Things to Do in Sonoma and Napa Valleys

Hot Air Ballooning Russell Racing School Safari West Horseback Riding Bike Riding Cornerstone Garden Movie Theaters Shopping

Sonoma and Napa Valley offer a veritable cornucopia of activities and opportunities for fun no matter your interests.

Have you ever wanted to soar through the air in a hot air balloon?  Fly in a bi plane?  Ride a bicycle along country roads and vineyards?  Experience Serengeti wildlife in wine country, auto racing, wine tasting, the making of champagne, the art and history of food, the production of cheese and more? That’s only a taste of what Northern California has to offer starting with El Pueblo Inn.  Jack London Historic State Park, Safari West Wildlife Preserve, The Napa Valley Wine Train,  horseback riding, bi plane rides, and dozens of other Sonoma and Napa Valley and wine country attractions await you.

Fine wine and so much more!

Hot Air Ballooning.  There’s nothing as memorable as a hot air balloon ride across California on a warm, balmy day with all of gorgeous Sonoma and Napa Valley spread out below you.  Make a reservation and learn all about the hot air ballooning history and, while that’s fascinating, there’s nothing like taking flight yourself and becoming mesmerized by the sky and all the beauty that lies below.
http://www.napavalleyballoons.com
www.up-away.com
www.winecountryballoons.com
www.vintageaircraft.com

Jack London Historic State Park.  This park stands as a tribute to the world famous author and adventurer.  See the ruin of his Wolf House that burned to the ground one summer’s night.  Visit his grave where he lies in peace next to his wife Charmian.   And don’t forget the House of Happy Walls, the museum and library dedicated to Jack London’s life.   Walk the Beauty Ranch Trail through the park while you’re there and be swept up by the natural beauty that even took Jack London’s breath away.  http://www.parks.sonoma.net/JLPark.html.  

History.   History is a big part of life in Sonoma.  It was here that California became a state during the Bear Flag revolt.  On the Plaza is the furthest north of the 21 California missions , the Mexican Barracks and the Toscano Hotel.   A short walk takes you to General Vallejo's home and/or the Depot Museum.   Also on the Plaza are the playgrounds and duck pond.   Walking tours are great for all ages. Contact the Sonoma Valley Visitor's Bureau. [Top]

Infineon Raceway – Jack Russell Racing School.  Sitting at the very gateway to Sonoma County, Infineon Raceway hosts a number of races such as NASCAR NEXTEL Cup, National Hot Rod Association Drag Racing, the American Motorcycle Association Superbike tour, and the IRL Indycar Series.  This is a year-round motorsports complex for you to come out and see what speed really is.  Don’t just watch it on TV.  Experience it live.  http:www.infineonraceway.com.

Train Town.  This is a Sonoma favorite.  Experience the most well developed scale railroad in the Americas.  Nestled aboard three cabooses from the 1930s and 40s, you’ll tour across 10 acres with one and a quarter miles of track over bridges, trestles, and through two tunnels.  While there, visit the petting zoo and take a ride on the Ferris wheel or carousel.  Little kids to grandparents love Train Town.  You’ll never forget this ride.  http://ww.traintown.com.  [Top]

Safari West Wildlife Preserve.  Spread across 400 acres of wine country, Safari West takes care of over 400 exotic animals and birds.  This is not a zoo or a drive-through park.  It is a wildlife preserve where families can watch and experience animals in their natural habitat.  Safaris are offered year-round.  Have you ever only seen a zebra or giraffe at a zoo?  Then you have to see what they do in their own natural habitat, going about their own lives.  It’s an educational marvel.  http://www.safariwest.com.

