California Wine Country & the Pacific Coast California Wine Country & the Pacific Coast Rolling vineyards glistening with ripening grapes are a testament to the Napa Valley and Sonoma County s reputation as premier sources of California wine. But sipping some of these wines yourself is only one way that you ll get a taste of the region. You ll cycle through carefree beach culture along the Pacific Coast, view landscapes that inspired Jack London and Alfred Hitchcock, browse the arts and crafts scene of Healdsburg, admire sweeping views from your inn at Bodega Bay, enjoy a farm-to-table picnic under a canopy of giant redwoods and so much more. Cultural Highlights Cycle through carefree beach culture along the Pacific Coast Taste big California reds at Madonna Estate Winery in Carneros Ride through amber hills and coastal plains along San Pablo Bay Experience West Coast hospitality at leading edge inns with cinematic views Learn why Alfred Hitchcock chose Bodega Bay as his film setting for The Birds Enjoy plenty of leisure time to pursue more wineries and other activities Pedal through a patchwork of pinot noir vineyards in Alexander Valley Follow in the footsteps of Jack London through the Valley of the Moon Enjoy a farm-to-table picnic under a canopy of giant redwoods Trace the history of Gold Rush pioneers & red Zins cycling through Dry Creek Valley 1 / 5
Browse the contemporary arts-and-crafts scene in dog-friendly Healdsburg What to Expect This tour offers mostly easy terrain with the occasional rolling hill and the opportunity for longer rides. The VBT van support shuttle is always available. Average Daily Mileage: 18 44 miles Average Cycling Time: 2 4 1/2 hours Climate Information Average High/Low Temperature ( F) Napa Apr 70 /42 May 73 /44 Jun 78 /47 Jul 82 /50 Aug 79 /49 Sep 80 /47 Oct 76 /46 Nov 65 /44 Average Precipitation (in.) Napa Apr 1.5 May 1 Jun 0 Jul 0 Aug 0 Sep 0 Oct 1.5 Nov 2.6 2 / 5
DAY 1 Arrive in Sonoma VBT Bicycle Vacation only guests: VBT provides a shuttle from San Francisco International Airport to MacArthur Place in Sonoma, departing at 1:00 p.m. If you arrive later or if your flight is delayed, please make your own arrangements to MacArthur Place. Meet the shuttle at San Francisco International Airport outside Terminal #3, Level 1, Courtyard 4. There are signs in the baggage claim area that read CHARTER BUSES. Follow them and look for the Pure Luxury shuttle. The driver will be holding a VBT sign. The driver and vehicle arrive in the courtyard at 1:00 p.m. 2nd Option: Join a shuttle from The Fairmont San Francisco hotel at 1:40 p.m. Wait for the shuttle outside the hotel entrance as the shuttle driver may not leave the vehicle. Please allow for traffic delays. The shuttle bus says Pure Luxury. If you miss this shuttle, please make your own arrangements to MacArthur Place. If you are driving to the tour, free parking is available for all six tour days at MacArthur Place. Please ask Trip Leaders where to park. VBT Pre-Trip Extension guests: You have another morning to enjoy San Francisco. At 1:40 p.m., the shuttle company will transfer you to MacArthur Place. Please be outside the hotel watching for your shuttle as the driver may not leave the vehicle. Please allow for traffic delays. Meet at MacArthur Place in Sonoma, California located in beautiful farm country amidst the nation s oldest and most respected vineyards. Ask the reception desk for your welcome package at check-in. Meet your Trip Leaders at 3:30 p.m. for a safety talk and bike-fitting, followed by a short warm-up ride. Tonight, you ll dine at Saddles Steakhouse rated the Best Beef Restaurant in California by the California Beef Council. (Please note: Vegetarian options available.) Hotel: MacArthur Place Meals: D Daily Options: 4 miles DAY 2 Madonna Estate Winery / Sonoma and Napa Counties The morning ride leads to the Carneros region, a viticultural district known for cooler climate varietals and sparkling wines. The grapes benefit from ocean breezes, allowing for cool-climate grapes and slower ripening. Before laced with vineyards, these Carneros (sheep) hills were once pasture for grazing. Pause here for a picnic lunch and wine tasting at Madonna Estate Winery before returning to Sonoma. This afternoon, you ll have free time to explore more wineries, browse Sonoma s shops and galleries, or relax in the wellness spa at MacArthur Place. Dinner is on your own at one of Sonoma s many restaurants. Hotel: MacArthur Place Daily Options: 18, 25, 34 or 41 miles 3 / 5
