It's been said that the finest way to tour California's wine country is by bicycle.
As you ride from magnificent wine country through enormous redwood forests and on to the wild Pacific Ocean shoreline, you can combine wine, the rocky coastline, and the finest of Northern California. The Napa and Sonoma valleys are a cyclist's dream destination because to their ideal climate, gorgeous landscape, and more than 500 vineyards. Off the bike, there are wine tastings, amazing cuisine, and a wealth of history to discover, and this cycling journey takes it all in at a speed designed to enjoy rather than race, making it a trip for every rider. There is no need to go farther if you want a trip that will leave a lasting impression on all five senses
Inclusions
Meals
- 5 breakfasts
Transport
- Bicycle (e-bike option available, subject to availability), Support Vehicle
Accommodation
- Simple Hotel/Motel (5 nights)
Included activities
- Sonoma Wine Country guided & vehicle supported cycling
- Sonoma to Santa Rosa guided & vehicle supported cycling
- Napa Valley guided & vehicle supported cycling
- Santa Rosa to Healdsburg guided & vehicle supported cycling
- Armstrong Redwoods State Park
- Russian River guided & vehicle supported cycling
- Napa Winery visit
- Lake Sonoma to Healdsburg guided & vehicle supported cycling
Gallery
LOCATION
Itinerary
Day 1: San Francisco - Napa to Sonoma Cycling
Welcome to your riding journey through California. For the hour-long trip to the centre
of the famed Napa Valley winemaking area and the outskirts of Napa, depart from San Francisco
and drive north via the internationally recognised Golden Gate Bridge. After a brief safety
briefing and fitting for your bike, you'll go for your first ride through California's wine
country, taking in the pastoral beauty of the farms and vineyards along the way. The day's
first stop is the landmark Artesa Vineyards & Winery in the slopes of Mount Veeder, which
integrates seamlessly into its surroundings. From there, riders may continue along this
undulating vineyard-lined path to the ancient town of Sonoma, visiting other gorgeous
wineries en route. in Sonoma, complete your cycle, and dropenter the town square, stopping
at the Sonoma Barracks and the magnificent Mission San Francisco Solano.
Accommodation
- Hotel/Motel (1 night)
Included Activities
- Sonoma Wine Country guided & vehicle supported cycling
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.Special Information
Today’s riding distance is approximately 37kms/23 miles, undulating for the first 16kms /10 miles, then relatively flat, with approximately 310m/1025ft of elevation gain.that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be checking insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late, please let an Intrepid representative or your travel agent know. The meeting spot is at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Downtown Soma at 9 am.
Day 2: Sonoma to Santa Rosa Cycling
After breakfast, mount your horse and depart from peaceful Sonoma. Ride through the endless
vineyards and rolling green hills, through the Jack London State Historic Village and Park as you
start the steep but doable ascent. Following the ascent, you may enjoy a leisurely, carefree
descent into the Bennett Valley and the old city of Santa Rosa, where you will spend the following
two nights. Santa Rosa, the largest city in California's Wine Country, nevertheless has a small
town feel to it. Although the whole downtown of San Francisco was tragically devastated in the
earthquake of 1906, the area has been restored and is still a terrific spot to spend an evening
visiting the many fantastic pubs, cafés, and restaurants.
Accommodation
- Hotel/Motel (1 night)
Included Activities
- Sonoma to Santa Rosa guided & vehicle supported cycling
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s riding distance along 100% paved roads is approximately 45 kms/28 miles, slightly uphill then a long climb at around 21 kms/13 miles, before descending the last 13kms/8 miles. Approximately 520m/1720ft of elevation gainDay 3: Santa Rosa - Napa Valley Cycling
After breakfast, you can travel (in about 30 minutes) into the Napa Valley proper and the small
town of Calistoga, which is home to famous geothermal hot springs and some of the best Napa wineries,
including the Chateau Montelena, which has a place in wine history thanks to its 1976 victory at the
Judgement of Paris, which put California on the map for the quality of its wines. To go back to Santa Rosa
for the evening, use the Franz Valley and Chalk Hill route back into Sonoma County.
Accommodation
- Hotel/Motel (1 night)
Included Activities
- Napa Valley guided & vehicle supported cycling
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s riding distance is approximately 60 kms/37 miles, starts with an uphill then sharp descent, then undulating lightly downhill, with approximately 560m/ 1835ft of elevation gain. Please note due to ride timings it is not possible to visit the Chateau Montelena or the nearby Petrified Forest.Day 4: Cycle Santa Rosa to Healdsburg
To get to Sebastopol, which was formerly a prime apple-growing district but is now home to wineries, exit Santa
Rosa and bike west along the gorgeous and traffic-free Santa Rosa Creek Trail, a high walkway with stunning views of
the waterway, farms, vineyards, and mountains. A local artist couple created these quirky and slightly strange
sculptures from scrap metal, which line Florence Ave. Continue travelling north on undulating roads until you
reach the Russian River Valley, one of northern California's cooler wine-growing regions that is known for its
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. You are welcome to stop along the way to Healdsburg to sample some of these wines..
Accommodation
- Hotel/Motel (1 night)
Included Activities
- Santa Rosa to Healdsburg guided & vehicle supported cycling
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s riding distance is approximately 48kms/30 miles, mostly flat for the first 16 kms/10 miles, undulating for next 16kms/10 miles, then mostly flat again, with approximately 295m/970ft of elevation gainDay 5: Healdsburg - Redwoods & Russian River Cycling
As you ride into the Armstrong Redwoods State Park, the epicentre of California's redwood forest,
today is a real cycling highlight. Take some time to ponder the magnificence of nature as you are surrounded
by 1,400-year-old trees that stand over 300 feet tall. In order to get to the little coastal town of Jenner,
where the Russian River empties into the Pacific Ocean, leave the wine region behind and travel down the
river through sparsely forested areas. You may observe harbour seals stranded on the riverbank while the
waves of the ocean smash behind them. Drive back to Healdsburg from here (around an hour). You'll have some
spare time this afternoon to unwind.
Accommodation
- Hotel/Motel (1 night)
Included Activities
- Armstrong Redwoods State Park
- Russian River guided & vehicle supported cycling
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s riding distance is approximately 58kms/36 miles, undulating with approx. 430m/1420ft of elevation gain. Our cycling guide may give you the option to do this route ‘in reverse’ depending on the prevailing winds on the dayDay 6: Wine Country Cycling - San Francisco
The final ride of the week will include some truly classic wine country cycling as you take
out time in the morning making your way from the Lake Sonoma Overlook (an amazing 360-degree hilltop
view the across Lake Sonoma Bridge and the Russian River) downhill then along quiet back roads dotted
with welcoming vineyards. At the end of the ride, make sure to head back to the hotel, where you’ll have a
chance to return to your room to freshen up and pack before departing Healdsburg. Take the drive back toward San Francisco,
taking the leisurely route through the famed Napa Valley, visiting St Helena for lunch (and one last tasting)
before arriving back at Fisherman’s Wharf around 3 pm.
Included Activities
- Napa Winery visit
- Lake Sonoma to Healdsburg guided & vehicle supported cycling
Meals Included
- Breakfast
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