This bus tour will take you through eastern Sonoma County. As we venture through the picturesque Valley of the Moon we will stop at a small intimate wine cave nestled in the hillside. Continuing from there we arrive at the town of Sonoma which was one of the home sites of General Vallejo and the first capitol of California. It is where the Bear Flag Revolt took place in 1846. This area was the birthplace of modern wine making and is known for premium wines. There will be a two hour stop in Sonoma for you to enjoy lunch, shop and do some sightseeing. Look for The Vallejo Barracks, the old Mission (the last to be built in California) and the Cheese Factory. Many additional attractions can be found at www.sonomauncorked.com. Following the lunch stop we will travel back through the Valley of the Moon to Chateau St Jean winery , with its outstanding gardens and Deli with olive oil sampling. THis is the last stop before returning to the Hotel in time to prepare for a night on the town with friends. (This tour does not include lunch as there are a large variety of restaurants at Sonoma Square. Wineries in our region generally charge for tasting but some will wave tasting fee if wine is purchased. Dress is casual with walking shoes)
This bus will take you on an adventure through the Pacific Coast foothills, the giant redwoods to the rugged coast of Northern California. (Please wear casual clothes, walking shoes and a warm coat; layers work best for our changeable weather). The drive will take us along the lush banks of the Russian River to historic Korbel Champagne Cellars, then off to the Armstrong Redwood State Reserve where you will walk among the giant redwoods. Your bus will continue traveling along the Russian River through small river communities, arriving at the beautiful blue Pacific Ocean. Our first stop will be at Duncan’s Landing, which overlooks the rugged coast. As you take in the coastal environment, keep a sharp lookout for local wild life. Many birds will be obvious but seals and otters populate this coast and may present an excellent photo opportunity. From here you are just a few minutes from our lunch stop in the fishing town of Bodega Bay, a favorite setting for movie filming. Following lunch at the Sandpiper, our bus will be traveling through the small community of Bodega where Alfred Hitchcock’s movie “The Birds” was filmed. Keep the cameras at the ready as we will be passing the church and the old school house which were featured in his movie. Then on through the rolling hills of Sonoma County to an old apple packing facility nicely decorated for Christmas and filled with food items and keepsakes for sale. With the full day tour complete we will turn back to the Hyatt in time to meet friends for dinner. (NOTE: The State Reserve admission fee and lunch are included. Please see the registration form to make your lunch item selection.)
This interesting 1.5 mile walk begins at the Hyatt and runs behind the hotel along the Santa Rosa Creek (Prince Memorial Parkway), through Julliard Park to the famous Luther Burbank Home and Gardens. On Dec. 3 and 4 the house and gardens will be open and decorated for the Christmas season; admission on those days only is a $2.00. Docents, dressed in period fashions, will be in attendance to relate historical facts and to share stories relating to the Burbanks' lives. Walking back along the creek, then north alongside the Santa Rosa Mall, and turning west will take you to Old Railroad Square. There will will find several wonderful antique shops and if luck is with you a special item to add to your era fashion may be found. If your schedule finds you here at meal time there are several excellent restaurants among the other shops. From here a quick look at your map will have you back to the hotel in just a few minutes. Don't forget to keep a sharp eye out for the Mystery Tour quiz answers!.
We have many interesting places to see and things to do here in Sonoma County. Within Santa Rosa is the Charles M. Schulz Snoopy complex. It includes his museum, coffee shop and gift shop as well as an ice arena. There are world renowned wineries, like Korbel Champagne Cellars, along with some of the best small wineries anywhere scattered along our Model-A friendly back roads. Each winery will greet your senses with an array of pleasures beginning with the architecture of the buildings, from humble to elegant, old world to ultra modern with gardens to match. A few wineries offer more than wine; they may include a deli counter where local cheeses can be purchased along with an array of other picnic lunch staples. Some have extensive selections of mustards, sauces and olive oils. Many have seating areas available where guests may sit and enjoy a bottle of wine with their midday meal. The antique shops and restaurants in Healdsburg (just 15 mi north on Hwy101) are legendary. These are just a few places you can drive to and visit within a short distance of Santa Rosa. We have very detailed and easy reading maps available for you at the hospitality room and can offer advice to assist you in having a memorable tour.
Click here for Self Guided Tour maps. More tours will be posted soon!