| Sonoma county is a perfect place for wine lovers, | | | | Steel reinforced concrete lighthouse opened in |
| people searching for soothing relaxation, romantic | | | | 1908.* Luther Burbank Home and Gardens: Life |
| ambience and much more. Its conveniently | | | | and work of the horticulcurist who introduced 800 |
| located 30 miles north of San Francisco and | | | | variety of flowers, fruits, nuts etc..* Fort Ross |
| spanning 1575 square miles containing about | | | | State Historic Park: The site of trading post and |
| 1,00,000 acres of lush wine growing land. Having | | | | fort established by Russians in 1812.* Train Ride: |
| over 200 award winning wineries and about 60 | | | | On Santa Rosa 12, a 20 minute steam train ride |
| miles of Pacific coastline and beautiful beaches, the | | | | through a forested railroad park past scaled down |
| Majestic Russian river, Golf courses, museums, | | | | reproductions of buildings ad waterfalls.* Being so |
| shopping, botanical, gardens, galleries, camping | | | | close to San Francisco you may also consider |
| locations, bike & hiking trails and diverse festivals | | | | visiting the GOLDEN GATE bridge, Pier |
| all year around, Sonoma county is the place you | | | | 39,Alcatraz, China Town and the famous Crooked |
| should definitely visit.Sonoma has 5 distinct | | | | street of SF Downtown.* Napa county which is |
| wine-growing disticts: Los Carneros District, | | | | again a very famous vineyard community is |
| Sonoma Valley, Russian River Valley, Dry Creek | | | | located just east of Sonoma county, activities |
| Valley, and Alexander Valley, with small towns in | | | | there include wine tasting, Balooning, visiting |
| each. You will find the premium quality wines of | | | | Pertified forest and old faithful |
| both white and red wine, famous categories | | | | geyser.Weather:Sonoma Country has wet, mild |
| include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pino, Syrah, | | | | winters and warm dry summers. Summer |
| Zinfandel, Shiraz and very often vineyards have | | | | evenings are mostly cool. The best time to visit is |
| their own special. Winery hospitality staff are | | | | both decent weather and smaller crowds is |
| knowledgeable, friendly and eager to discuss the | | | | November or February-March. The wineries are |
| wines and how they were made. Winery tours | | | | most quite during December through March. You |
| take visitors behind the scenes to barrel rooms, | | | | will find good information at |
| crush pads, bottling lines, cellars and caves. You | | | | sonomacounty.comGetting there: |
| will find vineyards all around the county, just | | | | Sonoma County has its own Airport in Santa |
| driving around the place is very pleasant and | | | | Rosa but most people prefer arriving at San |
| relaxing.Additional things to do | | | | Francisco airport and then drive north. Oakland |
| | | | airport is also close. There are shuttle buses |
| * Wine county Ballooning: On US Hwy 101, | | | | (Airporter Express) directly from airports to the |
| Airport Blvd exit from Kal's Kaffe Mocha.* Point | | | | county.Article submitted by Swati A |
| Arena Lighthouse and Museum, 115 ft tall and | | | | for more informative articles on travel. |