DAY 3 Valley of the Moon / Glen Ellen / Kenwood / Bodega Bay After a hearty breakfast, you ride from Sonoma through the Valley of the Moon. This region got its name from Native Americans who noticed that as the moon rose, it appeared to rise again and again over the peaks and glens of the Mayacamas mountain range. It s also home to great American writer, Jack London who owned a ranch here. Cycle this morning to the town of Kenwood for a wine tasting. Lunch is on your own with the option to dine at the vineyard s restaurant. Afterwards, board a shuttle for the 90-minute transfer to Bodega Bay. The Inn at the Tides is your comfortable home for the night, offering stunning Bodega Bay views. There is time to swim in the inn s pool or relax in the hot tub before dinner at the inn. Hotel: Inn at the Tides Meals: B, D Daily Options: 14 or 17 miles DAY 4 Armstrong Redwoods / Healdsburg This morning, you ll have breakfast on the wharf at The Tides Restaurant, made famous by Alfred Hitchcock s film The Birds. The Tides Wharf Restaurant and parking area were used for the movie s gas station, café, and boat dock scenes. This morning s ride offers beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean, following the coastline for ten miles before turning inland to Guerneville and Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve. Here, gather for a picnic lunch under the magnificent canopy of the Sequoia sempervirens or coastal redwood. The world s tallest trees live 500-2,000 years, reaching heights of 350 feet. After lunch, continue by bike or shuttle to your hotel in downtown Healdsburg, where you have time to settle in and explore town. This vibrant destination is known for its historic Spanish Colonial plaza. Visit the museum, stroll along the river though Railroad Park or perhaps explore one of the galleries showcasing art, photography, glassware, and jewelry. Dinner is on your own with many choices in the neighborhood. Hotel: The Harmon Guest House Daily Options: 26 or 47 miles DAY 5 Alexander Valley / Healdsburg Today takes you on a ride through the kingdom of Pinot Noir in Alexander Valley. The valley is sheltered from the Pacific Ocean by low lying hills. Because of this, it is one of the warmest areas in Northern California during the day, but at night the temperatures lower significantly, offering cool climate conditions for the grapes. The valley s closeness to the Russian River allows for an early morning fog that covers the lower vineyard areas until it is burned off by the sun. This natural airconditioning allows the grapes to develop full flavor maturity over an extended growing season often 15 to 20 percent longer than neighboring areas. 4 / 5
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org) VBT Itinerary You ll also ride the Geyserville and Lytton Springs roads within Alexander Valley offering optional stops at tasting rooms. All cycling finishes before lunch, which is on your own in Healdsburg. Take advantage of free time to swim or paddle in the river at Veterans Memorial Beach, or at your inn s pool. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner at the inn. Hotel: The Harmon Guest House Meals: B, D Daily Options: 23 miles DAY 6 Cycle Dry Creek Valley / Depart for home Today s route takes you through the Dry Creek Valley, a beautiful, winding landscape with a unique microclimate filled with an unusual mix of plant life, from redwood groves to live oak forests even palm trees and cactus dot the landscape. Along the way, a couple notable wineries may interest you: Everett Ridge or Quivira Biodynamic Winery. Return to your inn for a shower and lunch before your shuttle to San Francisco International Airport at 2:00 p.m. We recommend a flight out of San Francisco no earlier than 6:00 p.m. If you parked your car at the start of the tour, the VBT van will transfer you back to Sonoma. Daily Options: 20 miles 5 / 5