of the many farm trails, and visit local art galleries. If you come in July the bike along with the Harvest Century Tour.

 

 

The beauty of Healdsburg is unsurpassed - centered in the Northern California wine country, visitors often compare the area to Tuscany. Browse our restaurants or go shopping, antiquing, wine tasting or enjoy a cooking class around the Healdsburg Plaza. Take a walking tour of our historic homes, get a soothing massage at one of our spas, or linger in our museums and wine library. Meander through the Dry Creek Valley and Alexander Valley along our Farm Trails and Art Trails to the farms, wineries, studios and galleries that capture the area's essence in food, wine and art. Play a few rounds at some of California's best maintained Golf Courses.

Hotel Healdsburg is Sonoma County's premier, boutique, luxury property and located in the historic town square. If you are looking for a romantic getaway or perhaps a weekend of pampering, you have found your place. With a full service spa, pool, manicured gardens, and Charlie Palme's Dry Creek Kitchen serving up some of the best California cuisine in the either wine country.

 

The Three Amigos : Sydney , Nick , and Chloe at Mommy Pigs Barbeque,  Windsor

 

Mommy Pig's offers the best barbeque around.  Simply BBQ, Burgers, Bacon and Beer. Yum Yum! Try the pulled pork and baby back ribs  combination plate.

In the end if you are planning a trip to Northern Californians two most famous wine regions, remember there is more than one choice.  Make as one local said to me,  As one the sales people at Rodney Strong said, "if the  Napa Valley is Bordeaux , then the Sonoma Valley wine region is Tuscany." Both wine regions have much to offer. Being  partial to both Sonoma and Napa, when I was asked by visitors from France which region I would recommend, I calmly turned and said, "why not do both.?"

 

About the Author: Nick Kontis

Nick Kontis started out as a world traveler at an early age traveling back and forth between California and Greece every summer. But it was a back packing trip around the world at age 24 that proved to be a life changing experience. After traveling by car, train, , plane, bike and, boat around the world, it would be this trip of a lifetime that would lead to a life as a travel entrepreneur and world traveler. Nick has been on both radio and television. Featured on Arthur Frommer’s television show, and referred by Lonely Planet writers. Frequently mentioned as the “father of around the world airfares” Arthur Frommer once said, “If Jules Verne were alive today he would use Nick to go around the world in 80 days.” Nick and his various travel companies have sent over 10,000 people taking their dream trip through airfare discounts of as much as 50% off the airlines published fares. Now Nick promotes travel through his World Travel List and ‘Trip Rambler’ by World Travel List. Having traveled to over 80 countries Nick hopes to inspire others to travel the world.

 

Follow Nick as he travels the world and gives different unique perspectives: http://trip.worldtravellist.com

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