Napa Valley Wine Train.  Sip wine and enjoy a fabulous lunch aboard a train wending its way through Napa Valley and its wine country. There is a luncheon tour along with the Gourmet Express, Champagne Vista Dome, or the Silverado Grill.  Enjoy world-class dining, a three hour tour through paradise, lascivious wine, a Moonlight Escapade and a Murder Mystery Theater.  How can you turn this down? http://www.winetrain.com.  [Top]

Horseback Riding.  Seeing all the beauty of wine country just isn’t enough.  You want to hop onto a horse and ride through that entire majestic splendor and experience it for yourself.  You want to be out in the fresh air, enjoying trails through the vineyards, under the trees, and over streams, and more.  Enjoy wine country at its best on top of one of man’s best friends.  This is the ultimate natural experience. http://www.trailcenter.org/guides/stables/stables-08.htm.

Bi Plane Rides.  Get a bird’s eye view of Sonoma County from a biplane tour.  Take off from a small airstrip 6 miles south of Sonoma in a vintage biplane and then gaze down from the heavens upon all of Sonoma County and Wine Country.  If you want, they’ll add aerobic maneuvers to the flights and the biplane will twist and turn throughout the sky.  This exciting ride is a must for any visitor to Sonoma County.  http://vintageaircraft.com.  [Top]

Bike Riding Sonoma Valley.  The Sonoma Valley is ideal for biking of all types and for all ages.  Biking maps are available through the bike shops or the Visitor's Bureau.  There are many tours and rentals available.  For more information, contact Goodtime Biking Co. at 888-525-0453 or Sonoma Valley Cyclery at 707-935-3377.

Sonoma Segway.   A most amusing way to tour the town.  A Segway requires very little physical exertion, but is great fun to ride.  Take a tour or go off on your own.  Though the Segway may not be great for the kids, (they must be 12 years old), they can ride along on a bicycle.  For more information, visit  www.sonomasegway.com or call 707-938-2080. [Top]

Cornerstone Gardens.  Cornerstone Gardens is a wonderful contemporary site with playful gardens and great shops.  If you're an art lover with a passion for gardens, then you will enjoy the gallery style garden installations that the Cornerstone Gardens has to offer.  For more information, visit  www.cornerstoneplace.com.

Quarryhill.  Quarryhill has a spectacular array of plants, trees and flowers.  Featuring 20,000 Asian plants on 22 acres, Quarryhill will tease your senses with all the colors and smells that the plants offer.  For more information, call 707-996-3802. [Top]

Movies & Live Performances.  There are two movie theaters locally.  The Sebastian is the original town theater on the Plaza.  Sonoma Cinemas is a multiplex a few blocks out of town.  Ask our front desk for a Sonoma County Movie Map to see what was filmed locally.  We have the films there for your viewing.  Check with the Sonoma Valley Visitor's Bureau for current live dramatic productions, concerts and musical venues.

Spas & Massages.  There are many wonderful spas in the Sonoma and Napa Valley's.  The Spa at MacArthur Place (707-933-3193) and the European Skin and Body (707-938-3339) feature relaxing and rejuvenating treatments, conveniently located in downtown.  Sonoma Massage is a short walk from El Pueblo Inn, were you can enjoy a relaxing massage among other treatments.  Contact the Visitor's Bureau for a full listing of local Spas.  [Top]

Shopping.  Find one of a kind shops in Sonoma offering almost everything from the unique to the everyday.  Wandering around the Plaza can take most of a day, beware or you may find yourself spending more than just a lot of time in the Plaza.  There are wonderful things in the Plaza and it is hard to escape without picking up at least one memento.

Sonoma Valley Museum of Art.  Any art lover will get lost in the installations that the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art has to offer.  With a variety of exhibits, there is something for everyone.  The Sonoma Valley Museum of Art is conveniently located a block off the Plaza in downtown Sonoma.  For more information, visit www.svma.org.

Art Galleries.  If you are interested in doing more than just looking at art, Sonoma has a number of quality galleries.  A favorite of the El Pueblo Inn is the Parker Fine Art Gallery, Kenwood.  Fred Parker is an inspiration to Sonoma Valley, capturing the true beauty that Sonoma Valley has to offer.  Visit http://www.parkerfineart.com [Top]