Napa Valley & Sonoma Bike Tour
Road Cycling in California with DuVine Adventures
Highlights
- Site visits: Bodega Bay, Armstrong Forest, Sonoma County, Calistoga, Napa Valley
- Meals: All breakfasts, two lunches and four gourmet dinners including wine
- Wine tasting
Includes:
- Deluxe accommodations in luxurious properties with the best amenities
- Aluminum bicycle, handlebar bag, water bottle, lock, patch kit with spare tube, lightweight helmet and optional toe straps
- Breakfasts, lunches, Apres Velo cocktails and gourmet dinners including wine
- Bilingual guides who look after your every need
- A route review with your guide each morning
- Highlighted regional maps
- Support vehicle that sweeps the day's route distributing refreshments and offering lifts
- Entrance fees to historic sites, museums, parks and all other exclusive events
- Transportation from rendezvous to final drop-off
- Gratuities for baggage, porters, and hotel service
- Baggage transport
- Exceptional customer service
- Complimentary travel planning
- DuVine Adventures complimentary cycling jersey, t-shirt, luggage tag and water bottle.
Excludes:
- Airfare to/from the departure point
- Gratuities to local guides
Day by Day Itinerary
Day One: San Francisco – Bodega Bay
After being picked up from the Argonaut Hotel in San Francisco, we will head north across the Golden Gate Bridge for the one hour transfer to Petaluma. From there your guides will fit you to your rental bike, get you oriented and we’ll start our first ride. You’ll enjoy a gorgeous route past the pastoral beauty of the ranches and farms of rural Sonoma County. Today you’re free to enjoy lunch on your own, and many prefer the excellent deli & café in the village of Tomales. After finishing the first ride we’ll shuttle to Bodega Bay on the Pacific Coast to do another short ride. This second ride is in a completely different, remarkably beautiful environment. Protected under the California State Park System, our destination, Bodega Head, offers a stunning view from the headlands of the rugged Sonoma Coast. We’ll then head to tonight’s resort. Nestled on a hillside above Doran Beach, the Bodega Bay Lodge is a perfect place to take in the area’s natural beauty. From your balcony, enjoy views of Bodega Bay and the Pacific Ocean beyond. The award-winning restaurant and full-service spa are only steps away, as is the beach.
Meals: Dinner
Destinations visited: Ranchlands of Sonoma, Bodega Bay & Sonoma Coast
Distance cycled: 45 km / 28 miles
Day Two: Bodega Bay – Healdsburg
As the morning sun burns off the nightly blanket of fog, you may choose to take a stroll along the tranquil bay before indulging in a hearty breakfast. Today we’ll head into the coastal range for a cruise into the heart of the redwoods. At the Armstrong Redwoods State Park, we’ll picnic among 1,400-year-old trees that tower over 300 feet high and create a unique microclimate. Shafts of light filtering through the canopy make for an enchanting experience. The optional cycle after lunch is along the Russian River. On our approach to Healdsburg, we will stop for a tasting at Hop Kiln winery. Tucked away atop a small hill, this vineyard boasts a historic California landmark - one of America's best still standing kilns - which now serves as the impressive tasting room. Back on the road, and a mere couple of yards down the street, we encounter the neighboring Rochioli vineyard where we will sample some of their new selections. Tonight will be spent in Healdsburg, a relaxed and prosperous town built around a plaza with a bandstand and several restaurants, bookstores, and antique shops. Tonight you are free to arrange your own dining plans, though we'll be happy to recommend one of the many great dining destinations.
Meals: Breakfast / Gourmet Picnic
Destinations visited: Armstrong Redwoods State Park, Russian River Valley, Healdsburg, Hop Kiln winery, Rochioli vineyards
Distance cycled: 39 km / 24 miles
Day Three: The Dry Creek Valley
Today you may choose to spend time exploring Healdsburg. For those who would like to cycle, we’ll ride into the Dry Creek Valley and look out across acres of vines with the Mayacamas Mountains in the distance. This will be some truly classic wine country riding on quiet back roads dotted with welcoming vineyards. As we pass these endless rows of vineyards along lightly-trafficked country roads, we reach our first stop at Ferrari-Carano winery where you will be enchanted by both the property and the wines. Where you enjoy lunch today is your choice. You can sample one of Healdsburg's many restaurants, but we heartily recommend stopping at Dry Creek General Store, a country store along the route known for amazing gourmet sandwiches and fresh salads. Today's itinerary includes a visit to Quivira Vineyard - a bio-dynamic (organic) winery. After a tour of the bountiful grounds (both a vineyard and an organic farm), we will sample some of these unique wines. If you buy a bottle or two while touring the vineyards, let us know and we'll gladly collect them for you. This afternoon you'll have some free time and you may consider treating yourself to a massage at the hotel's spa. Tonight we’ll dine at one of our favorites, the Michelin-starred Dry Creek Kitchen.
