Vacation rentals in North Coast

Visit the vineyards, go wine tasting, and enjoy awesome views of the seacoast and mountains. For example, Mendocino Café’s beautifully landscaped garden atmosphere introduces fresh ingredients through its delightful international cuisine with an impressive wine list. Goodlife Café & Bakery specializes in fresh baked goods, gluten-free choices and a full menu of delicious organic options. Calmére Estate Winery offers many unique activities at their vineyard including “Brunch & Yoga.” You can ride a bicycle through Napa Valley’s 12.5-mile Vine Trail and taste wine along the way. Be sure to visit the art galleries and activities in these cities as well.

One more activity worth mentioning is the unusual shopping venues like Tiddle E Winks Vintage 5 & Dime for quaint gifts, Mable & Mae for great clothing, Global Heart FreeTrade for international goods, and so much more. Because Sonoma is the birthplace of wine and legendary vineyards, they also support sustainable farming, organic produce, and farm to table cuisine. North Coast Brewing features live music. Jazz is playing at Ledford House and has exceptional ocean views coupled with a fine dining experience. During “crush” season, September to October, wineries in Napa Valley host harvest parties where you may join the fun of crushing grapes atmosphere.

There is so much to do in this part of California, it’s hard to describe it all. Here are a few key points to get you started on your adventure. Check out Connolly Ranch for hands-on educational programs covering agriculture. A daring full moon hike and wildlife tracking workshop is available at Napa Land Trust. Then there’s Lake Berryessa for boating, waterskiing, and kayak experiences. Be sure to take time to marvel at the Giant Redwoods and from December through May, observe grey whales migrating along the Pacific Northwest coastline.

Here is a snippit of the North Coast’s diverse history. In Mendocino visit the 1852 landmark Chinese Taoist Temple of Kwan Tai erected for the Chinese god of war, loyalty, and integrity. Two house museums, Ford and Kelley, offer stories and artifacts from Mendocino’s interesting heritage including the ancient Native American lifestyle that prevailed here. Sonoma’s State Historic Park boasts Vallejo’s 1850 home and Buena Vista Winery (1857) where Sonoma’s wine country got started. Visit Bale Grist Mill to watch how flour was made in the 1800s.

The Napa Valley Wine Train features a six-hour adventure through the beautiful valley. Due to its perfect temperate climate and volcanic earth, great wines were developed over the years making it the wine country’s epicenter. A four-course gourmet dinner caps off vineyard tours with three wine-tastings at select wineries.

Calistoga city is famous for the mysterious healing properties of its mud and mineral waters. Native Americans had frequented the area centuries ago for the therapeutic hot springs and mud pools. The tradition has been carried on up to today with each spa boasting their secret mud recipe’s mixture of volcanic ash with mineral water in various quantities claiming to heal joint inflammation and eczema and make you feel good.

The Culinary Institute of America has the first culinary arts museum in the United States. It features the personal 2000-piece collection of knives and other cookware of Chuck Williams, the founder of Williams-Sonoma specialty shop of home and kitchen wares. Enjoy a cooking class where you can hone your culinary skills while on holiday.

At Half Moon Bay Art Glass, you can enjoy the beautiful atmosphere, have a glass of delicious wine from its winery and get acquainted with glassblowing. They offer classes to visitors teaching a unique form of glassblowing that is fun and fascinating just outside Half Moon Bay at Nebbia Winery.

Oxbow Public Market is the place where you can make great connections among wine lovers and foodies. You’ll find the best organic produce, cheese, and meats all in one place. There are also many interesting collectibles and furniture. Have a picnic at Oxbow and hang out on the patio, you’ll be glad you did.