Meals: Breakfast / Dinner
Destinations visited: Dry Creek Valley, Quivira winery, Ferrari-Carano vineyard
Distance cycled: 37 km / 23 miles
Day Four: Healdsburg – Napa – San Francisco
We’ll start the day riding out along the back roads of Healdsburg to explore the wine growing region of Alexander Valley. After a coffee stop at a favorite spot, we'll loop back to the hotel on what many regard as their favorite ride of the week. You’ll have a chance to return to your room to freshen up and pack before departing Healdsburg. We'll then shuttle back toward San Francisco and take the leisurely route through the famed Napa Valley. Along the way we'll stop for lunch at another favorite country store. Our first winery visit today will be at the historic & beautiful Chateau Montelena winery, recently featured in the movie Bottle Shock, which retells the story of their chardonnay winning the 1976 Judgment of Paris blind tasting which brought Napa accolades from wine connoisseurs worldwide. Later we'll stop at Silver Oak for a tasting of their amazing cabernet sauvignon. With our bellies full of wonderful food and delicious wine we'll make our final journey back to San Francisco.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
Destinations visited: Alexander Valley, Knights Valley, Napa Valley, Chateau Montelena Winery, Silver Oak Winery
Distance cycled: 37 km / 23 miles
About The Operator:
DuVine Adventures
Headquarters:
Somerville, MA
Each season over 25% of our guests are repeat DuVine Travelers. It is an honor to be selected as the bike tour operator of choice by seasoned and experienced travelers like you. Everything we do-from selecting the most beautiful destinations, to providing the high level of hospitality you crave-results in a truly outstanding travel experience. With DuVine you'll bike though beautiful landscapes at your own pace, indulge in gourmet regional cuisine, sample world-class wines, and rest in charming luxury hotels. Bike, eat, drink and sleep, while our guides handle every detail, so all you have to do is enjoy your vacation DuVine style.
Exceeding Expectations
At DuVine, we have a keen eye for detail. But we aren't the type of people to settle for basics. Our guests are special, and we pride ourselves on pampering our travelers each and every day. Over the years, DuVine Adventures has forged relationships with local innkeepers and restaurateurs in the regions we travel. Our friends, the vintners, chocolate makers, and colorful locals, love to share their stories and knowledge with DuVine travelers.
Experienced and Friendly Guides
We are particularly proud of our guides whose outstanding knowledge and efforts allow us to provide first-rate adventures. Your two dedicated DuVine guides will tirelessly work to make sure your experience is nothing short of exceptional.
Our guides are seasoned travelers who are fluent in the local language and customs and experts in wine, cuisine, art, and history. If you need help reading your menu, simply ask your guide. Want to know the best place to get gifts for family back home? Our guides can advise.
Our DuVine guides will anticipate your every need on and off the bike. They will
clean your bike, offer you a fresh towel or give you cool water before you even realize you're thirsty. Don't be surprised if you see one of your guides zipping off to orchestrate a gourmet picnic in the vineyard.
Our guides are passionate about creating whimsical memories. They love to see you smile and will ensure that you are totally satisfied! Their goal is to deliver the vacation of a lifetime, which is always DuVine!
Van Support
All guided tours are fully supported by a van that sweeps the day's route. As you bike along, our support vehicle is never far off to collect your purchases, distribute refreshments or offer a ride back to the hotel.
Bikes Included
Get ready to roll as DuVine includes bikes on all of its trips. We supply top-of-the-line hybrid bicycles with just the right combination of features. Our unique handlebar bag is the perfect size to hold a sweater, wallet, camera, and other personal items. Our bikes come in five sizes for a superior fit and ultimate riding confidence and comfort. All have light aluminum frames, a wide gear range with easy shifting, and comfortable saddles for effortless riding. If you prefer your own trusty steed, feel free to bring it along.
Wine Included with Dinner
DuVine Adventures is proud of the itinerary upgrades we make each season, which are always based upon the feedback of our guests. We include savory local wines with all dinners to provide maximum enjoyment at each meal.